My name is Rick Mullaney, and I'm General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville.
Thank you for having me here.
A little more than a year ago, I addressed a subcommittee of the Florida Legislature on The City of Jacksonville Charter regarding Consolidated government in a three-hour hearing. The focus of that subcommittee was primarily on ad valorem savings in Duval County.
Given the fiscal crisis around the state of Florida and the challenges around the state, they were primarily interested in the fact that Jacksonville had the lowest ad valorem rate of any large metropolitan area in the state, and rightfully attributed much of this to our Charter, this consolidated government, and some of the efficiencies that are possible as a result of it.
While I discussed with the subcommittee of the Florida Legislature those savings and did not minimize the ad valorem rate, I tried to stress to the Florida Legislature that while that was important, I hoped they wouldn't miss that there was much more to our charter and Consolidated government than simply the ability to have lower ad valorem rates.
In fact, I suggested to them that the foundation for the transformation that has taken place in Jacksonville over the last 40 years, was very much the Charter that was adopted on October 1st of 1968 and that The Consolidated government that we here in Jacksonville enjoy gives us a competitive structural advantage in the creation of public policy the other 66 counties in the state of Florida do not have.
It is my hope to help impart the best I can why I believe that is so; why, under this charter, under this form of government, which is the only one of its kind in the state of Florida --- why we have the potential and opportunity under this structure to address issues like transportation, infrastructure, environmental, and now, quite frankly, financial matters in a way that is structurally advantageous over the rest of the state.
And I hope in my discussion of this charter that I can help impart to you why I believe that is so and why the work of the Charter Review Commission is so important.
I will tell you that a couple months later, after testifying before the Florida Legislature, I flew to Escambia County and I did so with one of the members of Charter Review Commission as well as Council President Michael Corrigan, and the reason we did was that they had taken a look at our charter and they wanted something similar.
They looked at where they were 40 years ago and what had happened. Then they took a look at us and said, "What has happened in Jacksonville? Please explain this charter and this structure to us." ---- In fact, they went to The Legislature this spring to try to emulate what we have.
And this is actually common: I would like to tell each and every one of you that I get calls from all over the country, from Maine to California to Kentucky -- Louisville recently Consolidated -- regarding this form of government and our City Charter. And the reason I believe I get those calls is because they see the remarkable change that has happened here and they see a structural form that they believe and perceive to be better than theirs, and I think they're right.
Using Jacksonville as an example, Louisville consolidated with Jefferson County in 2003.
And they see what has happened over the last 40 years here.
There's no question that 40 years especially for those of us who were here and were observers and participants ---- that we were in a very different place under the prior Charter. At that time, not just structurally, Jacksonville was viewed by many as a slow-moving, backwards southern town with an inferiority complex.
And one of the commission members once added the word "smelly" to that, that we were a smelly, backward southern town with an inferiority complex.
That was the view of the State of Florida. And, unfortunately, I'd suggest that, at the time, it was the view of the many people who were here in Jacksonville.
Over the course of the last 40 years, after the restructuring, I would suggest -- and many in the state believe -- that we are in a very different place.
They marvel at how the smallest market in the nation got an NFL team, and I hope to tell you how I think that happened because of this structure. They marvel at a Preservation Project that acquired 53,000 acres to take it out of development.
They marvel at River City Renaissance; they marvel that we brought a Super Bowl here; and they marvel, quite frankly, at this Consolidated form of government.
Along with Charlotte, Jacksonville beat out St. Louis, Baltimore and Memphis for the right to add NFL franchises in 1993.
Make no mistake, there are 67 counties in the state of Florida, we have the only one in the state. Sometimes people confuse Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade is the name of the county. They have a county government. They have 35 municipalities. They are not a consolidated form of government.
So around the state they look here and they marvel at it, they are envious of it. In fact, in the words of Hans Tanzler when he first became mayor in '68, "We've become the envy of the state of Florida." And to quote one of the Charter Review Commission members, Mayor Ed Austin, who said -- he believes we have the best form of local government in the state and, quite frankly, the best in the country.
What I hope to do briefly -- it's tough for an Irishman to be brief, but I will try, to outline the fundamentals of this charter and impart as best I can an understanding of how this document has been given life over 40 years, how it really works, and how public policy is created as a result of this charter that has allowed us in the past and will continue in the future to allow us to transform this community.
People have often asked me: What is the charter?
October 1st, 1968, what is it?
Is it an agreement? Is it a contract? Is it a mission statement? And I say, really it's a local constitution. This is the constitution that we live by here in Jacksonville.
I know there are a number of lawyers here, and in law school we spend a year studying constitutional law. We study federal constitutional law because it's the supreme law of the land. And for 220 years this structure has been, I believe, the most successful in history. We also know that our Constitution sets up the framework for our government, the supreme law of the land, the distribution of powers, and something very fundamental, an executive branch, a legislative branch, a judicial branch, separation of powers and checks and balances, this Madisonlike government.
Now, I don't know if they still have civics class anymore, my children haven't told me, but many of you may know this from ninth grade civics. I will tell you this -- and this is remarkable and important: As much as that structure has made sense for over 200 years -- executive, legislative, judicial, separation of powers, checks and balances -- That is not the structure of local governments around the country and it was not the structure of Jacksonville pre 1968.
It is not the structure of county governments in the state of Florida today. It is not the structure of Florida's local governments.
But on October 1st, 1968, remarkably, through genius and luck, it became ours. We adopted, in effect, a Madisonlike approach to local government. We adopted a federal-like approach to local government.
On October 1st, 1968, an executive branch was created and a strong mayor form of government.
By "Strong Mayor," I'm referring to the fact that administrative and executive authority is vested in the Mayor. The Mayor is not a member of the City Council, as the Mayor is in over 90 percent of the municipal governments around the state of Florida.
Of the 67 counties in the state of Florida, only one has a strong mayor form of government besides us. That's Miami-Dade. The other 65 have a Board of County Commissioners with a chief administrative officer.
So when you take a look at the structure, it was very unique and it was different from what you've seen around the state. And on October 1st of '68, the strong mayor form of government was formed.
Article 6 contains the provision in our charter in the creation of the Mayor's office. And when you go to The Charter, it invests that authority in the Mayor's office and in the executive branch to: propose a budget, to veto, to appoint department heads---all part of a strong mayor form of government, and the creation of accountability and responsibility in the running of a government.
It also created a legislative branch, which does what legislative branches do, it appropriates money and passes laws, but, significantly, it also receives and reviews the budgets of Constitutional Officers and Independent authorities, which is absolutely critical to the overall operation of this consolidated government enterprise.
So an executive branch in Article 6, and a legislative branch contained in Article 5 of the charter.
In Articles 8 through 12 we have the five constitutional officers.----And, historically, I will tell you that the Constitutional officers have resisted being a part of consolidated government.
They, understandably, are very enthusiastic about their mission; but they often view budgetary review as a restraint on carrying out their mission; and, historically, we've even had litigation,----as we did with the clerk in the early 1970s, regarding their desire not to be a part of consolidated government.
But in putting these structures together, the executive branch, legislative branch, five constitutional officers, eight independent authorities --
Those eight independent authorities include:
The JEA, which is the largest public utility in the state of Florida, the eighth largest in the country, about a $1.5 billion a year operation.
The School District, 19th largest in the country with 120- to 125,000 students.
The Seaport, one of 14 seaports in the state of Florida.
The Airport Authority, with four different airports.
The Housing Authority.
The Police and Firemen plus Pension fund and trustees,
The water/sewer expansion authority---
There are eight independent authorities and over 50 boards and commissions.
The Duval County School Board operates the 19th largest school district in the country.
If you take these five categories the Executive branch, Legislative branch, Constitutional officers, Independent Authorities, and Boards and Commissions -- that enterprise is about a 4.5- to $5 billion a year operating budget, which is different from the billion dollar operating budget that we hear about in the press.
Our budget as a Consolidated Government is significant and it is larger than six states---the enterprise is that significant.
