Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and honored guests.

Please welcome our master of ceremony, Vic Mikalucci.

Good evening, everybody.

How's everybody doing?

AC good?

All right, perfect.

Welcome.

Welcome to the 2026-2027 installation ceremony of the Jacksonville City Council officers, honoring Nick Howland, President Designate, and Joe Carlucci, Vice President Designate.

Let's hear it for them, ladies and gentlemen.

Before we go any further, I'd like to clear the air and say that I am not related to Joe Carlucci at all.

I am just here as a third party MC, but we do have the last part of our last name, so if you go further back, we may be.

But we get we get confused for brothers a lot, so it's an honor to be here.

Whether you are a friend or a family member of one of our city council members, or just a great Duval County resident, we welcome you here today.

On behalf of your hosts, we thank you for your attendance and your attention this evening.

All the elected officials who appear here tonight are because of you, ladies and gentlemen, and they welcome the opportunity to represent you with honesty, with integrity, and with fairness.

Jacksonville is blessed to have such dedicated public servants and community stakeholders.

Let's hear it for everybody, everybody, a stakeholder in Jacksonville, who is working to make the 904 of the River City better every single day.

These men and women, ladies and gentlemen, take time away from their families and their businesses to make sure that our city works in an efficient and effective manner.

They are committed to our community's safety, economic growth, and quality of life.

This evening, upon entering the city council chambers, I am sure that you recognize several familiar faces.

I'd like to take the time to say thank you to all of our current and former elected officials who are with us.

Join us in a round of applause today.

Each and every one of you, you have left a mark here in Jacksonville.

We appreciate your presence with us here this afternoon.

Now it is my pleasure to introduce the mayor of the great city of Jacksonville, Donna Deegan.

Thank you, Mayor Deegan, for your service for our city.

And thank you for your dedication.

I'd also like to give a warm welcome to Sheriff TK Waters, Sheriff of Jacksonville, Duval County.

And my colleagues, the men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department.

Please join us in a warm welcome to all of our special guests who are here tonight.

Many of them are coming in.

Council members, they're right in the back as your name is being called.

Please stand to be recognized and please come on in.

We begin from District 1, ladies and gentlemen.

Councilmember Kennemaro.

District 2, Councilmember Mike Gay and his wife Melina Gay.

Councilmember Will Lane from District 3 and his wife Megan Lane.

Representing District 6, Councilmember Michael Boylan.

From District 7, Councilmember Jimmy Peluso.

Councilmember Reggie Gaffney Jr.

representing District 8.

Councilmember Tyrona Clark Murray from District 9 and Miss Shirley Thomas.

Councilmember Jacoby Pittman from District 10 and her daughter Chameleon.

Councilmember Raoul Arias, District 11 and Karen Sayas.

Councilmember Randy White from District 12 and his wife Julie White.

Representing District 14, Councilmember Rockman Johnson.

Councilmember Terrence Freeman at large, Group One, and his wife Rachel Freeman.

Councilmember Matt Carlucci at large group four and his wife Karen Carlucci.

They are related to Joe Carlucci.

For the record.

And Councilmember Chris Miller, at large, group five, and his wife, Shar Miller.

Ladies and gentlemen, at large group two, Councilmember Ronald B.

Salem.

At this time, we introduce you to the City Council leadership.

2026-2027 Council Vice President designate Joe Carlucci, District Five, and his wife, Victoria Carlucci.

And 2026-2027, Council President designate Nick Howland, at large, group three, and his wife, Malou Howland.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you.

Joining us in that round of applause and appreciation for the Jacksonville City Council elected officials.

Our judges this evening are Anthony Salem, Fourth Judicial Circuit, and Gary Flower, Duval County Court.

Please join us in a round of applause for both of them.

Now, if everyone could please stand and remain standing for the invocation by retired United States Army Brigadier General Michael P.

Fleming.

Good evening.

As we ask the men and women of the Jacksonville City Council to serve in their important positions, it is both wise and appropriate that we ask God for guidance and wisdom.

Let us pray.

Lord, we come before you in gratitude for your sovereignty over all nations and peoples.

Your word reminds us that there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

Today we lift up our Jacksonville City Council and particularly Nick Hallen as he becomes president of the City Council.

Grant them wisdom, discernment, and integrity as they make decisions that affect the lives of many.

As King Solomon prayed for understanding to govern your people, may our leaders seek wisdom from you above all else.

Let us each remember that we all have an important role in supporting our elected leaders.

