GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The City Council took the first step to follow the county’s lead in eliminating curbside pickup for recyclables by voting 5-0 on the first reading of an ordinance that will end the service on Sept. 29.

The city relied on Clay County to accept and sort its recyclables; however, the county discontinued its curbside collection at the beginning of the 2024-25 fiscal year. Moreover, it decided to only accept corrugated cardboard at the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility in Green Cove Springs and its four environmental convenience centers.

Green Cove Springs Assistant City Manager Mike Null said residential recyclable curbside participation dropped from 30-35% in 2023-24 to about 10% this year. Because of this, city staff recommended that curbside collection be dropped when the new fiscal budget starts on October 1 to prevent the city from hiring another collection person to keep up with the demands for the new Rookery Subdivision.

The ordinance won’t become official until a second reading at the Sept. 2 meeting.

In other business, the council formally honored Aug. 26 as “Lineman Appreciation Day” by acknowledging the members of its electric department for their “dedication, sacrifice and service.”

“These courageous professionals work tirelessly and selflessly to provide reliable electric service to our community, often at great personal risk,” said Mayor Matt Johnson. “It is both fitting and proper to recognize and honor these brave men and women, who are true hometown heroes.”

Electric Department Director Andy Yeager said he’s never worked with a group of more dedicated employees.

“These guys have walked out of movie theaters with their families,” he said. “They've walked out of family dinners to answer the call when the electricity’s out. They've left their families whenever a hurricane or storm is approaching. These guys live here at the service center, 24/7.”

The city council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.