JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville City Council has been put on notice: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan may veto legislation to pay a company more to remove trash.
The City’s General Counsel told the Council Members questions have been raised if the legislation violates the city charter and that Deegan may veto it before the City Council meeting on Tuesday.
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General Counsel Michael Fackler sent the following email to Council Members:
“We write to advise you that a question has been raised about whether this Ordinance violates the separation of powers provisions in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 of the Charter. We further understand that the Mayor may veto the Ordinance, and the veto would come up for a vote at Council on Tuesday, the 14th. Although we do not have a written opinion on this separation of powers issue, we have done significant research, and we are happy to share our thoughts with you individually before the 14th. And of course, we will be available for questions at the meeting on the 14th. If you are interested in setting up a meeting, please email me. Unfortunately, I am between assistants, so feel free to email me directly.”
Action News Jax told you last month the City Council approved the legislation, which gives Meridian Waste a 22.4% rate increase.
Deegan wanted an 11.3% increase. A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office said they are still considering options, but will make a decision before Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
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We told you Thursday how Council Members were torn over accepting $5 chocolate candy gift bags from Meridian just before the holidays.
Because the Meridian increase was not final and might be vetoed, the Ethics Office told Council Members to either pay Meridian the full value of the chocolates or return them.
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