I would say new media is already shaping the Jacksonville budget conversation. If you read this weeks post from Metro Jacksonville, First Official Blogger Conference at City Hall, you can see how.
This was one of those moments where the City was well served and represented. Both by an Administration opening up to the new times, and by the representatives of those New Times themselves.
It was an unprecedented move by the city to solicit feedback from new media influencers and tastemakers in Jacksonville. I have no doubt many of our recommendations were noted and will be implemented.
While I won’t go into detail on what was said I will express my own opinion on the budget debate. I am for the millage increase. To me this sums it up.
We haven’t had a property tax increase in many years, even while inflation and the cost of city services continued to rise. Do opponents of the budget increase really think taxes will and should stay at their current levels? Should Jacksonville alway have some of the lowest tax rates in the state even while we are pushing the development boundaries of the largest landmass city in the U.S.? If not now then when? We can’t sustain the city without increasing taxes. Period. If anyone has a counter argument, I’d love to hear it.
Yesterday the city launched a massive public conversation campaign or maybe it started earlier with JaxObserver’s first show featuring Mayor Peyton.
You’re likely to hear the words budget, millage, increase, stupid and tea bag ad-nauseam for the next couple of weeks, so let’s get started. Here a selection of events and conversation circling the announcement today:
Tracking Budget News
I’ve created an RSS feed to track budget news, stories and info. You can get the budget RSS feed here.
Important Upcoming Budget Events
July 13, 2009 Mayor Peyton presents his proposed budget to City Council. 10 a.m., Council Chambers, City Hall (117 W. Duval Street)
July 21st, 2009 the Mayor will appear on Urban Jacksonville Weekly. Tune in live July 21st. Start sending your questions in now!
- Tweet your question using the #ujw hashtag or mention Urban Jacksonville Weekly in your tweet
- Leave a question on the Urban Jacksonville Facebook page
- Leave a comment on Urban Jacksonville or email urbanjacksonvilleweekly@gmail.com
In addition to appearing on UJW, the Mayor will participate in a series of live video webcast and chats, hosted by UJW broadcasting partner Jacksonville.com. These will live blogged by the talented Tia Mitchell and moderated by someone, not sure who yet. There are also plans for users to submit YouTube questions prior to the webcasts.
July 28, 2009 City Council votes on maximum millage 5 p.m., Council Chambers City Hall (117 W. Duval Street)
Budget Tweets (newest to oldest)
polkadotz: Coming in tomorrow’s TU: The urgency of audience. Mayor Peyton’s drive to convince a divided public on taxes.
coj_tweeters: @urbanjax AMIOs are special appointed employees paid on avg about $70,000/yr. Jaxpolitics did recent post on them: http://tiny.cc/DfXFM
urbanjax: COJ should remove Media and FAQ main nav until they have content. Media FAQ
polkadotz: Wondering if it would be more effective for cops to not boycott Gate, but break into mayor’s office and decorate it with Hess toys.
JacksonvillNews: Sulzbacher Center Fears Proposed City Budget Cuts – First Coast News: http://bit.ly/1mIJFy (Note: I love the way FCN allows people to share their videos, FAIL) and How Budget Cuts Would Impact Sulzbacher Center
coj_tweeters: Budget savings? Cut 166 AMIOs making over $11 million in salary. Mayor promised to reform AMIOs when elected, but hasn’t kept promise.
gotv63: Mayor Peyton speaking to Dalton Agency staff meeting about his FixItNow campaign.
Trending on: happn_in_jacks: mayor peyton’s
thewayhome: Email city council president Richard Clark at RClark@coj.net and tell him you oppose the city’s proposed Sulzbacher Center budget cuts.
jax_just_in: Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton invites residents to discuss city budget http://tinyurl.com/nuaxr7
Jacksonville’s Budget Shaping Debates around Town and with JCCI
Lunch with the Mayor
Beginning next week, the mayor will host five lunch meetings from noon-1p.m. at area libraries. Residents are invited to bring their own lunch. Locations across the city have been selected for proximity to some of
the community’s larger business parks/complexes and residential areas to allow for easier access. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, July 16
Brown-Eastside Branch Library, 1390 Harrison St. call (904) 630-5466
Monday, July 27
Jacksonville Main Library, conference center multi-purpose room, 303 N. Laura St. call at (904) 630-2665
Thursday, Aug. 6
Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd. call at (904) 992-7101
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Southeast Regional Library, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. call at (904) 996-0325
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Mandarin Regional Library, 3330 Kori Road call at (904) 262-5201
Town Halls with the Mayor
Also beginning next week, the mayor will host three town hall meetings in various locations across the community. All residents are invited to attend. All meetings will be held in the evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 16
Ed White High School cafeteria, 1700 Old Middleburg Road call at (904) 693-7620
Monday, July 20
Edward Ball Building, 1st floor training room, 214 N. Hogan St. call at (904) 630-CITY (2489)
Monday, Aug. 3
Ribault High School media center, 3701 Winton Drive call at (904) 924-3092
A timely lunchtime conversation on Our Money, Our City: Financing Jacksonville’s Future with Study Chair, J.F. Bryan IV
What kind of city do you want to live and work in? JCCI’s City Finance Study has become central to this year’s city budget debates, getting to the core question of just what quality of life our community wants. You will have unprecedented opportunities to contribute to answering that question in the coming weeks. Please join us for JCCI’s:
Wednesday, July 29th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm @ JCCI- 2434 Atlantic Blvd. Please feel free to bring your lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided. RSVP to Earlene at earlene@jcci.org by Monday, July 27 or call 396-3052.
