Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

Jacksonville will retain the rights to the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, as Lenny Curry announced Wednesday an extension of the contract for five more years. “This is a big deal for Jacksonville,” Curry said, and for “both schools.” The deal extends the agreement to 2021, which will “mitigate any uncertainty,” with a window opening for re-negotiation of […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2016

Jacksonville’s Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa on Tuesday pitched the Neighborhoods Department reorganization to Rules as a move toward “cost control and fiduciary responsibility.” “The reorganization does create a stronger focus on neighborhoods,” Mousa said, in alignment to Mayor Lenny Curry‘s vision. “Several department heads will no longer have a direct report to the mayor,” […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 4, 2016

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan had a dilemma this past month: The city required an audit, but he didn’t think he had the time. Carr Riggs Ingram, an accounting firm, has been contracted for an audit. In late February, one of the external auditors from this group contacted the Supervisor of Elections office with a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 28, 2016

When it comes to former Jax PFPF head John Keane, City Council is ready to “lawyer up,” and a March 7 “litigation shade meeting” will address strategy. The guidelines were laid forth by Council President Greg Anderson in a memo Friday. Attendance is “urgent” for all members of Council, as they discuss legal strategy in the wake […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 25, 2016

On Friday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry will lead a crew in a building demolition effort. But it’s for a good reason: the eradication of blight, and renewal. A release from the mayor’s office asserts that “a Jacksonville neighborhood, once ridden with crime, will soon experience a “groundbreaking” effort unlike any other.” “In preparation of the development of Payne […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council’s big bill involved attempting to finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane with a settlement agreement. Instead, they “postponed indefinitely,” after a long and tortuous process of discussion and amendments. The goal is to get answers to questions and, seemingly, to show Keane […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

Parking downtown may get more expensive for Jacksonville’s city employees in the upcoming fiscal year, if a 2014 ordinance is allowed to sunset. In an email to CAO Sam Mousa, OED head Kirk Wendland notes that “Ordinance 2014-438-E gave all City employees who are monthly parkers at municipal owned parking garages operated by Public Parking a 50% […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 18, 2016

On Thursday, the Jacksonville City Council met for its Committee of the Whole meeting regarding expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance. The expectation going in was that both the Tommy Hazouri and Bill Gulliford iterations of the legislation would be withdrawn. In the hours leading up to the meeting, an intriguing narrative surfaced: whether Hazouri’s withdrawal motion […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 18, 2016

The Republican-friendly Northeast Florida chapter of NAIOP, a Trade association for developers, owners and investors in industrial, office and related commercial real estate, intends to honor Jacksonville CAO Sam Mousa with an award. Mousa will receive the Community Service award in a March 10 ceremony to be held at the Garden Club of Jacksonville. The award will be […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2016

Discussed toward the end of Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council Finance meeting, the Council Auditor’s quarterly summary raised concerns in the committee. There also were concerns that weren’t discussed by the panel. One such concern discussed within the committee: stress on various subfunds related to stadium improvements. The stadium subfund is projected to incur a $644,502 […]

Tag: Sam Mousa

Florida/Georgia game extension rooted in “Relationships 101,” says Lenny Curry

CAO Sam Mousa successfully pitches Neighborhoods re-org to Jax Council Rules committee

Duval SOE Mike Hogan: “I don’t have any time to deal with an audit”

Jax City Council plans closed meeting on John Keane dispute

Lenny Curry to lead demolition exercise Friday

Jax Council “postpones indefinitely” John Keane settlement

Jax city employees may pay more for parking next fiscal year

Both Jax HRO bills withdrawn

Jax CAO Sam Mousa to receive community service award

Jax Council Auditor quarterly financial summary raises concerns in Finance Committee