Jacksonville City Council expresses no confidence in General Counsel Michael Fackler after Meridian Waste controversy

Jacksonville City Council (WJXT, Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After some Jacksonville City Council members questioned the abilities of the city’s top legal officer following the Meridian Waste debacle, the council voted that they were not confident in General Counsel Michael Fackler’s job performance on Tuesday.

Council member Ron Salem introduced the resolution expressing a “lack of confidence” in Fackler’s ability to serve as an “independent, unbiased General Counsel.”

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In an 11 to 6 vote during the city council meeting, the majority of the council said it did not have confidence in Fackler.

Councilmen Rory Diamond called for Fackler to resign.

The resolution came after Fackler advised that the city council’s decision to approve an additional $4 million annually for Meridian Waste over the next three years violated the separation of powers.

The council disagreed with that opinion and overrode the mayor’s veto, fearing that the waste management company would retaliate with legal action.


About the Author
Chris Will headshot

Chris Will has joined the News4JAX team as a weekend morning reporter, after graduating from the University of Florida in spring 2024. During his time in Gainesville, he covered a wide range of stories across the Sunshine State. His coverage of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award.

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