A citizen-driven task force that will review consolidated City government could have its members named next week and have its first meeting the week of August 5.
City Council President Bill Gulliford and Council member Lori Boyer met Thursday to compare notes and discuss potential members for the group.
Boyer will lead the task force that initially was thought to comprise up to 30 members, but Gulliford said he would let Boyer decide its structure.
The two first met in late June to introduce the topic.
Combined, their two lists of volunteers and suggestions had more than 60 names with some overlap.
Names on the lists include Peter Rummell, former Jacksonville Civic Council chairman; Wally Lee, retired JAX Chamber CEO; Wyman Duggan, past chair of the Charter Revision Commission; Fred Franklin, attorney and former City general counsel; Susie Wiles, consultant and Civic Council acting director; Rena Coughlin, Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida CEO; Sam Mousa, former City chief administrative officer; and Alton Yates, community leader.
"We've got a pretty good list to work with," Gulliford said.
Gulliford said he has requested an individual from Mayor Alvin Brown's office take part. He said Brown was amenable to the idea.
A member from each of the City independent authorities also should be included, the Council members said.
Some of the volunteers could be added to the task force, with others serving in an informational role.
The group will study the issues of the 45-year consolidated form of government and make recommendations for legislative action.
Boyer said some topics to be addressed are the independent authorities, civil service rules, constitutional officers and the sheriff, City Central Services department, City boards and commissions, the executive branch's failure to follow legislative policy and the number of Council members needed.
Boyer said she will determine the schedule of meetings for the group after naming its members and holding a preliminary meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for next week.
Staffing for the group could come from within the City, though Gulliford said the University of North Florida has offered research assistance and the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation is willing to help with staffing.
Gulliford said he will write the task force's charge, which will provide some direction for the group's work.
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