Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 22, 2016

The parade of departmental budget reviews in Jacksonville’s Mayor’s Office continued Wednesday with a consideration of budgets for the Parks and Recreation Department. As ever, these reviews are conducted by Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa and CFO Mike Weinstein. Among the highlights from Parks: a dive into the Hemming Park allocation, a discussion of water taxis, the […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 21, 2016

On Tuesday, the annual budget review of Jacksonville’s Office of Economic Development was conducted by Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. The most interesting takeaway: surplus incentive funds that won’t be used, with a reduction in allocation year over year. The highlights: OED head Kirk Wendland is prepared to reduce QTI and Rev Grant monies by $400,000 in […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 21, 2016

On Tuesday, the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry reviewed the budget of Sports and Entertainment and the Office of Economic Development, ahead of formal submission of the budget to City Council in July. Facilitating the review: Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. The highlights from Sports and Entertainment: Active discussion of the Florida/Georgia Hall of Fame […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 13, 2016

On Monday, the Jacksonville Mayor’s Budget Review Committee took a look at the budget of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, one of the most compelling sections in a flat budget year. A $17 million increase in general fund allocation was requested in the roughly $400 million budget. The highlights: Red-light camera revenue is down, as a result of driver […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 24, 2016

In the Jacksonville City Council leadership elections, the main event was anticlimactic. Everyone knew current Vice President Lori Boyer would be voted in as president-designate, offering meaningful continuity after the presidency of Greg Anderson. However, the VP-designate race between Doyle Carter and John Crescimbeni offered considerably more drama, with both men deadlocked at eight pledges each ahead of the special […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 12, 2016

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The Jacksonville City Council’s special committee on solid waste addressed on Thursday recycling in business, commercial, office, and multi-family dwelling units of 10 or more. Discussion revolved around the boom-or-bust nature of the recycling industry, as well as problems created by commodity prices and people’s approach to single-stream recycling. Councilman John Crescimbeni noted, mentioning several Florida municipalities, that […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2016

Passage of 2016-300, which authorizes the referendum to extend the half-cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax to address the city’s $2.7 billion unfunded pension liability, seemed to be a certainty before Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting. After public comment, hand wringing from some council members, and tub thumping from others, it was approved 19 to 0 […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

A controversial bill, 2015-519, changing guidelines for city donation of vacant, buildable lots owned by the city after tax reversion for affordable housing inventory purposes, was passed by Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday. The bill doubles the permissible value of properties that can be dispensed to CHDOs and other affordable housing non-profits from $25,000 to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry addressed the City Council Tuesday evening, regarding 2016-300, the ordinance setting an August referendum for the pension tax. Curry noted that with Council support, “we now have the opportunity to save our city from financial ruin,” by extending the half cent sales tax, before speaking to “critics” who want a new sales tax, saying […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

A Jacksonville City Council Special Committee comprised of the Finance and Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety (RCDPHS) committees tackled on Monday a controversial bill, 2015-519, which regulates property donation of the 436 parcels under city ownership. The bill, passed on Monday, will be on Tuesday’s Council agenda as an addendum item. 2015-519, which […]

Tag: Sam Mousa

Jax Mayor’s Office reviews Parks budget

Jax mayor’s office reviews Office of Economic Development budget

Jax mayor’s office reviews sports and entertainment budget

Jax mayor’s office reviews sheriff’s budget

Jax City Council elects Lori Boyer president, John Crescimbeni vice-president

Jax Council solid waste committee mulls recycling issues

Jacksonville City Council authorizes August pension tax referendum

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

Jax Council special committee OKs property donation bill, 2015-519