City of Jacksonville

Sec 602.305. Selection, Term, Contract, Removal and Vacancy.

(a) Selection.  The responsibility for selecting the inspector general shall be vested with the Inspector General Selection and Retention Committee, hereinafter, the "Committee".

The Committee shall be composed of seven members selected as follows: (1) The President of the Jacksonville City Council or his or her designee (2) The State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit or his or her designee; (3) The Chair of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission or his or her designee; (4) The Chair of the Jacksonville TRUE Commission or his or her designee; (5) The Public Defender of the Fourth Judicial Circuit or his or her designee; (6) The Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit or his or her designee and (7) The Mayor of the City of Jacksonville or his or her designee. The members of the Committee shall elect a chairperson who shall serve until the Inspector General is confirmed by the City Council. The Committee shall select the Inspector General with no less than 4 members approving the appointment from a list of qualified candidates submitted by the Jacksonville Employee Services Department. The Committee's selection is subject to confirmation by City Council.

(b) Term. The Inspector General shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.  The Committee shall convene at least six (6) months prior to the end of the four-year contract term to determine whether to renew the contract of the Inspector General or to solicit new candidates.

(c) Contract. The Chair of the Committee, in coordination with the Office of General Counsel, shall negotiate a contract of employment with the Inspector General. The Inspector General shall be an appointed employee exempt from civil service and shall be entitled to all rights and benefits normally accorded to appointed employees.

(d) Removal. The Inspector General may be removed based on specified charges initiated by the Committee for the following:  neglect of duty, abuse of power or authority, discrimination, or ethical misconduct.  The Inspector General shall be provided sufficient advance notice of the reasons for the possible removal, and shall be given an opportunity to be heard on the charges. A decision of the Committee to remove the Inspector General must be approved by a minimum of four members of the Committee and be confirmed by the City Council.

(e) Vacancy. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Inspector General, the Committee shall appoint an interim Inspector General until such time as a successor Inspector General is selected and assumes office. The Interim Inspector General shall meet all qualifications provided herein for the Inspector General.

Meeting Information

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Committee Members

Chair of Ethics Commission

J. J. Dixon is a veteran law enforcement officer. She was employed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office from 1988 to 2014. Ms. Dixon served in a wide range of capacities including Patrol, Community Affairs, Special Events, and Investigations. Currently, she is the President of the Jacksonville Brotherhood of Police Officers, Inc. and owner of Elite Security and Consulting.

Chair of TRUE Commission

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Keshan Chambliss was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Gainey. She is the youngest of five children. In June 1987, Lt Col Chambliss graduated with Honors from Paxon School for Advanced Studies, in the top 8%. Also in 1987, she was named Who’s Who among High School Students. After graduation, Lt Col Chambliss attended Florida State University where she received her Associate of Arts Degree. While at Florida State University, Lt Col Chambliss joined the Army National Guard. After completing basic training and Advance Individual Training, she returned to Jacksonville and enrolled in the University of North Florida, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree. Later, she went back to school and earned a Master’s and Doctoral degree in 1998.

In 1998, Lt Col Chambliss became a Direct Commission MSC Officer in The Florida Army National Guard where she served under a great Commander Major General Michael Calhoun. Later, Lt Col Chambliss joined the Florida Air National in May 2002 in the 125th Medical Group as Health Services Administrator ensuring that airmen are physically and mentally fit to serve. In September 2003, Lt Col Chambliss got married, and on April 19, 2004, she gave birth to Elijah Chambliss while in Florida Air National Guard who is her pride and joy. She is currently serving under 125th Fighter Wing Commander Col Downs and the 125th Medical Group Commander Col Andrews. She has also served as a member of the Executive Council for the National Guard. As a civilian, Lt Col Chambliss worked as a Case Manager, Behaviorist, Mental Health Counselor, Therapeutic Friend to emotionally disturbed children, and now a Support Coordinator; she links, monitors, advocates, refers, coordinates, and manages the budget for the developmentally disabled to ensure their health and wellness. She also works for the Supervisor of the Election Office as an Inspector Technician that assists people to vote.

Lt Col Chambliss also enjoys serving her community on June 7, 2015, she was selected for membership into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; this elite organization serves all mankind; Lt Col Chambliss was voted by her Sorors to be a National Panhellenic Representative. She continues to serve locally and internationally by being selected and voted to become a member of Links Inc. on May 20, 2018, where she actively serves on various committees; this premier organization serves the community and internationally by meeting the need of the underserved civilly, culturally, educationally, and health-wise. Recently, Lt Col Chambliss was chosen by The President of the City Council to be a TRUE Commissioner and was elected as Vice-Chair of the committee; this committee function as an advisory body to the City Council and Mayor concerning fiscal policy.

Chief Judge

Chief Judge Day grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended public school, graduating from Wolfson High School.  After completing college and earning his law degree, he returned home to work with the State Attorney’s Office.  In May 1996, Chief Judge Day resigned from the Office of the State Attorney to run for Circuit Court Judge. He was elected as a Circuit Judge in September 1996, and took office in January 1997, where he continued in his role as Circuit Judge until he took office as Chief Judge in July 2023. 

City Council President

Ronald B. Salem, Pharm. D., is currently the President of Salem & Associates, a company that provides consulting services in the pharmaceutical industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 and Doctor of Pharmacy in 1980 from the University of Florida.

Dr. Salem has also been active locally, serving as Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Better Jacksonville Plan under Mayor John Delaney, Chairman of the Greater Arlington Citizens Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC) for two years, as well as, being appointed to the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Board from 1999-2013 serving as Chairman on four different occasions.

During his tenure on the Jacksonville City Council, Dr. Salem has served on the Finance Committee for four years, once as chair. He has served on the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee, once as Vice Chair and once as Chair and the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee once as Vice Chair. Dr. Salem has served the community in several other capacities as well while on City Council. He has served as Chair of the Special Committee on the Opioid Epidemic and the Opioid Abuse Prevention Committee, Special Committee on Social Justice and Community Investment and in a liaison role for the Jacksonville Port Authority, Tree Commission, and Tourist Development Council. He served as Vice President of the City Council for the 2022-2023 year and is President for the 2023-2024 year.

Dr. Salem is married to the former Nancy Hanania and has three children and six grandchildren.

Mayor of Jacksonville

Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit

Charlie Cofer was born in Radford, Virginia.  His father was a Methodist minister, and his mother was a high school teacher.  He graduated from Duke University in 1974, and from law school at the University of Virginia in 1977.
  
Cofer served as an Assistant Public Defender for over 18 years, including 10 years as a member of the Homicide Team.  He handled more than 63 contested jury trials, and 26 homicide trials.  Cofer was appointed as a judge in 1998.  He was re-elected to that position three times. During his 17 years as a judge, he handled over 78,000 criminal cases and over 27,000 civil cases. Cofer resigned his position as a Duval County Judge on November 30, 2015, in order to run for Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial. He won the general election and took office on January 3, 2017.

Charlie Cofer served as President of the Dad’s Club at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School; Chair of the Southside United Methodist Church Kindergarten; Chairman of the Pastoral Counseling Center in San Marco; President of the River City Swim League; and President of the Board of Governors of San Jose County Club.

State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit