A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville’s hot summer has only gotten hotter after months of crossfire between City Hall and the School Board regarding a proposed capital tax referendum.
The School Board wanted a vote this November. Mayor Lenny Curry thinks a 2020 vote is better.
On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council appealed to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody for an opinion on whether a vote to authorize the referendum can be compelled.
General Counsel Jason Gabriel, who contends that City Council decides alone when or if it votes, issued a binding opinion from his office Tuesday ahead of the meeting.
This was a follow-up to a non-binding memo from the OGC making the same point: the tax vote is Council’s call.
“In summary, while it is the School Board that initiates the surtax proposition by approving a
resolution that levies it, authorizes the statement and enacts a plan to carry it out, it is the Council that approves the referendum, as well as the timing as to when that ballot measure happens,” Gabriel said.
Tuesday evening in Council, ahead of the vote, the city attorney made his points again, saying he would be “happy” to go to Moody for her opinion.
The city attorney also noted that it is unprecedented for a general counsel to ask Council to petition the Attorney General for an opinion.
Gabriel likened the School Board seeking pro bono outside counsel to moves made by the Police and Fire Pension Fund in 2016, stressing that his office is the sole vehicle to get an AG opinion.
“The statement must be placed on the ballot by Council … the only body that can,” Gabriel said, describing his as a “plain reading underscored by the law.”
Gabriel addressed statutory construction, saying that separation of powers dictates “more than just a ministerial role” for the Council.
Rather, said the city lawyer, it’s up to Council to exercise appropriate discretion as “the last legislative stop.”
“The county has an ultimate role in the impacts of countywide legislative actions,” Gabriel added.
The School Board can start the process. However, the City Council is the closer.
Gabriel urged the two elected bodies to work together, urging continued dialogue between the School Board and City Council.
A joint meeting will be held between the two parties Wednesday morning.
4 comments
Frankie M.
August 13, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Nice one sided story. When Hank Coxe & Co. get done with this “binding legal opinion” Jason Gabriel can use it for shit tickets.
Lynn
August 13, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Answer: What she’s told!
Sonja Fitch
August 14, 2019 at 4:59 am
Looting Lenny has intimidated and ignored Florida Constitutional Officers …State Attorney Supervisor of elections. Sheriff all 3 are Bowing down at Looting Lenny feet. is the city attorney a graduate of trump u?
Money and power is looting Lenny agenda!
JSO is a disaster! 82 murders so far. No control or discipline within JSO. 3 rogue JSOcops feb13 “took law into their hands”for a friend and bullied me. Domestic terrorism…for using legal free speech and peaceful protest in Jax Bch at my home.
School Board tell looting Lenny to shut up. Supervisor of Elections do your job and put the tax increase on the ballot NOW. Looting Lenny ain’t the Kings!
PS Looting Lenny shut up about JEA. JEA is working as IS!
Susan B. Aertker
August 14, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Please ask why he didn’t say this back in May. Is it true that no one could ask a judge or Ashley Moody to review it until Jason Gabriel issued a binding opinion? Was doing it in a delayed two step process another delay? Wait out the clock so the referendum can’t be put on a 2019 ballot? Since the OGC is supposed to represent the school board, the mayor and the city council, are you asking if he actually thinks he is representing them all fairly?
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