by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Four years ago, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission consisted of 40 staff members.
As of Oct. 1, that number will be down to 15.
Late last week, Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Daniel Davis asked JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton to take a hard look at his staff and his budget and determine where, if any, more cuts could be made to help erode the City’s nearly $60 million budget shortfall. The result was the elimination of 10 positions — four of which are currently vacant — and the transfer of three to the Tourist Development Council. The JEDC will oversee those three, however they will be funded by the TDC.
During Monday’s last budget hearing in front of the Council’s Finance Committee, Davis asked the committee to consider the cuts that will come at a savings of $1.4 million.
“The administration did not come up with a devious plan and neither did City Council,” said Davis. “There are things in this budget I do not like.”
Davis said he analyzed the budget and realized that much of it — the services-oriented functions — are virtually untouchable. It’s the rest where he began looking for potential cost savings. He then proposed reducing the garbage fee from $5 to $2 and the JEDC cuts.
“I think the JEDC has improved greatly and there are better projects since I joined the Council,” said Davis, who was first elected in 2003. “I just think they do things more efficiently.”
Barton told the committee making the cuts was difficult.
“What the mayor asked me to do was look at how effective the JEDC can be and still do its core mission,” said Barton. “These are tough cuts. These are people. I will not pretend that dropping 10 people won’t have an impact on the JEDC.
“The Cecil Commerce Center position has been eliminated and I did not propose that lightly.”
Barton said he and JEDC Deputy Director Paul Crawford do a great deal with Cecil these days and will continue to focus on that area for economic development. Barton also said the key to operating successfully with a limited staff is taking advantage of the working relationship the JEDC has with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Center at the University of North Florida.
“This is as lean as the JEDC can get and not diminish our ability to accomplish or mission,” said Barton. “We have to be smarter, be more efficient and work with our partners.
“I am not going to tell you this isn’t going to be painful. We didn’t do this lightly. I believe this still leaves an organization that can accomplish its mission.”
Peyton’s Policy Chief Adam Hollingsworth said the six people losing their jobs with the JEDC may wind up with a different job elsewhere within City government.
“The reorganization eliminated 55 positions and this is 10 more,” said Hollingsworth. “We are looking very hard to find vacancies. I can’t say we will find those six vacancies today. I can tell you our Human Resources department is working hard to find positions.”
Barton said he won’t have to reorganize his remaining staff because, “We still have key resources in the right places.”
Barton said he talked with the affected staff and the JEDC partners about the cuts last Thursday.
“We are talking about people and I have spent two hard years with them,” he said. “This not an easy thing for me or the mayor.”
In other budget news:
• The Finance Committee approved JTA’s $99.4 million budget. Part of the budget includes the addition of 24 administrative positions. According to Kyle Billy of the Council Auditor’s Office, these positions were formerly contracted out by JTA, but will be performed in house in the future.
“These are unionized employees that drive buses,” said Billy.
• The committee also approved a budget-neutral item of just under $200,000 for the Supervisor of Elections Office. According to Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland, the money will be used to purchase AutoMark voting machines.
“This will allow for the paper trail the citizens have asked for,” said Holland, adding the machines will comply with a state law requirement and help prevent lawsuits.
• Five of six Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office items deferred a couple of weeks ago were also approved. Funding for annual physicals ($206,000), one ShadCo Corrections Officer ($50,502), one park officer ($65,000), radios ($88,000) and a budget-neutral request for training ($93,741) were all OK’d by the committee. Funding for five correctional officers utilized in community service projects ($280,320) was denied.
The following Jacksonville Economic Development Commission positions are either being eliminated or transferred to the Tourist Development Council. The list also includes their current title and salary. The first six may be transferred to other positions within the City.
• Cecil Commerce Center Coordinator, $105,243
• Due Diligence Specialist, $61,750
• Loan Specialist, $58,614
• Finance & Budget Specialist, $63,485
• Administrative Support, Downtown Development and Redevelopment, $40,258
• Communications Coordinator, $66,811
The following three positions have been budgetarily reassigned to the TDC:
• Sports & Entertainment Coordinator, $64,858
• Sports & Entertainment Specialist, $49,164
• Film & Television Coordinator, $83,869
Four Coordinator II positions at $75,000 annually are currently vacant and will not be filled. The TDC is also absorbing $240,000 for events and another $23,000 for travel.