JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s office and Meridian Waste, the city’s trash hauler, reached a resolution Tuesday to avoid legal action over the solid waste contract that covers the Northside.

Officials said in a release that the proposed amendments to the existing contract with Meridian will be introduced as an emergency bill at Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting.

If adopted, the deal would extend Meridian’s contract by six years, locking in a base rate for waste collection with annual increases capped at 5% for the remainder of the contract.

The move comes after city council voted to overturn Deegan’s veto in January, adopting an ordinance that would increase the cost of trash pickup by 29%, while services remain the same.

Now, for the upcoming fiscal year, the base rate will be raised to $22.39 per month per premise, though $1.03 of that increase will be deferred until Oct. 31, 2025. Officials say this will help minimize the impact to reserve fund withdrawals, potentially saving the city money.

Meridian will then receive a retroactive payment by April 30, 2025, for services rendered between Oct. 1, 2024, to Mar. 31, 2025.

Additionally, Meridian will also invest $150,000 over the next three years in community projects to help city economic development, health and human services and environmental or beautifications initiatives.

“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 Meridian Waste’s Area President of Florida Dave Shepler.

The agreement will also eliminate the lengthy rate review process in all following years, which the city says will save hundreds of staff hours each year.

Deegan says the agreement ensures long-term financial stability and high-quality service for the people of Jacksonville.

“I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Meridian Waste on a solution that works for the city and the company,” Deegan said. “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.”

City officials emphasized that these changes only affect the area that Meridian covers on the Northside, as other areas of the city are in the middle of contracts that are not up for renewal or rate review.