by David Ball
Staff Writer
It appears the City of Jacksonville will be involved with proposed amendments to JTA’s charter after all, following a meeting Tuesday with City Council members, Council Auditor Kirk Sherman, JTA officials and a few members of the public.
JTA Executive Director Michael Blaylock said he will be asking the Duval Delegation to withdraw the proposed bill that would’ve amended the agency’s charter. JTA charter changes require only the approval of the State Legislature due to the independent nature of the Authority.
However, Sherman recently brought the changes to the attention of City Council. Among Sherman’s chief concerns was the fact neither he nor Council members were informed of the 2007 changes already approved by the State Legislature or the 2008 changes being proposed.
Council member Bill Bishop, who called the meeting with Council President Daniel Davis and Vice President Ronnie Fussell, seemed equally concerned.
“I saw some of this stuff and, quite frankly, I thought it was disturbing,” he said. “What do you think of this? I don’t think much of it from a process standpoint.”
Blaylock admitted that it may not have been the most prudent process to change the charter and added he plans to meet with Sherman to iron out all of the issues.
“I offer my apologies to Mr. Sherman or anyone who was offended,” he said. “The changes were more of an expansion of the definitions...and the way we fund our projects and ability to work with other counties in interlocal agreements.”
However, Sherman’s initial letter outlined several other concerns which include:
• Replaced “may” with “shall” with regard to the authority employing an executive director.
• Added language that the executive director may hire such staff, permanent or temporary, as he or she may determine.
• Added language that the executive director may organize the staff of the authority into departments and units as he or she may determine.
• Gave the power to appoint department directors, deputy directors, division chiefs and staff assistants to the executive director, rather than the Board.
• States that the authority shall fix the compensation of the executive director.