by Richard Clark, City Council president
Guest Columnist
As I assumed the role of City Council president last summer, I was faced with an unprecedented budget shortfall, an ever-rising, unfunded pension liability and the formation of our Charter Review Commission.
Only with tremendous public participation and the commitment of my colleagues on the City Council did we get through what many thought to be the roughest budget cycle in memory. It is going to take even greater involvement from the public and more dedication from the members of our City Council to tackle the difficulties we face in the first half of 2010.
The upcoming budget shortfall is projected to be $40 million and could significantly increase if we have another dip in the stock markets. Any market decline would impact our unfunded pension liability dramatically, and that is the single biggest factor in our budget shortfall. The mayor and I are going to start a very public process of once again going into the communities throughout our City to gather taxpayers’ thoughts and ideas. It is important that we hear directly from the people who fund the city. I look forward to hearing your ideas for how we can cost effectively move Jacksonville forward. As I’ve said many times before, it is critical to the success of our City that the public continue to participate in the process.
The mayor and his staff are in ongoing negotiations with our public labor unions. It is imperative for the future of our City that we stand behind him and his efforts to solve the vexing issue of our unfunded pension liability, which, if not fixed, could bankrupt our City. This, along with many other issues, will need to be addressed during the collective bargaining process. It is important to all of us that these issues are resolved at the negotiation table, not brought before City Council after impasse. If it does come before us, it is important that we keep the taxpayers of Jacksonville in mind, and the burdens we continually pass on to our next generation.
The Charter Review Commission is formed once every decade to look at our Charter and make unbiased recommendations on how our city government is run and structured. So far they have explored moving elections cycles, staggering City Council terms and changing the way the School Board members are placed in office. All of which are very worthy of discussion and I believe most, if not all, will find their way to the ballot for the voters to decide what changes they want in their government.
While we face daunting challenges in the months come, I am still mindful that we live in one of the best cities in the country. Our single best asset is our people. If we work together I know we can solve these current issues and prepare Jacksonville for a brighter future.
More wishes
The following are more thoughts and wishes for Jacksonville and the Jacksonville community from some of the area’s leaders.
“Continue to follow your dreams and believe in God, remembering while in pursuit of those dreams, to treat others as you would like to be treated.”
— Reginald Gaffney, Community Rehabilitation Center
“My wish for 2010 is that more businesses and residents are willing to move downtown so we can continue strengthening Jacksonville’s heart, its urban core.”
— John Finotti, Access Public Relations
“Two major wishes for 2010; More travelers at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and development at Cecil Field.”
— Michael Stewart, Jacksonville Aviation Authority
“My wish is that 2010 is a comeback year for the economy so our state is again strong and robust. And I hope this year results in the election of strong, principled, business-minded candidates.”
— Marty Fiorentino, The Fiorentino Group
“I’d like to see a lower unemployment rate and a rebounding economy to create more jobs. That would allow people to have more money to save, invest and donate.”
— Karen Brune Mathis, Dreams Come True executive director