Staff Writer
Council president: ‘Attendance is way up when crisis is staring somebody in the face’
In February, Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Richard Clark announced a series of workshops and town hall meetings to engage the public in the budget process.
So far, they’ve noticed trends.
“We’ve learned attendance is way up when crisis is staring somebody in the face,” said Clark about the council-led town hall meetings. “We’re getting a steady showing, but would like to see a lot more (people).”
The latest town hall meeting was this week at Florida State College of Jacksonville’s North Campus.
“It tends to be a regular concern that what we hear is ‘Let’s find ways to cut our budget’ and lean off as much as we can,” said Clark. “It’s easy for everyone to say reduce waste, but I want people involved and say where it is.”
As for the meetings’ atmosphere, so far is has been “calm and intelligent conversation,” but Clark knows as budget plans are formed and program cuts are announced, the dialogue will become more heated.
Peyton has to provide a preliminary budget to Council by May 1 and the proposed budget July 15. Council must approve a budget before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. City leaders are wrestling with a projected $58 million gap.
“This is a year we’re really going to have a lot of tough decisions,” said Clark. “Throughout the city, it’s going to affect services, people, salaries across the board.”
Similar to the town hall meetings, the City-led budget workshops have brought interested parties together in a different format. There, citizens can meet with City department representatives to talk about the services they offer. Participating citizens are then asked to rank those services according to their priorities.
Like the town hall meetings, though, officials would like to see more participation.
“Attendance has averaged around 50 people or so,” said Misty Skipper, Peyton’s spokesperson. “It has really been a great opportunity for department heads to meet with individuals. It allows for a more interesting dialogue.”
Citizens also can make suggestions through a dedicated website, www.myjaxbudget.com. Like at the meetings, though, website traffic has tapered off since the launch in February, when it averaged 270 hits a week.
When they announced the town hall meetings and workshops, Clark and Peyton asked the community to come to come to functions familiar with the process. At past workshops, Clark said as much time was spent educating the participants as discussing solutions.
Clark said participants have come better informed, though he still often explains the parameters around spending one-time dollars and the limits of sales taxes.
Town hall meetings and workshops remain on the schedule, and both Clark and Skipper encourage the community to take part in the dialogue.
The last town hall meeting will be at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 6 at Florida State College of Jacksonville’s South Campus, 11901 Beach Blvd. No reservations are required.
Three budget workshops remain, and reservations are required at www.myjaxbudget.com. They are scheduled:
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., April 26, Mandarin Middle School, 5100 Hood Road.
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., April 29, Dinsmore Community Center, 7126 Civic Club Drive.
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., May 20, Jacksonville Beach Community Center, 2508 South Beach Parkway.
Minutes for each of the town hall meetings are posted online at www.coj.net, while findings from budget workshops won’t be published until the meetings all end to avoid skewing results, said Skipper.
Budget talks will heat up over the course of summer, but unlike the current settings, Clark doesn’t expect the atmosphere to be as docile.
“There’s no doubt,” said Clark, “this is the calm before the storm.”
For more information on upcoming budget workshops and town hall meetings, go to www.myjaxbudget.com.
356-2466