An effort to save the City $2.5 million and provide newly elected officials with more time to review budgets was defeated Tuesday night by the City Council.
Moving local elections to coincide with the gubernatorial election cycle isn’t a new idea to the Council, but it did meet the same fate it has during previous administrations.
Council defeated the proposal 6-12. It was supported by Doyle Carter, Richard Clark, Ray Holt, Don Redman, Matt Schellenberg and Clay Yarborough.
The proposed ordinance directed the Supervisor of Elections to place a referendum question on the November 2012 general election ballot for voters to approve or disapprove the proposed change.
Those opposed to the proposal explained that moving local elections to the gubernatorial cycle would lessen media coverage of the local races and also put candidates in the position of competing for funds against state and national contenders.
“We had a pretty contentious governor’s and senate race during the last election, and they monopolized the media. We had a hotly contested mayor’s race this time around, and do you think it would have gotten nearly enough coverage if it was happening at the same time as the other races? That $2.5 million is money well spent for the betterment of the city,” said Council Vice President Bill Bishop, who voted against the proposal.
The $2.5 million savings was cited in the proposed ordinance, 2011-654, sponsored by Schellenberg.
Schellenberg said Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland calculated that Jacksonville could save $2.5 million by combining the elections.
The ordinance proposed an amendment to the City Charter to shift City elections for mayor, Council members and constitutional officers from the spring of odd-numbered years to the fall of even-numbered years to coincide with the gubernatorial election cycle.
Schellenberg pointed to two reasons he presented the bill — providing elected officials with more time to study and develop budgets and the savings created by combining elections.
“We have to look at every place available to save money,” said Schellenberg.
Other Council members said Tuesday they supported saving money, but a majority weren’t in favor of that savings at the expense of local elections.
“I was one of the people who came in and hit the ground running,” said Council member Kimberly Daniels. “Though it would be a safety net for those beginning in office, I believe our campaigns would be overshadowed.”
”There is a right way and a wrong way to save money, and this is one of the wrong ways,” said Council member Robin Lumb. “We need to have a conversation away from all the other races to allow people to focus on Jacksonville.”
Yarborough supported the bill because of the reasons Schellenberg listed — more time for elected officials and saving taxpayer dollars.
“In 2007, when we came in (as City Council members) we had three new fees and a big budget to work on. I would have liked more time to consider those issues,” said Yarborough.
“At the end of the day, let the folks out there decide. The people have not had the opportunity to decide if they want that cost savings,” he said.
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