Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiOctober 29, 2015

The extended drama over Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and his decision to remake the city’s Planning Commission to accord with his “vision” is over, and former Chair Lisa King is the most high-profile casualty. In a written statement on Wednesday, King looked back at her tenure, her battle, and looked forward as well. Describing the 13 to 5 […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

On Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Public Service Grants committee continued its efforts to refine the PSG Committee processes. The process, described as “broken” and “lacking credibility,” was a major sticking point in August and September budget talks. Some divergence among committee members could be observed in the utility of Requests for Proposals, with committee […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

On Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Executive Personnel Committee, including Council members Bill Gulliford, Lori Boyer, John Crescimbeni and Chairman Greg Anderson met briefly to discuss increases in salaries for staff and council members. Arguably the four most powerful council members, they almost invariably drive debate and frame narratives. Councilman Matt Schellenberg introduced a bill […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2015

Jacksonville’s City Council meeting on Tuesday night was light in terms of agenda items; expectations going in were for some fireworks on the Planning Commission removal of Lisa King and Joey McKinnon, and, perhaps, council scrutiny of the embattled Inspector General Thomas Cline. As expected, King and McKinnon were removed in favor of Lenny Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2015

On Monday, members of the St. Johns River Ferry Commission met with representatives of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and representatives of the City Finance Department to discuss future funding for the St. Johns River Ferry … and ultimately, “whose baby” (and responsibility) the ferry is. To this end, an agreement transfer subcommittee will be formed, including Mike Weinstein, […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 22, 2015

When last we heard from Jacksonville’s Inspector General Thomas Cline, Councilman John Crescimbeni was going in on him during a Finance Committee budget hearing where Cline had to be coached through the answers to myriad questions. “I gotta tell you, I’m just not sensing a really high level of comfort with the direction we’re going […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 21, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon, the Jacksonville City Council special committee on capital improvement projects continued its work refining legislation and policy related to debt management and CIPs. It ironed out aspects of draft legislation to move Jacksonville toward a more consistent and efficient approach to capital improvement projects, and with budgeting more generally, resolving City Council […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 20, 2015

The Jacksonville Recreation, Community Development, Public Health and Safety Committee had a light agenda Tuesday morning. The big bill on the agenda was an amended and restated golf course lease and management agreement with Comstock Golf Management’s financially struggling nine-hole golf club at Blue Cypress in Arlington. Councilman Matt Schellenberg pointed out that “if you don’t […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2015

One of the interesting things about the current permutation of the Jacksonville City Council’s Neighborhood Improvement and Enhancement Committee is how many complaints there are about it from the regulars. Not enough items on the agenda. They don’t do anything anymore. If you scratched the surface, you might hear similar complaints from those on City […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2015

It seemed simple enough on the agenda for the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Monday morning: a bill to allow a vehicle allowance for Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan. However, the Wu Tang Clan “Can it all really be so simple?” rule definitely was in effect when the bill led to much broader discussion […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Lisa King reflects on her Planning Commission tenure

“Broken” Jax Public Service Grants process fixes discussed in committee

Jax City Council looks to boost staff pay, personal compensation

Jax City Council OKs Planning Commission moves, scrutinizes inspector general

Future St. Johns River Ferry funding proceeds like custody battle

On shaky ground already, Jax inspector general grilled by IG committee

Jacksonville capital improvement committee works on final cleanup of bills

Jax recreation panel backs Blue Cypress golf course deal

Jax NICE Committee, against all odds, passes a bill

Jax Council Finance Committee looks to revisit city vehicle allowances