And so on October 1st of '68, this structure was created.
It also created the Office of General Counsel. And in the Charter -- three significant things:
One, it had one little old sentence that said the General Counsel's Office shall provide legal services to The City and its independent agencies, all parts of the Consolidated Government.
That sentence in the Charter was a significant reform of the pre'68 model. The pre'68 model, as Judge Durden, liked to say, included 68 different bodies and individuals and entities, all with their own lawyer, driving up costs, slowing down the process, and, quite frankly, bringing government to a halt.
One of the fundamental reforms of consolidated government was to create centralized legal services where all parts of the consolidated government had the same lawyer.
A second part of the Charter is that the General Counsel is the chief legal officer for the entire consolidated government.
One of the subtle things -- I hope I can express it well enough in a moment -- that we have as a Consolidated Government, unlike other local governments around the state, is the structural ability to speak with one voice and to leverage our assets to accomplish missions, such as bringing the NFL to town. Having a chief legal officer is a piece of that speaking with one voice and speaking as an enterprise, and I'll talk about that in just a second in terms of what I think that means.
In addition, The Charter provided one other provision, that the General Counsel would have the authority to issue what are known as binding legal opinions in the event there was legal disputes within the consolidated government, and there have been over 370 of those since consolidation.
As General Counsel, during my term, I have issued ten binding legal opinions, --- most of those involve the placing of limitations of sovereignty, limiting the sovereignty of various parts of this consolidated government. A legal opinion, for example, that told the Mayor's Office they could not transfer money from one department to another without City Council approval. A legal opinion that told City Council they couldn't pass special relief legislation. A legal opinion that told the Property Appraiser they were subject to audit.
And, as some of you may remember, a legal opinion that told the School District that they had to competitively bid school bus contracts.
So the General Counsel, in the words of former General Counsel John Delaney, acts as sort of a Supreme Court for the consolidated government, providing legal services to all parts of it and acting as a Supreme Court for legal disputes.
All this provides sort of an overview of the structure.
And now you should ask yourself, how do we give this meaning?
End of Part 2.
Join us tomorrow as we conclude the series with the final articles in the series: The Benefits and Future of our Charter and Consolidated Government, along with a companion piece that was a question and answer session with Former Mayor and Former State Attorney Ed Austin on proposed changes to the Charter.
All throughout the day Rick Mullaney will be available for conversation and questions regarding the structure and functions of Consolidation and the City Charter.
Check out the first part of this series The History of Consolidation.
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buckethead
October 27, 2009, 06:26:18 AMGood read! It really sounds like we were/are pioneers within the state. Here's looking forward to the next piece, as well as a prayer that we do not squander the opportunity to build a better city.
BridgeTroll
October 27, 2009, 06:47:35 AMI look forward to the rest of the story...
aaapolito
October 27, 2009, 07:14:47 AMI've seen him explain consolidated gov't at City Hall, and he makes a good sale. Consolidated gov't definitely gets rid of the multiple layer/ red-tape-laden (city, county, etc) local gov't.
CS Foltz
October 27, 2009, 07:16:52 AMGood information and I have one small question - who took it upon themselves to drop the "Ethics Guidelines" that were in the original Charter? For their time they were very progressive but they were removed about 4 yrs after the Charter revision was inplemented?
vicupstate
October 27, 2009, 08:05:22 AMJacksonville was a pioneer in consolidation not just in FL but the entire US. After Nashville, it was the most significant consolidation in the prior 3-4 decades.
Excellent series. Kudos to MJ and Mr. Mullaney for doing this. I will be working on some questions.
sheclown
October 27, 2009, 08:24:55 AMVery interesting history. I didn't realize that the schools had become disaccredited. Not to mention everything else! What a mess.
Steve
October 27, 2009, 09:10:41 AMCS Foltz - Jump in tomorrow, and ask your question again in tomorrow's article. Mr. Mullaney will be on MJ.com throughout the day answering questions.
mtraininjax
October 27, 2009, 09:23:50 AMMullaney for mayor!
north miami
October 27, 2009, 11:59:33 AMNo one thinks higher about Mr.Mullaney than....Mr.Mullaney!
Mullaney for Mayor??....certainly the General Counsel office is a springboard for the post.
When city negotiations such as the Ship Yards come under scrutiny the general Counsel office blames the City Council.Interesting to see the checks and balances.
Speaking of checks and balances..........certainly there were issues with county wide corruption and a long list of other ills.County wide consolodation was indeed an uncommon or untested approach.Did we really need to take that approach to address the problems??Was the approach more a component of boosterism,inferiority complex and zeal for development? No one has ever answered this-likely because we are not to question Consolodation-after all,Rick will probably tell us (correctly) that other areas of the country have recently looked to the Jacksonville model.
Recall the response to Duval County in general a decade after Consolodation.....Orange Park profiled in the national press as among the fastest growing areas in the country......Duval county,with it's JEA and other liabilities lanquished.
There are high quality of life counties that harbor multiple towns with stand alone mayor/city councils.
If we had it to do all over today-would we consolodate?
stephendare
October 27, 2009, 12:07:25 PMWell I don't know about whether or not we would consol O date, but I would definitely think we would Consol I date out of necessity.
Im not sure if General Counsel has actually ever been the springing board for anyone who ever got elected mayor before, north miami. But there quite a few people who think very highly of Rick Mullaney, more I daresay than he does of himself.
In person he is a very down to earth and humble guy who is way more interested in ideas and conversation than self promotion or politics. In a long career crowded with politicians, hes been one of the truly genuine people Ive met. You will get a chance to ask him questions yourself tomorrow when he joins us.
And lets be honest, the high quality of life in the surrounding counties almost totally depends on the taxes and infrastructural spending made possible by our Consolidated Government.
They certainly didnt manage to turn their picayune politics into draws for either business or new industry--which is the source of many of their jobs and prosperity--- because the majority of that is all consolidated jacksonville.
mtraininjax
October 27, 2009, 12:08:18 PMJust ask all the candidates who got steamrolled by John Thrasher, no such thing as bad publicity.
YellowBluffRoad
October 27, 2009, 12:13:58 PMGreat article - I've not seen our unique government's history so clearly described. Thanks!
For Sheclown: Yes, Duval schools were disaccredited in the 60s, though I thought it was due to them fighting desegregation, not due to per-student expenditures. But that's from the recollection of an ex who was starting at Englewood at the time the schools lost their accredidation. The system-wide reaccredidation push was successful while I was in school in Duval County. I remember them painting the school I was bussed to to ensure they looked ok for the accredidation examiners, but can't recall if I was at R.L. Brown 6th grade center or Matthew Gilbert 7th grade center at that time. All I remember is how long a bus ride to get to those two schools during the DCPS forced busing era.
Hmm, after this great history of City Consolidation is completed, I'd love to see a similar history on the evolution of the Duval County public school system since consolidation.
stephendare
October 27, 2009, 12:16:36 PMhttp://historicaltextarchive.com/books.php?action=nextchapter&bid=70&cid=6
Jacksonville had long been a racist city; the near equal number of "whites" and "blacks" made "whites" fearful that their privileges might end. The Ku Klux Klan had been a force in the 1920s and it had not disappeared. Few "whites" were in the Klan but they resisted desegregation. When Rutledge Pearson led demonstrations in August ,1960 against segregated lunch counters at the downtown Woolworth's, McCrorys, and Kress stores. One day, two "black" youths accidentally knocked a "white" woman into a plate glass window. Then on another day two women got into a fight. On August 27th, hundreds of Klansmen and other bigots demonstrated in downtown Jacksonville with the police watching. When some young "blacks" tried to get lunch counter service at the Grant's store and were refused, they were attacked by the "white" demonstrators who used ax handles and other weapons. They chased the teenagers into a "black" section of town but were run out by a "black" gang. Police intervention stopped the riot. More "blacks" than "whites" were arrested, of course. The city government of Haydon Burns, even though African-American votes put him in office, was racist. He was a powerful force in Jacksonville affairs as mayor from 1949-1965, when he became governor. Burns was a segregationist so he refused to create a biracial commission to resolve the issues. He was a determined conservative mayor of a conservative city. African-Americans threatened an economic boycott and "white" businessmen, fearing loss of profits, agreed to meet with African-American leaders and work out compromises. Desegregation began. "Green" was a more powerful color than "white" and "black."
