by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
“I salute the Jacksonville Bar Association for its pro bono efforts,” said Mayor John Peyton. “As we are forced to reduce budgets and contributions to nonprofits suffer during these tough economic times, there has never been a time when your skills, talent and knowledge have been needed more.”
Peyton was the keynote speaker at the first Jacksonville Bar Association (JBA) monthly luncheon of its new year and he recognized the members of the JBA who have contributed their time to help those less fortunate. Peyton’s last appearance in front of the JBA was as part of a videotaped comedy skit with attorney David Barksdale shown during the JBA’s annual golf and tennis outing. But his latest message was a more serious one on the eve of a public hearing on the City’s proposed budget and a final vote on that budget Sept. 29.
“We don’t have a deal yet, but we are close,” said Peyton after a morning meeting to discuss the budget with Council President Richard Clark, Vice President Jack Webb and Council Finance Committee Chair Stephen Joost.
“Pleasant” wasn’t a word used by Peyton to describe the recent City budget negotiations.
“It’s been a terrible process,” said Peyton. “Very contentious, but necessary. I’m proud of the transparency and dialogue we have had through the numerous town hall meetings.”
To date, about $63 million has been cut in an effort to balance the City’s budget, but Peyton would have liked to offset those cuts with a property tax increase that he offered with his initial budget through a proposed higher millage rate. This increase was met with opposition, but the mayor has tried to educate the public on why a tax increase is necessary and continued that lesson at the meeting Wednesday.
“We have to work through the knee-jerk reactions to a tax increase,” said Peyton, “and have important dialogue about the direction of this city.”
The mayor referred to the recently published Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI) study titled “Our Money, Our City: Financing Jacksonville’s Future,” in summing up the state of the City’s finances.
“JCCI developed a report that said we are in an economic crisis,” said Peyton. “I agree. What that means is the math we have used for years to develop the budget doesn’t work anymore.”
The mayor’s budget presentation hit on key points that he has been discussing at town hall meetings and on the Web site www.fixitnow.cc. He detailed how Jacksonville has the smallest police department and spends the least per person in the state on public safety.
“This has contributed to us being one of the murder capitals of the country,” said Peyton. “But through the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney Angela Corey’s office and Jacksonville Journey we are changing that. The year-to-date we’ve had 27 percent less murder cases compared to the same time last year.”
The Sheriff’s Office received some more good news. After speaking with members of the Council earlier Wednesday, no layoffs were expected for the Sheriff’s Office. Webb was one of the members to meet with the mayor earlier and shared his sentiment on a new balanced budget.
“There are a few things that need to be worked out,” said Webb, “but we should have a budget worked out soon.”
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