by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Last week, we said Sheriff John Rutherford better pack a lunch Thursday when the City Council Finance Committee grills him for three hours about his proposed 2008-09 budget. The Finance Committee better have Starbucks on call this week.
Thanks to Tropical Storm Fay, City offices were closed Thursday and Friday last week, meaning Finance Committee Chair Michael Corrigan had to postpone the first round of budget hearings. In addition to Thursday’s regularly-scheduled budgets hearings, Corrigan has rescheduled the postponed hearings for Friday. That means 12 hours — both days there will be sessions from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. — grinding through millions of dollars and several City departments and independent agencies.
Corrigan said he made the decision to schedule Friday’s hearings after consulting with the rest of the Finance Committee.
“We have to get it done,” said Corrigan Thursday. “We are not sure what kind of damage the storm will cause, but I wanted to get it (the rescheduled meeting) as far as we could and still have some sort of normal operations.”
Making sure he has a quorum isn’t Corrigan’s only issue. He has to make sure the department heads scheduled for last week will be around Friday and he has to make sure they can attend the hearings. With Monday being Labor Day, there was some concern many had requested the day off Friday, giving them a four-day weekend.
“I don’t anticipate a problem at all,” said Corrigan of getting a quorum for Friday’s hearings. “I am impressed with the level of commitment of the members of the Finance Committee. I’d be surprised if we don’t have a majority of the Committee. No one has indicated they can’t make it.”
By law, City Council must pass Mayor John Peyton’s proposed $972 million budget by Sept. 30 because the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1. It’s up to the Finance Committee to vette every department and independent agency with that budget. Corrigan said the pensions fund and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue are among those who were scheduled for last week but have been moved to Friday. He said the mayor’s office has contacted the department heads and the Council Auditor’s Office has contacted the heads of the independent agencies. He also said Rutherford has been told the entire afternoon session Thursday is devoted to the JSO budget, which is nearly $400 million.
“He’s aware of it and I think he’s coming in formal police gear,” joked Corrigan, adding he’s not concerned about the 12 hours of scheduled meetings over the course of back-to-back days. “I think we’ll be all right. The Finance Committee is eager to get into the meat of the budget.”
The Council Auditor’s Office opened the budget hearings with a three-hour overview Aug. 14.
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