Peace lasted a few years when it became clear that what little desegregation that had occurred was nothing more than a token. Pressure to change increased. A boycott was suggested and protests. Some "whites" threatened violence. Then, on February, 16, 1964, a bomb exploded in the home of Iona Godfrey, a civil rights worker whose son had integrated a "white" school. No one was hurt but the incident meant that the civil discourse ceased to exist. The NAACP stepped up demonstrations and effort to integrate businesses. Tensions increased. Then, on March 23, 1964, riots broke out and lasted until calm was restored on March 25th. Even Burns, who was running for governor, finally had to admit that the two sides needed to talk and make accomodations. Desegregation of businesses, some schools, and some employment ensued. That Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led demonstrations that year in St. Augustine, thirty-miles away, encouraged people in Jacksonville to find solutions.
Jacksonville found a solution to bad government as well, a solution that would transform Duval County, including the Beaches. Burns had been an effective mayor in many respects. He cleaned up downtown and the riverfront. He told "The Jacksonville Story," an effort to attract major corporations to the city and succeeded. “Later, when state law created a favorable environment for insurance companies, Jacksonville’s skyline became dominated by insurance-company logos: Prudential, Gulf Life, Independent Life and American Heritage Life.” The Burns administration developed a reputation for corruption. His police department was scandalous. Grand juries began indicting many public officials. "Some thought that electing Burns governor was a great way to get him out of town.”
Then the Duval County schools lost their accreditation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges in 1965, a major embarrassment. That was the fault of a different government and its elected superintendent, Ish Brant, former football coach, athletic director and assistant principal at Fletcher Junior-Senior High School, and local leaders. The accrediting association tried this desperate measure because Duval County and community leaders persisted in trying to educate on the cheap. Funds were so lacking that schools had not been cleaned in years; current textbooks were in short supply; and the instructional staff was demoralized by low pay and mediocre to bad working conditions. African-Americans students and teachers were the proverbial "red-headed stepchildren" of the system. They got what, if anything, was left over.
Community leaders acted but it took a few years to effect the consolidation of Jacksonville and Duval Country in 1967-68. Support for the change came from a variety of sources. Brant used the loss of school accreditation to get the funding he had long sought. One television station did the nightly news with a reporter standing in front of the city hall skyscraper telling of the latest city employee to get indicted. Someone devised a very clever way to show the governmental problems in the county, problems that facilitated confusion and corruption. The host of the TV program stood in a bare room with an outline map of the country on the floor. Each time he mentioned a government that existed in the county, he put a stanchion with the name of the entity on the map. By the time the program ended, he had to stand outside the map because there was no room. Voters got the point. The system in Duval County was rotten.
In August, 1967, the voters of Jacksonville and Duval County decided, with 65 percent of the votes cast, to consolidate the county and the city. Baldwin to the west and Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beaches refused, however. On October 1, 1968, Jacksonville marched out to Pablo Creek. The Beaches were never the same. They were dwarfed by a government covering 840 square miles, the largest city in land area in the world.7
mtraininjax
October 27, 2009, 12:24:51 PMOpened in 1997? The new JTB, cause many of us remember tolls on it and in existence, ever since I arrived here in 1980.
heights unknown
October 27, 2009, 01:07:16 PMGood thread post; look forward to the succeeding series or posts; however, the question I'm waiting to ask and/or have answered after this series is: "Has and is consoidation been successful for Jax and if so, how?" I would like to think that it (consolidation) was and is and continues to be successful, but it appears that some aspects of consolidation have been unsuccessful and have held Jax back in many ways. We'll see what tomorrow's posts from this series reveals!
Heights Unknown
stjr
October 27, 2009, 01:40:01 PMSchools were disacredited 1964 because the community didn't prioritize education. People in the 1950's started warning the community of this possibility but business and other community leaders didn't care to listen. Disacreditation is what it took to finally galvanize the community. Try getting into a better college from a disacredited school system. It took years for all the schools, one by one, to be reacredited.
It's better today, but still nowhere near where it should be. Schools are still woefully underfunded. We don't stand out as much because the disease has now spread state wide. The whole State has a problem thanks to Tallahassee double speak and insincerity on the subject. By the way, how many know that teachers statewide went on strike in 1968, not for higher wages, but for better funding of public schools. So, this is a problem long ignored by locals and Floridians. It's why Silicon Valley is in California and Research Triangle is in North Carolina while we have minimum wage jobs at mouse-land in Orlando.
How to fix schools? Make every politician put their kids in public school or they lose their vote on education funding.
As to home rule, much of that is being gutted, especially by Tallahassee, with their medling into property taxes and endless unfunded mandates to the City. The talk today doesn't necessarily match the walk.
So, what's the theme here? Consolidation may be good (with room for tweaking yet) but State interference makes it far from a panacea.
stjr
October 27, 2009, 01:52:31 PMBy the way, the uncovering of corruption in Jax was mostly led by Channel 4 headed by Bill Grove. They did real investigative reporting that changed our community forever, not the fake and inconsequential stuff done today.
Last night, Ch. 4 said their "investigative" reporters received "explosive" documents regarding that lady at the beach who falsely said she was kidnapped. In reality, the documents were merely filings with the court that were public record. The only thing "explosive" about them was the titillating and voyeuristic insights into a couple's heretofore private life. Nothing in this story is exclusive, original or substantively impacts the greater community but this is what now passes for "investigative" reporting. Bill Grove is probably spinning in his grave.
Like most everything else in our world, the standards have certainly fallen. And TV news wonders why it's in decline.
mtraininjax
October 27, 2009, 02:11:51 PMI believe you are discussing the Quinn Gray case? It is sensationalism, plain and simple. They did say the online docs, all 131 pages, are graphic in detail, and advised people, young people not to look at it. But to give Channel 4 credit, they have follwed the Somer Thompson case from beginning to end, and it DOMINATES their newscasts.
With the ET, Extra, Oprah, and Jerry Springer shows, you wonder why some kids brains are mush?
north miami
October 27, 2009, 02:23:38 PMReply to stephendare;
I know of Rick only casually- no great insight but enough at one dinner table event where I had to make concious effort to bite my tongue.(My father in law,Judge William Durden, the City's first General Counsel under the new Consolodated government has observed I tend to be too harsh on many officials.It is a learned outlook stemming from native North Miami early childhood experience and later even awarded with City of Jacksonville Mimi & Lee Adams award for prophetic "bravery" at being at odds with officials.)
Indeed,thank you, I was mistaken in the General Counsel mayor spring board thought-the spring board is located in the State attorney's office.
The surrounding county dynamic is representative is a demographic repeated throughout the country.
Dog Walker
October 27, 2009, 02:42:07 PMThese posts do bring back memories!
Bill Groves was the most effective reporter that was ever in this city. Because Channel 4 was owned by the Washington Post, it was independent from local pressure. The City of Jacksonville politicians did get all of the auto dealers to pull their ads, but Groves never stopped. His investigative work laid the groundwork for consolidation. The newspapers were very careful about what they reported, but did support consolidation when it came along later.
The so-called "investigative" journalism done here now is a complete joke. We are all treated like mushrooms.
The City of Jacksonville government was unbelievably corrupt. I personally saw briefcases of cash being carried up to Haydon Burns' office by the City Attorney. Ish Brant was not only corrupt, but he was stupid, racist and poorly educated; totally unqualified to be Superintendent of Schools.
