The Jacksonville City Council overrode Mayor Donna Deegan's veto of a bill that would increase the city's payments to trash hauler Meridian Waste by 29%. Deegan argued the increase was fiscally irresponsible and would not benefit taxpayers, while the council maintained the increase was necessary to cover rising costs and ensure adequate service.
The Jacksonville city council overturned Mayor Donna Deegan's veto over the amount the city pays for trash pickup at a Tuesday night meeting. Deegan announced Monday that she had vetoed a bill passed by the city council that would have given trash hauler Meridian Waste a 29% financial increase. This veto is the first one for her administration.
Ordinance #2024-800, dubbed the “Cash for Trash” bill, allowed the waste management company to receive an additional $4 million per year over the next three years on top of increases built into the existing contract. \ Deegan stated, “In vetoing this bill, I am holding true to my commitment to be fiscally responsible and always seek return on investment for our citizens.” City Council can override Deegan's veto with a two-thirds majority. The Council’s bill passed in December with a 17 to 2 vote, so if no one changes their mind, that would be more than enough. However, the mayor's office said the city will not agree to pay the 29% increase, even if the council overrides the veto. \ The mayor noted the city has no issues with Meridian's operations and described the services provided as a “fantastic job.” According to Deegan, in honoring that contract, the city initially agreed to a 5% increase with Meridian Waste because of rising costs. But instead, the city council passed the higher 29% increase bill, which according to the city was against the advice of council auditors and despite the opposition of Deegan’s administration. The mayor’s office emphasized that taxpayers won’t see additional services for the additional $4 a month increase the city council wants. “Not only does this pay for expenses, it pays for things like lobbyist fees and cookouts and other expenses that have absolutely nothing to do with the operation of our trash hauling,” Deegan said. The city said in addition to lobbyist fees and employee appreciation cookouts, the money would have paid for “gift cards, local sponsorships and donations.” “I think it’s a bad message to send to the taxpayers to say we can’t afford to spend adequately on affordable housing and homelessness,” she said. “But we can take $4 million out of our precious reserves that we were told should not be touched to award more money to a trash hauler than they were awarded in their contract -- a contract they agreed to.
CITY COUNCIL MAYOR VEETO TRASH HAULER CONTRACT JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA TAXPAYERS BUDGET
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