SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County commissioners pumped the brakes Tuesday on a funding request for up to $50,000 for bear-proof trash cans — but the program may not be going anywhere.
Commissioners cancelled a scheduled vote after learning there were concerns about a shortage in grant funds for the bear-resistant garbage cans. A new funding source emerged in its place: a $25,000 grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Simone Nelson, who lives near Markham Woods, said bear-proof trash cans are needed in her neighborhood.
“We have had encounters where bears have come into our garage and pulled open our fridge and even freezer,” Nelson said. “Having that bear-proof trash can, the bear’s just scooting on by knowing there’s nothing there for them to take has been a big difference.”
In 2015, commissioners passed the Urban Bear Management Ordinance, which established rules to reduce human-bear encounters.
The ordinance primarily affects people west of Interstate 4 and requires that garbage be kept in bear-resistant cans if trash is set out before 5 a.m. on collection days.
“We’ve had the bear-proof can for years now because of necessity,” Nelson said. “Otherwise, there’s no way we could have put our trash out.”
According to the county, there is no match requirement for the funding request, which is scheduled for consideration at the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Advisory Committee’s July 15 meeting.
A county spokesperson said the details on how the new FWC grant funds would be used have not yet been determined — including whether the program would operate as a direct purchase and distribution or as a rebate program for homeowners.
Those details are expected to be announced as the program moves forward.