Wife and I were both part of the strike here in 1968 and because we were very active, we were blacklisted from getting a teaching job in the whole state for some years. I never taught again and when we moved back to Jax many years later, my wife, who had held top teaching and administrative positions in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, refused to have anything to do with the school system here and stopped teaching as well.
The strike was about pay, working conditions and overall state funding and it got really ugly. There was a lot of unreported retaliation against the participants and a lot of enmity towards those who stayed on the job for years afterward. My starting salary as a teacher in 1967 was $4800 per year. For comparison, my 1967 VW Beetle cost $2400. Teachers were not allowed to ride motorcycles to school so I had to buy a car.
Our consolidated government isn't perfect, but it is sure a lot better than what we had! Appointed School Superintendent is better than elected too.
Ocklawaha
October 27, 2009, 03:06:31 PMIsh Brant, damn man, I hadn't thought about him since? Hell, I can't even remember, but did he ever effect our lives. I presume you got in on some of the fun at the tail end of the efforts to fix the mess. So Stephendare, do you have any yarns about school here?
I'd love to hear how this impacted some of our brother and sister Jaxsons, Black, White, or anything other, what was it like in YOUR neighborhood?
It was very hard to understand having lived in Ortega, and Ortega Farms area through elementary, my sisters went to Ortega, and from some reason they started/kept me at JNC Stockton. We always seemed to be getting the newest books, work books, tools, toys, whatever. Only our playground showed any real lack of investment. Seems rather unbalanced doesn't it? I do recall that AC didn't come until long after I left, around 1965.
Did you survive it too stjr? Sounds like it.
I think your idea for the current administration would be a good one but, with all the new violence in the schools, keeping kids of high ranking local government officials, out of danger/trouble might be a tall order. As for any surviving members of that 1960's board, I think we should search the jungles of the Philippine Islands, to see if we could find a couple of Kempeitai hold outs from Imperial Japan. We'll send the big shots to them and then I and some of the other locals might feel vindicated.
OCKLAWAHA
CS Foltz
October 27, 2009, 03:16:33 PMThanks steven.........I plan on asking the exact same question tommorow to Mr Mullaney!
vicupstate
October 27, 2009, 05:17:45 PMI don't believe this is true. All of them voted to form the consolidated government, but they ALSO voted (it was a separate question) to maintain their respective cities as independent cities within the consolidated goverment. In affect, residents of the beaches and Baldwin are residents of BOTH their own city AND the consolidated city of Jacksonville. As such, they vote for the Mayor and City Council of Jacksonville and pay Jacksonville for county services that they receive (such as jail operations for instance). They also pay taxes to their independent city for services provided by THAT city (which varies among the four).
I will double-check tonight, but I believe the above states it correctly.
stjr
October 27, 2009, 06:05:30 PMDog and Ock, thanks for adding your first hand experiences. I was in grade school during the strike. I recall all the "best" teachers participated in it. Many parents didn't get it and it divided them greatly.
My parents were big fighters for better education and also thought very little of Ish Brant. I remember his visits to my elementary school. They always made a big deal that the "superintendent" was coming.
Our elementary school got A/C, but only after the parents paid for it through fund raisers! Imagine that happening today. That's how bad it was.
My cousin graduated high school in 1964 and had to jump through a lot of extra hoops to be admitted to an Ivy League school from Jax. Many weren't as fortunate.
Wonder how this concept would apply to sheriff as recently suggested by a consultant. If it worked for schools...then...
How many MJ readers know that, at the time, the Times Union was owned by Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (now CSX)? That also had a lot to do with how they covered the community. The paper was far more "establishment" than its now. When RR's competed for passenger service, RR schedules were carried prominently in the T-U along with plane crashes. RR wrecks were back page if they were covered at all. Famously, once a wreck was so bad they couldn't ignore putting a photo in the paper, but they painted out ACL's name to remove any connection to them. The stuff of legends.
north miami
October 27, 2009, 06:24:13 PMI must be a New Englander at heart- an area the size and population of Duval should have more independent, towns,mayors,councils.
I think the curiosity for most is the concept of the land size of this Consolodated arrangement.The size aspect is so proudly noted....and rare.
Interesting that Baldwin and the Beaches-as almost intuitive ??-wished to retain a level of singular independence.
Much of the remaining land area was (and to a degree,still) undeveloped at the time of Consolodation and remained so for a long period as the surrounding counties stole the limelight.As a newcommer to the region in the mid 70's I recall well the subtle and not so subtle anti Duval theme.We got sucked in to Wells Road/Orange Park and later-Black Creek/Middleburg.Now happily back in Duval!
fsu813
October 28, 2009, 07:49:32 AMvery interesting read
BridgeTroll
October 28, 2009, 08:19:36 AMVery interesting... Clearly Rick is a enthusiastic supporter of our consolidated government. I wonder what detractors would say and how he would respond to those criticisms.
tufsu1
October 28, 2009, 08:44:57 AMOne question/issue that has been raised on this site several times....
Rick noted that there are eight independent City authorities, but did not mention JTA. Is this because JTA is a state-created authority? If so, what powers would the Charter Commission (or the City in general) have to change the mission/organization of JTA?
vicupstate
October 28, 2009, 08:51:11 AMQuestions for Mr. Mullaney:
1) If consolidation had not occurred, in what ways do you think Jacksonville would be different today?
2) In terms of economic development and recruitment, to what degree does the Chamber of Commerce, JEDC et al. emphasize consolidation to prospects, and how do those prospects typically respond to that information?
stephendare
October 28, 2009, 08:53:41 AMRick noted that there are eight independent City authorities, but did not mention JTA. Is this because JTA is a state-created authority? If so, what powers would the Charter Commission (or the City in general) have to change the mission/organization of JTA?
And Rick let me elaborate on that question further.
If there was public sentiment to split the JTA into two separate authorities for Transit and Road Building, would the Charter Review Commission be the appropriate place to start and how would such a structural change be implemented?
Steve
October 28, 2009, 09:39:44 AMLet me throw one in. Looking back over 40 years since consolidation, how do you think that it has impacted the urban core of the city, as opposed to if we did not consolidate?
stephendare
October 28, 2009, 02:34:34 PMAnd welcome to the Forums, Rick Mullaney.
Mr. Mullaney has just joined the thread.
Rick Mullaney
October 28, 2009, 02:50:32 PMGood afternoon everyone. This is my first live blog and I want to thank Metro Jacksonville for giving me this chance to participate in this discussion of consolidation. And I want to thank the readers.
There have been some very good questions and comments on yesterday's article on the history of consolidation and today's article on understanding consolidation.
I will try to address these questions as best I can. Please feel free to follow up or ask additional questions:
(1) Has it worked? What would Jacksonville look like today without consolidation? Very fair questions. I don't think it will surprise you, given what I told the Charter Review Commission, for me to say I believe has worked and dramatically so. Over the last forty years, as I told the Commission, Jacksonville has undergone, in my opinion, a transformational change. There are many reasons for that change, but one of the fundamental reasons is consolidated government. Structurally, it allows us to approach public policy differently. It allows us to speak with one voice as a community, leverage our assets countywide, and pursue bold public policy objectives. It puts us in position to transform our community. This is part of the answer as to how such a small community was able to get an NFL team, acquire over 50,000 acres for the preservation project (the largest such program in the state), replace tolls with a half cent sales tax, pass a Better Jacksonville Plan, and move forward with Jacksonville Journey. Make no mistake. Structure does not create policy. It takes people and leadership. But in other parts of the state, and country, there are structural barriers and impediments to bold public policy and our form of government puts us in position to succeed. I will addresss this more, as reader like. In short, I believe consolidated government has been part of the foundation for our transform over the last 40 years and I think it is unlikely we would have the Jaguars, the Preservation Project, or the Better Jacksonville Plan without consolidated government.
