2014 Budget Meeting is Still on at City Hall

[Noone]

Will any of the urban infill projects get funded? Or will it be another year of the same ol same ol for dowtown?

Did the $4,000,000 plus taken by OED from DIA prior to the new CEO Aundra Wallace survive the budget? That will decide the picking and choosing of the infill projects that will get funded. Anyone.

[Cheshire Cat]

I don't believe the entire amount survived but it still got some decent funding. 

[Noone]

How much? Anyone.

[Stephen]

Was anything added to help the River?

[Cheshire Cat]

Noone, I will see if I can find out.  There were so many numbers floating around.  Two million six hundred thousand is floating in my brain but don't hold me to that number.  There were just too many to remember.

Stephen, I am not sure about the our budget, but I know we did get some state funding recently. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Noone, what was discussed on the floor had to do with an amendment which cut $70,000 from the Downtown Investment Authority budget, but that was less than the $200,000 cut originally proposed. The difference of $130,000 will go toward a downtown master plan study.  So that would have been the only change to the amount given to DIA.  We can check the exact amount after this thing goes through Alvin Brown's office.

[Cheshire Cat]

Stephen, there was no additional funding added to the budget for the river during this two day budget finalization meeting.

[Cheshire Cat]

Here is the list of changes (amendments) that were discussed during this two day meeting of the council to set the budget for those who are interested.

