The legislative framework for Mayor Alvin Brown’s government reform plan has gained City Council’s approval.
The bill (
2011-0732), was passed by a 16-1 Council vote on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The bill passed after much review by City Council and a citizens’ review panel.
What passed Tuesday marked phase one of the reform plan. In the second phase, the mayor will work closely with department heads to examine the new structure of government for maximum savings and efficiency measures.
Mayor Brown introduced the legislation in November as a major step toward saving taxpayer money and reorganizing the city’s workforce to deliver public services more effectively and efficiently.
“Taxpayers can’t wait,” said Mayor Brown. “I congratulate City Council and all staff who had a hand in crafting this plan. This is about the future of government for our kids and our grandkids. By working together, we can truly take Jacksonville to the next level.”
Target savings range from 10 to 15 percent of the city’s General Fund. These will come from a variety of areas such as energy costs, better fleet management and employee health care costs.
The plan concentrates heavily on jobs by making those charged with economic development report directly to the mayor. The emerging structure of government uses innovative measures such as the new Office of Public-Private Partnership to work with philanthropists and community leaders to gather funding for public events and educational initiatives.
Other highlights:
- Military affairs will become a cabinet position, so the region’s veterans and active service personnel will have a direct line into the Mayor’s Office on policy matters.
- There will be a concentrated effort to attract more major sporting events to Jacksonville.
- The plan will build a better parks system for thousands of people who enjoy one of the largest urban parks systems in the United States.
For more information about the reform plan, visit the mayor’s
reform plan page.