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Jacksonville council approves larger solid-waste fee to address growing shortfall
Summary
The Jacksonville City Council approved an increase to the city's solid-waste fee after hours of debate about long-term deficits, budget priorities and whether spending cuts should precede new revenue.
At the Feb. 11, 2025 meeting of the Jacksonville City Council, members approved an ordinance (agenda item 20 25 0 0 0 1) to raise the city's solid-waste fee, a move supporters say is necessary to close a growing structural shortfall in the solid-waste fund.
Council members who backed the increase said the fee has not kept pace with rising operating costs and that delaying action would force steeper measures later. Council Member Matt Carlucci, who led outreach to neighborhood and civic groups ahead of the vote, said the proposal had broad local support: "I've taken this proposal to various community groups... and I have been very encouraged," Carlucci said on the chamber floor.
Opponents argued the council should first reduce discretionary spending and rework procurement processes before assessing residents again. Council Member Rory Dimon said he would vote no, arguing the council had not fully pursued spending cuts: "We haven't even tried," Dimon said, describing the vote as premature. Several colleagues also voiced concern about the impact on residents on fixed incomes.
Council Member Clark Murray summarized auditor data during debate and urged colleagues to weigh the longer-term liabilities: "The accumulative loan amount is 97,012,700," she said, citing figures provided by the auditor's office and legislative services during the discussion.
After debate and a procedural motion to call the question, the council recorded a final roll-call vote: 12 yeas, 7 nays. The ordinance was approved as amended.
The council and administration said the fee increase is intended to stabilize the solid-waste fund and avoid larger emergency measures later. Supporters emphasized the change will fund regular collection services and help address a multi-year shortfall identified in budget analyses; critics urged a subsequent, formal review of nonessential budget items and procurement practices.
What passed: the ordinance recorded as agenda item 20 25 0 0 0 1, approved 12-7 (final tally recorded by the clerk). The ordinance was presented as a fee (not a property tax) under state law and will take effect according to the implementation schedule in the approved ordinance.
Council members who spoke for and against the ordinance were among those who participated in the recorded debate; their remarks and the council's vote will be filed with Legislative Services.