2013-464: 2013-2014 Budget Floor Amendments
(Amendments Received Prior to 9/23 @ 5:00 p.m.)
9/24/2013 4:43 PM
Page 1
#
Council
Member/No.
BF
Change
CIP
Change
Amount
Subject
Change
Account From
Account To
1
Boyer #3
$550,000
No Fiscal Impact
- Move prior year CIP appropriation in the
amount of $550,000 from the Ed Ball CIP Project to a new ADA
compliance project detail for a countywide sidewalk audit.
2
Boyer #1
$450,000
Municipal Code
Appropriate $450,000.00 from the City's Vacant and Foreclosed Property
Registry (HNOD1NFR/36602) to Municipal Code Compliance for code
enforcement and mitigation related to blighted and deteriorating foreclosed
or abandoned properties and reducing the transfer from Special Council
Contingency to Municipal Code Compliance by $250,000.00 and
increasing the budget for Municipal Code Compliance by $200,000.00
(funding 4 currently approved unfunded positions and remainder for
contract services for property maintenance).
Foreclosed
Property
Registry
Neighborhoods/
MCCD
3
Yarborough #1
$0
Comprehensive
Public Works
Alternative
Restoration Plan
Request the total dollars approved - $1,907,051 - to be used as
requested by Jim Robinson in meeting #7 Public Works
Department Presentation. Adds a net total increase of an
additional 6 positions - Net Three in Public Works General Fund,
One in Stormwater Services, & Two in Solid Waste.
Public Works
General Fund,
Stormwater
Services, & Solid
Waste Disposal
4
Yarborough #2
yes
$145,325
Comprehensive
Public Works
Alternative
Restoration Plan
IF Yarborough #1 is approved - Pay-Go dollars in
Stormwater Capital Projects would be reduced by $145,325
from $7,588,348 to $7,443,023 (reduces project PW0072-
01- Drainage System Rehabilitation).
Public Works
Stormwater
Capital Projects
Public Works
Stormwater
Services
5
Redman #2
$582,464
Jacksonville
Human Rights
Commission
Defund the Budget for the Human Rights Commission by
removing $582,464 from its budget and adding the dollars back to
the Special Council Contingency; Eliminates 9 positions.
Jacksonville
Human Rights
Commission
Special Council
Contingency
6
Anderson #2
$338,880
Copy Center
Move to restore $338,880 above the line for the Copy Center.
No
impact on Special Council Contingency.
Below the line
Procurement
7
Clark #2
Yes
Yes
Changing
Banking Fund
amount in
budget to
reflect addnl
$7.7 million
Widen Kernan
Blvd. between 1st
Coast Tech
Parkway and JTB
The Amendment Changes the Banking Fund amount in the
budget to reflect the additional $7 million borrowed. There is
currently $4,300,000 in a project account for the widening of
Kernan Blvd. The total project cost is $12,000,000 with the
remainder coming from Banking Fund borrowing. This amendment
would give Treasury the authorization to borrow up to $7.7 million;
however, there is no impact to Special Council Contingency as the
funds will not be borrowed in FY 13/14.
Banking Fund
Public Works
8
Boyer #2
$2,925,205
Loblolly
Amend the budget to appropriate funding for first year projects to
include 2,925,205 of first year Parks and Recreation projects, all
utilizing the Loblolly Mitigation Fund as the source of funds.
Loblolly
Parks and Rec
2013-464: 2013-2014 Budget Floor Amendments
(Amendments Received Prior to 9/23 @ 5:00 p.m.)
9/24/2013 4:43 PM
Page 2
#
Council
Member/No.
BF
Change
CIP
Change
Amount
Subject
Change
Account From
Account To
9
Finance
Committee #1
$204,496
DIA
Transfer (thereby defunding) $204,496 from the DIA budget to
Special Council Contingency.
DIA
Special Council
Contingency
10
Clark #1
Yes
Yes
Changing Banking
Fund amount in
budget to reflect
addnl $1 million /
Debt Service
$17,000
Public Works -
Reclaimed Water
at Patton Park
This budget amendment is the amount for the debt service for the
2013-2014 FY. Authorizing $1,000,000 of borrowing from the
Banking Fund for the installation of "purple pipe" (reclaimed water
irrigation) at Patton Park. The FY 13/14 impact will be a transfer of
$17,000 from Special Council Contingency.
Banking Fund/
$17,000 Special
Council
Contingency
Banking Fund /
Public Works
11
Bishop #1
yes
$15,740
Capital Building
Maintenance
This budget amendment is to fund $15,740 for the Debt Service
for the 2013-2014 fiscal year for the purpose of borrowing of
$3,000,000 from the banking fund for funding of high priority items
on the Capital Building Maintenance list of the Public Works
Department. The FY 13/14 impact will be a transfer of $17,00
from Special Council Contingency.
Banking Fund/
$15,740 Special
Council
Contingency
Public Works
12
Gaffney, Bishop,
Holt, Joost,
Crescimbeni,
Daniels #1
$2,500,000
Shands Hospital
Transfer from Council Contingency to Shands Hospital.
Special Council
Contingency
Shands
13
Lumb
Crescimbeni
Brown #1
$880,121
Jacksonville
Journey
Proposes to fund all programs that had Journey Funding
Oversight in FY 2012/13 at the FY 2013/14 Mayor's proposed
levels with two exceptions. The Juvenile Assessment Center and
the Ex-Offender Re-Entry Portal (JREC) will remain funded at the
Finance Committee agreed upon levels ($384,767 and $545,197,
respectively). Additionally, JCC would still maintain direct
oversight of the Early Literacy, TEAM UP and Summer Camp
programs. Neighborhood Code Compliance Division would still
maintain direct oversight of the abatement funding. The Sheriff
would still maintain direct oversight of the Juvenile Assessment
Center and the Ex-Offender Re-entry Portal (JREC). This
amendment will also restore 30,000 part time hours for the
Mayor's Summer Jobs Program.
Special Council
Contingency
Jax Journey
14
Brown, Jones
#4
$118,218
Municipal Code
Restores funding for 3 positions in MCCD ($39,406/per position).
Special Council
Contingency
Neighborhoods/
MCCD
15
Clark #3
$30,000
Parks & Rec
Invoking Section 126.107(g),
Ordinance Code
, to waive
competitive solicitation and bidding for contract with Vermont
Systems Recreation and Parks Software to provide recreational
asset tracking software.
Special Council
Contingency
ITD/Parks
Maintenance
16
Gulliford #1
$200,000
Mayport CRA
Transfer from Council Contingency to OED for purpose of
instituting Mayport's CRA.
Special Council
Contingency
OED
2013-464: 2013-2014 Budget Floor Amendments
(Amendments Received Prior to 9/23 @ 5:00 p.m.)
9/24/2013 4:43 PM
Page 3
#
Council
Member/No.
BF
Change
CIP
Change
Amount
Subject
Change
Account From
Account To
17
Brown #7
Provide that monies appropriated to the MLK breakfast be made
available to be used for the MLK parade and other MLK events.
18
Jones #5
$21,480
Parks & Rec
Transfer $21,480 to restore the limited swim hours to Butler Pool.
Special Council
Contingency
Parks and Rec
19
Brown #1
$84,875
Bob Hayes Track
Meet
Transfer from Council Contingency for Bob Hayes Track
Meet.
Special Council
Contingency
Office of
Economic
Development
20
Bishop #2
$449,641
Main Library
Transfer $449,641 from Special Council Contingency for the
purpose of restoring 8 hours operating time for each Saturday for
the Main Library to the JPL; Restores 8 positions.
Special Council
Contingency
JPL
21
Jones #3
$280,170
Sr. Citizens
Restore funding for two hot meals per week.
Special Council
Contingency
Special Services
22
Carter #1
$85,983
Julian Barrs -
Parks & Rec
Transfer $85,983 from Special Council Contingency to restore
Julian Barrs as an afterschool drop site; Adds 2600 additional part-
time hours.
Special Council
Contingency
Parks and Rec
23
Anderson #1
$399,023
LISC - Jax
Journey
Restore funding to LISC through Jax Journey.
Special Council
Contingency
Jax Journey
24
Jones #1
$202,019
Sr. Citizen
Centers
Restore Funding for three senior citizens centers: Louis Dinah,
Hammond and Longbranch.
Special Council
Contingency
Special Services
25
Brown #5
$249,513
Special Services
Restoration of two positions - Chief of Senior Services ($100,250
Salaries/Benefits) & Chief of Behavior & Human Services
($149,263 Salaries/Benefits). (2 Positions)
Special Council
Contingency
Special Services
26
Jones, Redman
#2
$154,100
Edith Brown
(Woodstock)
Comm Center
Restore funding to Edith Brown (Woodstock) Community Center
and Windy Hill Comm Center; Restore 5200 Part time hours.
Special Council
Contingency
Parks and Rec
27
Gulliford #2
$25,000
Jax Beach July
4th Fireworks
Transfer from Council Contingency for the purpose of assisting
Jacksonville Beach with the 2014, 4th of July Fireworks Celebration.
This
funding should be placed in a non-departmental expense specifically
identified for this event.
Special Council
Contingency
Non-
Departmental
Expense
28
Brown #6
$254,821
Summer Night
Lights
Transfer $254,821 from Special Council Contingency for the
purpose of Summer Night Lights Program (4 Sites); (Note: If
funding for reduced pool hours totaling $500,000 is restored in a
separate amendment, the amount needed for Summer Night
Lights can be reduced by $80,000 to a total of $174,821).
Restores 6,500 part-time hours; if funding for reduced pool hours
is restored, only 3,200 part-time hours would need to be restored.
Special Council
Contingency
Parks and Rec
29
Holt #1
$630,000
Jax Children's
Comm
Transfer from Council Contingency to Jax Children's Commission
for Early Learning Center Coaching and Development; Restores
6 Positions.
Special Council
Contingency
Jax Children's
Comm

