2026–2027 Jacksonville City Council Installation Ceremony – June 25, 2026
2026–2027 Jacksonville City Council Installation Ceremony – June 25, 2026
The Jacksonville City Council held its annual installation ceremony to swear in Nick Howland as Council President and Joe Carlucci as Vice President for the 2026-2027 term. The event included remarks, recognitions, and a video message from outgoing President Kevin Carico, followed by speeches outlining priorities for the upcoming year.
Special Presentations and Recognitions
- The ceremony began with an invocation by retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Michael P. Fleming and presentation of colors by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue honor guard.
- Outgoing Council President Kevin Carico, unable to attend due to an international mission, was honored with a gavel presentation to his executive council assistant, Jackie Lee, and a video message in which he reflected on the past year's accomplishments, including a historic budget, investments in public safety and youth, and the potential Culinary Institute of America campus downtown.
Swearing-In and Remarks
- Joe Carlucci was sworn in as Vice President by Judge Anthony Salem. In his remarks, he thanked his family and staff, emphasized unity and respect among council members, and urged colleagues to make the final year of their term the best yet for Jacksonville.
- Nick Howland was sworn in as President by Judge Gary Flowers. In his keynote speech, he outlined his vision for the upcoming year.
Discussion Items – President Howland’s Priorities
President Howland highlighted the city's progress in public safety (2024 violent crime rate lowest in recorded history), infrastructure improvements, and essential services. He then announced three core priorities for his presidency:
- Fiscal Responsibility: Howland noted the potential for property tax relief in November and called for a leaner budget. He announced that the new finance committee would scrutinize every line item, aiming to deliver a smaller budget than the previous year for the first time since 2019. He also introduced a new financial instrument, Third-Party Development Incentive Funding (TDIF), where private companies fund development grants in exchange for tax credits, to spur growth without using general fund dollars. The Chamber of Commerce will assemble a business group to review TDIF's feasibility.
- Accountability: He promised to give Citizen Planning Advisory Committees (CPACs) a scheduled session with the finance committee before the August budget hearing to voice concerns. He also criticized the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and JEA for not recording board meetings and committed to pursuing legislation requiring audio recordings of all such meetings.
- Job Creation: Howland advocated for growing aerospace, defense, and manufacturing sectors, noting the potential at Cecil Airport and Spaceport. He announced the Stand for Service Act, legislation requiring that at least 10% of jobs created through city tax incentives be reserved for military veterans, guard/reserve members, or active duty spouses. He also celebrated past reforms to the PIP that brought over 1,600 jobs to Jacksonville.
Key Outcomes
- Joe Carlucci formally elected Vice President and Nick Howland formally elected President of the Jacksonville City Council for the 2026-2027 term.
- President Howland announced committee and liaison assignments would be issued the following morning.
- The ceremony concluded with a benediction by Pastor Aaron Austin and an invitation to a reception at Jacksonville University College of Law.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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