(2) JEDC, Chamber, and economic development: how do prospects respond to consolidated government? Great question. Imagine you wanted to do business in Palm Beach and had to deal with a county government, 38 municipalities, and an assortment of other public entities? Or Miami-Dade and 35 muncipalities? Marshal Criser, at a health care symposium last year, described the municipalities in Palm Beach as engaging in "Afghan tribal warfare" in competition with each other for tech companies. So the companies went elsewhere. Also, imagine the overlapping jurisdictions when trying to do business in those and similar counties? In short: it is an enormous economic development advantage to have consolidated government and prospects respond very favorably to our structure.
(3) What happened to the Ethics Guidelines in the original charter? It is my understanding that the original Ethics Code in the Charter was moved to the ordinance code in 1972. It appears this was part of an overall reorganization. Let me also say that the original Code was very limited. In 1996, as Chief of Staff to former Mayor Delaney, I led a comprehensive re-write of the Code and asked Carla Miller, a good friend of mine from law school and a former federal prosecutor, to volunteer to help, as well as John Jolly, Steve Durden (now a professor at Florida Coastal) and others. It took us a while, but in 1999 a new, comprehensive Code of Ethics was passed. It was much more extensive than the original Code, brought all ethics provisions to one place, created an Ethics Officer and Ethics Officer system (for the first time), and gave specific responsibilities to the Ethics Commission. It was a major step in the right direction. Carla Miller, in particular, deserves great credit for the time and energy she has devoted to this effort.
(4) JTA: how seperate road building and mass transit into seperate legal entities? Is the Charter Revision Commission the right place for a discussion on the structure and role of JTA? Is is an independent authority under consolidated governemnt?
There are eight independent authorities under our consolidated government and the JTA is one of them. However, JTA is very independent, a state agency and a creature of state statute. JTA can only be reorganized by state statute. Uniquely, unlike JEA, JAA, JPA, etc. they do not have to use the General Counsel's Office for legal services. The Charter Revision Commission is an appropriate forum form any structural discussion of consolidated government, including the role of the JTA.
I hope this is helpful and provides some preliminary answers to most of the questions so far.
I am looking forward to the discussion. Thanks. Rick Mullaney.
stephendare
October 28, 2009, 02:54:21 PMRick.
How do you mean that the city is able to 'leverage its assets"?
Rick Mullaney
October 28, 2009, 03:10:26 PMThe "leveraging of assets" is what former Mayor Ed Austin sometimes describes as the "clout" Jacksonville has when it puts the entire community ---- the business community, the civic community, the public sector, the media --- and our nearly 900,000 people, behind a public policy initiative. He was describing the NFL effort in particular, but this applies beyond football. John Delaney took the point and leveraged available community assets (financial, political, media, public, etc) to pass the Better Jacksonville Plan. Mayor John Peyton did the same on Jacksonville Journey. This may seem straightforward, but in other communities divisiveness and fragmented political power makes it difficult and sometimes impossible.
untarded
October 28, 2009, 03:10:54 PMMr. Mullaney,
Thank you for taking part in this discussion.
Having a friend in who's been in the Orange County fire dept and strongly supported consolidation in Orlando recently I can certainly appreciate the benefits of leveraging our assets. One question that has been discussed on these boards in the past has been the effect of consolidation on our urban core. There are many residents in these areas that may support higher taxes for more services, particularly light rail connecting downtown with the surrounding neighborhoods, however, when considering the entire city this type of project would likely have little support.
Has consolidation stifled these types of interests in certain regions of the city? How can they be overcome?
Thank you,
Erick Rasmussen
Steve
October 28, 2009, 03:12:12 PMRick - What was the process to split the Port into an airport and seaport authority? I know it went to the state, but how did that happen? Since JPA is a city agency, would that be the same process?
And Second (and completely unrelated): I didn't see anything about the Beaches and Baldwin. How did it come to be that they would be separate entities?
stjr
October 28, 2009, 03:25:08 PMRick, thanks for doing this. I hope it is a big success and other public officials take on this approach to have unfiltered dialogue with the public they serve.
I raised the following comments and/or observations previously when it was revealed you were going to do this. Your comments or thoughts, agree or disagree, on these subjects would be of interest.
This has served to dilute the character of a consolidated government that is suppose to be more oriented toward the big picture for the good of the whole county, not specific districts. This part of Jacksonville has not fulfilled its promise as a result and we are being held back by it. It needs to top the list of changes.
Also, please comment on elected versus appointed sheriff.
Can/should we restructure the Police and Fire Pension Fund structure, control, and relationships?
And , if there is an opportunity to address the structure of the school board and it's relationship with City government.
Thanks very much.
stjr
October 28, 2009, 03:35:28 PMOther questions:
There have been several discussions on MJ about whether consolidation has helped or hurt the development of downtown by forcing the city to disperse its resources and efforts across the entire county. And, as a consequence, if this has fostered excessive urban sprawl. What do you think?
In a followup, if there has been a dilution in attention to the urban core, has this also weakened our efforts at historic preservation? What can be done to better save the little that is left?
More thanks
Rick Mullaney
October 28, 2009, 03:48:44 PMSeveral questions and I hope this helps: (1) In the 1967 consolidation vote, the 3 beaches communities (Neptune, Atlantic, and Jacksonville Beach) and Baldwin had the option to retain their municipal status, which they did. As a result, the City of Jacksonville stands as a county government to these 4 municipalities and Jacksonville has a number of interlocal agreements with them; (2) The Port was split in 2001 into a seperate seaport authority (JPA) and Airport Authority (JAA) by an act of the Florida legislature, (3) One of the defining characteristics of consolidated government is a "strong mayor" form of government. This has nothing to do with the personality of the mayor, but the executive and administrative authority of the mayor. In over 90% of Florida's more than 400 municipalities, there is a "weak mayor" form of government. In other words, the mayor is usually one vote on the City Council and has no real executive authority. During the 40 years since consolidation, we have had 6 mayors and, for the most part, the urban core has been a significant priority and there have been significant financial investments in the urban core. There have been a number of approaches to downtown and the urban core, including the downtown development authority, JEDC, and the development of Tax Increment Districts downtown, and significant investment from the Better Jacksonville Plan, for example. I do not believe consolidation has "stifled" the kinds of interests you are describing. As I said earlier, however, the structure does not create good public policy. It still takes good leadership.
stephendare
October 28, 2009, 03:56:46 PMI cant find who brought up the stifling issue, I think because its in another thread..
But what would be an example of stifling the core>?
I think I would agree that over empowering the Downtown Development Authority ended up being a bad idea, but what would you be referring to?
stjr
October 28, 2009, 03:59:10 PMOne more issue regarding strengthening the competency of the Planning Commission and making it more independent of the people it regulates. Please comment on my observations below previously posted on MJ:
So who steps up? Mainly people who consider it good for business and their career, especially by siding with developers, builders, movers and shakers. I won't impeach everything the Planning Commission does, but there is the appearance of a heavy built-in bias and conflict of interest when it is heavily staffed by planners, architects, budding land-use attorneys looking for business, and other development dependent individuals.
The Planning Commission's lack of scrutiny is compounded when many remaining positions are filled by inexperienced and unqualified individuals who, lacking full time occupations, are looking for something to do during their spare time that adds a little excitement to their otherwise dull days. These "commissioners" tend to follow like sheep those who seem to know more than they do because they are afraid to show signs of ignorance.
And, lest you think I came to this conclusion by myself, be assured it's been confirmed over time by City officials close to the action.
Jason
October 28, 2009, 04:01:03 PMStephen, check out "Untarded"s post on the previous page.
Quote:
His comment was regarding transit and rail projects I believe.
fsu813
October 28, 2009, 04:08:47 PMIf Jacksonville is looked upon jealously in thier consolidation, what other cities are trying to do something similar?
Thanks.
untarded
October 28, 2009, 04:14:29 PMThanks.
Orlando recently tried and failed.
A good friend of mine has been part of the Orange County Fire Dept. He tells me that Orange County and Orlando Fire Dept pass each other daily on calls and frequently they end up at locations that would have more efficiently served by the other department. Imagine this overlap and inefficiency happening for all city/county services.
thelakelander
October 28, 2009, 04:31:25 PMBuffalo and Pittsburgh are two that are considering consolidation.
untarded
October 28, 2009, 04:36:59 PMQuote:
His comment was regarding transit and rail projects I believe.