[Cheshire Cat]

On another note regarding the mayor's line item veto power in the budget, there is a rumor that he is talking about striking out the $450K the council budgeted for the ferry.  Would be a dumb move in my view but in any case, the council can override any line item veto of the mayor with a majority vote.  Considering past history, there is a very good chance any veto coming from Alvin Brown will be negated by council.

[Stephen]

I'm glad they saved the Library and the Senior Centers..Money for fireworks in Jacksonville Beach? Speaking of waste !

[Cheshire Cat]

I'm glad they saved the Library and the Senior Centers..Money for fireworks in Jacksonville Beach? Speaking of waste !

That was discussed.  As it turns out the local revenue created by those attending the fireworks displays exceeds the expense.

[Cheshire Cat]

It's Friday, the day is almost over and Mayor Alvin Brown hasn't decided about the budget.  Interesting.  The budget must be a done deal by Oct 1st when the next fiscal year begins.   Let's use our fingers to count...hmmmm that leaves us four more days (next Tuesday deadline).  I wonder if Alvin is planning to hold his actions to the last minute in the hope that the council could not convene in time to override any of his veto's?  Wouldn't that be something.  The term "going over like a lead balloon comes to mind" and one heck of a way to further endear himself to a worn out council.

Quick Clicks

    $1 billion city budget goes to mayor
    Council passes budget, 14% tax hike
    Last-minute budget winners, losers
    Minority voice: Why councilman voted no
    City budget approved
    City council debate continues

"I have not made a decision on the budget," Brown said at midday Friday. "I am reviewing everything and, at the right time people will know."

The mayor cannot veto the budget bill, passed 16-2 after a two-day, 17-hour Council meeting, or the associated 14 percent property tax increase, but he can veto specific spending item.

Council moved its special meeting to consider overrides of any of his spending vetoes to 1 p.m. Monday. A simple majority of Council can override a mayoral veto.

