Title 18 · Chapter 18 - REDISTRICTING OF COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS
Chapter 18 - REDISTRICTING OF COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS
Section: 18
Sec. 4.103. - Reservation of power to elect treatment as County or municipality. TITLE III - EXECUTIVE BRANCH TITLE II - LEGISLATIVE BRANCH[1]
EXPAND Ch. 10. Organization of the Council Ch. 11. Office of Council Administrator Ch. 12. Reserved Ch. 13. Council Auditor's Office Ch. 14. Office of Legislative Counsel Ch. 15. Jacksonville Sunshine Law Compliance Act Ch. 16. City Council Service Incentive Awards Program Ch. 17. Charter Revision Commission Ch. 18. Redistricting of Council and School Board Districts Ch. 19. Reserved
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Cross reference— Legislation and legislative records, Ch. 3; emergency continuity of government, Ch. 114; election code, Tit. IX; offenses against operation of government, Ch. 601.
Chapter 10 - ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL[1]
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Charter reference— Council, Art. 5.
State Law reference— Ethics in government, Fla. Const., Art. II, § 8; suspensions, filling office during suspensions, Fla. Const., Art. IV, § 7; schedule; consolidation and home rule, Fla. Const., Art. VIII, § 6(e); municipal recall, F.S. § 100.361; Code of Ethics for public officers and employees, F.S. § 112.311 et seq.; persons exercising powers and duties of County officers subject to suspension by governor, F.S. § 112.49.
Sec. 10.101. - Council rules adopted as general and permanent ordinances.
The rules of the Council are adopted by ordinance pursuant to the requirements of F.S. Ch. 166. These rules and their adopting ordinances are declared to be general and permanent ordinances of the City and they shall continue in force according to their tenor notwithstanding that they are not codified in the Ordinance Code.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Note— See Ord. 75-667-576, as amended, for current Council rules.
Sec. 10.102. - Director/Council Secretary to publish rules.
The Director/Council Secretary shall maintain a current electronic version of the Council Rules as amended from time to time, which shall be posted on the City Council website, and shall be made available for review or distribution.
A printed copy of the current Council Rules shall be maintained in the Office of Legislative Services and copies of the Council Rules or any portion thereof shall be provided to the public as any other public record.
The Director/Council Secretary shall assist all interested citizens or agencies in obtaining electronic versions of the Council Rules.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 87-1150-614, § 3; Ord. 1999-418-E, § 2; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 2; Ord. 2007-279-E, § 1)
Sec. 10.103. - Payment of sums due deceased Council member.
A person serving as a Council member may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to be paid any unpaid balance of salary or other sums due such person at the time of his death. When a person dies while serving as a Council member, any unpaid balance shall be paid by the City to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries. If no designation has been made, such unpaid balance shall be paid to the deceased Council member's personal representative.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Sec. 10.104. - Office expenses of Council members.
Council members shall not receive any office expense allowance for offices or clerical assistance outside City Hall. The provisions of the first sentence of this Section shall not apply to any office for a Council member being maintained outside City Hall on the effective date of this Section, so long as the Council member continues to serve; but the office shall be deemed to have been approved by the Council. The office for a Council member outside City Hall shall be located in a public building or in a building under lease to the City, and the following expenses only may be paid for such office:
(a)
Rental for the space actually occupied, in the case of leased premises.
(b)
Heating, air-conditioning and utilities charges, to the extent they are not included in the basic rental or that they are not charged directly to the premises.
(c)
Furniture and furnishings for the office, to the extent that adequate furniture and furnishings cannot be provided by the Public Buildings Division at no cost.
(d)
Office equipment and repair and servicing arrangements therefor, to the extent that it cannot be provided at no cost or that a pro rata charge is made under general contracts for such equipment, repairs or servicing.
(e)
Telephone installation and service charges, in an amount not to exceed the amounts permitted under Section 10.105(b).
(f)
Clerical assistance, in a monthly amount not to exceed a sum equal to the monthly compensation of one clerk-typist in the highest civil service job classification at the highest step in the job pay plan therefor.
(g)
Postage, in an amount not to exceed the amount permitted under Section 10.105(a).
(h)
Stationery and expenses for books, periodicals and other printed matter, in an amount designated by the Council member, which shall be charged to and deducted from the stationery allowance and the books, periodicals and other printed matter allowance available to him under Sections 10.106 and 10.107(b).
