Jacksonville Finance Committee Meeting – April 7, 2026

The Finance Committee of the Jacksonville City Council met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a 15‑minute recess for a Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff, a presentation by the Tree Commission, an audit report from the Council Auditor, and action on numerous appropriation ordinances. The meeting adjourned at 2:15 PM. Chair Joe Carlucci presided.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carnell Oliver asked whether the city tracks per‑resident funding by district, suggesting that resources should follow residents and that shortfalls should trigger revenue conversations.
• John Scott spoke in strong support of item 2026‑0186 (the “Baby Boxes” bill), stating it is “the right thing to do” and demonstrates commitment to the issue of life. He urged the committee to take up the bill after it had been deferred in the Neighborhoods Committee the prior day.

Presentation – Tree Commission

• Curtis Hart, chair of the Tree Commission, reported that the Tree Fund holds roughly $30 million ($20 million from the ordinance portion and $10 million from the charter portion). Since 2018, 16,758 trees have been planted through various programs (Remove & Replace, 630‑City, Level 2 and Level 3 plantings). Trees must be planted on public property (rights‑of‑way, parks, schools).
• Council Members Will Lahnen and Raul Arias asked about using Tree Fund dollars for trees in Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Nina Sickler (Public Works) confirmed that CIP projects can request funding from the Tree Commission, and such requests have never been denied.
• Council Member Ju’Coby Pittman inquired about maintenance of trees along FDOT corridors and about mitigation planting at Lonnie Miller Park. Ms. Sickler explained that the city has a maintenance contract with FDOT and that remove‑and‑replace can be funded through the Tree Fund if trees are in poor condition.
• Council Member Arias noted that the fund is growing by approximately $7 million per year, raising affordability concerns because developers pass the cost to homebuyers. He asked whether the city could be sued for not spending the funds quickly enough; Deputy General Counsel Mary Staffopoulos indicated no such liability exists.
• Justin Gearhart, City Arborist, clarified that Charter funds can be used for planting canopy trees and related costs such as irrigation and soil preparation.

Council Auditor’s Presentations

• Kim Taylor, Council Auditor, presented Report #856B – Follow‑Up on Electronic Fund Transfers In Audit. Two issues remain: (1) timeliness of recording deposits – reconciliations are not occurring monthly, though new staff have been hired; (2) terminated employees still have access to the ERP system, some with transaction‑capable access rather than read‑only.
• Report #902 – Supervisor of Elections Audit. The audit reviewed payments to polling locations. Of 376 non‑city polling sites, 14 lacked rental agreements; city‑owned sites had no agreements either. Approximately $43,000 in payments (mainly to one non‑government early‑voting site) lacked an agreement. Twenty‑eight locations had payment errors (underpayments totaling $7,425 and one overpayment of $125). Follow‑up on poll worker payments from a prior audit found all issues cleared.

