JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The war of words that has been playing out in television commercials and in City Hall over the future operation of the city's landfill came to a climax Tuesday afternoon when the City Council voted unanimously to withdraw the mayor's $750 million landfill proposal.

The 119-page Trail Ridge Landfill contract is one of the most expensive in Jacksonville history. Waste Management currently operates one part of the landfill, but it wants to expand to the other areas. However, other companies want the opportunity to run part of the landfill as well. They want the opportunity to bid on the contract.

Mayor John Peyton wants to give the nearly $1 billion deal to the landfill's current operator. However, council members voted 18-0 against his proposal for a no-bid, trash-hauling deal for the city dump. Councilman Warren A. Jones did not vote.

The city will now entertain other bids from other companies that have interest in running the landfill.

While the mayor maintains that keeping the current contract with Waste Management would save the city money in the long run, other companies have said they can do the job for less.

"Right now, with the economy being the way it is, people are sharpening their pencils and trying to get as low as they possibly can get. Landfill business is a stable piece of business that everyone wants a piece of, so from that standpoint it's going to be extremely competitive. Whether it's Waste Management, Republic or some other company, the number is going to be a lot lower than it is right now," said Republic Services Inc. General Manager Andrew King.

"We're going to basically take a look and assess all of the options and try to make the best decisions for our stockholders," said Charles Dees, of Waste Management.

While some people were happy about the council's decision, others, including the mayor, were disappointed.

In a statement released shortly after the council's vote, Peyton said he appreciates the time and effort that the city council members put into reviewing and considering the proposed landfill contract. He is disappointed the city council did not support the contract, but he respects their action.