I used transit and rail in the urban core as an example. Certainly other neighborhoods may have special needs/interests that if they were in their own municipality may get resolution more quickly than when placed in a pool of needs/interests of a number of areas of the city and decided upon by a consolidated government.
I'm wondering also if the massive sprawl of our city is a result of consolidation and if it places greater challenges on a consolidated government.
I use this example in particular because I work for a large company that is part of a large family of companies. We continue to consolidate and share services across companies. While we achieve large cost savings and efficiencies by negotiating as one voice individual companies often struggle with their ability to be dynamic in a rapidly changing global marketplace because an individual company's request for services must be weighed against the request of others.
Rick Mullaney
October 28, 2009, 04:57:16 PMThere have been some great questions and many are getting into technical issues that the Charter Revision Commission is reviewing (eg appointed versus elected sheriff, independent entity for parks, make up of city council, the police and fire pension fund, school board, etc).
When I was before the Commission, and for all of you, I want to stress not the specific issues of a particular entity or issue (although important), but a fundamental understanding of consolidated government. Of the 67 counties in the State of Florida, Jacksonville has the only consolidated government. It is truly unique. I get calls from all over the country, including an inquiry from Memphis yesterday, on our structure of government.
It sounds like a boring civics lesson, but we are one of the few local governments in the country that followed the most successful model in history: the federal model, founded in 1789, with its executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch and a system of checks and balances and seperation of power. Surprisingly, this is not the model for local governments around the state or country.
Before the Commission, I tried to stress some of the defining characteristics of this government, such as centralized budgetary authority, centralized legal services, a strong mayor form of government, checks and balances, seperation of power, and the sacrifice of some soverignity (ie authority and independence) of all entities of the consolidated government. These principles are important.
With these principles in mind, it is easier to see (I hope) how policy can be created with countywide applicability.
Instead of a county government in conflict with multiple municipalities, we have a system that allows for countywide initiatives and public policy formation. This is not theory or an academic discussion. The Jaguars, BJP, Preservation Project, and Jacksonville Journey are just a few past examples. For the future, we are in a better position than other governments to address the financial crisis and restructure our finances, compete for stimulus money, invest in critical infrastructure, and shape our future.
In short, our structure allows us, as a city, to have a bold vision for the future and transform ourselves. We are limited, truly, only by our vision and imagination.
I tried to express this, as best I could, to the Commission.
I hope you enjoy this 3 part series by Metro Jacksonville.
stjr
October 28, 2009, 05:17:38 PMRick, I guess you are saying that while under review you can't offer us your opinions. I'll accept that (do I have a choice?
I hope, particularly, you and/or others will input to the Charter Commission a desire to better emulate more fully the "most successful" Federal system by pushing for either a bicameral legislative branch or one that gives countywide reps equal or majority control over district reps. That may make our city government more focused on what's for the greater good of all our citizens.
I also would hope there is support for a parks commission and revamping the currently toothless Planning Commission.
Maybe at some point, you would be able to tell us what you really think about some of these issues without compromising your position.
By the way, are the Charter Commission minutes and/or hearings-discussions on line or broadcast?
Thanks for your time.
STJR
Dog Walker
October 28, 2009, 05:50:33 PMCleveland and Detroit are two great examples of what happens when cities and counties do NOT consolidate. Decaying centers surrounded by affluent suburbs. Though that "affluent suburb" thing is changing rapidly in Detroit because of other factors.
stjr
October 28, 2009, 06:04:00 PMThe problem with this is that there always seems to be a "newer", further-out, suburb. Look at Jax. We now have people flocking to suburbs OUTside our CONSOLIDATED city. What happens if this goes to the same extreme as the cities you cite? The consolidated city will be no different than the urban cores you mention. Consolidation would have merely served as a delaying mechanism to the condition you describe.
The answer is to build model cities in which migration is INward to the urban core, not outward. How do we do that? Cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco, to varying degrees, seem to offer possible scenarios for study and copying. Good mass transit, cultural institutions, and quality educational systems go a long way to solving these issues. Just like businesses, cities need to reinvest wisely in themselves rather than blindly support urban sprawl, which, once ignited, can kill the city that started it all.
vicupstate
October 28, 2009, 06:08:04 PMI noticed that Mr. Mullaney mentioned Memphis.
I posted on MJ just a few days ago that the newly-elected Mayor of Memphis, ran on a platform to consolidate with Shelby County. He won overwhelmingly against 20+ opponents. He already held the position of Mayor of Shelby County.
It will be interesting to see if he pulls it off. If successful, Memphis would push Jacksonville down a spot on the list of largest cities.
***
I also would like to correct a post I made yesterday. I had stated that the Beaches and Baldwin APPROVED consolidation while at the same time approving on the separate question, to remain an independent city under the consolidated government.
I stated that all four approved both consolidation and independence in the '67 vote. I checked my source today, and while I was correct on the beaches, the town of Baldwin did NOT approve consolidation. However, that had no affect on the outcome, as that question was settled on the countywide result.
Ocklawaha
October 28, 2009, 06:27:10 PMHello Rick,
Thank you for taking your time to join us in this great story, of course I too have questions. If you frequent our pages, I'm an Editor on MJ, a sometimes retired railroad planner from Jacksonville, who also calls Colombia home, both are my desire and passion to improve upon. I realize you are not in any of the following, however I can think of no one more qualified to perchance an opinion on getting action.
Streetcars? Your thoughts on avenues of approach if JTA does not complete the studies, environmental impact, and engineering. I'm talking of vintage JACKSONVILLE TRACTION Company style operation, much like that of Tampa, Memphis, Little Rock, Kenosha, Dallas...etc. Several have responded with ideas for nonprofits, museums, creation of a streetcar transit (tax - impact fee) benefit district, citizens petitions, etc.
Skyway? A dead duck when we have Billions being handed out in DC for existing systems, many funded at 100%. Certainly it has no ridership, why? Take any office building with a grand staircase, and chop off the top 5 steps and the bottom 5 and see what use it gets. Again, ideas? How do we move our sleeping giant?
Transportation Center? The JTA plan is a disaster. I have spoken with the Federal Railroad Administration, about filing a stop work order under safety (FLOOD PLAIN) violations. As you may know, I drew up a compact design that addresses this and other questions, Mr. Davis, was enthusiastically supportive and drew up a professional rendering. How to take the mountain to Mohammad, or can we carry Mohammad to the mountain?
If any of these questions will require more then we can put into quick answers, send me a PM and I'd love to meet with you and some of the JTA and MJ staff. There is so much to this subject and having a highway builder as a Mass Transit Agency, certainly tips the scales against transit. You may recall that it was a highway, oil, auto, rubber, conspiracy that was proved as the perpetrator in the abandonment of America's electric railways. Old habits die hard. Within this year, both myself and Stephendare, have asked JTA for the engineering drawings, estimates and all studies on the various Skyway extensions. They seem to be "lost," then we were told they never were completed to any real price estimate, never even drawn. We found this very interesting, because our Lakelander, was able to find a file with cost estimates, on those very extensions.
Privatize the Skyway and the Streetcar project? How about the station too? A lease from the city and the operating or capital grants and we'll make them sing.
OCKLAWAHA
stephendare
October 28, 2009, 06:31:11 PMwhat a great exchange, and its not over. Keep asking questions and opening discussion!
Hope we didnt kick your behind on your first day, Rick.
For the record, I spoke with Mr. Mullaney at the close of the business day, and I think its safe to say that he was energized and surprised by how much interest in the issues there is on this board, as well as the amount of insight and knowledge behind the questions.
Rick is going to work on answers to the questions, because now he's pretty much one of us: An initiate into the mysteries of forum discussion and the metrojacksonville experience.
