ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Johns Board of County Commissioners plans to address disruptions with the county's waste collection on Monday, less than three weeks since a new trash collector took over the job.
In December, the board voted to approve a contract with FCC Environmental Services for the next seven years. St. Johns County will pay FCC $28.2 million for the first year.
FCC began servicing St. Johns County on Aug. 1, and in the first week, county inspectors documented more than 5,000 missed trash collections.
The lapses in service prompted the county to employ its own trucks from the Road and Bridge Department to help with trash pickup.
"The entire board apologizes for the service interruptions," said St. Johns Board of Commissioners Chair Sarah Arnold in a video update posted to YouTube on Friday.
Arnold said the county plans to request interim supplemental solid waste providers during a meeting Monday to "help fill the service gaps created by FCC." She added FCC will be charged for the cost it takes to bring in another entity to assist with trash pickup.
"We have a high standard of customer service in St. Johns County, and what we have endured since FCC began serving our community on Aug. 1 is unacceptable," said Arnold. "On Monday, a serious discussion will be had, with termination as a strong possibility. We have lost trust in FCC's ability to provide accurate data and deliver service in good faith."
On Tuesday, the county plans to take the "next serious step" to address the servicing issues, according to Arnold.
"Be assured that the board will hold FCC Environmental accountable for all the costs the county has incurred to bring another company to help us," said Arnold. "Please remain patient and know that we are taking this seriously."
Residents can report issues with their solid waste services to the county through the Recycle Coach app or by submitting a service request through the SJC Connect app.
FCC is expected to take over services in Clay County starting Oct. 1. The company's leadership spoke with the county's Board of Commissioners during a meeting Tuesday, addressing the root of the problem when its service was launched in St. Johns County.
"Some of the things we learned, in lessons, were that from the older days of picking up garbage, recycling, yard waste, to the new days is based on technology," said Charles Merkley, the vice president of business development at FCC. "Our technology failed."
Merkley insisted the technology issues are being addressed with the company 3rd Eye and its systems have since all been activated. 3rd Eye provides camera systems for waste haulers, allowing fleet operators to pinpoint the location of a truck in their trash route.
"What 3rd Eye does: it's your eyes and ears of every truck route on every piece of collection," said Merkley.
Merkley told commissioners there is a learning curve with the equipment, but said utilizing the new technology is the easiest way to verify service was completed.
"We plan on being 100% right out the gate," Merkley said concerning the start of service in Clay County.