Clerical assistance shall be provided by City employees detailed to the office, subject to the civil service law and the civil service and personnel rules and regulations adopted by the Director of Employee Services Department; provided, that temporary employees may be used for after-hours, weekend or special work or when the workload of the office temporarily increases, but the salaries or wages of the temporary employees shall be paid out of the funds available for clerical assistance.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 601.101, Ordinance Code, and in order to encourage Council Members to spend as much time at City Hall as possible, Council Members may utilize the City's communications and computer networks while in City Hall to maintain connections with their private business interests so long as such communications and networking results in no additional cost to the City.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 2011-576-E, § 1; Ord. 2011-732-E)
Sec. 10.105. - Postage and communication expenses of Council members.
(a)
Postage. No Council member shall receive any postage allowance for official mail originating from City Hall; the cost of such postage shall be paid from the appropriations for postage generally for the Council. If a Council member is authorized to maintain an office at public expense outside City Hall, the Council Secretary or designee is authorized to procure and furnish United States postage stamps to such Council member in an amount not exceeding $75 monthly for use on mail originating from such office in connection with his official business. The Council member and any person to whom he entrusts custody of the postage stamps shall be accountable for their safekeeping and use on official business only, and the accountable person shall be subject to audit by the Council Auditor for this purpose.
(b)
Telephone. No Council member shall receive any allowance for telephone expense for official calls originating from City Hall; the cost of such telephone calls shall be paid from the appropriations for telephone expenses generally for the Council. If a Council member is authorized to maintain an office at public expense outside City Hall, the Information Technology Division, at the request of the Council member, is authorized to have installed at such office one telephone set, which shall be an extension of the City's central telephone exchange and the installation and service charges for which shall be paid from the appropriations for telephone expenses generally for the City. Regardless of whether a Council member is authorized to maintain an office outside City Hall, he may have installed at public expense one telephone line either at his home or at his place of business, with the approval of the Council President. If the request is approved, the Information Technology Division is authorized to have installed at the designated place one telephone set, which shall be an extension of the City's central telephone exchange and the installation and service charges for which shall be paid from the appropriations for telephone expenses generally for the City. For each telephone installed outside City Hall pursuant to this subsection, the Council member on whose behalf it was installed may expend in long-distance telephone tolls no more than $100 monthly, and he shall maintain a record of long-distance calls on the forms prescribed by the Information Technology Division for use by the Council Secretary. In reconciling telephone charges, long-distance tolls shall be paid from the appropriation for telephone charges by the Council. Only telephone calls in connection with his official business shall be made or authorized by the Council member on whose behalf a telephone line was installed and he shall be accountable for all unofficial telephone calls and charges and for all charges in excess of the monthly allowance provided by this subsection; provided, that, if the monthly toll charges exceed the amount authorized, the Council member may direct that the excess amount be charged against his following month's telephone expense allowance. The monthly allowances herein authorized shall not be cumulative, but shall be available only for one month.
(c)
Emergency, mobile or converged communication device. Notwithstanding anything in Chapter 10 to the contrary, City cellular phones shall not be issued to any elected or appointed official or employee in the legislative branch except as provided herein. Based on an annual request for an emergency mobile communications allowance, City Council Members may receive a monthly allowance not to exceed $100 for cellular phone service and converged data device service. Each City Council Member, at his or her sole discretion, may share or allocate in whole or in part, the monthly allowance authorized herein with their respective Executive Council Assistant so long as the total monthly allowance for cellular phone service and converged data device service does not exceed $100 per Council Member office. Appointed officials or employees of the legislative branch, as authorized by their Director, may receive a monthly allowance not to exceed $100 for cellular phone service and converged data device service. The use shall be requested and verified. The Personnel Committee is authorized to promulgate the policy and rules for this subsection.
(d)
Other communications. All other communications by a Council member in his official capacity shall be paid for by the Council, subject to the general approval of the Council President concerning the use of communication equipment and services and the amounts to be spent thereon. Reimbursement for expenses incurred by or on behalf of a Council member under this subsection shall be requested by the Council member upon his personal certification of the amount and purpose of the communication expense and he shall be accountable for improperly certified expenses.