Your word instructs us to pray for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

While we may not agree with every decision these leaders make, we need to continually pray for each council member and their families.

Thank you for men and women who selfishly volunteer their time and talents to serve the city of Jacksonville.

We ask for continued blessings for our community and that these leaders turn to you for guidance.

We ask all of this in your holy name, Jesus.

Amen.

Thank you, General Fleming.

We appreciate your service.

We appreciate you being here tonight with all of us.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join us for the presentation of colors by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue combined honor guard.

As our honored guest, Dolores Caronta leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by our national anthem to be performed by the Navy band.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Please be seated, everyone.

Thank you.

A special thank you to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue combined honor guard for the presentation of colors, our honored guest, Delois Caronta for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Navy band for singing the national anthem.

Round of applause, ladies and gentlemen, for all of our first responders, all of our service members.

As we move into this two hundred fiftieth birthday for America, so much to celebrate.

We appreciate the men and women who work right here domestically and across the globe to protect us day in and day out.

At this time, the honorable Nick Howland would like to make a special presentation of the gavel.

Thank you very much, Vic.

This is the early part of the show where the outgoing council president Kevin Carico is honored along with his executive counsel assistant, Miss Jackie Lee.

In this time honored tradition, the incoming president presents the outgoing president with the special gavel.

And since Kevin is unable to be here tonight, it's past one AM where he is, and he's presumably been asleep for hours, it will be presented to Miss Jackie Lee.

Council President Carico has prepared a video to follow this gavel presentation.

Jackie, would you please come up to the podium to receive the gavel on behalf of Council President Carico?

Thank you, Jackie.

So everyone probably knows.

In addition to the budget, you and Kevin navigated this body through difficult zoning decisions, cleaned up unfunded completion grant obligations, invested in several affordable housing developments, and even helped bring to the city the very real possibility of a Culinary Institute of America campus, CIA, right here, right downtown.

On behalf of a grateful city council, I'll first read and then present this plaque.

I'll read them both, actually, this plaque and this American flag that has been flown over City Hall, and then I'll present them to you, Jackie.

Presented to Kevin Carico, President Jacksonville City Council 2025 to 2026.

In appreciation of the appreciation of the outstanding leadership, innovation, dedication, and courage you have demonstrated during your term as president of the Jacksonville City Council.

The impact of your commitment to serving the citizens of Jacksonville and improving the quality of life in our city will be long-lasting and beneficial to us all.

And now let me read the flag that was flown over the cap over the city hall.

This flag was flown over City Hall St.

James Building on June 17th, 2026, in honor of President Kevin Carico's dedicated service to Jacksonville City Council, July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2026.

Jackie, congratulations.

All right, Jackie, thank you and your team for all that you do.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you could turn your attention to the big screens, we're gonna hear from Council President Carico in a special message.

Good evening.

Welcome to the installation of our next city council president and vice president, Nick Howland and Joe Carlucci.

I couldn't be more prouder of these two gentlemen.

They've led the way, served this city well, and it's time for their leadership.

Gentlemen, I hope you're ready to take over.

It's been the honor of a lifetime, and it's your turn now.

While I'd much rather be passing the gavel in person tonight, I'm on an international mission representing Jacksonville and making sure we can open doors and keep the light shining on this great city.

I can't think of any other two individuals suited to take over these leadership roles.

Nick, you've served me well as my vice president.

You've been there any time I needed you.

You've answered the phone when I called, and I'm trusting you to take over this city.

I know you'll do a great job.

Joe Carlucci, you served me well this year.

You ran two committees and a special committee, and I know your commitment to this city, your district, and everyone in Jacksonville will be served well, and you will serve Nick as the vice president.

I'm fully confident in you.

While this night is all about new leadership, I do want to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful year that I've had serving this city.

With the help of my colleagues, we passed a historic budget.

You remember 13 and a half hours.

A lot of disagreements, but at the end of the day, compromise was made and the city was served.

In this budget, we prioritized core services like no other council.

We made sure our men and women of law enforcement and the fire department and rescue were fully funded and had everything they need to make sure our city is the safest city it can be.

This council, like no other, invested in our young people, so the next generation will be well equipped to take on the mantle of leading this great city.

Through investments in the Kids' Help Alliance and the Youth Empowerment Committee led by past President Freeman, our young people will have all the resources they need to reach their full potential and take this city to the next level.

I also talked about workforce development and downtown development.

And we put a project forward that checks both of these boxes.

That's right.

