City of Jacksonville

Overview
Florida has the third largest veteran population in the nation, only preceded by California and Texas.  Northeast Florida has a high concentration of military veterans given the proximity of military installations in the Northeast Florida area, with veterans representing about 9.2 percent of the City of Jacksonville area population.  The Counties of Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns and the City of Jacksonville, Duval County (“City”) (collectively, the “Counties” or individually, “County”) desire to see a reduction in suicides among Northeast Florida veterans using a coordinated approach to suicide prevention.
 
The Counties pursuant to Section 163.01, Florida 16 Statutes, wish to make the most efficient use of their powers and cooperate, collaborate and coordinate with each other on the basis of mutual advantage regarding the prevention of suicide in Northeast Florida veterans and form a separate multi-jurisdictional governmental entity made up of representatives from each County to address veterans’ suicide prevention.
 
The Board of County Commissioners of each County desire that its county be included in a collaborative effort among the Counties to reduce the rates of suicide in Northeast Florida veterans; as the prevention of veterans’ suicide in Northeast Florida serves a public purpose. 

The Jacksonville City Council through the passage of 2019-701E determined that it is in the best interest of the City to participate in the membership of the Northeast Florida Fire Watch Council, and it is necessary and desirable for the City to authorize, execute, and deliver the Interlocal Agreement Regarding Veterans’ Suicide Prevention by and among the City and the Counties of Baker, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns, in substantially the same form as contained in (the “Interlocal Agreement”).

This ordinance (2019-701-E), by its passage, appropriates $70,000.00 from the General Fund/General Services District Fund Balance to The Fire Watch – Northeast Florida Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Agency Fund to fund programs and activities authorized by the Northeast Florida Fire Watch Council to prevent veterans’ suicide in Northeast Florida, subject to the terms as written in the Interlocal Agreement.   The City of Jacksonville will serve as the administrator of the Interlocal Agreement.  A Special Revenue and Trust Account will be established under the provisions of Chapter 111. Section 111.260 of the Jacksonville Municipal Code; with the Director of Finance and Administration, or his designee, authorized and directed to make disbursements from the Fund upon receipt of the Fire Watch Council’s written request and approval for expenditure.

Additionally, the legislation establishes a separate federal and state grants account (collectively,  "Federal and State Grants Account") into which federal and state funding applied for by the Fire Watch Council, or the City of Jacksonville as administrator for the Fire Watch Council, shall be deposited. All federal and state funding awards shall be expended by the Fire Watch Council consistent with the purposes and terms set forth in the Interlocal Agreement. The Fire Watch Council shall approve and authorize all expenditures from the Federal and State Grants Account. The Director of Finance and Administration, or his designee, is authorized and directed to make disbursements from the Fund upon receipt of the Fire Watch Council's written request and approval of such expenditure.

The Council President shall designate the City of Jacksonville City Council liaison to the Northeast Florida Fire Watch Council as of the effective date of the Interlocal Agreement through June 30, 2023.  2019-701-E designates oversight for The Fire Watch Council. The Office of Grants and Contract Compliance shall oversee and provide administrative assistance to The Fire Watch Council as provided in the Interlocal Agreement.
Ordinance 2019-701-E will be codified in the Jacksonville Municipal Code.  Additionally, participating counties and via authorized elected officials signed and executed Interlocal Agreement as a condition of this legislation on November 6, 2019.

The first meeting and topic:

Date            Topics            
12/02/2019
•    Welcome & Introduction of Board Members 
•    Vision for The Fire Watch Council 
•    Overview of Sunshine Law, & Public Records 
•    Roberts Rules of Order 
•    Overview of Interlocal Agreement 
•    Role of City of Jacksonville
•    Election of Vice-Chair 
•    Review of By-Laws and Committees 
•    Action Items & Next Meeting 

The format and scope of conversation for each meeting will consist of a start time of and end time of too best allow members to manage personal calendars.  

Meetings are open to the public. All constituent questions or inquires will be made a part of the permanent file and all efforts will be made to address the questions during noticed meetings of The Fire Watch Council.  

All Elected Members of Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns Counties, all Board and Commission Members holding positions as appointed by the these elected bodies, all Elected and Constitutional Officers, and interested parties are invited to attend.

Pursuant to the American with Disabilities Act, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1-2 business days notification to process; last minute requests will be accepted; but may not be possible to fulfill. Please contact Disabled Services Division at: V 904-255-5466, TTY-904-255-5476, or email your request to KaraT@coj.net.