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A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

On Thursday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee took a romp through the Public Works budget as part of its larger budget review. As the discussion proceeded from JEA and vehicle replacement to stormwater and landfill issues, tensions reared their head. Before that, many other subjects were discussed. Fun Fact: Operating expenses are up $3,7M, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

Thursday morning’s Jacksonville Finance Committee budget hearing is set to include a potpourri of departments. The first big talker was the budget for the Talent Management program, related to a tuition reimbursement program of $125,000 for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue promotional requirements. That led Councilman John Crescimbeni to ask whether it was part of collective […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 26, 2015

Beyond the Liberty Street discussion, there were discussion points of note during Wednesday morning’s Capital Improvement Projects review by the Finance Committee of the Jacksonville City Council. This is by no means an exhaustive recap of these. John Crescimbeni asked for a total recap of this CIP budget compared to the last. About $71 million […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 26, 2015

On Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee considered the Capital Improvement Projects Budget. As these things go, it was not a spectator sport. The big story: the Liberty Street issue, described as “unsightly” and the consequences of “deferred maintenance” by Council President Greg Anderson. The Liberty Street Collapse was a big talking point for Lenny […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2015

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, […]

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 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. GancarskiMarch 30, 2015

Jacksonville’s First Election, held last Tuesday, settled the majority of the Council district races: Aaron Bowman, Matt Schellenberg, Garrett Dennis, John Crescimbeni, Doyle Carter, Reggie Brown and Jim Love all won outright, joining Bill Gulliford, Lori Boyer, and Danny Becton, who ran unopposed. There are still five Council races headed toward a May 19 runoff, however, and with that in mind, here is a quick […]

Tag: Danny Becton
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Jax Public Works budget reveals landfill, stormwater stresses

JFRD tuition reimbursement under fire at Jax Finance Committee budget review

Jax Finance Committee mulls CIP, banking fund

Liberty Street fix highlights Jax CIP budget discussion; Finance backs 2 year plan

Lenny Curry administration notes from Jax Parks and Rec budget meeting

Jax City Council Budget Review: Sheriff’s Office

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

Jacksonville City Council runoff elections are full of drama and intrigue