(e)
Allowances not to be paid in cash. The allowances authorized by this Section shall not be paid in cash to any person, except for the purchase of the goods or services authorized. No part of any allowance hereunder shall be deemed to be income nor paid as compensation to any Council member or any other person, nor shall any Council member have any right to demand payment in cash of any allowance to which he is entitled under this Section.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 1999-418-E, § 2; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 2; Ord. 2005-509-E, § 1; Ord. 2005-943-E, § 1; Ord. 2011-732-E; Ord. 2014-410-E, § 1; Ord. 2024-934-E, § 1)
Editor's note— Ordinance 2007-839-E, § 18, authorized updated department/division names pursuant to reorganization.
Sec. 10.106. - Stationery and office supplies for Council members.
Official stationery and office supplies for Council members shall be procured and furnished by the Council Secretary; stationery and office supplies shall include letterhead paper, printed envelopes, pens, ink, computer hardware and software and other office supplies for use for official business. No Council member shall receive any allowance for the purchase of stationery and office supplies, except as herein provided. If a Council member is authorized to maintain an office at public expense outside City Hall, the Council Secretary is authorized to make available to such office, from the official stationery and office supplies in his possession, such items of value not to exceed $50 monthly for use in connection with the Council member's official business, and further the Council Secretary is authorized to reimburse the Council member for the purchase of stationery items and office supplies (other than letterhead paper and printed envelopes, which may not be so purchased) for use in connection with the Council member's official business at such office, upon presentation of receipted invoices for such purchases, such reimbursement to be charged to the monthly allowance for stationery and office supplies for the Council member. The allowance authorized by this Section shall not be paid in cash to any person, except for the purchase of the goods authorized. No part of any allowance hereunder shall be deemed to be income nor paid as compensation to any Council member or any other person, nor shall any Council member have any right to demand payment in cash of any allowance to which he is entitled under this Section.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 1999-418-E, § 2; Ord. No. 2000-793-E, § 2)
Sec. 10.107. - Procurement of books, periodicals, etc., for Council and Council members.
(a)
Generally. Subject to subsection (c), the Council Secretary is authorized to procure and pay for, out of the appropriations for the Council, the following items:
(1)
Books, whether hardbound, clothbound or paperback, that are approved by the Committee on Rules as permanent additions to the Council Library.
(2)
Subscriptions to periodicals, newspapers, technical and professional journals, newsletters and similar publications that are approved by the Committee on Rules for inclusion in the Council Library for the general use of the Council and its committees.
(3)
Reference works, whether general or specialized, and whether in one or more volumes, bound or looseleaf, that are approved by the Committee on Rules for inclusion in the Council Library for the use of the Council and its committees, together with subscription services where offered to keep the work up-to-date.
(b)
Council members. Subject to subsection (c), the Council Secretary is authorized to procure and pay for, out of the appropriations for the Council, the following items:
(1)
Books, whether hardbound, clothbound or paperback, for the use of a Council member in his official capacity. Such books shall be related to the Council member's legislative assignments or to a specific area or problem within the legislative competence of the Council in which the Council member is interested, as certified by the Council member. If the book requested by the Council member has already been approved by the Committee on Rules for addition to the Council Library under subsection (a) of this Section, the Chief Council Administrator shall so inform the Council member and shall not procure the book under this paragraph.
(2)
Subscriptions to periodicals, technical and professional journals, newsletters and similar informative publications for the use of a Council Member in his official capacity. If the subscription requisitioned by the Council Member has already been approved by the Committee on Rules for addition to the Council Library under subsection (a), the Council Secretary or designee shall so inform the Council Member and shall not place the subscription under this paragraph. No Council Member is entitled to a subscription to a newspaper nor to any clipping service under this paragraph, except that a Council Member who is authorized to maintain an office at public expense outside City Hall may obtain one newspaper subscription for delivery to the outside office.
(c)
Limitations on amount. The following limitations are imposed on expenditures under this Section:
(1)
The Committee on Rules is authorized to expend not more than three-fourths of the amount appropriated for purchases under this Section, for acquisitions under subsection (a) of this Section.
(2)
The Committee on Rules shall inform the Council members of the amount of the remaining one-fourth of the amount appropriated for purchases under this Section. Each Council member shall be entitled to expend one-nineteenth of this amount for acquisitions under subsection (b) of this Section; provided, that a Council member may authorize another Council member to use a part of the amount to which he is entitled for acquisitions for the latter Council member under subsection (b) of this Section, and the amount so authorized shall be deducted from the former Council member's entitlement and added to the latter Council member's entitlement. The entitlements provided for in this paragraph shall be available for the entire fiscal year, unless earlier exhausted, but shall not carry over to the succeeding fiscal year.
