Latest news with #MeridianWaste
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Deegan, Meridian Waste reach contract agreement amid legal disputes
The Office of Mayor Donna Deegan and Meridian Waste have announced a mutually agreeable resolution and compensation agreement after proposed legal actions. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax's Ben Becker has been keeping you informed about this deal, with the latest update coming after the deadline for compromise was passed. Council President Randy White is introducing the proposed contract amendment as a one-cycle emergency bill at a City Council meeting on Tuesday night. The City of Jacksonville provided the following goals of the amendment, which are 'ensuring quality solid waste services for the Northside, minimizing the financial impact on the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget and reserve funds, avoiding lengthy and costly litigation for both parties, and streamlining the archaic and cumbersome rate review process moving forward.' 'I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Meridian Waste on a solution that works for the city and the company. Together, we have made this process more efficient for future administrations and councils, delivered long-term financial stability for all parties, and ensured that Meridian Waste will continue providing the same high-quality service that our citizens have come to expect for many years to come,' said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. According to a release by the COJ, the amended contract will: Extends the term of the contract by six additional years (expiring September 30, 2033) with a locked in base rate and an annual CPI adjustment capped at 5% for the remainder of the contract. This brings long-term stability to budgeting and planning. Eliminates the Rate Review process in all following years, which will save hundreds of staff hours across multiple city departments and make way for a more efficient process in the future. Establishes the FY 2024/2025 base rate at $22.39; however, defers payment of a portion of the Base Rate ($1.03/unit) for a 12-month period (Oct. 1, 2024 - Sept. 30, 2025) until October 31, 2025. This allows for proper budgeting for FY 2025/2026 and minimizes the impact to Reserve Funds withdrawals. Meridian Waste will receive a retroactive payment for services rendered from Oct. 1, 2024 - Mar. 31, 2025, by April 30, 2025. Includes a new commitment by Meridian Waste to provide an in-kind or cash Community Partnership Investment valued at $150,000 divided equally over the next three years, starting with the City's FY 2025-2026 fiscal year, to benefit City economic development, health, human services, environmental and/or beautification initiatives. 'Meridian Waste has always approached this contract with the City of Jacksonville as a partnership, and we believe the proposed amendment achieves the overriding goals of the Mayor, the Council and the Company to ensure the long-term cleanliness and health of the Northside while being fiscally responsible to their constituents and our valued customers,' said Dave Shepler, Meridian Waste's Area President for the state of Florida. Changes will only affect the Northside, the Westside and Southside will not be affected. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ENTRIES NOW OPEN: 6th Annual Brightening the World Coloring Contest New Category Added: Children Aged 3 & 4
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Waste, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services company, is excited to announce the opening of entries for its 6th Annual Brightening the World Earth Day Coloring Contest. This year's contest invites children from across the United States, ages three to ten, to express their creativity and help raise awareness for Earth Day through colorful artwork. Since its inception, the Brightening the World Coloring Contest has seen an increasing number of submissions each year, engaging children, parents, and caregivers in efforts to create a more sustainable and beautiful planet. The contest aims to stimulate young minds' creativity while fostering a deeper appreciation for Earth's natural beauty and the importance of protecting it. In response to numerous requests, Meridian Waste is proud to introduce a new age category to the contest this year: children aged three and four. The 2025 contest will now feature three distinct age groups: 3 to 4 years old, 5 to 7 years old, and 8 to 10 years old. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each category, with grand prizes as well as second and third-place awards up for grabs. There is no purchase necessary to participate, and entrants do not have to be Meridian Waste customers. The contest officially begins on March 1 at 12:00 AM EST and will run until April 15 at 11:59 PM EDT. Interested participants can download one of the official coloring pages from the Meridian Waste website at After coloring their pages, entries can be submitted through the online form linked on the page. "One of the toughest jobs I have as CEO each year is serving on the Meridian Waste Brightening the World Coloring Contest selection committee," said Meridian Waste CEO, Walter "Wally" Hall. "Not only do the number of entries grow each year, but the creativity and quality of the submissions continue to impress me and our leadership team. This contest is a wonderful way to highlight the beauty of our natural environment while promoting the important work we do every day to keep our communities clean and healthy." About Meridian Waste: Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Meridian Waste is a company defined by its commitment to servicing its customers, caring for and engaging its employees, and generating financial value for its shareholders while delivering a clean and healthy community. The company's core waste business is centered on residential, commercial, and industrial non-hazardous waste collection and disposal. Currently, the company operates in Northeast Fla., St. Louis, Mo., Goldston, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., Greenville, S.C., Knoxville, Tenn., Huntsville, Ala., Central Ala., North & South Miss., Blacksburg, Va., Harrisonburg, Va., and Richmond, Va., servicing more than 515,800 residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers. In addition to a fleet of commercial, residential, and roll-off trucks, the company operates 30 hauling companies, eight transfer stations/materials recycling facilities (MRFs), three municipal solid waste landfills, and four C&D landfills in which 1,313,681 tons of waste are safely disposed of annually. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Meridian Waste
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jacksonville City Council members grill General Counsel over separation of powers opinion
