Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2018

As Jacksonville considers the increasingly less hypothetical question of whether or not to sell its public utility, JEA, a bill (2018-101) filed this week would earmark any proceeds. The bill, filed by Republican City Councilman Matt Schellenberg, would set up a restricted reserve account, which would require a two-thirds vote to access funds therein. In a conversation Thursday […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 7, 2018

Public Financial Management is developing a valuation report for JEA, and a draft released to media makes the case that Jacksonville’s utility may have a “new answer to the old question of whether the city should sell JEA.” The most telling paragraph in the 25-page draft of the potential sale comes at its close. “In […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2018

Jacksonville’s relationship with its municipal utility, JEA, is on shaky ground. The office of Mayor Lenny Curry is, depending on who is telling the story, at least open to the possibility of selling off JEA to a private owner. Jacksonville City Council members have their concerns, which will be discussed in a public meeting on Tuesday […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2018

In Tallahassee, Community Redevelopment Agencies are under siege by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who believes they are taxpayer-funded slush funds. However, Jacksonville lawmakers believe there are safeguards put in place to protect taxpayers, and that CRAs provide necessary functions. This week in City Council committees (Monday in Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health & Safety; Tuesday in […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2018

Democrat Sunny Gettinger entered the race in Jacksonville City Council District 14 Thursday. Gettinger, a former Chair of Riverside Avondale Preservation, has an impressive résumé. Gettinger, professionally a communications manager for Google Fiber, began working for Google in 2006. Additionally, she served as associate director of press advance and Florida recount media coordinator for the DNC after […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 24, 2018

While the Jacksonville City Council presidency next year is all but served up to the Jacksonville Chamber’s Aaron Bowman, the vice presidency is still in play. Pledge meetings kicked off, months ahead of May’s vote, for those taking office in July. All indications show the fight could prove every bit as combative as the fractious presidency […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 23, 2018

‘Project Volt,’ an economic development deal passed Tuesday evening in the Jacksonville City Council, could bring hundreds of jobs into the area, and allowing Jacksonville to enter a new industry that will grow in the coming years. The unnamed company, which makes solar panels at eight locations around the world, is new to America: per […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 23, 2018

The Jacksonville City Council ‘Special Committee on Opioid Epidemic’ discussed a couple of hot-button issues Tuesday, as the city continues to grapple with the overdose crisis. “We’re at an overdose [death] a day, 400 a year,” said one committee member. One subject at hand: the city lawsuit against opioid companies, which will be handled by […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 22, 2018

Jacksonville has wrestled with issues of blight for decades; in fact, there is even a department in city government to address the issue. The consolidated city has ordinances dating back to 1975 on the matter, but the problem remains; trash on the sides of roads and in vacant lots. On Monday, Jacksonville City Councilmembers Katrina Brown and Reggie Brown hosted […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 22, 2018

How vulnerable is Jacksonville City Councilwoman Katrina Brown? Fourteen months out from the first election, Brown (who hasn’t yet filed for re-election) already has six people lined up to replace her. Community activist Tameka Gaines Holly filed this month. A Leadership Jacksonville graduate with an aversion to taking strong positions on issues, she will attempt […]

Tag: jacksonville city council

Jacksonville to mull ‘lockbox’ for JEA sale proceeds

JEA draft valuation report lays out benefits of sale

Jacksonville Councilors want underground power lines in older neighborhoods

Jacksonville City Council panel moves bills on King/Soutel CRA

Democrat Sunny Gettinger launches run for Jacksonville City Council

Knives out early in Jacksonville City Council leadership meetings

Solar plant incentives clear Jacksonville City Council; 800 jobs to be created

Jacksonville opioid treatment pilot program showing encouraging results early on

Talking trash: Jacksonville City Council in a dither over litter

Katrina Brown stays tight-lipped on Jax City Council re-election bid