It was negotiated with the goals of identifying a long-term strategy for 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.

"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 - Florida.

The proposed amendment will amend the existing contract as follows if adopted:

• 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.

These proposed changes only affect the Area II (Northside) Residential Solid Waste Contract and have no legal effect upon the Area I (Westside) and Area III (Southside) Residential Solid Waste Services Contracts.


About the City of Jacksonville 
The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States, serving nearly one million residents. City of Jacksonville leadership includes Mayor Donna Deegan and a 19-member City Council led by President Randy White. To learn more, visit jacksonville.gov and idigjax.com.

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, NC, Greenville, S.C., Knoxville, Tenn., Huntsville, AL, Central AL, North & South MS, 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 MeridianWaste.com.