The budget must be complete before the 2013-2014 fiscal year begins Oct. 1

http://www.news4jax.com/news/possible-budget-vetoes-overrides-postponed/-/475880/22157114/-/iujg9m/-/index.html

[Cheshire Cat]

From the looks of it the mayor will not try and veto anything in the budget the council has approved. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -
Monday afternoon's special City Council meeting to consider any vetoes of budget items by Mayor Alvin Brown is canceled, fueling speculation that the mayor will not challenge any of the spending items passed last week.

The council had scheduled a 1 p.m. meeting to take override votes on any items vetoed from the city's $1 billion budget, but council President Bill Gulliford said late Monday morning the meeting would not be needed.

Councilman Greg Anderson, head of the Finance Committee, said he was, "Not surprised, but relieved."

"This was very difficult budget for everyone, and the Council was ready to take action," Anderson said on The Local Station at noon.  "We're not going to fire 381 police officers, we're going to keep the libraries open, we're going to keep the pools operating, we're going to resurface road. I think the citizens will see the investment for the first time in many years."

A simple majority of council could override a mayoral veto and the spending plan passed last week Wednesday on a 16-2 vote after a two-day, 17-hour meeting.

Property taxes in Duval County will go up 14 percent to pay for the city's spending, which would cost the owner of a homesteaded $150,000 home an additional $140 next year.

The mayor cannot veto the entire budget or the tax rate, but he could exercise line-item vetoes of specific spending items.

The budget must be complete before the 2013-14 fiscal year begins Tuesday.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/mayor-brown-to-announce-any-vetoes-to-budget-today/-/475880/22188190/-/14q2n5rz/-/index.html

[Cheshire Cat]

No veto's, the budget is finalized.  Brown returns document "without" his signature.  It will automatically become finalized.  So we have a mayor who was unable to deliver a viable budget which left all the work to the council.  When the work was done, he refused to sign off on it.  My guess is he is hoping to get votes by doing this in the next election.  My observation is that his "no sign" is just another slap at a council he already has little rapport with. 

http://news.wjct.org/post/no-mayoral-vetoes-jacksonvilles-2013-14-budget-finalized#.Ukmy4oBOGRo.facebook

By Kevin Meerschaert   

The budget for the city of Jacksonville has been finalized. Mayor Alvin Brown returned the budget ordinances to the Jacksonville City Council today without his signature, which automatically enacts the legislation.

Brown also declined to use his line-item veto authority, "in order to focus on ways that we can work together to improve the community," he said in a letter to City Council President Bill Gulliford.

In the letter Brown went on to say that with the budget process at an end he looks forward to working with council members to achieve goals related to pension reform, enhancing education, revitalizing downtown and boosting quality of life in the city by focusing on parks, housing, and public-private partnerships.

The city's 2013-'14 budget goes into effect Tuesday.

The council voted to approve the budget on the evening of Sept. 25 following weeks of committee meetings and about seventeen hours of debate.

[If_I_Loved_you]

No veto's, the budget is finalized.  Brown returns document "without" his signature.  It will automatically become finalized.  So we have a mayor who was unable to deliver a viable budget which left all the work to the council.  When the work was done, he refused to sign off on it.  My guess is he is hoping to get votes by doing this in the next election.  My observation is that his "no sign" is just another slap at a council he already has little rapport with. 

http://news.wjct.org/post/no-mayoral-vetoes-jacksonvilles-2013-14-budget-finalized#.Ukmy4oBOGRo.facebook

By Kevin Meerschaert   

The budget for the city of Jacksonville has been finalized. Mayor Alvin Brown returned the budget ordinances to the Jacksonville City Council today without his signature, which automatically enacts the legislation.

Brown also declined to use his line-item veto authority, "in order to focus on ways that we can work together to improve the community," he said in a letter to City Council President Bill Gulliford.

In the letter Brown went on to say that with the budget process at an end he looks forward to working with council members to achieve goals related to pension reform, enhancing education, revitalizing downtown and boosting quality of life in the city by focusing on parks, housing, and public-private partnerships.

The city's 2013-'14 budget goes into effect Tuesday.

The council voted to approve the budget on the evening of Sept. 25 following weeks of committee meetings and about seventeen hours of debate.

So be it Mayor Brown who you voted for Cheshire Cat I do believe? Had a pension plan that this city council shot down. So he is playing politics just like John Peyton did and mayors before him. Now I hate the fact that the Meals on Wheels program will loss $181,000 dollars I wish the Mayor would have veto this but he didn't. Mayor Brown good luck with your last two years and remember a lot of people still support you.