Committee advances phased solid‑waste rate increase and companion affordability measures; votes split 5-2

Jacksonville’s Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee on Feb. 4 approved a preliminary rate ordinance that would lower the immediate proposed 2025 residential solid‑waste rate from $30.40 to $27 and set an intent to phase the rate to $29.50 in 2026 and $32 in 2027. The committee also approved a finance amendment establishing an affordability safety net and fee exemptions; both measures passed the committee by 5 yeas to 2 nays.

The committee vote advances what proponents described as a two‑part approach: a preliminary rate ordinance and a companion annual assessment ordinance to be drafted later. Kim Taylor of the council auditor’s office, explaining the neighborhood amendment to the rate ordinance, said, “the amendment revises the original proposed rate for the calendar year 2025 from $30.40 to $27 and it also sets up an intent of council for future years to phase this in to 29.50 in calendar year 2026 and then $32 in calendar year ’27. All of these, of course, subject to council each year.”

Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the measures as a budgetary response to a growing fiscal gap. Supporters said phasing the increase and creating exemptions will reduce the long‑term drain on the general fund and free up funds for capital and neighborhood needs. Opponents warned the additional revenue could be redirected elsewhere and expressed distrust that districts most in need would receive the benefit.

What the finance amendment does

The finance amendment approved with the rate ordinance rolls together committee changes and adds three primary provisions, according to committee staff: - It creates an exemption that shields the first $12.65 of the fee (constituents would continue to pay $12.65; amounts above that would be eligible for reductions or exemptions under the program), - It directs that the application and review process follow existing procedures used for the city’s stormwater affordability program, and - It makes Bay Meadows Community Improvement District homesteaded properties eligible for a temporary per‑month reduction of $7 in calendar year 2025 and $4.50 in 2026, after which full assessment would apply.

Councilmember Matt Carlucci, the bill sponsor, described the two bills as “companions—one’s raising and one’s saving,” and said the changes are designed to create a safety net modeled on the stormwater program. He told colleagues the ordinance is intended to reduce the long‑term reliance on the general fund to cover solid‑waste costs and to “free up” money that could be used for neighborhood services. Carlucci said delaying action would increase pressure on the city budget: “Every year we put this off, the more and more money that goes for the general fund into a loan that cannot be used to provide the community services that we need to be providing our citizens.”

Support, concerns and persuasion

Councilmember Chris Miller was credited by sponsors with helping craft the neighborhood amendment; Chair and members said the change reflected substantial committee negotiation. Councilwoman Pittman said she initially opposed the bill but changed her position after reviewing the presentation and the protections for residents who cannot afford higher fees: “I decided I was going to support it,” she said.

Councilmember Reg Gaffney expressed skepticism about whether the extra funds would help his district and described a history of “broken promises.” He said his community was divided after six meetings and said he would vote no for now, reserving the possibility of changing his vote before the full council. Gaffney and other speakers also said passing the measure did not guarantee the freed funds would be spent in any particular district.

Committee outcome and next steps

Committee members voted to advance both the preliminary rate ordinance and the finance amendment. Committee staff (Mr. Rheingold) told members the preliminary ordinance is the first of two steps: if the council approves the preliminary ordinance, staff will draft an annual assessment ordinance to return to committee in May for final council action.

Votes at a glance (items acted on in this meeting) - 202500032 — finance substitute (other agenda item): Approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays. - 20240994 — landfill/gas agreements, amended: Approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays. - 202500028 — (filed bill): Approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays. - 202500029 — (filed bill with amendment; design funding): Approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays. - 202500031 — (filed bill): Approved, 6 yeas, 0 nays. - 202500001 — Preliminary solid‑waste rate ordinance (neighborhood amendment; 2025 rate: $27, phase to $29.50 in 2026 and $32 in 2027): Passed committee, 5 yeas, 2 nays. - 202500002 — Finance amendment (affordability exemptions, process parity with stormwater program, Bay Meadows CID temporary reductions): Passed committee, 5 yeas, 2 nays.

The committee record shows the legislature of both ordinances is subject to additional review; staff said a final annual assessment ordinance will return to committees in May and require full council approval before any rate is implemented.

Meeting context

The Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee held an engaged discussion on the waste rate bills with multiple members speaking in support and opposition. Officials and staff emphasized the measures are initial, conditional steps that will be followed by further drafting and a final ordinance later in the spring.

Ending

Both items now move to the next council steps for further drafting and final votes. Committee materials and staff briefings cited the stormwater affordability process as the template for the application system and said staff will return with a detailed annual assessment ordinance in May.