A.G. Gancarski
Though Florida Politics did not cover last week’s Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services meeting, we were able to obtain administration notes from the session, which give a strong sense as to City Council priorities that the Lenny Curry team found notable.
Councilwoman Lori Boyer wondered “What funding is in our budget for the Jacksonville Day Resource Center?” As well, she wanted to know if “part time hours [were] increasing because of increased use of Hemming Plaza?”
Councilman John Crescimbeni likewise was concerned about workforce allocation, asserting that the “department needs to have a ‘work plan’ for Police Officers employed by city at Parks events.”
As well, council members wanted specifics on the funding for Summer Night Lights, as well as a discrete budget for other programs that have “morphed” from Jacksonville Journey initiatives.
Councilman Danny Becton, new to this body, wondered what the real dollar figure would be to “properly fund” Parks. Other council members reportedly let him know that the “available $ issue” precluded such.
Scott Wilson wanted it reflected “on the record that he has requested senior programming at Windy Hill” in his district.
Time will tell if that will come to pass for the Land Use and Zoning Chair.
Lori Boyer also sought “confirmation that programming level will be the same in FY16 as in FY15 – no decline.”
This will be true “with the exception of extended hours at centers which were a program established by the prior administration with funding transferred to the Department. That funding is not included in the proposed FY16 budget,” claimed the internal document.
Boyer wasn’t finished. She also sought stronger coordination of services, such as after school programs, between non-profit and governmental organizations to streamline expenses and mitigate redundancies.
