Jacksonville meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

City Council approves $26M public safety package; committees advance $2.8M affordable housing loan

The Jacksonville City Council on Oct. 13 approved $26 million for Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters improvements, warehouse consolidation and a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department CO2 removal system, voting 15-0. It was the largest dollar amount decided in two weeks of council and committee meetings that also advanced a $2.8 million affordable housing loan, authorized up to $100 million in homeowner mortgage revenue bonds, and ended with a committee keeping a subpoena in place for the outgoing head of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

Public safety and economic development

The $26 million allocation passed 15-0. The same day, the Council approved $9.2 million in completion grants for the Gateway N4, N5 and N11 developments (15-0) and a $475,000 revenue grant for the Project Apollo headquarters relocation (14-1). It denied a reimbursement grant for Jax Yacht Charters, Inc. on a 1-14 vote.

Affordable housing and housing finance

A $2.8 million development loan for a 180-unit affordable housing project by Tori Meadows, Ltd. moved through three bodies: the Rules Committee approved it 4-3 on Oct. 19, the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee approved it 7-0 the same day, and the Finance Committee approved it 7-1 on Oct. 20.

Committees also approved $247,929 in additional SHIP program grant funding (7-0 in committee, 8-0 in Finance) and authorized up to $100 million in JHFA homeowner mortgage revenue bonds (7-0 in committee, 7-1 in Finance). An ordinance to donate city property at 1725 East 22nd St for affordable housing was withdrawn, 6-0 in Rules and 7-0 in Neighborhoods. The deadline for the Homelessness Initiatives Commission strategic plan was extended to Feb. 1, 2027 (6-0-1 in Rules, 7-0 in Neighborhoods).

JTA finances and the Ford subpoena

On Oct. 20 the Finance Committee approved a subpoena to compel testimony from outgoing JTA CEO Nat Ford at an Oct. 23 special meeting, voting 7-1. On Oct. 23 the committee discussed Ford's absence; a motion to remove the subpoena failed 1-6, and members discussed negotiating an alternative date for testimony.

On Oct. 15 the FAO Select Committee reviewed a Council Auditor's Office presentation describing JTA's financial decline, including a projected $31.8 million deficit for June 30, 2026, and JTA's failure to provide financial projections to its board. No votes were taken. A Oct. 23 FAO Select Committee agenda listed review of the approved JTA budget for Fiscal Year 26-27 and the agency's financial condition; minutes for that meeting were not published in the records provided.

Land use and zoning

The Council approved a rezoning for a concrete batch plant at Union Heights Rd and Bob-o-link Rd (14-1) and a rezoning for multi-family dwellings at Bella Mara Rd and Newton Rd (14-1). It also renamed Cedar Point Preserve to Middlebrook Preserve (15-0) and adopted a rule requiring a majority of members for a standing committee quorum (13-2).

The Land Use & Zoning Committee on Oct. 20 approved rezonings at 1905 Walnut St (7-0), 11713 Alta Dr (6-0), 9520 Sandler Rd (6-0) and 0 103rd St (7-0), a land use amendment and rezoning for 3747, 3757 Hendricks Ave and 3710 Grandy Ave (6-0 and 5-0), and a sign waiver for 960 Girvin Rd (6-0). A land use amendment for 1905 Walnut St was withdrawn (5-0). A second record for the same committee and date describes a six-minute meeting with no votes; the two entries are inconsistent.

The Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee approved a contraction of Kings Creek II CDD regional territory by 93.24± acres (7-0) and deferred an appeal by Jacksonville Homes, LLC on sidewalk requirements and an ordinance modifying parking requirements for industrial and warehouse uses.

Waterways

The Fort George River Sandbar Vessel Speed Regulation Task Force met Oct. 14 to review what evidence the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requires to establish a navigational hazard, including data and aerial photographs of the area, and heard public comment on waterway access and safety. No formal votes were taken. Waterways Commission agendas for Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 listed 2027 FIND project rankings, a St. Johns River water quality and manatee status report, and two proposed rezoning and plan amendment items listed for discussion only, with no action until Nov. 19, 2026.

Coming up

The City Council meets Oct. 27 to vote on rezonings at 11713 Alta Dr, 9520 Sandler Rd and 0 103rd St, a sign waiver at 960 Girvin Rd to reduce the minimum setback from 20 ft to 12 ft, and a $34,496.25 appropriation for JFRD critical care equipment.

