Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

Florida Politics has learned that Jessica Baker, governmental consultant for Ballard Partners, has left the lobbying firm’s Jacksonville office to join the Lenny Curry administration, where she will be second in command in Intergovernmental Affairs under Ali Korman Shelton. Curry and his Chief Administrative Officer, Sam Mousa, were asked about the talk that had been circulating Tuesday morning. Answering […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

The last Rules Committee meeting of the Jacksonville City Council in August had an appointment-heavy agenda, yet there was room also to address two major issues. Included on the agenda: 2015-508, which increases fines on unlicensed contractors to bring it in line with state recommendations; and 2015-522, a bill addressing emergency roadway clearance and post-disaster […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2015

“August is a tough month if you’re on Finance, because you’re keeping up with your regular council work and the Finance Committee meetings,” Greg Anderson said Monday, providing a preamble to the regular Finance Committee meeting. There will be a special committee on public service grants, Anderson said, and in about two weeks there will […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

Two budget reviews from the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee to go on Thursday. The firs, and the most important: the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. 2:39 p.m.: John Crescimbeni mentions that more than 15 COPS Grant employees not being part of the General Fund as not being “transparent” in terms of budgeting. Bill Gulliford predicts that after three years, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Thursday afternoon Jacksonville City Council Budget Review began, as the council auditor presentation continued with a lively discussion of public service grants. The morning session is here. 1:20: Councilman Tommy Hazouri is annoyed by a lack of clarity on these from Rashanda Jackson, chairwoman of the Public Service Grant Council. John Crescimbeni goes on to outline a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Budget Hearing Day One commenced with the administration overview, then a bracing 165-minute romp through capital improvement projects with Council Auditor Kirk Sherman. As the old song goes, “Let’s get this party started right; let’s get this party started quickly.” Overall, it was a very smooth session, with minor […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2015

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The Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Jacksonville City Council’s Rules Committee didn’t exactly promise fireworks, but with the Hemming Park emergency authorization on the table, it was worth checking out. After a series of unanimous appointments, the Little Van Wert Avenue river access bill withdrawal, and a deferment of the Charlotte’s Web moratorium, the first bill […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2015

The Tuesday morning meeting of the Jacksonville City Council Recreation, Community Development, Public Health and Safety Committee happened as scheduled. A few highlights. The first order of business was a discussion of 2015-143, a bill marked “DEFER” in the agenda. Councilman Reggie Brown wanted to know why the city’s approach to accepting grants was “stagnant.” […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

With less than a week before he takes office, Lenny Curry‘s new administration is taking shape. “As I promised the taxpayers of Jacksonville, it is my intent to bring to government the best and brightest to serve with honor and integrity, and the team that we are assembling represents both great talent and a strong commitment […]

Tag: Ali Korman Shelton

Personnel note: Jessica Baker joins Lenny Curry administration

Contractors, disaster prep on agenda in Jax Rules committee

Council, Curry administration joust in Jax Finance Committee

Jax City Council Budget Review: Sheriff’s Office

Jacksonville Council budget review: Public Service Grants

Jax Council budget review morning session addresses UF Health, other issues

Jax Council Rules committee approves Hemming Park contract

Jax council committee mulls Van Wert, cadavers, blight

Lenny Curry makes 4 key hires for his administration