Mayor Introduces Leadership for Re-established Neighborhoods Department
 
Mayor Lenny Curry introduced leadership for the Neighborhoods department during a news conference held this afternoon at City Hall. The introductions follow last week’s unanimous vote of approval by City Council for the mayor’s reorganization bill. The Neighborhoods department will be responsible for neighborhood and housing services, code and regulatory compliance, animal and mosquito control, and citizen issue support. 

Governor approves Mayor Curry’s Pension Legislation Bill
 
This afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation, approving Mayor Lenny Curry’s plan to address Jacksonville’s crippling pension debt. This plan grants municipal governments the ability to extend existing surtax revenue to address pension liability. The bill limits participation to those local governments whose underfunded retirement benefit is below 80 percent of actuarial funding. 

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Jacksonville area added 20,700 new private-sector jobs over the year in February. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 1.0 percentage point over the year to 4.5 percent in February. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate dropped to 4.9 percent in February, the state’s lowest rate in eight years.

Move Continues Global Presence and Job Growth Momentum for City
 
The City of Jacksonville is celebrating another victory as a result of last fall’s trip to London including City officials and local business leaders. The City announced today that City Refrigeration Holdings will establish its North American headquarters in Jacksonville, bringing more than 100 new jobs to the area.

More than 1,700 Jacksonville seniors gathered at Hanna Park March 23 for fishing, dancing and games during the annual Mayor’s Fish-A-Thon. This is the 42nd year of the event hosted by the City’s Senior Services division. 

In a signing ceremony in his office shortly before the March 22 City Council meeting, Mayor Lenny Curry signed a new five-year contribution agreement between the City of Jacksonville and JEA. He was joined at his desk by City Council members and JEA officials to announce the new agreement.

First Approval for the City of Jacksonville Since 2011
 
In a vote of confidence for the City of Jacksonville, the Florida Legislature has approved appropriations funding that will address Mayor Lenny Curry’s key priorities for the city such as public safety and support for neighborhoods. Jacksonville has secured nearly $1.86 million in funding from the state toward projects including Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Jax Journey’s Jacksonville Re-Entry Center (JREC), replacement of the Moncrief-Dinsmore bridge, and Julington-Cormorant stormwater improvements. This is the first time since 2011 appropriations for the City of Jacksonville have been secured.

Mayor Lenny Curry helped Fifth Third Bank cut the ribbon on their new Jacksonville headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville on March 15. The ribbon cutting represents Jacksonville’s growing economic momentum, particularly in the financial services sector in recent weeks. 

Legendary rivalry to continue tradition at EverBank Field

Jacksonville scores again as a result of a recent agreement to keep one of our nation’s biggest football rivalry games in town. Since 1933, the City of Jacksonville and EverBank Field have been the home of the Georgia-Florida game. That tradition will continue through 2021, as both schools have reached an agreement with the City on a five-year extension.

OCEARCH returned to Jacksonville for its 24th expedition to generate scientific data critical to ocean conservation by satellite tagging Great White Sharks. Mayor Lenny Curry joined the OCEARCH team to launch Expedition Jacksonville Tuesday, March 15.

Governor Rick Scott announced the Jacksonville area added 25,600 new private-sector jobs over the year in January. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 1.0 percent over the year to 4.9 percent in January. Florida has added 1,060,800 private sector jobs since 2010. Governor Scott will celebrate this great news today on his five-city “Million, Billion Jobs Victory Tour.”

Watering Set at Two Days Per Week with the Change to Daylight Saving Time

As the City of Jacksonville Environmental Quality Division reminds Duval County residents to set their clocks forward one hour Sunday, March 13 for daylight saving time, it is also reminding them to set lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week.

Patrons to Explore More Than 30 Countries in a Single Visit

Calling all world travelers – It’s that time of year when Jacksonville residents and visitors can take a trip around the world without leaving town! The City of Jacksonville will host the 24th annual World of Nations Celebration at Metropolitan Park (1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. – 32202) Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Statement from Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on the arrest of suspects involved in the shooting of 22-month-old Aiden McClendon on Jan. 29, 2016: 

Today’s Senate Approval Advances Bill

In a 35 – 1 vote, the pension reform bill proposed by Mayor Lenny Curry was approved by the Senate today. The Curry plan supports the City of Jacksonville’s efforts to solving pension debt that has long stifled the City. It gives municipal governments the ability to repurpose existing surtax revenue to address pension liability under circumstances that demonstrate a serious potential for financial difficulty. The bill limits participation to those local governments whose underfunded retirement benefit is below 80 percent of actuarial funding.