Jacksonville committees approve $30M JTA gas tax borrowing, advance downtown and public safety spending

Jacksonville City Council committees approved an emergency measure allowing the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to borrow up to $30 million in unexpended Local Option Gas Tax funds, one of several spending and land-use decisions recorded in meetings held Oct. 5 through Oct. 9.

JTA borrowing clears four committees

Ordinance 2026-0780 was approved by the Rules Committee (7-0), the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee (7-0), the Finance Committee (8-0) and the Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee (8-0).

The committees describe the measure in different terms. The Transportation, Energy & Utilities record calls it a $30 million loan to JTA from LOGT II funds to be repaid by 9/30/37. The Finance summary describes an emergency interlocal agreement amendment allowing JTA to use up to $30 million in local option gas tax funds for debt and operational expenses. The Rules summary describes an emergency ordinance allowing JTA to borrow up to $30 million in unexpended Local Option Gas Tax funds.

Downtown mixed-use project advances in one committee, is deferred in another

The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee approved a redevelopment agreement for the 119 Beaver St W mixed-use project, which the summary says includes a grocery store, with a $21.4M REV grant and a $28.25M completion grant (5-1).

The Finance Committee deferred the same redevelopment agreement (2026-0541) for two cycles (7-1). The agreement has not been finally decided by the full Council on the records provided.

Public safety, shelter and other appropriations

• Finance amended and approved $31,450,000 for JSO and JFRD public safety projects (2026-0701) (8-0). The Neighborhoods committee approved $31.45M for JSO headquarters improvements and warehouse consolidation (7-0).
• Finance approved $9,222,943 for Gateway project completion grants (2026-0700) (6-1).
• Multiple committees approved $111,233 for the State of the River Report (2026-0698) (7-0 in each).
• The Neighborhoods committee approved $181,333 for emergency shelter operations (6-0); Finance approved $181,333.85 in Emergency Solutions Grant funds (2026-0707) (7-0).
• A collective bargaining agreement for JEA employees represented by LiUNA Local 630 was approved by Finance (2026-0704) (8-0), by Transportation, Energy & Utilities (7-0) with an estimated three-year cost of $9.8M, and by Rules as a three-year agreement (7-0).
• The Neighborhoods committee denied a $70,000 reimbursement grant for Jax Yacht Charters, Inc. (1-6).

Land use and zoning

The Land Use & Zoning Committee approved a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment for 0 Yellow Water Rd (Ord 2026-0523) (7-0) and a rezoning for the same address (Ord 2026-0524) (6-0); the Soutel Industrial PUD rezoning with conditions (Ord 2026-0532) (5-2); the Plymouth Liberty Business Park PUD rezoning with conditions (Ord 2026-0557) (6-0); a large-scale revision for 0 Pickettville Rd (Ord 2026-0647) (5-0); a large-scale revision for 0 Garden St et al. (Ord 2026-0648) (5-0); a small-scale amendment and rezoning for 5529 Floral Bluff Rd (Ords 2026-0649 and 2026-0650) (5-0); and a road frontage waiver at 9201 103rd St (Ord 2026-0697) (6-0).

Committees also approved renaming Cedar Point Preserve to Middlebrook Preserve (7-0), establishing the Deep Creek CDD (7-0), and an intergovernmental management agreement with SJRWMD for the Pablo Creek Conservation Area (7-0).

Ordinance 2026-0709, changing standing committee quorums to a majority of members, was approved by Rules (5-2), Finance (6-1) and Transportation, Energy & Utilities (6-1).

Records that are incomplete or agenda-only

A second Land Use & Zoning record for Oct. 6 describes a meeting that ran from 4:30 p.m. to 4:38 p.m. and reviewed a marked agenda of 13 items ready for action, 16 marked for deferral, 8 marked for second and re-refer, and 5 public hearings continued, with no roll-call tallies detailed.

Minutes for the Oct. 7 Special Committee on Drowning Prevention and the Oct. 9 FAO Select Committee were not yet published; both are listed as agenda items only. The drowning prevention agenda lists a five-year drowning data overview, a retention pond GIS analysis, personal testimony from Anna Machiz-Dillion of The Arc of St. Johns, and a fencing presentation by Sean Shapiro. The FAO Select Committee agenda lists a review of its charge memorandum and JTA presentations on statutory authority, organizational structure and Board roles.