The Culinary Institute of America is moments away from announcing a Southeast Campus right here in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.

The Culinary Institute of America is the harvard of culinary institutions, and having them downtown will not only launch our hospitality industry, but make us a destination city that people would love to come and bring their families.

Thank you for your help on the Culinary Institute of America.

This was an amazing year, but I didn't do it alone.

I first want to thank my colleagues on the council.

We didn't always get along, but we worked together and fought and stood in the paint when it was time to prioritize Jacksonville and move important legislation forward.

You guys showed up.

Thank you.

To my committee chairs, to my special committee chairs, and for everyone who worked together to make this year smooth, I really want to thank you guys.

We are a family.

Dysfunctional at times, but I love you.

To my circle, my friends, my family, my parents, my brothers, to the guys I hang with, you held me down this year.

In times of stress, you were always there to have a conversation, and in times of success, you were there to celebrate with me.

Thank you so much.

I love you all.

To the most amazing executive council assistant in the history of consolidated government, my Jackie Lee.

Thank you so much, Jackie.

If I was there, I'd be asking for you for an applause.

Can we get that?

Exactly.

Thank you, Jackie.

You really made this year memorable.

You made it smooth, and you had my back from day one.

Couldn't thank you enough.

And to the love of my life, that's right.

I married my soulmate this year.

I think the first council president to ever get married in office.

Not sure, we'll have to get researched to check on it.

But to Daisy, I love you, Mia Moore.

Thank you so much for having my back and being a rock for me this entire year.

You've truly made it memorable.

To Nick and Joe, lead boldly, lead with humility, and always remember that every decision should leave Jacksonville stronger than we found it.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your council president with gratitude and confidence in the future.

I proudly pass the gavel on to the next president of the city of Jacksonville, Nick Howland.

All right, thank you, Council President Carico.

At this time, the honorable Anthony Salem, fourth judicial circuit court judge, will swear in the honorable Joe Carlucci as vice president designate for the 2026-2027 council year within the consolidated government of Jacksonville, Duval County.

Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

Will the honorable Joe Carlucci, Victoria Carlucci, and their two sons, Jojo and Jack.

Please come here.

I know you stay right there.

I'm good.

I do solemnly swear that I'm duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution.

Under the Constitution.

Of the state.

Or of the charter.

Or of the charter.

Or ordinance code.

Or ordinance code.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

The city of Jacksonville.

I will support, protect, protect, defend, defend, and honor the Constitutions.

And honor the constitutions.

Governments, governments, and laws of the United States.

And laws of the United States.

And of the state of Florida.

And of the state of Florida.

I will support.

I will support.

Protect.

Protect.

Defend.

Defend.

And honor.

And honor.

The charter.

The charter.

The ethics laws.

The ethics laws.

And other ordinances.

And other ordinances.

Rules.

Rules.

And regulations.

Regulations.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

And that I will well and faithfully.

And that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of City Council Vice President.

Perform the duties of city council vice president.

On which I am now about to enter.

Which I am now about to enter.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

All right.

I had to wipe that lip gloss off.

So for the pictures.

But thank you so much.

It is an honor to be standing before you today.

And I would not be standing here without a lot of support from the people around me.

First, to my wife, Victoria.

You take care of our two energetic boys, Jojo and Jack.

You homeschool, you manage everything at the house, and you deal with crazy political schedules.

And there's not a day that goes by without me thinking of how grateful I am for you.

I just want you to know that.

You're my best friend, and I love you, and thank you so much.

Next, I have to acknowledge the other most trusted advisor in my life, my brother, Matthew.

You're the most selfless person I know, and you are undeniably talented at everything you do, man.

I'm so thankful for everything you do at the office while I'm away, and I hope that when my boys grow up, they'll have a stronger relationship as we do.

So thank you.

And for my, go ahead.

And for my entire team at my Brightway office, Justin, Christabel, Irisha, Kelly, Simon, and now Ashley, I'm so thankful for all of you more than you'll ever know.

And last but not least, George Foote.

You have the hardest role out of everyone here, and you make it look easy.

I just don't know how else to say it.

I am beyond blessed to have that guy right there as my right-hand man at City Hall.

We've known each other for a while.

He coached me in little league, he taught me how to steal bases and throw a really good knuckleball.

But you're more than just initiating me, your family.

And I'm and oh, hold on, I might skip the page.

Okay.

So, there's a saying that the trains are running on time, and I have no doubt that Council President Howland will keep the planes running on time.

