Jacksonville, Florida
From Sunshine Review
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In 1968, the county government of Duval County and the city government of Jacksonville consolidated so that the the Mayor of Jacksonville and the City Council of the City of Jacksonville govern throughout the county. This means that voters who live outside the Jacksonville city limits vote in elections for these positions.
Jacksonville uses the Mayor-Council form of city government, also called the Strong Mayor form, in which a mayor serves as the city's Chief Executive and Administrative officer. The current mayor is John Peyton.
[edit] Website Transparency
[edit] The good
- Council members are listed with contact information.[1]
- Meeting schedule, videos[2], agendas, and minutes are available.[3]
- Budget is published.[4]
- Administrative officials are listed with contact information in a searchable directory.[5]
- Building permit information/forms provided[6], as well as zoning information.[7]
- Annual financial audits are published.[8]
- Tax rates provided.[9]
- Provides information on how to make public record requests.[10]
[edit] The bad
- As of August 27, 2009, the tax collector's page is not available.[11]
- Awarded bids are listed but actual contracts are not online.[12]
- Includes some information on lobbying[13], but nothing on taxpayer-funded lobbying
[edit] Proposed tax increase
In 2009, Mayor John Peyton proposed a property tax increase of 12%, resulting in a vigorous public debate with Americans for Prosperity which opposes the tax hike.[14]
[edit] Lobbying
- Main articles: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying and Florida League of Cities.
Jacksonville has reported $2,550,000 spent on lobbying since 2000 (see table).
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying |
|---|---|
| 2009 | $190,000 |
| 2008 | $360,000 |
| 2007 | $360,000 |
| 2006 | $200,000 |
| 2005 | $260,000 |
| 2004 | $400,000 |
| 2003 | $280,000 |
| 2002 | $260,000 |
| 2001 | $120,000 |
| 2000 | $120,000 |
Jacksonville pays membership dues[16] to the Florida League of Cities, a taxpayer-funded lobbying association.
[edit] External links
- Official website of the City of Jacksonville
- Jacksonville profile on City Data
- City's public records procedures discussed today, Daily Record, March 11, 2009
- Ethics Subcommitte hears complaints on records access, Daily Record, March 12, 2009
- Jacksonville city employees' overtime millions over limit, Jacksonville News, April 27, 2009
[edit] References