Coming up

• **City Council, Oct. 13:** A proposed 10-year REV grant not to exceed $475,000 for Project Apollo. The Finance Committee already approved an economic development agreement and REV grant for Project Apollo (2026-0757) (6-1).
• **City Council, Oct. 13:** Rezonings of 16.73 acres at 0 Union Heights Rd for a concrete batch plant; 15.41 acres at 7020 A C Skinner Pkwy for a mixed-use project; and 19.35 acres at 0 Bella Mara Rd and 0 Newton Rd for multi-family residential.
• **City Council, Oct. 13:** Proposed renaming of Cedar Point Preserve to Middlebrook Preserve.

Jacksonville budget cuts housing funds, council approves $21M capital

The Jacksonville Finance Committee approved a series of budget cuts on Aug. 13, including removing $4.9 million from the Affordable Housing Trust and $1.5 million from the Down Payment Assistance program, as part of the city's FY 2026-27 budget process. The committee also reduced Council Strategic Plan funding from $10,019,591 to $2.2 million (7-1) and placed $750,000 of Telehealth funding into a contingency (6-2).

Budget hearings

The Finance Committee's first budget hearing on Aug. 13 also removed $2.4 million from the Local Capital Stack for Attainable Housing (7-1) and placed $7.6 million into an Amendment 3 contingency pending the November property tax referendum. The committee approved all three Auditor's revenue recommendations unanimously.

On Aug. 14, the committee approved a $245,376 reduction to Mayor's Office salaries (6-2, Johnson and White opposed). It also approved adjustments to Library, Technology Solutions, Police and Fire Pension Fund, Finance Department, Driver Safety Trust Fund, and Military Affairs & Veterans budgets. The Driver Safety Trust Fund fee increase was $157,835. The committee tabled Wolfson Children's Hospital funding for a noticed meeting.

Budget hearings continued on Aug. 20 and 21 with no votes recorded; those sessions reviewed courts, tax collector, elections, solid waste, and city agencies, including JEA, JTA, and the Downtown Investment Authority.

City Council

The City Council on Aug. 11 approved a consent agenda and land-use items, including 12 rezonings and 2 comprehensive plan amendments. Notable approvals include a rezoning for a banquet hall at 101 1st St W & 0 Laura St (17-0), a multi-family housing development at 0 Village Ln (17-0), and a thrift store at 6411 Arlington Rd (17-0). The council also approved $21,019,214.38 for capital improvement projects (17-0) and $56,000,000 for indigent health care (17-0). Several items were continued, including a home occupation ordinance.

Committee actions

The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee on Aug. 17 approved a $33,958,000 appropriation for unfunded future obligations (8-0), a $479,997 contract with Trinity Rescue Mission for a homeless day center (8-0), a $94,080 grant to Operation New Uniform (8-0), and the "Stand for Service Act" requiring REV grant recipients to hire veterans or military spouses for 10% of new jobs (8-0). It also approved a $1,976,527 appropriation for Northbank CRA cleanup (7-0) and demolition of the Sax Seafood building at 816 W. Union St (7-0).

The Rules Committee on the same day approved the same Trinity Rescue Mission contract (6-0), the Operation New Uniform grant (6-0), and the "Stand for Service Act" (6-0). It also approved Chaffee Rd eminent domain authorization (6-0) and a council rules change for excused absences (5-1). It deferred an abortion funding ban and a JEA board appointment confirmation.

The Land Use & Zoning Committee on Aug. 19 held a brief procedural meeting with no decisions. Later that day, it approved a rezoning at 0 Gate Pkwy (15.46 acres) to PUD with conditions, including a $60,000 landscape buffer payment and a deceleration lane (7-0). It also approved rezonings at 4427 Emerson St, 4730 Spring Glen Rd, and 7080 Wheat Rd.

The Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee on Aug. 19 approved an MOU with Atlantic Beach for disaster debris management at Girvin Landfill (6-0), the "Stand for Service Act" (6-0), and condemnation authority for the Chaffee Road widening project (6-0). It deferred an electric bicycle ordinance.

The Finance Committee on Aug. 19 approved the same $33,958,000 appropriation (6-0), the Trinity Rescue Mission contract (6-0), and the Operation New Uniform grant (6-0). It also approved the Northbank CRA cleanup and demolition of the Sax Seafood building.

Coming up

The City Council will meet on Aug. 25 to vote on a rezoning at 7080 Wheat Rd, a $94,080 grant to Operation New Uniform, and a code enforcement filing fee ordinance. The Jacksonville Waterways Commission meets Aug. 24 and Aug. 28 to hear a St. Johns River water quality and manatee report.

