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Council member outlines proposed trash-fee increase as residents raise pickup concerns
Summary
Council Member Rahman Johnson described a pending proposal to increase Jacksonville's residential garbage fee from $12.65 to about $30 per month, explained how assessments would be collected, and invited resident feedback; staff said the city will subsidize low-income households and address service complaints.
Council Member Rahman Johnson told a District 14 community meeting that the City of Jacksonville has a proposal before the council to increase the city curbside garbage fee from $12.65 per month to about $30 per month.
"There's a proposal in front of council that'll be coming up for increasing the garbage fee. Right now we haven't increased that fee in in 12 years. The proposal would increase it from 12.65 per month to 30 per month," Johnson said, describing the proposal and the staff plan to escrow the charge on tax rolls and provide subsidies for qualifying low-income residents.
Johnson said the proposed change would be collected on the property tax roll and that residents on escrowed mortgages would see the new amount treated similarly to other tax charges. City staff explained the fee increase is intended to stabilize funding for garbage collection; Johnson said the city currently pays among the lowest rates in the state and the proposed increase would bring the program closer to sustainable levels.
Residents at the meeting raised operational complaints about missed pickups in the neighborhood. One resident, Foletta McNeil, described repeated problems and asked whether an increased fee would ensure reliable pickup. Johnson replied that the city and contractors are responsive and urged residents to submit service tickets through MyJax or 630-CITY and to copy his office for follow-up. "If you have an issue and you write into myjacks.com ... copy me, personally, me and my office on that ticket request, and we'll make sure we follow-up," he said.
Council Member Johnson took a nonbinding show-of-hands poll in the room; roughly half of the attendees raised their hands in favor of raising the fee to preserve service, while others opposed a higher charge. Johnson said staff will continue public outreach and that the measure will be addressed formally by the council at a future meeting.
Staff also said the administration intends to build in exemptions or subsidies for households on fixed incomes or with qualifying financial hardship so those residents would not be required to pay the full fee. No formal council vote occurred at the community meeting.
Next steps: staff will provide details about the proposal, the subsidy/escrow mechanism and public comment opportunities as the council considers the measure.
