Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 28, 2016

Despite a late-hour amendment taking aim at Lenny Curry‘s signature social initiative, the rebooted Jacksonville Journey, the office of the Jacksonville mayor issued a press release Tuesday night — dropped just in time for the 11 p.m. newscasts — lauding the spirit of collaboration that brought Curry’s second budget from concept to completion. “The approval of the 2016-2017 […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council passed a $1.18 billion budget that will add more and better-equipped police officers to city streets. However, the big talkers were swimming lessons, travel budgets, and special events allocations … adding up to a picayune $115,000 out of the council contingency budget. And another big talker: a failed but audacious […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

On Tuesday night, the Jacksonville City Council should pass its budget. There should, at least in theory, be no real hiccups to the process. Going into the evening, there could be some floor amendments to the bill; but none look especially prohibitive or particularly interesting. Among them: moving $112,000 from the property appraiser’s fund balance to purchase aerial […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 26, 2016

A controversial bill (2016-489) moving $70,000 from council contingency for special events for each of the fourteen district council members got hung up in committees last week. Monday, bill sponsor Reggie Brown held a public notice meeting with council colleagues. And after that meeting, there may be a conceptual way forward. Brown, who represents Northwest Jacksonville, noted […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2016

Despite the maelstrom regarding the future of Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, Jacksonville City Council President Lori Boyer vowed that the Wednesday meeting between the school board and the council would steer clear of Vitti’s employment controversy, addressing more ordinary topics like school concurrency, hazardous walking conditions, and charter school development. The meeting did avoid the Vitti […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 14, 2016

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Anna Brosche ran a textbook campaign to get elected in her at-large race, projecting an image of serene competence in an electoral battle against the then-incumbent, Kimberly Daniels. Brosche, a CPA, won in last May’s election handily, and since getting on the council, has not missed a beat. While some elected to the […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 13, 2016

On Tuesday night, the Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved an ordinance intended to keep a firmer legislative hand on boards and commissions. The genesis of this bill was the 2013-14 Task Force on Consolidated Government, which found some boards were effectively useless, with sporadic meeting schedules. The bill amends the ordinance section on Boards and Commissions — to add […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 8, 2016

For the third time in less than five years, the Jacksonville City Council will be compelled to consider — again — extension of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to include the LGBT community. Councilman Tommy Hazouri has been making the media rounds this month to message ahead of the re-introduction of the measure. Hazouri told the Jax […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 6, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council’s Neighborhoods, Community Investment, and Services committee had a light agenda. Just one bill came up — a proposed transfer of $422,441 from the “Pinnacle-Fidelity Global Project” to public investment policy funds for economically distressed areas. The committee voted in favor of that, 3 to 1, with Chairman Scott Wilson the no vote. […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 1, 2016

Something had to give. And it did. Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg, citing the pressures of running a business outside of the council with serving on three standing committees, cut his workload last month by resigning from one of those committees. The casualty: his position on a new standing committee, Neighborhoods, Community Investment, and Services. The Mandarin […]

Tag: jacksonville city council

Lenny Curry lauds ‘teamwork and cooperation’ in the budget process

Jacksonville City Council passes big budget after robust discussion of small details

Why budget night should go well for the Jacksonville City Council

Jacksonville City Council members make progress on special events bill

With Nikolai Vitti’s future in question, Jacksonville City Council and school board meet

Anna Brosche talks budget, council leadership, and HRO

Jax Council to take firmer hand on boards, commissions

Another attempt to expand the HRO is coming to Jacksonville

Jax Council NCIS panel ‘won’t miss a beat’ after Matt Schellenberg departure, says chairman

Matt Schellenberg leaves Jax Council NCIS committee