The Daily Record surveyed the 2011-15 City Council members about the current Council year. Reggie Brown, a Democrat, is executive director of The Project Reach Foundation.
How have you prepared both personally and professionally for your role on City Council?
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve on the Council for about 30 months prior to being re-elected without opposition in an unexpired Council term. This experience afforded me the opportunity to learn from veteran leadership that had demonstrated moving the City forward as well as sustaining a balanced budget. More importantly, while being mentored I was assigned to serve as a representative with the Florida League of Cities. This leadership training is designed to equip elected officials with the required tools to develop effective and efficient government.
Are you satisfied with your Council assignments and why do you believe you were chosen for them?
I believe in supporting leadership. Hence, I would serve with honor in any capacity the Council president needed me to serve in. I was selected to serve as chairman of Land Use & Zoning and vice chairman of Recreation, Community Development, Public Health & Safety. I am confident that my commitment to serve in previous assignments coupled with my desire to lead had some influence with assignments under the current leadership.
Which committees or assignments would you like next?
I am currently striving to gain confidence with my colleagues to be considered as significant leadership on the Council in the future. I would like the opportunity to gain experience serving in the following capacity or assignments: Finance Committee, Rules Committee, vice president and/or president of the Council before this term expires in 2015.
Is serving on the Council a part-time or full-time job?
Although this position is designed to be part-time, I am required to perform the task regardless of the time required to accomplish the mission. Our community deserves full-time commitment and I am committed to the citizens of Jacksonville. In order to best serve constituents, one must embrace the responsibility to serve. I have learned that researching and developing legislation, community meetings, meetings with constituents and people of interest, to name a few, will consume 20-25 part-time hours quickly.
What’s the first piece of legislation you have introduced or will introduce in this Council year?
Work Here … Live Here! Ordinance 2011-276, residency requirements for employees of the City and appointments of the City’s Boards and Commissions. The primary reason given as to why people live in the surrounding counties is due to the inadequacies of our public education system. Hence, one way to fix our public school system is by ensuring taxpayers’ dollars are staying within the county.