Mayor Lenny Curry addressed a special session of the Jacksonville City Council to present his proposed 2016-2017 city budget. The $1 billion budget which does not raise taxes, increases funding to support public safety, and reflects the constraints placed on the City due to increasing pension costs. 

Yesterday, Mayor Lenny Curry joined Sheriff Mike Williams to release five months of data that shows the 24,000 hours of police overtime since late January has resulted in a decline of non-domestic shootings by nearly 40 percent. 

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), a division of Daimler AG, will be relocating an engineering services division from New Jersey to Jacksonville. The company is adding the engineering services division to its Quality Evaluation Center (QEC) in Jacksonville. The 50 jobs will be a mix of employees relocating to Northeast Florida and new hires from the local market. Mercedes-Benz currently employs more than 100 Floridians at the Jacksonville facility. 

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Wells Fargo recently announced mayors with top honors on behalf of nonprofits in their cities with the 2016 CommunityWINS® Grant Program funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation. 

As citizens prepare for a holiday weekend of travel and outdoor activities celebrating Independence Day, the City of Jacksonville is encouraging them to stay safe and vigilant while observing the holiday. The seasonable warm weather and related conditions often promote the presence of mosquitoes. To contribute to a safe and enjoyable holiday, citizens should protect themselves from the transmission of all mosquito-borne viruses including Zika, West Nile, Yellow Fever and more, by doing the following:

The City of Jacksonville will present its annual fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day on July 4 at 9:45 p.m. The display will last approximately 12 minutes. Fireworks will be launched from the Acosta Bridge only.
 

From June 26 through July 2, the City of Jacksonville is observing National Mosquito Control Awareness Week to educate citizens on how to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne diseases.

Ambassador John Rood Appointed to Serve on Florida Prepaid College Board
 
Vestcor Companies Inc. Chairman John Rood has resigned from his role as a member of the JAXPORT board of directors. Rood was recently appointed to the Florida Prepaid College Board by Governor Rick Scott.

To continue the momentum following JAXSPORTS Council’s announcement that Jacksonville has submitted a bid to host the CrossFit Games for 2017-19, Mayor Lenny Curry joined JAXSPORTS and CrossFit box owners and supporters in a viral campaign to showcase the city’s support to CrossFit Headquarters.

Postcard Campaign Provides Jacksonville Citizens Opportunity to Express Support
 
Earlier this week, the city of Orlando became home to the deadliest mass shooting in our country’s history. Forty-nine lives were lost, and just as many injured in an early Sunday morning attack. Jacksonville citizens are among millions who are mourning over the senseless and cowardly act of violence federal investigators are identifying as terrorism. In an effort to demonstrate support for our fellow Floridians, the City of Jacksonville, led by Mayor Lenny Curry, is launching a Dear Orlando postcard campaign to provide Jacksonville residents with an opportunity to share messages of hope and love with Orlando residents.

On June 12, 2016, 49 people lost their lives, and just as many more were injured in the deadliest mass shooting in our country’s history.

Mayor's Summer jobs Program in 11th Year

Yesterday, Mayor Lenny Curry joined Jacksonville youth as they kicked off the 11th year of the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program. 

Company Chose to Locate in Florida Over Silicon Valley, Ohio and New York
 
Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that randrr, a digital platform that helps connect individuals with job opportunities, will be creating up to 200 software developing jobs in Jacksonville by 2018 and adding $9 million in capital investment. randrr chose to establish their new app development offices in Florida over Silicon Valley, Ohio and New York. The company already employs 15 Floridians and plans to add up to 50 employees by the end of this year.
 
Governor Scott said, “We are excited to welcome randrr to Jacksonville and celebrate the company’s creation of 200 new jobs. randrr chose to establish its new offices in Florida over several other locations across the country, including Silicon Valley and New York, because of our talented workforce and focus on STEM education.” 

First in Series of Meetings Held Today at City Hall

Mayor Lenny Curry kicked off a series of Employee Town Hall Meetings this afternoon in his continued effort to educate Jacksonville citizens about the City’s pension crisis. The first meeting, which included personnel from City Hall departments and area offices, was held in the atrium of the St. James building. The town hall meetings are an opportunity for employees to hear directly from the mayor about the City’s pension debt, and the solution he proposes to solve the pension crisis for good.

Citizens Encouraged to Prepare for Possible Flooding, High Winds

As City of Jacksonville departments and agencies prepare for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Colin, citizens are encouraged to do the same. This afternoon, Mayor Lenny Curry received information on plans and preparations being led by a variety of City departments and agencies including Public Works, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and JEA.