Sorry, inside joke, but I saw him laugh.

Some people get it.

But in all seriousness, he is a leader who will be firm but fair.

And I know he will always stand up for this legislative body, and I look forward to helping him accomplish his priorities.

But that is going to be the easy part of being vice president.

So, what's going to be the hard part?

I want to take a moment and go back to the first week I took office, July 2023.

I remember the first time we all took the dais, and I was in awe when we took our seats.

Because in that moment, I realized I was looking at all of Jacksonville represented in one room at the same time.

And that feeling never left me.

And from day one, I knew I was surrounded by people who loved this city.

But it wasn't just my fellow council members, it was the entire staff of our city.

Many of them were here long before I arrived, and many of them will be here long after we all depart.

The work we do is only possible because of their support, and I appreciate it, so thank you.

But now I want to speak to my colleagues.

Our respect for one another must always go beyond our words.

It has to be reflected in our actions.

Because the same people who elected each of you, they also depend on me and of all of us.

And the people of Jacksonville don't just depend on the good work we do here.

They demand it.

And the people are counting on us to get it right.

And I'm committed to that.

I'm committed to doing everything in my power to make sure that everyone on this body is successful in accomplishing their goals.

That will be the hard part.

But I know that that is the only way Jacksonville moves forward.

We rise together or we don't rise at all.

We've had a great year, legislatively at least, and I will continue and we will continue to do great work together.

But colleagues, the clock is running out.

We only have one year left together, and I think we should act like it.

Let's recognize this moment for what it is.

Let's work with the urgency that we may never have another opportunity like this one.

So here is my challenge to each of you.

Let's make 2026 to 2027 our best year yet.

Encourage one another.

Help one another.

Treat this final year as if everything depends on it.

Because for the people of Jacksonville, it does.

And I believe if we approach it that way, we will all have great success.

I pray that God blesses our final year together and that our accomplishments we leave behind speak for themselves.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve as your vice president, and I look forward to seeing everything that just that this year holds.

Thank you.

Thank you once again.

Congratulations once again to the honorable Joe Carlucci on being selected by your peers to serve as vice president for the 2026-2027 Jacksonville City Council, everybody.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are so excited for the future of Duval County right here.

I remember two years ago talking to you when you were in City Council.

What did we say?

This was after I had the privilege of MCing the installation for the great Randy White when he became president two years ago.

You said they're never gonna let you back in this chamber again, Vic, after those jokes.

He said, You're never gonna come back, and here I am getting to do it for you as the VP.

So full circle.

Ladies and gentlemen, now once again, they were so great.

We asked them to come back for another interlude.

We have a musical selection by the U.S.

Navy Band.

Beautiful, once again, round of applause for the Navy band.

At this time, it is my distinct pleasure and honor to call forward the honorable Nick Howland to be sworn in as president of the twenty twenty-six, twenty twenty-seven Jacksonville City Council by the Honorable Gary Flowers, County Court Judge, President Designant Howland.

Would you and Miss Malou Howland, please come forward?

I think he can be right here.

Lucas and Bennett, also here.

Please place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand to repeat after me.

I do solemnly swear.

I do solemnly swear.

That I am duly qualified.

And I'm duly qualified.

To hold office.

To hold office.

Under the constitution of the state.

Under the constitution of the state.

Or of the charter.

Or of the charter.

Or ordinance code.

Or ordinance code.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

That I will support.

That I will support.

Protect.

Protect.

Defend.

Defend.

And honor.

And honor.

The constitution.

The constitution.

Governments.

Governments.

And laws.

And laws.

Of the United States.

Of the United States.

And of the state of Florida.

And of the state of Florida.

I will support.

I will support.

Protect.

Protect.

Defend.

Defend.

And honor.

And honor.

The charter.

The charter.

The ethics law.

The ethics laws.

Ordinances.

Ordinances.

Rules.

Rules.

And regulations.

Regulations.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

Of the city of Jacksonville.

And that I will well and faithfully perform.

And I will well and faithfully perform.

The duties of city council president.

The duties of city council president.

On which I am now about to enter.

On which I am now about to enter.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Jeff.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Love you.

Thank you.

Sir, I want to personally congratulate you as the 2026-2027 City Council President elect.

We wish you well on your journey, and we know that you have remarks.

You're going to keep them very brief.

I am.

Thank you, Vic.

I'm kidding, the floor is yours.

Well, Vic, thank you very much.

You're doing an amazing job as MC.

