FBI Nextdoor Clearwater Recycling

Last updated on June 4, 2023

Thanks to Nextdoor, Clearwater residents voiced their uncertainties about Clearwater’s recycling program. Making known Clearwater’s recycling department was not taking recyclables to a Waste Management facility in Tampa. But to the Pinellas County facility. Even thou Clearwater was still charging residents for the monthly recycling service.

Nextdoor members

Next-Door members got the attention of Clearwater officials, who said they were never told about the recycling program situation or asked to help. They’ve also got the attention and help of the FBI. Who began an investigation of the City of Clearwater’s recycling program.

Original Clearwater’s Chief Innovation Officer and Interim Solid Waste Director, former Belleair Town Manager Micah Maxwell, said the disruption continued from July-December, and full/partial credit would be allotted to eligible households. He said it would cost the city roughly $1.1 million for the six months without monthly recycling service.

Officials later confirmed their monthly recycling deception was ongoing for at least four years. Clearwater is now looking at 11 to 12 million in refunds. Including municipal partners Safety Harbor and Belleair, and for the time being, halting recycling reimbursements.

City officials said they were never told about Clearwater’s recycling department situation or asked to help. This statement only verifies the need for more effective oversight by elected and appointed local officials.

Belleair and Safety Harbor

Clearwater was responsible for Belleair and Safety Harbor recyclables to WM for processing. However, since January 2020, Clearwater’s total deliveries to WM were less than the city had collected from just Belleair and Safety Harbor.

This fact alone someone should have caught as a possible accounting error. Since Belleair and Safety Harbor pay Clearwater for the monthly recycling service. Wasn’t there a checks and balances requirement? Isn’t Belleair and Safety Harbor entitled to a four year full/partial credit?

Considering Clearwater Assistant City Manager Micah Maxwell approved the expenditure before it went before the council to spend $1.6 million on six garbage cans.

Earl Gloster, then Clearwater Director of Solid Waste and General Services for 20 years, said, “You don’t get to be the number one beach in America without taking care of business like this.’ He also said, “And it’s out of sight, out of mind, we make magic every day.”

I suppose if spending $1.6 million on six garbage cans is considered magic. The only thing better than magic. Is their math!