Plan calls for $100M to remove septic tanks in Jacksonville’s underserved neighborhoods
Legislation filed by City Council President Tommy Hazouri
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council President Tommy Hazouri has filed legislation calling for $100 million to remove septic tanks in underserved neighborhoods.
The plan is in addition to the effort to phase out septic tanks in the Biltmore, Beverly Hills and Christobel neighborhoods.
The city made an agreement with JEA in 2016 to invest more than $30 million to phase out septic tanks in those three neighborhoods, but News4Jax I-TEAM learned the program hit a snag when the city ran out of money. The city and JEA said they will need $6 million to complete the septic tank phaseout program in the Beverly Hills East neighborhood, directly affecting 150 homes. City leaders also said they’re $25.8 million short on septic tank funding for the Christobel neighborhood, directly impacting 509 hom
10:34 AM EST Share The City Council president filed legislation to borrow money to address what is seen as a countywide problem in underserved neighborhoods.
Jacksonville City Council President Tommy Hazouri filed legislation Feb. 3 that would borrow $100 million to remove aging septic tanks and connect underserved Duval County neighborhoods to sanitary sewer systems.
Hazouri’s announcement comes as District 10 Council member Brenda Priestly Jackson said in a Feb. 3 text message that she is working with Mayor Lenny Curry’s office to find funding to complete the underfunded septic tank phaseout program approved in 2016.
In a news release Feb. 9, Hazouri said his proposal is in addition to Curry’s effort to complete septic tank removal in the Biltmore, Beverly Hills and Christobel neighborhoods.
City Council President Tommy Hazouri on Tuesday filed legislation for $100 million to replace septic tanks with sewer service, and Mayor Lenny Curry s office said Curry is absolutely committed to doing all the septic tank phase-outs promised in 2016 in three Northwest Jacksonville neighborhoods.
Curry also has been working with City Council members on a long-range solution to phasing out septic tanks, but Hazouri said in the case of his bill, he s pursuing the $100 million because it fits into his goal of fostering social justice and community investment. This is a speedy way to get started, Hazouri said. If he (Curry) has a better idea, God bless our city.