I don't know if a lot of people have noticed, but if you look at your program, you'll see Kent Justice was listed there.

Kent unfortunately woke up coughing and sneezing and uh sent us a uh quick text this morning, and we reached out to Vic, who's a pro at this, and Vic, of course, said I'll step up and he's and he's here tonight, and you're doing an amazing job.

Vic, thank you so much.

And thank you, Judge Flower.

I think um if you've been to many of these things, you know that Gary does a lot of these swearings in.

In fact, uh I've heard that it doesn't count unless Gary does it.

Joe, I apologize.

I should have told you that before.

Um, Gary, thank you, as always.

And uh lastly, uh to the Navy band, that musical interlude was amazing.

Thank you so much.

Let's give a round of applause in the Navy band.

Mayor Deegan, Sheriff Waters, Senator Yarborough, Speaker Pro Temp Duggan, Council colleagues and other elected officials, General Fleming, uh D.

Caranta, to my ECA Amber Lehman, and our incredible council staff, and to my family and my friends, my mom Karen, my mother-in-law Lise, uh my brother Jack, rare appearance, which is wonderful, um, my boys Bennett and Lucas, and without question, to the most important person in the room, my beautiful wife Malou, thank you for your support for your friendship, and for your love.

I smile a lot in general.

I'm kind of known for it, but tonight I'm beaming, and not because I was just sworn in, but for two other reasons.

First, God has a plan, and it's one I love and appreciate dearly.

My family, my job, the ability to make a positive difference in people's lives, to God goes the glory.

But I'm also smiling because it's clear to me, and I hope it's clear to everyone else here that things are looking right for the city of Jacksonville.

Let's start with public safety.

Not long ago, some called us Florida's murder capital.

Today, crime is down.

The 2024 violent crime rate, in fact, was the lowest in recorded history, and that doesn't happen by accident.

It happens because of strong leadership from Sheriff TK Waters and his team and his team, and because the men and the women of JSO show up for their community every single day.

This council, the 19 of us have fully funded public safety the last three years.

We will do so again this year.

Next, let's talk infrastructure.

Not long ago, we had a neglected downtown, drainage problems, deteriorating sidewalks, a riverfront not living up to its potential.

All of that is changing.

Jacksonville is building again and it's renovating too.

New bridges, wider roads, new lighting, new sidewalks.

Do we still have neighborhoods that need attention?

Absolutely.

This council this year will not just focus on one neighborhood, it'll focus on all of them because that's what the people deserve.

Finally, essential government services.

Together we've strengthened trash hauler contracts, saved paratransit, grown the park system, passed legislation to speed up permitting, but there's a lot more work to do.

This council will continue to tackle it all head on.

So, yes, things are looking bright in the city of Jacksonville.

Now, you may have noticed something.

I jumped straight into public safety, infrastructure, essential services.

That's not accidental.

That's because to me, those are the core responsibilities of local government.

If you're not getting those right, stop everything else.

Discuss those first, fund those first, fix those first.

During this presidency, we'll focus on the core first, and then we'll push further.

Our mission this year will be to make local government work better for you.

And we'll do that through three additional priorities fiscal responsibility, accountability, and job creation.

Let's start with fiscal responsibility.

Spending money is easy when you're an elected official because it's not your money.

This year it's not gonna be so easy.

Well, we don't know yet what voters will decide regarding property tax relief in November.

I'm hopeful they deliver tax relief because affordability is real, the crisis is real, and tax relief will leave more money in the wallets of families in Jacksonville.

But we don't know yet.

And responsible governments means preparing now.

The new finance committee led by Councilman Will Lane and Chris Miller is gonna scrutinize city spending during this summer's budget cycle, every line.

Just like Jacksonville families have had to scrutinize their own budgets as the cost of living is skyrocketed, every line.

Of every dollar of spend this year, we'll ask three questions.

Is it core?

Is it duplicative, and do we have the money?

When you set aside public safety, this year we will strive to deliver a smaller budget than we did last year.

And this has not been done in Jacksonville since 2019.

Additionally, we will not leave next year's city council to deal with the potential of declining revenues.

We will hold certain funding levels in reserve until we know more about property relief in November, property tax relief, because that's the right thing to do.

It's important to understand this scrutiny of the budget doesn't mean we're spending less on what matters.

It means we're protecting the core and trimming extras so we can invest more on what matters, but we will also invest wiser.

For three years now, we have debated how to invest in development and job creation in Jacksonville, and we've discussed three options completion grants, low interest rate loans, and rev grants.

