PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — Port St. Lucie homeowners could soon learn more about what city leaders plan to do with a $24 million settlement from former trash collection company Waste Pro.

The City Council will hold a special meeting Monday night to discuss potential uses for the settlement money, though no final decision is expected.

The settlement, announced in April, ended a years-long legal dispute between the city and Waste Pro over garbage and recycling collection services. The city sued the company in 2021 after years of complaints about missed pickups and inconsistent service. Waste Pro filed a countersuit, but both sides ultimately reached an agreement before the case went to trial.

Now, residents are waiting to see whether any of the settlement money could be returned to them.

“I think it should either go back to the residents, give them a refund on our property tax, because the garbage is billed through our property taxes, or they should have the garbage company come out twice a week,” said Port St. Lucie homeowner Paul Monacelli.

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City leaders have not yet decided how the money will be used. Possible options include returning some of the funds to residents through refund checks or credits, or using the money for city projects.

Last month, CBS12 News’ I-Team asked city officials about their plans for the settlement funds a day after the city got the money on May 10.

“We’re a very data-driven organization and part of what we’re doing right now is information gathering, so that we can help the city council make the best possible decision, so it’s a little premature at this point to make the determination of exactly what we’re going to do with it,” city spokesman Scott Samples said.

Not everyone is optimistic that public input will influence the outcome.

“I think the decision’s already been made. The meeting is just for show,” Monacelli said. “I don’t trust the city council or whoever makes these decisions with our money at all. They’ve been wasting a ton of our money.”

Monacelli said he does not plan to attend Monday’s meeting.

“I’ve been to these meetings before. They don’t really listen to the people. The decisions are already made,” he said.

The special City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Port St. Lucie City Hall. Residents will have an opportunity to hear more about the city’s options and provide public comment as discussions continue over the future of the $24 million settlement.