Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2017

Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Eric Kazatsky offered some cautionary words about Jacksonville’s bonds this week, relevant as the city continues to attempt to improve its perception in the eyes of ratings agencies. “Despite stable fund and cash balances,” Kazatsky writes, “the city has been challenged by a steadily increasing fixed-cost ratio, which could put downward pressure on […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 16, 2017

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s autonomous vehicle program is progressing apace, and the next step: a test track. Emails between city officials reveal that track may be in one of the highest-visibility areas in the city. A Friday email from Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa laid it out. Mousa wrote that “the JTA has approached the City […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 10, 2017

The first day of Jacksonville City Council review of Mayor Lenny Curry‘s proposed budget was highlighted by a deep dive into the Sheriff’s budget: 35 percent of the general fund. Among the highlights of the proposed budget: 100 more cops, which would bring force levels within a few dozen of the peak of 1,800 officers years back. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 10, 2017

The August ritual began anew Thursday morning in Jacksonville’s City Hall, with the City Council Finance Committee beginning its review of the Mayor’s proposed budget. The day began with a romp through a presentation from the Curry administration, followed by the Council Auditor’s review of the budget. The proposed $1.27B budget is up from the […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 9, 2017

Three months ago, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry bid farewell to Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart. Stewart resigned to take a position at JEA, and what’s been clear this summer is that there’s been no rush to fill the role. On Wednesday, Mayor Curry addressed the situation; in short, no one should expect a new chief of staff […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

The big #jaxpol scoop of the day dropped early this morning. An early-week trip by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa caught the eye of the Florida Times-Union Tuesday … as it was on Jags’ owner Shad Khan’s corporate jet. Described as “a two-day trip to St. Louis and Baltimore to take […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

“Another mess” in Jacksonville summer camp funding has made its way to the attention of Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. This time: a complaint that advance funding wasn’t released to a provider (Us and Our Children) … and that immediate help is needed. Yolanda Tucker emailed Mayor Curry this week, outlining the organization’s […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 29, 2017

On Thursday, the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry took its annual romp through budgets of venues managed by SMG. SMG, which saw its contract renewed for five more years this week via the Jacksonville City Council, manages Jacksonville sports and entertainment facilities. Highlights? For masochists and budget obsessives, they are below. The struggle, as ever, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2017

Jacksonville City Council President-Designate Anna Brosche was not Mayor Lenny Curry‘s first choice for Council President – a term starting later this week — according to some sources. But the two first-term Republicans are pragmatists, and with Curry a believer in the importance of relationship building, a notable event on the Mayor’s Tuesday schedule was a meeting with […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2017

The office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry reviewed the Downtown Investment Authority budget on Tuesday; below, some highlights. One interesting point out of this — LaVilla development plans are moving apace, with DIA working with consultants. Also in consultant mode: the downtown parking study, as DIA is responsible for downtown parking now. Parking revenues are down […]

Tag: Sam Mousa

Bloomberg warns of ‘downward pressure’ on Jacksonville’s credit rating

JTA autonomous vehicle test track headed to Jax Sports Complex

Jax Councilors hammer Sheriff Mike Williams on policy, procedure

Jax City Council begins mulling Lenny Curry’s budget

Lenny Curry has no plans to hire new chief of staff

Lenny Curry, Sam Mousa discuss trip with Shad Khan

Sam Mousa: ‘Another mess’ regarding Jax summer camp funding

Event management highlights review of Jacksonville venues budgets

Anna Brosche, Lenny Curry discuss the path forward

Jax Mayor’s Office reviews Downtown Investment Authority budget