Tomorrow is the third part of the installment, which outlines the benefits of Consolidation, as well as Former Mayor Ed Austin exploring the subject of an appointed sheriff and other structural changes with Rick at the Commission.
This was a first for us as well, and so we wanted to take a moment and thank Rick personally for guestblogging with us. As STJR said, its great to have the unfiltered experience, and its a new component of our democracy that you are helping to forge by doing this.
Thanks Rick. And welcome aboard.
What did everyone else thinK?
Ocklawaha
October 28, 2009, 06:59:24 PMI love it Stephendare, I think the whole gang of us should head down to Cartagena! Sucre / Sal.
OCKLAWAHA
CS Foltz
October 28, 2009, 07:40:01 PMMr Mullaney...I wanted to say thanks for participating with the metrojax forum and have one simple question for you. I would like to know who or whom took it upon themselves to remove the "Ethics Guidelines" from the original revised Charter. For it's time it was very progressive but now we have nothing in writing at all! Hopefully that will change with the new Charter Commission!
sheclown
October 28, 2009, 10:02:56 PMThanks for meeting with us in this space & place!
BridgeTroll
October 29, 2009, 06:40:15 AMOutstanding conversation! Bravo to the great questions and thoughtful answers! This is the kind of dialogue that sets MetroJax above the rest. I look forward to more...
buckethead
October 29, 2009, 07:48:51 AMThanks for sharing your time and mind with us.
vicupstate
October 29, 2009, 08:39:10 AMThis question is more on the 'history' of consolidation than the future, but here goes.
I'm a little fuzzy on the details, this is from memory alone, so bare with me. I believe in the '80's, there was a section of what is now Atlantic Beach that left the City of Jacksonville proper for Atlantic Beach. I think this is the northern-most part of Atlantic Beach. I think this section is called Seminole Road or Seminole Beach or something like that.
What were the circumstances around that, and how did it occur? Was it implemented via the City of Jacksonville, the state or both? Could it happen again? There was some concern at the time that it could lead to an 'unraveling' of consolidation. Given that it hasn't happened since, I guess that was not the case, still it is an interesting footnote.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Rick Mullaney
October 29, 2009, 01:40:12 PMI want to thank all the readers for their comments and questions. They have really been good and this has been a great discussion. I also appreciate how thoughtful everyone has been.
I want to briefly clear up something that may be confusing from today's presentation of my comments to the Charter Revision Commission on July 30, 2009. When discussing duplication of services, and legal services in particular, I tried to express that other local governments have multiple city attorneys' offices and a county attorney office. For example, Miami-Dade has about 80 attorneys in the county office and multiple city attorney offices as well. For example, I believe the City of Miami has about 30 city attorneys and other cities, also within Miami-Dade, have their own city attorneys' office. This is true for other counties as well. For example, Hillsborough County has about 40 attorneys in the county office and the City of Tampa, I believe, has over 25 attorneys.
All of this is in contrast to Jacksonville. We have 40 attorneys in the General Counsel's Office. We are, in effect, both the county attorneys' office and the city attorneys' office all in one.
I hope this makes sense.
stjr
October 29, 2009, 01:43:08 PMRick, for more discussion and comments, see the other threads with Ed Austin and you and Tommy Hazouri. Maybe you could relate some of our discussions/ideas to the Charter Revision Commission. They would surely listen more closely to you than us.
Ed Austin and You: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,6577.msg107467/topicseen.html#new
Tommy Hazouri: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,6539.msg107465/topicseen.html#new
Rick Mullaney
October 29, 2009, 02:00:53 PMThanks again for the great questions. MJ suggested that I focus on a particular question instead of, as I tried yesterday, to answer as many questions as I could. So here goes.
A fair and I think important question from yesterday was why, if consolidation is such a great form of government, aren't other counties and cities doing the same thing? Good question.
In short, there are usually built in obstacles to adopting consolidated government and absent crisis and statesmanship (Jacksonville had both in the 1960's) it is unlikely to happen. For one thing, when you abolish the city government and the county government, to create the consolidated government, the incumbent elected officials lose their jobs. And, although this often is addressed through attrition, many public employees believe they will lose their jobs. Not surprisingly, those who may lose their jobs often oppose the change. In addtion, those who have access and relationships with the existing structure typically oppose change. Vested interests often oppose change. And, not surprisingly, change itself intimidates some. It is easier for many to simply stay with the status quo than try something that is such a significant change.
Despite these obstacles, many cities and counties are exploring the change to consolidated government. It is difficult to bring about, but I believe it is a far better form of local government.
untarded
October 29, 2009, 02:10:38 PMA fair and I think important question from yesterday was why, if consolidation is such a great form of government, aren't other counties and cities doing the same thing? Good question.
In short, there are usually built in obstacles to adopting consolidated government and absent crisis and statesmanship (Jacksonville had both in the 1960's) it is unlikely to happen. For one thing, when you abolish the city government and the county government, to create the consolidated government, the incumbent elected officials lose their jobs. And, although this often is addressed through attrition, many public employees believe they will lose their jobs. Not surprisingly, those who may lose their jobs often oppose the change. In addtion, those who have access and relationships with the existing structure typically oppose change. Vested interests often oppose change. And, not surprisingly, change itself intimidates some. It is easier for many to simply stay with the status quo than try something that is such a significant change.
Despite these obstacles, many cities and counties are exploring the change to consolidated government. It is difficult to bring about, but I believe it is a far better form of local government.
I witnessed this in Orlando's consolidation effort. The City Fire Department was strongly opposed while Orange County Fire Dept was strongly in favor of consolidation. City employees had significantly higher salaries and benefits than their County counterparts. The city employees feared they would largely be replaced by lower paid County employees after consolidation.
Rick Mullaney
October 29, 2009, 02:21:59 PMThanks stjr for telling me about the seperate threads. I am new to this and still learning. I was not aware of the seperate threads on consolidation. Thanks for your patience and helping me along.
Overall, I think this is a great way to conduct a community discussion. Thanks to MJ for proividing this opportunity to discuss consolidated government.
stephendare
October 29, 2009, 04:04:45 PMRick its a pleasure to have you amongst us, thanks for your insight and your effort. This is a great forum for reasoned discussion, and I know that I have learned incredible amounts of useful information as a result of the posters and postings on the site.
Dog Walker
October 29, 2009, 04:53:39 PMRick, we have also learned that Stephen's definition of "reasoned discussion" is a bit flexible.
Jaxson
October 29, 2009, 08:48:45 PMCorrection to previous post: Atlantic Coast Line did not own The Florida Times-Union/Jacksonville Journal. Florida East Coast Railway owned what was then known as Florida Publishing Company. FEC also owned the St. Augustine Record. Morris Publishing purchased the newspapers from FEC in the early 1980s.
stjr
October 29, 2009, 09:03:12 PMJaxson, sorry, you are incorrect. You took your info from Wikipedia it appears and it's wrong. That's sometimes the problem with a user updated site like Wikipedia.
Here, from Morris Publishing's (current owner of the T-U) own web site, they show that they bought the Times Union from Seaboard Coast Line, successor to Atlantic Coast Line and predecessor to CSX:
Steele smashed other Jacksonville papers - the Herald, the Mercury, the Times - in the year following the war.
In 1867, Stickney sold the paper to Edward M. Cheney, a Boston lawyer and Union army captain. Cheney tried unsuccessfully to turn the Union from a three-times-a-week paper to a daily, but it didn't work out. He sold the Union in 1873 to Walton, Fowle & Co., headed by Canadian newpaperman, Charles H. Walton. The paper nose-dived. It abandoned daily publication. It appeared doomed. Soon it was sold to Baptist preacher H.B. McCallum and a partner.
Charles H. Jones, who had run away from home at 14 to be a Confederate drummer boy, tried to buy the Union. When that failed, he recruited an old friend from Chicago and started a rival paper. The Florida Daily Times began in November 1881.
