ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – The City of St. Augustine Beach stepped in to help manage yard debris collection for various sections of Anastasia Island in St. Johns County, following the disastrous rollout of the contract with FCC Environmental Services, which has since been terminated.
“FCC, the solid waste company responsible for yard debris, household waste and recycling collection, has failed to meet their obligations for St. Johns County,” Mayor Dylan Rumrell stated. “This decisive action underscores our commitment to working together effectively and ensuring that our community receives the essential services it deserves during emergencies.”
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St. Johns County commissioners voted last year to award a $28.2 million contract — which was millions less than the next highest bidder — to FCC Environmental Services to take over trash pickup for the entire county, and it began servicing 112,000 residents in the county on Aug. 1.
Less than a month after beginning waste services in the county, FCC was kicked to the curb on Aug. 20 amid complaints from thousands of residents over service disruptions.
Following a long discussion with the CEO of the company, county officials and upset residents, commissioners voted unanimously to terminate the contract with FCC.
“It appears to me there was a breach of contract from day one. And you left us during a hurricane. You have created in our community a public safety and a public health crisis,” said Commissioner Sarah Arnold, who was one of the customers who didn’t have their trash picked up on Monday. “I personally can say I have lost all trust in FCC. I believe the majority of our residents would feel the same way.”
The county also said it has received more than 7,000 calls about service issues and 3,000 complaints on its app.
Those complaints came from neighbors who reported that trash cans had been left in the middle of the streets, trash was left on the ground, and incorrect pickups were made. Some said they went weeks without their yard waste being removed.
In addition, there have been more than 13,000 service inspections by county staff which has cost 2,200 hours. The county said it is clocking all the hours to get reimbursed from FCC.
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St. Augustine Beach officials said the Public Works Department worked on yard debris collection in various areas on Anastasia Island on Saturday and Sunday.
“We want to thank our city public works staff and St. Johns County public works department for a coordinated effort to ensure residents received services in a timely manner,” City of St. Augustine Beach Public Works Director Russell Adams, said.