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A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2015

The normally below-the-fold JEA board got headline status over the weekend when the Florida Times-Union posted an article explaining, in great detail, the board’s practice of scripting comments for board members related to a raise and a contract extension for JEA CEO Paul McElroy. This irked senior members of the Lenny Curry administration and set the […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2015

Comments at JEA board meetings have been scripted, according to a must-read piece in the Florida Times-Union over the weekend. Such comments have included talking points for board members to justify the latest raise and contract extension for JEA CEO Paul McElroy. The issue has not gone unnoticed by the Lenny Curry administration, according to a […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 12, 2015

At Jacksonville City Council last Tuesday, there was some concern expressed that, because of a $326,000 shortfall of property tax revenue, the Finance Committee would have to tweak the budget accordingly on Monday. That may not need to happen. “I think we can make up the difference on the Ad Valorem decrease if we revise […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 10, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon, some small but important steps were made toward accomplishing something essential in Jacksonville: making the contracts process more transparent. Councilman Tommy Hazouri, a former mayor and probably the most dyed-in-the-wool populist on the current Council, scheduled a meeting with Council Vice-President Lori Boyer, who has as much experience with contracts on the current Council […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 9, 2015

Florida Politics has learned that a “meet-and-greet” meeting with “no fixed agenda” is planned Friday between members of the Lenny Curry administration, including the mayor and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, and the Florida Department of Transportation. Among the issues to be discussed, according to an email from Mousa, are area transportation issues. Those could include matters […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 2, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee continued its budget deliberations on Wednesday afternoon, with an eye toward same-day finalization of the budget. UF Health’s contribution from the city of Jacksonville was another cleanup item on the agenda. $26,275,594 is the proposed amount, unchanged from the previous year. Councilman Reggie Gaffney wondered what any extra money would go […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

A red-hot Friday session of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget review included an conversation about Jacksonville Transit Authority revenue that got to the heart of the fractious relationship between City Council and Jacksonville’s independent authorities. Councilwoman Lori Boyer held forth with an extended address about the local option gas tax as part of a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

On Thursday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee took a romp through the Public Works budget as part of its larger budget review. As the discussion proceeded from JEA and vehicle replacement to stormwater and landfill issues, tensions reared their head. Before that, many other subjects were discussed. Fun Fact: Operating expenses are up $3,7M, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

Thursday morning’s Jacksonville Finance Committee budget hearing includes a cavalcade of departments. Interesting talkers include the Human Rights Commission, Downtown Vision, the Jacksonville Journey, and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission. The latter department occasioned a robust discussion of salary raises in independent authorities, with accord from senior administration members and council members that the process needed […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

Thursday morning’s Jacksonville Finance Committee budget hearing is set to include a potpourri of departments. The first big talker was the budget for the Talent Management program, related to a tuition reimbursement program of $125,000 for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue promotional requirements. That led Councilman John Crescimbeni to ask whether it was part of collective […]

Tag: Sam Mousa

JEA board issues feature at JEA agreement meeting, agenda notwithstanding

Lenny Curry administration incensed with JEA Board

Budget Booster: Jax “strong finish” in FY 15 sales tax revenue

Sam Mousa, Jax Council members discuss transparency in contracts

Meeting planned between Lenny Curry administration, FDOT on Friday

Jax Finance Committee wrestles with UF Health funding woes

JTA, Jax Council Finance Committee spar over funding, Skyway

Jax Public Works budget reveals landfill, stormwater stresses

Lenny Curry addresses Jax Finance Committee budget hearing

JFRD tuition reimbursement under fire at Jax Finance Committee budget review