The Waco 10th Court of Appeals has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Citizens to Save Lake Waco.
On Thursday, the court did not rule on the merit of this case or on the city's plea to the jurisdiction.
City attorney Jenifer Richie released a statement on the dismissal, "The Court merely ruled on ripeness, meaning that the Court does not believe that the case is ready to be heard. While the City respects the Court’s decision, the City has an obligation to provide a new landfill before the current landfill reaches capacity and will continue to explore the best options to fulfill this responsibility."
Citizens to Save Lake Waco filed a lawsuit in February 2017 in an attempt to stop a new landfill from being built next to the current site on Old McGregor Road and Highway 84.
In Aug. 2016, the Waco City Council approved a new landfill to be built next to the already existing site.
City Attorney, Jennifer Richie, released a statement to the lawsuit saying, "The City has not breached any contract with the plaintiff. The City plans to seek a permit for a new landfill which is in the best interest of residents of Waco and the surrounding communities."
At the time, Waco Attorney Billy Davis filed the lawsuit on behalf of the groups stating the landfill is a breach of contract. "The city of Waco in 1992 signed an agreement to its existing landfill with the Citizens to Save Lake Waco that it would not expand its boundaries," he said.
The city says the landfill is necessary as they expect the current landfill to reach capacity in just eight years. Despite the growth of the city and need, Davis said it's important that Waco keeps their word.
"They may need a new landfill somewhere else, that is not close to our water source," Davis said.