I reject the notion that those are the only options available.

This spring, while the press has been focused on JEA, I've been shopping around the idea of an entirely new financial instrument, one that is much more attractive in the face of declining revenues.

That is having Jacksonville companies pay our completion grants for us in return for a credit against their future commercial and industrial property tax liabilities.

We're calling it third-party development incentive funding, or TDIF.

Here's roughly how it would work.

A riverfront hotel project needs 12 million dollars to complete their development.

A manufacturer in Jacksonville, expecting to pay about four million in city property taxes every year, agrees to fund the grant in exchange for an eight-year, 50% tax credit from the city worth about $16 million.

The hotel gets the needed funds, the manufacturer enjoys a safe 7% rate of return on its investment.

The city spurs downtown growth from within without using general fund dollars.

Best of all, the investment along the river happens.

If we face declining revenues in November, we still get development.

And we rise the rising tide lifts all boats and tax revenues increase across the city.

The TDIF example, the idea is simple, but it's also complicated and it's certainly innovative.

It may not work, but we have to try.

In July, the chamber will assemble a group of private sector business leaders to review its feasibility and report back to council with ideas and suggestions.

Being fiscally responsible doesn't mean we can't have nice things.

It means we must be leaner, smarter, and get more creative with our money.

Taxpayers deserve it.

The second priority, accountability.

We have six citizen planning advisory committees, or CPACs, which represent the wonderful neighborhoods of Jacksonville.

Over the last few years, they've expressed concerns that their voices are not always heard by this council.

That changes now.

Our CPACs this year will get a scheduled session with the finance committee to share their concerns prior to the August budget hearing on the city's capital investment plan.

That doesn't mean the finance committee will implement every recommendation.

It has to balance everything against the realities of the city budget, but it will certainly consider them.

And speaking of not getting heard, a critical part of accountability is transparency.

This year I learned that the Jacksonville Aviation Authority has not been recording its board meetings since September 2023.

It just takes and publishes minutes.

In parallel, my colleague Ron Salem discovered that key committee meetings and workshops at JEA were not being recorded as well.

They're still compliant with the public records law.

They're not doing anything nefarious, but it's not enough.

Important discussions can be lost to posterity and to voters.

The port records everything, so does JEA, they all should.

This year, I'll ask all city council liaisons and major boards and commissions to prioritize that, to encourage audio recordings of all meetings.

If necessary, we'll pursue legislation.

It's simple.

If you're a body, making a decision to the people, the people should hear that discussion.

And everywhere, every time the people's voices should be heard.

We are going to make government work better for you.

Now, finally, the third priority job creation, my passion.

You've heard me say it before, and Terrence, this is one of your favorite sayings.

If you give a family a meal, you feed them for a day.

If you give a family a paycheck, you feed them for a career.

That's why I'll be laser focused on job creation during my president year, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, defense, marine, space, industries and careers uniquely suited to support Jacksonville families.

Like they have mine.

Tonight is about Jacksonville and this council, not me, but I'll give quick context.

I served four years in the Navy, two on a destroyer, two at a Navy SEAL boat team.

I left the Navy in 1999.

On 9-11, I was at the University of Chicago getting my MBA when the towers fell.

I watched my former destroyer shipmates and my boat teammates all prepare for war.

A few weeks later, Raytheon came to campus to recruit.

That's when my future took an entirely new direction.

Rather than invest in banking, I went to aerospace and defense.

I committed my career not to making money, but to protecting those who protect us.

In 2007, Malou and I moved to Jacksonville for armor holdings.

Over the last 20 years, I've helped grow, run, or relocate defense companies, body armor, life rafts, g suits, and other protective gear.

This career supported my family.

Along this journey, I relocated five companies to Jackson, and I discovered something very interesting.

None of those five businesses qualified for city tax rebate incentives.

Why?

Because of a longstanding rule in the Jacksonville investment plan, the PIP, requiring companies to meet a state minimum average wage, then $65,000.

My companies paid in the high 50s.

Good jobs, reliable jobs, but not eligible jobs.

We still move those companies here, about 300 jobs between them, but all I could ever think about was how many businesses Jacksonville might be losing to other cities, and how many thousands of local families could have been supported by those new jobs.

So I was elected to council in 2022 and we fixed it.

With my first piece of legislation, we adjusted the PIP to waive that requirement if a family either relocated to an economically disadvantaged area of the city or invested 10 million dollars in capital.

