Bill Type and Number: Ordinance2004-1339

Sponsor: Council Member Hyde as Chairman and on behalf of the Special Courthouse Committee

Date of Introduction: December 14, 2004

Date of Analysis: December 17, 2004

Type of Action: BJP Courthouse activities

Bill Summary: The bill establishes a number of directives on the plans to construct a new county courthouse, to wit:

• A Council goal that the courthouse will not exceed $232 million in cost.
• The administration will keep the Council informed on progress of plans by appearing before Finance and Courthouse committees.
• Contracts for prime contractor, architect, and consultants in excess of $100,000 be approved by ordinance
• 2003-1407-E and 2003-1408-E are repealed.
• Council Auditor is directed to conduct an investigative audit of expended funds, contracts, and parties involved in failure of courthouse project. Auditor’s office is authorized to spend up to $50,000 for necessary expertise to accomplish this charge.
• Appropriates $50,000 from Special Council Reserve to fund directive of Council Auditor.
• No City officer, employee or agent shall satisfy or release any claim or indebtedness connected to the courthouse project until approved by the Council.

Background Information: As part of the Better Jacksonville Plan, the City planned to construct a new county courthouse with an estimated cost of $190 million. The Delaney administration added an additional $21 million. Since design approval and start of site preparation, the cost has escalated to a current guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $225.3 million. Thus, the Mayor recently terminated contracts with Skanska Dynamic Partners, the construction manager, and Cannon Design the architect. Earlier estimates placed the total GMP project budget at $267.9 million, a figure used in 2004-946. An estimated $27 million in non-recoverable funds have been invested in the project.

Policy Impact Area: Public Buildings/Courthouse

Fiscal Impact: The bill appropriates $50,000 from Council Reserve

Analyst: Weiss