(3)
The entitlement authorized by this Section shall not be paid in cash to any person, except for the purchase of the goods or services authorized. No part of any entitlement hereunder shall be deemed to be income nor paid as compensation to any Council member or any other person, nor shall any Council member have any right to demand payment in cash of any amount to which he is entitled under this Section.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 1999-418-E, § 2; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 2)
Sec. 10.108. - Executive support for Council Members.
There are established up to 19 positions which shall be titled Executive Council Assistants, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of Council Members, and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. Each Executive Council Assistant shall report only to the appointing Council Member. The salary ranges of the Secretary (Executive Council Assistant) to the Council President and Executive Council Assistants shall be set by the Council in accordance with Section 129.112, Ordinance Code, and the Secretary (Executive Council Assistant) to the Council President and Executive Council Assistants shall serve under the Appointed Officials and Employees Salary and Employment Plan. Executive Council Assistants shall be considered appointed persons for purposes of the reversion provisions in the last paragraph of Section 17.06 of the City Charter. Each Council Member may choose to appoint one Executive Council Assistant as stated above or receive staff support from the Council Secretary, but not both. The duties of an Executive Council Assistant shall be specified by the appointing Council Member and may include, but are not limited to the following:
(a)
Maintain the Council Member's calendar of appointments, prepare and get approvals of all travel in accordance with applicable provisions of the Ordinance Code, and the Rules of the Council.
(b)
Maintain files of all correspondence, reports, legislation, and other items that must be maintained in accordance with all public records laws, in a manner prescribed by the Council Secretary and the Chief of Legislative Services, and other information as the Council Member may direct.
(c)
Make arrangements for, post notices of and take minutes of any public meetings called by the Council Member that are not so recorded by the Legislative Services Division, in accordance with procedures developed by the Council Secretary.
(d)
Process complaints received by the Council Member's office as directed by the Council Member and follow up on or intervene in such complaints to determine status, resolution or other appropriate action taken by the administrative department or agency to which the complaint is referred.
(e)
Interact with constituents and administrative personnel to the extent directed by the Council Member, including representing the Council Member at community meetings called by the Council Member or any other official function to which the Council Member may be invited.
(f)
Conduct research on pending legislative items, prepare speeches and make presentations when so directed by the Council Member.
(g)
Maintain project files as directed by the Council Member and meet with administration representatives and constituents to coordinate projects on behalf of the Council Member.
(h)
Prepare correspondence and reports and handle all incoming mail, including preparation of responses.
(i)
Monitor and keep such records as are necessary regarding expenditures from public funds over which the Council Member has direct control.
(j)
Assist the Council Member in developing legislative programs and proposals, including soliciting input from the community and coordinating with the Office of General Counsel for drafting of same.
(k)
Prepare honorarium resolutions or certificates as directed by the Council Member, and coordinate all aspects of presentation of same whether at an official Council Meeting or elsewhere.
(l)
Assist the Council Member in preparation for Council and Committee meetings.
(m)
Perform other such duties as directed by the Council Member.
In the event a Council Member's Office becomes vacant for any reason, the Council Secretary may, at his or her discretion, continue the employment of the former Council Member's Executive Council Assistant, or employ an interim Executive Council Assistant, for any period of time until the Office is filled. The Executive Council Assistant shall assume those responsibilities assigned to him/her by the Council Secretary or the Council President.
(Ord. 95-1254-738, § 1; Ord. 1999-418-E, § 2; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 2; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 2; Ord. 2006-1104-E, § 1; Ord. 2017-449-E, § 1)
Sec. 10.109. - Travel expenses designated for City Council Members to Florida Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities, National Association of Counties and National League of Cities.
The annual General Fund/General Services District budget includes funding for City Memberships. Annually funds shall be budgeted for Council President designated Council representatives to travel to attend conferences for Florida Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities, National Association of Counties and National League of Cities. Funding in the amount of ten percent of the overall membership dues or $20,000, whichever is greater, shall be included in the annual General Fund/General Services District budget. Travel is subject to approval by the Council President pursuant to Council Rules as is noted in Chapter 106, Part 7, Ordinance Code.
(Ord. 2017-97-E, § 3)
Chapter 11 - OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL SECRETARY[1]
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Editor's note— Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1, effective May 12, 1999, amended the Code by repealing former Ch. 11, §§ 11.101—11.110, and adding a new Ch. 11, §§ 11.101—11.122. Former Ch. 11 pertained to the Office of Staff Services, and derived from Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 85-656-370, § 1; Ord. 86-979-806, § 1; and Ord. 87-1150-614, § 3.