That bill passed unanimously.

Since then, 11 companies have used this waiver, bringing over 1,600 jobs to Jacksonville.

Anderson Dubaux, Constantino, Cisco, among others.

We have stopped losing to other cities.

The best part, it costs taxpayers nothing.

Companies only get the incentive if they move here.

That's also why this council has been so focused on Cecil Airport and Spaceport, another fantastic job growth opportunity for Jacksonville.

The global aerospace and space economy is projected to double in the next 10 years from 400 billion to 800 billion.

Cecil has the runway, literally and figuratively to be a major aerospace hub.

By legislation that Wyman Duggan and I co-authored last year and which moved unanimously through City Council, State House, and State Senate, 167 yes votes to zero no votes.

We have changed the Jacksonville Aviation's Authority, their charter to have full and unequivocal responsibility for aerospace industry economic growth at Cecil.

JAA is no longer just its role is no longer just to manage safe and efficient airports.

It is now charged with growing Cecil into an aerospace hub and reporting its progress annually to City Council concurrent with the budget, just in time, because this is one of the strongest economic growth opportunities that Jacksonville has ever had.

The market is booming and it'll pass us by if we don't move quickly.

In fact, the richest man in the history of this planet, Elon Musk, just bought a Jacksonville company, and he's also the world's pioneer in space.

This council will work together with the JA board to act with urgency and make Cecil a major job growth engine for Jacksonville.

More jobs means stronger families.

Stronger families means stronger neighborhoods, and stronger neighborhoods means a stronger Jacksonville.

That's the main reason why job creation means so much to me.

But there's another.

I mentioned my Navy service earlier.

I'm actually a fourth generation naval officer.

I had a father, grandfather, or uncle who's fought in every American war since King Phillip's war in 1675.

My family cares deeply about serving and about those who served.

Aerospace, defense, marine, space, medical, logistics, manufacturing, those are industries where veterans thrive.

According to the US Census Bureau, veterans on average earn 5% more than their civilian counterparts.

Veterans volunteer more than non-veterans, and they vote more too.

We grow these industries, we don't just grow our local GDP.

We grow opportunities for those who've served, and we grow a workforce that gives back to its community.

The Navy is our largest employer here in Jacksonville.

They're also our largest supply of new employees every year here in Jacksonville.

Tonight we have with us Captain Mike Trumbull of Naval Station Mayport and Captain Ryan Dexter of Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

Gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind standing, please.

In fact, in fact, anyone here who has served active, active duty, guard, reserves, or veteran, or is a veteran or active duty family member, please also stand.

That includes seven members of this city council.

And the entire Navy band.

This leads to what will be my first piece of legislation of this council year.

When companies receive tax incentives from our PIP, they commit to creating jobs.

Thousands of jobs are coming, not just to Cecil, but the North Side, Talleyrand, the South Side.

Under new legislation I will introduce next week, at least 10% of all new jobs created in part by a city incentive will go to military veterans, guard, reserves, or active duty spouses.

Those who just stood.

We'll call it the Stand for Service Act.

And like those changes to the PIP in 2022, it won't cost taxpayers a penny.

We will introduce this bill next week during America's 250th anniversary.

10% of Americans served during the Revolutionary War.

They delivered to their posterity the greatest country on Earth.

10% of us serve now, they defend the greatest country on Earth.

The Stand for Service Act shows that Jacksonville will always stand up for its 10%.

Colleagues, look for an invitation to co-introduce this bill.

I imagine it too will be unanimous.

Now let me close with this.

I've gone on long enough.

Things are looking bright for Jacksonville.

We're on track to be the best city in the Southeast to relocate or grow a business and for families to live, work, and play.

When this council works together, like we do for crime reduction, like we do for job creation, like we did Tuesday night on Rory's private provider bill, we accomplish great things for our community.

We make government work better for the people it serves.

This year, out of our 10 chair and vice chair leadership positions, eight will be first-termers, five will be military veterans.

It'll be bipartisan, and everyone on this council will have two committee assignments.

It's a structure designed to operate as a team.

We can disagree on policy, we can debate politics, we can even argue procedure, but we all want what's best for the city.

Even in an election year, I'm confident that this council will work together to deliver great results for the people of Jacksonville.

I will issue memos about committee and liaison assignments tomorrow morning.

To my colleagues, my teammates, thank you again for your confidence.

To the organizers of the event and of the reception to follow at Jacksonville University College of Law, Yvonne Mitchell, Amber Lehman, Jim Gilmore, Chris Hagen, Molly Peterson with Southern Group, thank you.

