by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Rotary Club of Jacksonville invited Preston Haskell, chairman of The Haskell Company, to address the group’s luncheon Monday and gave him carte blanche when it came to choice of subject. The business, civic and cultural leader outlined what he believes are the three most critical issues facing Jacksonville as the city moves into the future.
He first talked about the current budget challenge facing the city and its government and said, “The state legislature has passed what I consider to be a very flawed bill. It is an unwarranted intrusion into local government.”
Haskell said Jacksonville is having to find ways to reduce the budget by more than $65 million for the next fiscal year. It is a task that has been made more difficult, because we were already running a very lean operation, he added.
“We have the lowest (property tax) millage rates in the state and no impact fees or surcharges. We have worshiped too long at the altar of lowering millage rates every year,” said Haskell. “We’ve been running our government for many years on the cheap.”
He also said he fully supports Mayor John Peyton’s proposals to diversify revenue by levying fees on stormwater and solid waste collection as well as the proposed 3 percent surcharge on utility bills.
“Jacksonville as a city must remain competitive with other municipalities in Florida,” he said. “We must remain competitive in order to serve our existing citizens and attract new citizens.”
Haskell said it’s time for Jacksonville to join the rest of the state when it comes to assessing the fees and surcharges.
“Sixty-six other counties can’t be wrong and only us be right,” he added.
He also urged Rotary members to take the lead in opposing the constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot in January. If the amendment is enacted it would create an even larger budget deficit for Duval County.
“It’s the ‘elephant in the room.’ The legislature came up with that amendment without any ideas about how to cover the shortfall. The constitutional amendment, if passed, will be very hard to reverse.
“We must stand up for reason and soundness and against the amendment,” said Haskell.
He also commented on the government in the Sunshine Law and said he’s convinced it should be changed for a couple of reasons.
“The Sunshine Law itself is a very good thing, but over the years it has been taken too far. It needs more balance and moderation. Florida’s Sunshine Law is much stricter than that of any other state. It eliminates the natural give-and-take that makes for good legislation.”
Haskell has not made any secret recently that he believes reform is in order and commented he has been somewhat surprised by the reaction his position has received from business leaders and even some public officials.
“I have been amazed by the positive response,” said Haskell. “Elected officials chafe under the restrictions. Some have told me they too believe it should be reformed – and in what may be a violation of the Sunshine Law – they have talked to their colleagues about reform.
“Change is possible. Change is necessary. We need to change a statute that’s out of synch with the rest of the nation.”
Haskell said public education is the third issue that will have the greatest effect on the city’s future.
“Jacksonville is just one good school system away from being a great city. We have business, we have the arts, we have culture. Our only blemish is our public education.”
The problem is not all 160 public schools, said Haskell, the problem is about 25 of them that are under-performing.
“We need to put our best teachers in the worst schools. We also need to improve parental involvement to where it’s part of the culture of every family with children in school. We must also redesign our larger high schools to reduce enrollment.
“There is a clear connection between the success of the education system and the success of the business community. Nothing is more important to remaining competitive than public education. We must do whatever we can to close the achievement gap.”
Haskell also commented on what he thinks Jacksonville should do about building a new convention center.
“I don’t think we need to consider a new convention center for the foreseeable future, especially in view of the recent fiscal events.
“There’s no clear good location. Every possible site has its drawbacks and I believe the public is not convinced we need to spend any money on it right now.”