City leaders responding to Mayor Alvin Brown’s list of accomplishments during his first 100 days in office primarily cite jobs — not only the ones he cut, but the one he’s doing.
Now they want to know what’s next.
Brown released a report early Monday of about 60 items he can check off his to-do list.
City Council President Stephen Joost said Monday he is looking for two main issues in the second 100 days — Brown’s reorganization plan for City government and how he intends to tackle pension reform.
“The plan has to be about living within our means,” said Joost, “and I want to see how his plans continue with that.”
Brown said he submitted a balanced budget that did not increase taxes or fees or tap into the City’s reserves.
He also said he streamlined City government by eliminating nearly 220 positions and appointing the first City education commissioner, Donnie Horner from Jacksonville University. He also plans to travel to Brazil this month with Gov. Rick Scott.
Joost points to Brown’s balanced budget proposal, cutting the City positions and appointments and spreading the “one Jacksonville, one vision” message as positives during the first part of his tenure.
As for negatives, Joost said one could always disagree with an appointment or two, but that from an overall perspective, Brown has done a good job.
“If you are looking for negatives, it’s more style points than substance points,” Joost said.
Looking back at the first 100 days of an administration is generally more of a symbolic gesture that originated with President Franklin Roosevelt, said Stephen Baker, Jacksonville University political science professor.
He said the time frame also is a chance to re-affirm messages to voters promised during campaigns.
Baker said Brown has kept his message on point with those who elected him and also framed the debate on how his administration will address priorities moving forward.
Potential negatives, such as cuts within the City that have resulted in job losses and criticism over transparency, should be handled with expediency, he said.
“Cutting is always going to be painful,” Baker said. “But timing is a big thing.”
Baker said that taking unpopular action quickly and early in a new administration is generally standard procedure.
Like Baker, University of North Florida political science department chair Matthew Corrigan believes Brown had some tough decisions in his first 100 days, specifically about job cuts.
“He’s had to do some difficult things,” said Corrigan. “It’s always tough to lay people off.”
Corrigan said Brown kept his word on not raising taxes and fees in his first budget, but that can present potential problems in the future. The immediate hit came in the form of layoffs, but longer term it could affect funding for mayoral initiatives.
“There are always consequences,” he said of no tax or fee increases. “It will be a challenge to find funding for everything because he came in with a big agenda.”
Brown’s agenda includes attention to the port, Downtown and education, as well as his plans to reorganize City government, which Corrigan said Brown needs to begin to specify in more detail.
In addition, Corrigan said Brown will have to work with a “very independent” Council on many of those issues.
To date, Corrigan said, the relationship between the executive and legislative branches has been mixed. Council denied several of the initiatives Brown sought through the budget.
“It’s been a good first impression,” said Corrigan, “but the question is, what’s the next act?”
Brown’s first 100 days
The Daily Record asked former mayors and several City and business leaders Monday for their responses to the list released by Mayor Alvin Brown about his accomplishments
during his first 100 days in office. Former Mayor Jake Godbold (1979-87) could not be reached for comment and former Mayor John Peyton (2003-11) declined to comment.
Paul Anderson
Jacksonville Port, Authority CEO
“Mayor Brown’s personal commitment to port progress during his first 100 days can’t help but have a positive impact on the future economic vitality of our region. I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Brown to ensure this port reaches its full potential as a job generator and provider of opportunity.”
John Delaney
University of North Florida President
Former Jacksonville mayor, 1995-2003
“I think he has had as good a start as any mayor in memory. He is high energy, and positive. I think many City Hall observers were a good bit surprised that he let go some longtime employees who had bridged many administrations, but that is part of what he said he was going to do. He really is bringing a new paradigm. I’m having fun watching him play by new rules. “
Tommy Hazouri
Duval County School Board member
Former Jacksonville mayor, 1987-91
“He has done a lot. Visibility is important and Mayor Brown has been very visible. I like an active, visible mayor and the public wants to see a mayor with his sleeves rolled up. ... In my opinion, the real education guru in the mayor’s office is the mayor. I think the mayor should absolutely be involved in public education. There are plenty of areas in education that the mayor can have a role and he’s doing that.”
Don Shea
Jacksonville Civic Council , Executive Director
Part of Brown’s economic-development strategy team
“It’s really a remarkable record for such a short period of time. With the continued support of the City Council and the people, I’m confident that we can achieve the structural changes he envisions for reorganizing the City government, reinvention of the economic development delivery system, and position Jacksonville for the kind of growth we are capable of achieving in the future.”