OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

CHERYL L. BROWN                                                                                                                     117 WEST DUVAL STREET, SUITE 425

            DIRECTOR                                                                                                                                                                                                 4TH FLOOR, CITY HALL

   OFFICE (904) 630-1452                                                                                                                                                                                  JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32202

     FAX (904) 630-2906                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  E-MAIL: CLBROWN@coj.net

 

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO

RECEIVE MAYOR’S BUDGET MESSAGE

Meeting Minutes

July 16, 2012

9:00 a.m.

 

Location:  City Council Chamber, 1st floor, City Hall – St. James Building; 117 West Duval Street

    

In attendance:  Council Members Bill Bishop (President), Greg Anderson, Lori Boyer, Doyle Carter, John Crescimbeni, Bill Gulliford,  Johnny Gaffney, Ray Holt, Warren Jones, Stephen Joost, Jim Love, Robin Lumb, Don Redman, Matt Schellenberg, Clay Yarborough

Excused: Council Members Reggie Brown, Richard Clark, Kimberly Daniels,  E. Denise Lee

 

 

Also: Mayor Alvin Brown; Kevin Hyde, Karen Bowling, Chris Hand, Jessica Deal – Mayor’s Office; Ronnie Belton – CFO;  Cindy Laquidara and Steve Rohan – Office of General Counsel; Kirk Sherman and Janice Billy – Council Auditor’s Office; Dana Farris and Carol Owens – Legislative Services  Division; Steve Cassada – Council Staff Services; Jeff Clements – Council Research

 

Meeting Convened: 9:06 a.m.

 

President Bishop convened the meeting and, after the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, called on Mayor Alvin Brown to present his budget message.

 

Mayor Brown reviewed how his administration and the Council dealt with a $58 million deficit in the FY11-12 budget and will have to deal with a deficit again this year.  His balanced budget proposal includes $68.7 million in spending reductions that reduces total proposed expenditures to $945 million, the lowest level since 2008, and includes no tax or fee increases or use of reserve funds.  The budget includes the elimination of approximately 500 employee positions, some involving actual layoffs.

 

One of the largest challenges the City faces is its increasing pension costs, up to $150 million in employer contribution this year, an increase of $46 million from the current budget.  Pension reform is the mayor’s top priority for the coming year.  The mayor also highlighted public/private partnerships and redoubled efforts in downtown revitalization and job growth as high priorities for the coming year.  He stated that the way the City addresses today’s challenges will determine the City’s future success and vowed to find creative ways to live within the City’s means while moving Jacksonville to the “next level.”

 

 

Meeting adjourned:  9:24 a.m.

 

Minutes:           Jeff Clements, Council Research Division

             7.16.12   Posted: 2:30 P.m.

 

Tape:               Special City Council meeting re: Mayor’s budget message  7.16.12

                        Legislative Services Division