The Daily Record surveyed the 2011-15 City Council members about the current Council year. Their responses to five questions will be published over the coming weeks. Matt Schellenberg, a Republican, is president and owner of Movers Claim Service Inc.
How have you prepared both personally and professionally for your role on the Council?
I have had a lifetime of learning experience having to do with budgets and operations of corporations and nonprofits. As a small-business owner, I understand the difference between the wants and needs of an organization and I will utilize this experience in my work as a City Council member.
Are you satisfied with your Council assignments and why do you believe you were chosen for them?
I am glad to serve in any capacity for the betterment of Jacksonville. I have recently been assigned to the Rules Committee and the Recreation, Community Development, Public Health & Safety Committee. In addition, I am on the Redistricting Committee, which is a great responsibility as it will impact local elections for the next 10 years.
Which committees or assignments would you like next, and why?
It’s important to me to eventually be a voting member of the Finance Committee. Although I am not currently a member, I will still attend the majority of the meetings as I promised my constituents that I would help get the City’s finances in order.
Is serving on the Council a part-time or full-time job?
Full-time. You have to put forth the effort to be successful for your district.
What’s the first piece of legislation you have introduced or will introduce in this Council year?
Leaders should lead by example. I discussed the issue at the Finance Committee budget meeting Thursday of lowering Council salaries by 10 percent. The members had no interest in lowering their salaries. Since I’m not a member on the committee, I can only ask a Finance member to introduce a resolution to lower members’ salaries. Nobody did. I did find out that a Council member can lower his or her individual salary. As such, I will lower my salary by 5 percent as soon as possible and the other 5 percent I will continue to donate to charity.