By 1883, the professionally produced Times had eclipsed the preacher-edited Union. McCallum, ridden by illness, sold to the interlopers. The first edition of The Florida Times-Union came out on Sunday, Feb. 4, 1883.
The newspaper, along with the afternoon Jacksonville Journal, the St. Augustine Record and the weekly Courier Journal in Crescent City, were purchased by Morris Communications Jan. 1, 1983, from Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.
http://www.morris.com/divisions/morris_publishing_group/daily_newspapers/florida_times.shtml
By the way, I was born and raised here and am old enough to have lived through this. Can't beat first hand experience.
north miami
October 29, 2009, 09:25:29 PMI arrived on scene/Jacksonville in the mid 70's and vividly recall my meetings with Florida Times Union William Swiesgood.Bill's pen hallmark was River protection causes.
What a different time and outlook.Destined to be subjected to trial.
Twenty years later FTU reporter (D.Baierlein) would track me for two days including lengthy interview and track all the way down to the Water Management District permit offices.The provocative-yet prophetic- information relating to emerging sprawl within our region's water recharge basin shared with the FTU yet never shared with the readers makes good reading.
Sad legacy.
CS Foltz
October 30, 2009, 05:57:31 AMMr Mullaney, much thanks for participating in this discussion! Some very unclear or half truths have been made clear and I appreciate your taking the time to clarify some issue's. I have done some research for Ms Miller regarding "Ethic's" and have one further question regarding this which is - The Independent Authorities were under the original umbrella of "Ethic's Guidelines" and when the guidelines were moved to the City Ordinances in 1972 the Independent Authorities were no longer controlled or guided by same. The Ethics Commission has made the presentation regarding this issue that "Ethics" be set in black and white and in stone and cover all COJ Agencies. Do you feel that having guidelines in place will help or hinder having an efficient transparent government and do you support having guidelines that control all employee's for the City?
bayst220
November 01, 2009, 10:21:48 AMThe Beachs and Baldwin are USD's (urban service districts) of the consolidated goverment and I don't see the need for thier existance.
Rick Mullaney
November 05, 2009, 12:03:00 PMI really enjoyed the live blog last week on consolidated government. It was the first time I have done that and it is a great way to have a community discussion.
As a follow up, I spoke briefly today before the Charter Revision Commission on consolidation and specifically on the role of legal services. As the 3 part series last week set out, I believe that through luck and genius (don't ever underestimate luck) the founding fathers of consolidated government devised the best local government structure in the State and centralized legal services and financial authority are fundamental to this structure working. Today I reemphasized the unique and critical role that I believe the General Counsel's Office plays in making consolidated government work. Representing all entities of the consolidated government directly contributes to our ability to operate as a single enterprise and pursue significant countywide policy objectives with one voice. I hope my testimony today was helpful. Developing a community wide understanding and appreciation of our consolidated government is important to our future.
stephendare
November 05, 2009, 12:25:56 PMRick
It was awesome to have you join us!
What seems to be the general mood of the charter revision committee?
Rick Mullaney
November 05, 2009, 01:15:28 PMI think they are taking their responsibilities seriously and they are very sincere and conscientious.
stjr
November 05, 2009, 03:36:04 PMRick, thanks for your participation here.
Here is the link to the Charter Review Commission's web site and minutes (actually transcripts) for those who want to wade in deeper. I read one proceeding at the end of October on education and it's an interesting process.
http://www.coj.net/City+Council/CharterRevisionCommission
stjr
November 08, 2009, 09:05:50 PMInteresting article (below) on the Charter Review Commission and its makeup.
In a city of almost a million, aren't there citizens who aren't campaign consultants, city employees, developer representatives, etc. that can contribute meaningfully to our City? Where is the "new blood"?
Kudos to Chairman Duggan and the others for saying all the right things but, in the end, none of these conflict-of-interests concerns would arise if we stopped going to the same well for everything no matter the issue. I bet if you canvas all the authority, advisory, and other boards and commissions in this City, one would find a disproportionate share of lawyers, government agency consultants and dependents, former politicians and appointees, development dependent business people, political consultants and lobbyists, etc.
Where are the fresh and independent business managers, non-political and non-development dependent professionals, non-profit leaders and volunteers, retired, but experienced citizens, teachers, nurses, technical workers, etc.? Is the City really getting a range of inputs or is it the victim of incestuous inbreeding causing defective births of ideas and visionary goals?
One member's vote on combining elections serves as object lesson.
* By Tia Mitchell
* Story updated at 1:59 AM on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009
The 15 people who make up Jacksonville's Charter Review Commission come from varied backgrounds, but most have experience either working for or with the city's consolidated government.
Members say background knowledge is useful as they move quickly to build a consensus on ways to improve how the city operates. The commission's recommendations are due to the City Council in February.
But it also has led to accusations of conflicts of interest, most recently after the commission voted to support a council bill that would move city elections to coincide with state and federal elections as a cost-cutting measure.
A posting in an online forum praised commission member Teresa Eichner for being the sole dissenter, taking the same position against the bill that the majority of the City Council eventually backed. At the commission's Oct. 29 meeting, Chairman Wyman Duggan passed out copies of the forum posting that said "it was her tireless efforts which led to the bill's defeat."
Duggan pointed out that Eichner, senior vice president at Access Public Relations, works as a campaign manager and guided Martha Barrett's return in September to the School Board. He questioned whether she dissented because consolidating elections would reduce the number of campaign cycles from which she could obtain clients.
Eichner said she only explained her position to council members who asked why she didn't vote with the majority. She said she was offering an opinion, not lobbying against the bill.
"The decisions that I made were based on what I felt were best for the city, not necessarily what is best for me," Eichner said last week. She said she believes keeping city elections separate will ensure local issues and candidates aren't lost in the shuffle.
Duggan asked the city General Counsel's Office to look into the matter to ensure Eichner had not broken any state or local ethics laws. He said the city's lawyers confirmed there was nothing improper about Eichner's actions, but the issue still presented a teachable moment.
"I do think declaring any perceived conflict ahead of time is both good and required," Duggan said last week.
Former City Council President Ronnie Fussell appointed the Charter Review Commission members and they were confirmed by the full council in May. The members are not paid.
Eichner isn't the only one whose livelihood could pose direct or indirect ties to issues that come before the commission.
Also on the board is Jim Catlett, a registered lobbyist who has represented clients with issues before the City Council and independent agencies. Gary Oliveras is a police officer, who is active both with the union and on the Police and Fire Pension Board. He also is a candidate for the Duval County School Board.
Oliveras asked for the blessing of the General Counsel's Office before he voted on the election consolidation issue. He said he is hyper-sensitive about not appearing biased, and that the long-term health of the city is what guides him.
"What's most important to me is that Jacksonville is my home," Oliveras said. "This is where I'm raising my family."
Duggan himself is a land-use lawyer who has represented clients attempting to obtain council approval on development or zoning projects. He said the commission needs experienced members because it has a limited amount of time to deliberate on a broad range of topics and come up with its lists of non-binding recommendations, but he will protect the integrity of the process.
"I'm sensitive to the appearance issues and I'm trying to be very diligent in protecting the commission's credibility in that regard," Duggan said.
Eichner said she was taken by surprise when Duggan raised his concerns because managing campaigns is but a fraction of her work, and she doesn't see how consolidating elections would hurt or benefit business. But she said she isn't ashamed of the knowledge she brings to the table.
"We all come from different backgrounds," Eichner said. "There [are] all walks of life and varying backgrounds in business."
Former Mayor Ed Austin said declaring potential conflicts and financial interests in matters that come before the commission is key to avoiding future issues, but he also said there was nothing wrong with Eichner voicing dissension.
Austin said once people discuss how their interests relate to the topic at hand, "you weigh it and go on." He said the committee's wealth of knowledge is an asset.
"I feel perfectly comfortable with this group and that we will reach a consensus about what we think is the best thing for this government and consolidation," Austin said.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-11-08/story/jacksonville_panels_ties_raise_conflict_of_interest_concerns