by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The first round of the City’s annual budget review process is over and while no one’s jumping for joy, it’s not the end of the world at City Hall, either.
Since last Monday, Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, Chief of Staff Audrey Moran and a select few others have listened carefully as each City department presented its preliminary 2003-04 fiscal budget. Without any firm numbers yet, Moran says this year’s budget should virtually mirror last year’s — which came in just under $800 million — with one major exception.
“Everybody understands this is a tight year,” said Moran. “One area where we have seen significant growth is in the library’s budget.”
Moran explained that the $2.2 billion Better Jacksonville Plan provided $95 million for the new Main Library and another $55 million for six new branch libraries and renovations to 12 existing branches. What the Plan didn’t provide for was funding for equipment, books and personnel.
“The Better Jacksonville Plan provided capital for the projects but not operational expenses,” explained Moran, who sat in on most of the budget hearings. “We will need equipment and people, who will have to be recruited, hired and trained. There is some money in Better Jax for books, but not enough.”
Moran said the Library Board has played a major role in identifying and specifying the fiscal demands of each new and renovated branch.
“The library’s Board of Trustees has done an incredible job of forecasting the needs of each branch, so this [a larger than normal proposed budget] is not news to us,” said Moran, adding over the next couple of weeks each department will tweak their budget before making a final pitch.
So far, only members of Mayor John Delaney’s administration have participated in budget hearings. Considering all the other tasks Mayor-elect John Peyton has on his agenda before taking office July 1 — and the fact Mousa will become Peyton’s COO — Moran said she isn’t surprised no one from the Peyton Transition Steering Committee is sitting in on the meetings.
“Because Sam Mousa is involved, it’s not surprising,” said Moran. “It shows me Sam Mousa is a critical member of the Mayor Peyton team.”
Moran also believes, with his business background, Peyton is well-prepared to present the budget to Council on July 15.
“His business background will be a huge asset in understanding the budget,” said Moran. “And, he has surrounded himself with people with intricate knowledge of the City’s budget in Sam and (Transition Committee chair) Walt Bussells.”
Peyton spokesperson Susie Wiles agreed.
“I think it will help enormously,” said Wiles. “He understands the mechanics of developing a budget and the importance of deploying it as it’s written.”
Wiles said the Peyton administration will take a much more active role in the next round of budget talks.
“Sam, obviously, is very, very important in the equation,” said Wiles. “However, Walt Bussells will be intricately involved. They have done a lot of studying and others will sit in on the talks. I’m not exactly sure what they will be doing and at what time, but Walt will be increasingly involved in the process.”
Traditionally, the mayor presents his budget to Council at the first Council meeting in July. A few weeks ago, Council passed a bill sponsored by Council President Jerry Holland that moved the meeting from July 8 to July 15, which will give Peyton and the eight new Council members an extra week to understand the budget and know what they are passing.
“Jerry Holland and Council gave Mayor-elect Peyton a gift when they moved the date of the meeting by a week,” said Wiles, explaining that Peyton fully realizes the budget is and will be his top priority after taking office. “I think the calendar dictates that. It’s the one thing the mayor must do, according to law.”