On June 22, there was a comfortable confidence among members of the St. Johns River Ferry Commission.
A $1 million state appropriation had made it into the state budget, championed by two local state legislators. An email campaign or calls to lobby didn’t seem necessary at that point. Besides, letters of support already had been sent by several local officials.
Later that evening at an Arlington restaurant, state Sen. Aaron Bean stood smiling next to Gov. Rick Scott, cheering him on during a “victory tour” for tax cuts.
The next day, the smiles disappeared. The confidence turned to disbelief.
A year into what advocates call a three-year funding plan, Scott had vetoed the ferry’s money along with many other projects across the state. Year No. 2, though, was struck with Scott’s proverbial red pen.
“Extremely disappointed,” said Bean, one of the local state legislators behind the ferry funding.
Like Bean, City Council member John Crescimbeni said he was “very surprised” at the governor’s nixing the ferry funding.
“I was hearing from everyone that it was on target to be signed,” he said.
Crescimbeni, chair of the commission, said he’s heard the speculation behind such vetoes. Political payback for those who supported Medicaid expansion. Last year’s approval being election-year politics.
He isn’t concerned with the why, though — just what’s next.
Bean said when critics state the project and funding weren’t reviewed, it’s “completely inaccurate.”
“That all is poppycock,” he said. “Balderdash.”
Now Crescimbeni and Bean will try to find money for the service to stay afloat.
The $1 million was to pull the boat from the water in December for a required Coast Guard inspection and needed repairs.
Timing is crucial. During that month, close to $5 million in repairs to slip walls also is scheduled, funded by grants.
But without the haul-out, it’ll be all for naught.
“If we can’t figure out a way to overcome or fund the haul-out in December, we’re effectively out of business,” said Crescimbeni.
But, the council member also said he’s confident there will be a resolution to the issue.
“I’m not settling for anything different,” he said.
Bean said he is meeting with Scott for breakfast next week and he plans to “lay it all on the table.” His first questions will relate to the veto. Then it’s on to finding funding.
Even if he changed Scott’s mind, Bean said legislative rules would prevent funding from coming from the same source.
“It really ties our hands,” he said. “We couldn’t do it that way, it’s on to Plan B … but I don’t know what Plan B is.”
Borrowing the money or seeking help at the city level all are options, he said.
“I know we are not giving up on the ferry,” he said.
Mayor Lenny Curry will present his budget Monday to council. Curry spokesman Bill Spann last week said it’s premature to say whether it includes additional funding for the ferry.
Spann said Curry will talk to the ferry commission and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority “to determine a prudent way forward.”
The authority plays a part, too. Through all the talk, the city and JTA are still wrangling over final terms that would have the ferry transferred to the independent authority by Oct. 1. Crescimbeni said he’s had informal talks with JTA staff since the Scott veto, but declined to provide details.
A special meeting scheduled last Wednesday was canceled, but was meant to be pick up discussions between the two sides.
As for JTA, the independent agency was “disappointed” with Scott’s decision but not discouraged about the service’s future, said spokeswoman Leigh Ann Rassler. It, too, is optimistic an agreement can be reached to address the funding shortfall and transfer, she said.
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