Mayor Alvin Brown will host Mayor Brown’s Interfaith Breakfast on May 20 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The breakfast, featuring Bishop T. D. Jakes of The Potter’s House of Dallas, will focus on the theme "Faith, Family and Friends." The event will explore ways to build community partnerships that will improve education and reduce crime. During the event, Mayor Brown will launch initiatives focusing on mentoring local youth, as well as crime prevention and intervention.

Learn more about Mayor Brown's Interfaith Breakfast at JaxHappenings.com

Mayor Alvin Brown today announced an agreement on retirement reform with the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters (JAFF), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund (JPFPF).

The new agreement is projected to save taxpayers approximately $1.1 billion over 30 years, including almost $50 million in the next Fiscal Year alone (10/1/2013 to 9/30/2014). To put those numbers in perspective, the first year savings alone are the same amount of money needed to pay the compensation of approximately 800 city employees. The savings equal the combined budgets of the Jacksonville Public Libraries and the City Planning and Development Department.

“I greatly respect our brave public safety employees and the important work they do for our community,” said Mayor Brown. “This agreement is a product of partnership between the City and public safety professionals. Together, we have achieved retirement reform that will help ensure financial sustainability for both taxpayers and employees.”

Learn more at www.coj.net/RetirementReform.

Five City of Jacksonville Department of Public Works employees demonstrated excellence in equipment operation and winning skills at the Equipment Rodeo held on Wednesday, April 24, during the American Public Works Association (APWA) Florida Chapter conference held in Jacksonville.

The centerpiece of the day’s event was the Professional Skills Competition held in the parking lot of the Prime Osborn Convention Center. APWA-approved equipment dealers hosted eight challenging and innovative events aimed to test the skills, safety and time of competitors. Types of equipment featured at the event included a mini-excavator, a sewer cleaner, a backhoe loader and a remote-control mower. Competitions included obstacle courses and tasks emphasizing skill and agility.

Bank contributes $70,000 toward pilot project

Wells Fargo and Mayor Alvin Brown announced progress toward the opening of the Jacksonville Day Resource Center (JDRC) for homeless people with the company’s $70,000 contribution toward the pilot project.

Joined by the mayor, the center’s board and partners, Wells Fargo regional president Scott Coble announced the $70,000 contribution in seed funding to help move the project forward. The JDRC will lead a challenge grant campaign to encourage other businesses and community members to become involved as well through contributions.

$11 million reinvestment fund moving forward

Mayor Alvin Brown’s $11 million reinvestment fund to promote Downtown revitalization and citywide job growth is now official.

The plan calls for $9 million to leverage private dollars for Downtown improvement, and an additional $2 million is slated for citywide economic expansion. The investments result from a successful round of debt refinancing at the direction of the Brown Administration. The savings provide an opportunity for Jacksonville to invest in its future without taking on additional debt, using reserves or impacting the city’s solid AA+ bond rating. The refinancing provides $11 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year with additional savings in future years.

Watch video from the bill signing

JaxHappenings Keeps Residents Connected with Activities across the First Coast

Mayor Alvin Brown and the Office of Special Events announced today a new, free mobile app from the City of Jacksonville. The app, JaxHapps, is available now for download on Android devices, iPhone and iPad.

“JaxHappenings.com and the JaxHapps app are great examples of the work our city is doing to embrace technology and create a more effective and efficient reach into the community,” said Mayor Brown. “More than just a day or a night out for residents, special events are a driver for economic development and we should be exploring every option to ensure they are enjoyed by as many people as possible.”

Mayor Alvin Brown focused on strengthening parents’ roles in their kids’ education at his two day education summit on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2013.

The summit, a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office and Duval County Public Schools, featured an appearance by famed comedian and education activist Dr. Bill Cosby. The initiative continued the positive momentum in public education engendered by a host of recent successes, including better graduation rates, better school grades and unprecedented community activism.

As part of Mayor Brown’s vision and actions to enhance educational opportunities for Jacksonville’s youth, the summit brought students, teachers, administrators, elected officials and community partners together in an effort to spur action supporting the summit’s theme, “Increasing Parental Involvement.” Learn more

Mayor’s education summit seeks to rally community leaders and inspire students

Mayor Alvin Brown will focus on strengthening parents’ roles in their kids’ education at his upcoming citywide education summit featuring actor and education activist Dr. Bill Cosby.

City savings of $11 million to be reinvested

Mayor Alvin Brown has created a plan to inject $11 million this year into both Downtown revitalization and job-creating economic improvements across Jacksonville.

Joined by civic and business leaders Tuesday along the Northbank Riverwalk, Mayor Brown committed to investing $9 million in order to leverage private investment that will improve Downtown. An additional $2 million is slated for economic expansion throughout the city.

The investments, which are subject to City Council approval, result from a successful round of debt refinancing at the direction of the Brown Administration. The mayor announced the savings will be reinvested in projects with private-sector investment that invigorate Downtown and elevate the Jacksonville economy.

New Facilities Management Contract Will Save City Nearly $1 Million Annually

Mayor Alvin Brown competitively bid the City’s facilities management contract for the first time in 20 years because he wanted taxpayers to receive the best value on their investment. The competition resulted in two bids that contained significant savings for taxpayers.

This afternoon on the steps of City Hall, where he was joined by Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Mayor Brown announced the selection of SMG to serve as the City of Jacksonville’s facilities manager. He unveiled contract terms that will save taxpayers nearly $1 million annually, provide the City of Jacksonville (COJ) with an immediate $1 million capital contribution, establish a $500,000 fund to attract and promote events at COJ facilities, and establish clear benchmarks for SMG’s performance of its facility management responsibilities.

A vacant, 11-acre plot of land nestled between Riverside Avenue and Park Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Downtown Jacksonville is now officially on its way to sprouting a major development project expected to create 247 jobs while revamping aging public infrastructure and netting an estimated $10 million in ad valorem revenues over the next 20 years for the City of Jacksonville.

Read about other recent economic development bills signed by Mayor Brown

Mayor applauds City Council for backing legislation to reduce wait time

Mayor Alvin Brown’s plan to overhaul economic development policy is now official. The mayor signed legislation (2012-213) Wednesday creating a more efficient process for companies to collaborate with City Hall for development, relocation or expansion in Jacksonville. The bill-signing followed a unanimous vote by City Council to approve the measure Tuesday night.

“This is about investing in our future and making Jacksonville the most competitive city it can be at time that cities all over America are fighting for jobs,” said the mayor. “Our streamlined policy empowers the City of Jacksonville to work more effectively with the private sector for jobs and opportunity. I commend City Council for its hard work and dedication to economic development.”