To Mike Gay, who will be our next rules chair, happy birthday.

You thought you thought I'd forget.

Mike is 250 years old, like our nation.

And to Joe Carlucci, our new vice president, sir, I look forward to working with you.

We're gonna drive the city forward.

To my friends and family and to Malou, thank you again for your love and for your support, and finally to Jacksonville.

Things are indeed looking brighter.

We're razor focused on the core, we're protecting taxpayers, we're investing, jobs are coming.

We will be ready for anything to be thrown our way, and the future is strong.

The best days for Jacksonville are not behind us.

They are ahead of us.

Thank you for trusting this city council to lead the way.

One more time for council president elect Howlin.

That was great.

Thank you for the inspiration, the motivational speech right there, and so much to shall I say, smile about when it comes to the future right here in Jacksonville.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, this has really been a wonderful experience.

I spoke a little too soon about the AC, at least up here, it's getting warm.

So uh I'm only gonna keep you for another 90 minutes, and then we're good.

Okay, Sheriff says we'll we'll we'll wrap soon.

So yes, sir.

Uh thank you for the opportunity to serve as your MC, your backup quarterback.

Honored to be here.

I was gonna be sitting in the back eating popcorn with the other guy that snuck it in, uh, rooting you guys on, but but here I am, so it's it's an honor.

Uh, I ask that as we prepare to adjourn this evening, each of you reflect on the future of our great city and the important contributions each of you has made or will make, always thinking about the future, we'll make toward enhancing our community's quality of life.

We love Duval County, that's why we are here.

That's why we choose to live and work here.

Again, thank you for sharing this time with your Jacksonville City Council and your local leadership.

We are now gonna have the benediction by Pastor Aaron Austin, lead pastor of South Point Community Church.

We ask that everyone please remain seated and remain seated following the benediction because I've got some some good directions to help you out after this.

So, ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome, Pastor Aaron Austin.

I want to read from Isaiah chapter 32.

It says, Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.

Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.

As we pray over our city council, our president and new vice president, new president in our city council.

There is one king that is ruler of all, and that is Jesus Christ.

Amen.

But there are princes who rule under this king.

And I'm grateful for the people who are serving our city.

So let's pray a blessing over them as they protect us from the wind and be a shelter in dry windy places and a shelter, a rock that we can hide behind.

Let's go ahead and pray for them.

Father God, I thank you for these incredible men and women who serve on this council to bring justice and righteousness to the city to help the poor, the afflicted, the fatherless, the sojourner, the widow, Lord God, thank you that these people bring order and justice so we can live peaceably, and our city can be blessed by you.

And Lord God, we come to you, our great King Jesus Christ, and we say, would you look down upon us tonight and bless each of these council members?

Bless them with your grace, shine upon them, shine upon our new president, shine upon our new vice president, bless them, bless the people they're going to work with.

Bless this year, twenty twenty-six to twenty twenty seven.

We look to you to follow you in Jesus' name.

Amen.

All right, thank you, Pastor.

We appreciate it.

And give yourselves a round of applause one more time for all of your support for being an incredible audience out here.

I look around and I see every single person has a vital and critical role here in advancing this great city of Jacksonville, this wonderful Duval County.

So we appreciate you.

We look forward to the future.

Thank you for being here being part of City Council Elect White.

And uh, I'm sorry, Howland.

It says white in there.

He put it in there, he scrambled it in there.

That's two mentions for Howland and Vice President elect Carlucci for making this occasion special with your prevent presence.

At this time, there is going to be festivities.

There's going to be a reception joining our elected officials at the Jacksonville University College of Law, ladies and gentlemen.

Now, we love the Arlington campus.

It is beautiful.

That is the home to JU.

Don't go there tonight, okay?

I want to make sure that you stay downtown.

Otherwise, you're not gonna get the refreshments, you're not gonna get the food, you're not gonna get the fellowship.

So that address, one twenty-one West Forsyth Street.

Once again, if you go to Arlington, you can call Canamaro, he'll take care of you over there.

But the reception is gonna be here in downtown Jacksonville at the JU College of Law.

JTA is providing transportation to the JU School of Law for those who may want to skip the heat from walking or need assistance in getting to the reception.

The buses are, you guessed it, right out in front of City Hall, and there is additional information located in your program.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much.

Be safe, enjoy this beautiful day, and we'll see you soon.

Anything for that.