A.G. Gancarski
Two of the most veteran politicians on Jacksonville’s City Council, Bill Gulliford and Tommy Hazouri, discussed the newly-introduced pension legislation with Mayor Lenny Curry Tuesday.
In what may be a sign of a smooth process to come, as the council spends much of April workshopping and mulling the changes to the city’s pension plans, both Gulliford and Hazouri came out of the meeting favorably disposed to the reform legislation (though with questions about the financial impact, numbers which have yet to be rolled out to the public).
Gulliford, a key architect of the 2015 pension reform plan, spoke positively.
“The direction we’re going in is the right way to go,” Gulliford said, especially considering that “there are not a lot of alternatives.”
Gulliford has not seen the financial projection, but he believes “the numbers will support the proposal.”
Gulliford is interested in seeing the breakdown of financial numbers; those will be introduced to the city council Apr. 6, during a council workshop.
Hazouri, meanwhile, says his “questions were answered,” though he wants to talk to the council auditor to get his take.
The ultimate goal: “addressing the horrific $2.8 Billion unfunded liability.”
“We need to address that responsibly, which the mayor is attempting to do,” Hazouri said.
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The council will embark on an ambitious schedule regarding pension reform.
A workshop is slated for April 6 to discuss financial particulars of the legislation.
The Police and Fire Pension Fund impact statement is expected Apr. 10.
Council will have a public hearing on Apr. 11 on the pension bills. If the hearing doesn’t wrap by midnight, discussion will have to continue on a future date.
A committee of the whole is expected to convene Apr. 19.
And there may be a special council meeting on Apr. 20 or Apr. 24, ahead of the regular meeting on Apr. 25.