Discussion Items

• 2026‑0186 – “Baby Boxes” (Infant Safety Devices) – Introduced by Council Member Rory Diamond, this ordinance appropriates $314,900 from General Fund Operating Reserves for purchase and installation of infant surrender devices at 14 fire stations. Council Member Ron Salem offered an amendment to change the funding source to debt savings instead of operating reserves; the amendment was adopted unanimously. Council Member Diamond stated that since 2000, 38 babies have been surrendered in Duval County, with three unsafe abandonments resulting in deaths. He noted that ongoing maintenance will be funded by private sources. The bill as amended was approved 7‑0. The following members asked to be added as co‑sponsors: Salem, Carlucci, Lahnen, Arias, Pittman, and Howland.
• 2026‑0146 – JTA FY 2024‑25 Budget Amendment – Amends the JTA budget by $29.3 million in additional revenues, covering bus division overruns and Connexion costs. Council Member Diamond voted no, stating his strong opposition to the NAVI program, which he called a “boondoggle.” The bill passed 6‑1.
• 2026‑0179 – Baymeadows Community Improvement District Budget – Approves the CID’s FY 2026‑27 budget with a total assessment of $1,184,990 from 2,554 parcels, a 3% increase. Passed 6‑1 (Diamond dissenting).
• 2026‑0180 – Tree Planting Program Appropriation – Appropriates $4.5 million from the Tree Protection Trust Fund for Level 2 tree plantings. An amendment corrected the bill number, revised the BT, and fixed a scrivener’s error. Passed 7‑0. Council Member Arias suggested making this funding recurring.
• 2026‑0181 – JFRD Fire Specialty Teams Grant – Appropriates $359,000 in state grant funding. Amendment to place the grant agreement on file. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0182 – Tractor Supply Company Foundation Grant – $500 for JFRD lawn and kitchen supplies. Withdrawn at the request of JFRD. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0183 – Fire Station 18 Scope Revision – Removes property acquisition and parking expansion; adds art mural, landscaping, and exterior lighting. Amendment attached revised CIP sheet. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0184 – Artificial Reef Complex Grant – Appropriates $120,000 from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Council Vice President Howland asked about location; staff said 25 nautical miles offshore. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0189 – Westside Tax Collector Branch Refurbishment – $32,500 for refurbishment between the 61st and 72nd month of lease. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0190 – Tax Collector Office Change Order – $44,897.19 for buildout at 11160 Beach Blvd. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0207 – McDuff Ave Park Land Acquisition – Appropriates $355,000 to purchase six parcels (1.3 acres) for a passive park. Council Member Clark‑Murray, the sponsor, said the park will serve seniors and children and may connect to the Emerald Trail in the future, but the park has value regardless. Appraised at $375,000, purchase price $350,000. Passed 7‑0.
• 2026‑0213 – Budget Stabilization Reserve (2nd reading) – Introduced by Council Member Lahnen, the bill amends Section 106.106 to require that when the General Fund/General Services District unassigned fund balance increases, any surplus above operating reserve targets must first be used to fund unfunded economic development completion grants. Council Member Salem expressed concern that as the budget grows, a fixed dollar floor becomes a smaller percentage. He proposed an amendment to set a 15% of revenue floor for operating reserves. The committee agreed to have the Auditor’s office analyze options and bring back a recommendation at the next meeting. No vote was taken on the bill itself; it was read and re‑referred.
• Remaining second‑reading bills (2026‑0214, 0215, 0217, 0218, 0219, 0220, 0224, 0225, 0226, 0227, 0248, 0249) were all read and re‑referred without discussion.

Key Outcomes

| Item | Action | Vote | |------|--------|------| | 2024‑0627 (Mayor’s Transfer Authority) | Deferred | – | | 2024‑0966 (Settlement – Live Oak Ancient City Living) | Deferred | – | | 2025‑0361 (Retiree Adjustment Payments) | Deferred | – | | 2025‑0775 (Lobbying Restrictions) | Deferred | – | | 2026‑0146 (JTA Budget Amendment) | Approved | 6‑1 (Diamond nay) | | 2026‑0179 (Baymeadows CID Budget) | Approved | 6‑1 (Diamond nay) | | 2026‑0180 (Tree Planting Appropriation) | Amended/Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0181 (JFRD Fire Specialty Teams Grant) | Amended/Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0182 (Tractor Supply Grant) | Withdrawn | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0183 (Fire Station 18 Scope Change) | Amended/Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0184 (Artificial Reef Grant) | Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0185 (City Hall Elevator Repairs) | Deferred | – | | 2026‑0186 (Baby Boxes) | Amended (funding source) / Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0187 (North FL School of Special Education Grant) | Deferred | – | | 2026‑0189 (Westside Tax Collector Refurbishment) | Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0190 (Tax Collector Change Order) | Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0207 (McDuff Ave Park Land Purchase) | Approved | 7‑0 | | 2026‑0213 (Budget Stabilization Reserve) | Read 2nd & Rereferred | – | | All other second‑reading items (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 48, 49) | Read 2nd & Rereferred | – |

Next regular meeting: Tuesday, April 21, 2026.