Jacksonville City Council approves rezonings and invasive species funding; Finance Committee greenlights $200,000 for Springfield Cleanup Corps

The Jacksonville City Council approved two rezoning requests and $72,300 for a parks invasive species removal initiative on July 28, while the Finance Committee advanced $200,000 for a Springfield neighborhood cleanup program earlier in the week.

City Council — July 28

The Council approved several items by 18-0 votes:

• Rezoning of 23.31± acres at Bird Rd & Kirk Rd for single-family housing.
• Rezoning of 10.51± acres at 4420 Hodges Blvd for church facility modernization.
• $72,300 for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's FY 26-27 Parks Invasive Species Removal Initiative.
• Confirmation of Michelle Begley as Chief of the Accounting Division.
• A resolution commemorating the 158th anniversary of Historic Mount Olive AME Church.

The Council withdrew an $8,489,497 appropriation for General Fund balance and economic obligations and withdrew the appointment of Corey Ford to the Construction Trades Qualifying Board, both by 18-0 votes. Council minutes from the June 23, 2026, regular meeting were approved 17-0.

Finance Committee — July 21

The Finance Committee approved three related items for the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, Inc. (SPAR), each by 6-0 votes:

• A $200,000 appropriation for personnel costs in the Springfield Cleanup Corps Program.
• An extension of the SPAR grant term to September 30, 2029.
• An increase of SPAR maximum indebtedness to $496,181.

Eight other ordinances were deferred, including items on the Mayor's Transfer Authority, a settlement agreement with Live Oak Ancient City Living, LLC, retiree adjustment payments, and an ordinance prohibiting expenditures for abortions and related services.

FAO Select Committee — July 27

The FAO Select Committee reviewed findings from the Council Auditor's Office on unbilled JEA water capacity fees. The committee identified an estimated $55 million to $75 million in unbilled capacity fees since 2003 and determined that no unbilled capacity fees are owed to the City of Jacksonville. JEA is developing new retroactive and future billing policies to present to its Board in early 2027. No formal votes were taken. The committee's charge runs for 60 days and expires September 18, with progress reports recommended to go to the Finance Committee after that date.

Land Use & Zoning Committee — July 21

The committee approved four items, each by 5-0 votes:

• A small-scale amendment to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan at 0 Old Kings Rd for Outdoor Depot, Inc.
• Rezoning at 0 Old Kings Rd from IL to IH for Outdoor Depot, Inc.
• A small-scale amendment at 5710 Pickettville Rd for Robert Ledwick, II.
• Rezoning with conditions at 5710 Pickettville Rd to permit an outdoor storage yard for Robert Ledwick, II.

Several public hearings were continued to future dates, including items at 0 Old Kings Rd (Sandcastle Capital Holdings) and 6919 Pitts Rd (Fluffy Buttons, LLC), both continued to August 4, 2026.

Rules Committee — July 20

The Rules Committee voted 7-0 to name the city-owned baseball complex at 2142 Melson Ave the "Warren A. Jones Baseball Complex at Hammond Park." The approval included amendments to attach a Historic Preservation Section report and waive specific timeline requirements. All other agenda items were deferred.

Other Committee Activity

The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee received a presentation on hurricane season preparation and disaster recovery reimbursements on July 20. All listed ordinances were deferred. The Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee held its first meeting of the new Council Year on July 21 to discuss attendance rules and future topics; no votes were taken.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 3 — Rules Committee:** Discussing $413,900 for I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless shelter capacity, $390,000 for turn lanes and sidewalks at Trout River Blvd and New Kings Rd, and renaming a portion of Kingsbury Street to "Gopal Way."
• **Aug. 3 — Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee:** Reviewing a proposed $28.25 million completion grant and $21.412 million REV grant for a mixed-use project at 119 Beaver St W, plus $413,900 for homeless shelter capacity.
• **Aug. 4 — Finance Committee:** Reviewing the 2026-27 FY Consolidated Government Budget, including $56,000,000 for indigent care at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Inc., and annual property tax levies for multiple service districts.
• **Aug. 4 — Land Use & Zoning Committee:** Public hearings on rezoning requests including affordable senior housing at 888 Franklin St and townhomes at 7401 Old Kings Rd S.
• **Aug. 4 — Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee:** Vote on renaming Kingsbury Street to Gopal Way and discussion of electric bicycle regulations.