The City of Jacksonville's top attorney was publicly grilled by members of the Jacksonville City Council over a binding opinion he issued, which members claim has thrown city government into 'chaos.' >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< That opinion determined council violated the separation of powers by approving a $4 million annual contract boost for Meridian Waste. It's now being used by the mayor to justify not releasing the funds, despite having her veto overridden by the council, which has led Meridian to threaten a lawsuit. Finance Chair Ron Salem (R-Group 2 At-Large) argued General Counsel Michael Fackler never informed council members about the potential conflict, despite admitting the topic had been up for discussion months prior to the approval of the contract. 'And we walked right into a lawsuit,' said Salem. RELATED: Meridian Waste threatens to pursue 'legal avenues' in trash dispute with City of Jacksonville RELATED: Mayor Donna Deegan vetoes Meridian Waste contract Council members also questioned how the decision could impact a list of 41 other contracts approved or altered by the council, including the stadium deal. Fackler indicated most shouldn't be affected but couldn't say for sure. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'It's not a clear-cut situation,' said Fackler. Councilmember Nick Howland (Group 3 At-Large) suggested the uncertainty could lead to a chaotic situation. 'It's almost like you have given each team here, executive and legislative, an unlimited number of challenge flags, and you've said forget about the longstanding precedent,' said Howland. 'You know, throw the flags, and I'll be ready to decide. Go!' RELATED: No confidence resolution filed targeting Jacksonville's top attorney RELATED: 'Disappointing': Jacksonville Bar Association supports city attorney after 'no confidence' filing Salem and other council members were especially concerned with the upcoming budget process and questioned how Fackler's opinion would impact their powers of the purse. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'Now there's this threat of separation of powers. So, we've gone through this whole process and the mayor can still change that whole contract, and that's not how it's worked for 50 years,' said Salem. Members requested Fackler return an opinion on the council's authority to override line-item budget vetoes. Fackler also committed to doing further research into the separation of powers issue and indicated he'd be willing to overrule his standing opinion if he found evidence that changed his mind. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'That is garbage': Mayor's office scraps change to council member communications after pushback
Tensions between the mayor's office and Jacksonville City Council are once again boiling over. This time, it's over a now-scrapped policy proposed by the mayor's office that would have restricted how council members could talk to city agencies to solve issues for constituents. When all else fails, constituents often contact their local council members to try and get results from their local government. Councilmember Nick Howland (R-Group 2 At-Large) argued the new communications policy put forth by the mayor's office threatened to undermine local elected officials' ability to solve those problems. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'They're throwing a barrier between council and the administration now and it's going to slow down productivity,' said Howland. Citing a change in state law and a desire to track member requests, the mayor's office's proposal would have required council members to submit requests through a system similar to the MyJax city services portal. 'We put forward a plan to streamline executive and legislative branch communications around constituent needs in an effort to bring more transparency and efficiency to the process,' the mayor's office said in a statement. Under the policy, city employees would also have to log any interactions with council members, get approval for requests that require department action, and would be instructed to 'not informally handle issues for council members'. 'When calls come in from council members, it's a distraction and they don't know what to prioritize and what have you,' said Mayor Donna Deegan's Chief of Staff Mike Weinstein during a meeting with council members on Monday. Read: Trash hauler Meridian Waste threatens to sue the City of Jacksonville Tensions boiled over during the meeting, with council members from both parties expressing frustration and concern the policy would hamstring their ability to get results for constituents. 'I've never felt like I was a distraction when I've communicated with your departments. That's a good thing, but I think if that's the mentality that y'all have, that needs to change. This communication process doesn't need to change, y'all's mentality needs to change. That is garbage,' said Councilmember Joe Carlucci (R-District 5). By the end of the meeting, Weinstein ultimately agreed to rescind the policy and work with council to improve the plan. Read: Judge tosses last charge against ex-prosecutor accused of misconduct in Ahmaud Arbery case Still, Howland questions the need for any change. 'Council members have found ways to be effective for their constituents. I don't think there needs to be anything done and I don't understand why there had to be in the first place,' said Howland. In a statement, the mayor's office noted after the communication plan was not well received by council members, it is now, 'Working closely with City Council on creating a policy that works for all parties'. Read: Army helicopter, plane collide: Remains of all 67 killed recovered [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trash hauler Meridian Waste threatens to sue the City of Jacksonville
One of Jacksonville's primary trash haulers is now threatening to sue the city over how much it gets paid. Trash hauler Meridian Waste said Jacksonville has 27 days to decide to give them the pay increase they were promised by the city council or go to court. RELATED: Meridian Waste threatens to pursue 'legal avenues' in trash dispute with City of Jacksonville Action News Jax obtained the letter hand-delivered to Mayor Donna Deegan's office. It accuses the mayor of putting politics over timely trash service. This is the latest development in a story Action News Jax has covered for months now. The city council voted to give Meridian Waste a 29% contract boost, which would be $4 million a year over three years. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The mayor wanted a smaller increase and vetoed it. After the council overturned that veto, she said they didn't have that power and refused to give Meridian Waste the money. RELATED: Mayor Donna Deegan vetoes Meridian Waste contract Meridian's letter said her decision was not about garbage collection but about political bickering that 'touched a political nerve.' It said Deegan's decision violates their contract and puts trash service at risk for 80,000 families in Arlington and the Northside. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news break On This Week in the 904, Jacksonville City Councilman Kevin Carrico told Action News Jax he believed a lawsuit would hurt the city. 'I don't think this is going to end well,' said Carrico. 'I think Meridian Waste is going to win, and I think it's going to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars'. The mayor's office said it is currently reviewing the letter that was just received, so it declined to comment at this time. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
