A longtime landfill fee dispute between the city of Jacksonville and two Beaches communities involving hundreds of thousands of dollars might be nearing an end for one but not the other city on the shore. <\/p>\n
The dispute is rooted in Neptune Beachs and Atlantic Beachs solid waste dumped at the citys Trail Ridge Landfill. Jacksonville asserts both Beaches municipalities owe it tipping fees under interlocal agreements. Jacksonville Beach doesnt have such an agreement. <\/p>\n
Atlantic Beach is poised to resolve its dispute over tipping and sludge fees with Jacksonville. On Monday, the Atlantic Beach City Commission will discuss the negotiated settlement calling for it to pay $322,709 to the city. The commission could take a final vote at its Feb. 9 meeting. <\/p>\n
The Jacksonville City Council also must approve it. The proposed settlement could be introduced to the City Council as early as Tuesday. If not then, the next opportunity would be the Jan. 27 council meeting. <\/p>\n
Neptune Beach and the city are at an impasse. Jacksonville says it is owed about $673,965 in tipping fees by Neptune Beach from fiscal year 2011-12 through November 2014. Neptune Beach, however, says it shouldnt have to pay any past tipping fees because other Duval County municipalities dont pay them. It also says Jacksonville owes it money for animal control services. <\/p>\n
Neither side appears willing to compromise. No talks between the two cities had been scheduled as officials on each side blame the other for failing to resolve the ongoing dispute. <\/p>\n
Neptune Beach Mayor Harriet Pruette as well as Jacksonville City Council member Bill Gulliford, whose district includes the Beaches, accuse Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown of ignoring that community and the needs of its residents. Brown also has dragged out the tipping fee dispute, which dates back to 2011, each told the Times-Union in separate interviews. <\/p>\n
Mayor Alvin Brown, in my opinion, regarding tipping fees has completely ignored Neptune Beach. He has not done anything , Pruette said. I might not get the resolution I would like to see. But I would certainly like to resolve where we are and get something concrete that the council could either say yes or no to. Right now, were just in limbo, Pruette said of her desire to settle the dispute. <\/p>\n
David DeCamp, spokesman for Brown, told the Times-Union that Karen Bowling, former city chief administrative officer, as well as other senior staff and department heads have tried repeatedly to work out an agreement with Neptune Beach just as we have with Atlantic Beach. <\/p>\n
The over-arching goal has always been to protect the countys taxpayers and make sure everyone is treated fairly over this issue, DeCamp said. The city has tried to operate transparently on this and provide them all the information we can, he said. <\/p>\n
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Jacksonville landfill fee dispute heats up for one beach community<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A longtime landfill fee dispute between the city of Jacksonville and two Beaches communities involving hundreds of thousands of dollars might be nearing an end for one but not the other city on the shore. The dispute is rooted in Neptune Beachs and Atlantic Beachs solid waste dumped at the citys Trail Ridge Landfill. Continue reading