Charter reference— Applicability of civil service system to employees of Consolidated Government, § 19.05.
Sec. 11.101. - Office of the Council Secretary created.
There is hereby created the Office of the Council Secretary which shall be a department of the legislative branch of the Consolidated Government. All laws relating generally to the administration of government shall, so far as applicable, govern the Office of the Council Secretary. The Council Secretary is the head of the Department, and shall be responsible for all matters of staff support for the Council. This Office shall include: a Legislative Services Division, a Research Division, an Administrative Services Division, a Public Information Division, and a Value Adjustment Board Division.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.102. - Office to be under Council Secretary.
The Department of the Council Secretary shall be under the management of the Council Secretary, who shall be appointed by the Council without regard to political affiliation and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Council Secretary shall be responsible for the divisions and functions of the Department and shall exercise direct control and supervision over all Department staff, including chiefs. The Council Secretary shall also exercise direct control and supervision over Council aides and shall provide administrative assistance for the Executive Council Assistants. The Council Secretary may appoint an Administrative Assistant to the Council Secretary who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council Secretary and who may be assigned by the Council Secretary to assist Council Members, individually. The Administrative Assistant to the Council Secretary shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 4; Ord. 2018-536-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.103. - Functions of Office.
The Office of the Council Secretary shall:
(a)
Keep the records of the Council and be the official signatory and perform all duties which are assigned by the Charter or by law.
(b)
Maintain the offices, chambers, committee rooms and conference rooms of the City Council.
(c)
Provide clerical, secretarial or administrative assistance to Council committees and subcommittees and to boards and commissions that function as an extension of the Council.
(d)
Provide, maintain, and update the official legislative files, committee calendars and Council agenda, and other documents necessary to the conduct of legislative business, and be responsible for all official records of the legislative branch of government.
(e)
Provide the Council, its committees and members, with information, data and policy analysis, necessary to the proper conduct of legislative business and maintain a Council Library. This shall include providing a legislative summary of each bill introduced into Council, excepting those dealing with land use, rezoning or commendations.
(f)
In the absence of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Legislative Services shall serve as Acting Council Secretary solely for the purposes of acting as official Council signatory and for issuing or receiving subpoenas.
(g)
Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council President or the Council.
(h)
Serve as the Clerk of the Duval County Value Adjustment Board as provided in Rule 12D-9.006, Florida Administrative Code, as amended from time to time.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 4; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.104. - Legislative Services Division; Chief of Legislative Services.
There is hereby created a Legislative Services Division which shall be responsible for all legislative operations of the Council, its committees, and boards and commissions functioning as an extension of the Council. The Legislative Services Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Legislative Services, who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council without regard to political affiliation and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Legislative Services shall be under the supervision of and shall report to the Council Secretary.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 4; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 2)
Sec. 11.105. - Legislative Services Division; staffing.
With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Legislative Services may employ up to one Assistant Chief of Legislative Services who will be confirmed by the Personnel Committee and the Council. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Legislative Services may also employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division. All employees in this division shall be hired within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council. In the absence of the Chief of Legislative Services, the Council Secretary may designate, at his or her discretion, the Assistant Chief of Legislative Services to serve as Acting Chief of Legislative Services and that designated person shall do all things that the Chief of Legislative Services can do including sign ordinances and resolutions and receive and issue subpoenas when authorized to do so by the Council Secretary in writing. The Assistant Chief of Legislative Services shall be confirmed by the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City, and shall be under direct supervision of and shall report to the Chief of Legislative Services. The Assistant Chief of Legislative Services shall perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the Chief of Legislative Services, the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.106. - Duties of the Legislative Services Division.
The Legislative Services Division shall have the following duties:
(a)
Receive bills proposed for introduction into the Council and all amendments thereto.
(b)
Maintain a separate file on each bill introduced.
(c)
Prepare the agenda for each Council and committee meeting in accordance with the rules of the Council.
(d)
Prepare minutes of Council meetings and summary report minutes of each committee meeting.
(e)
Maintain the Journal of the Council, the Record of Ordinances and Record of Resolutions, carefully preserving the original of each enrolled ordinance and resolution, and prepare an index for research and retrieval purposes.
(f)
Publish all notices required by law to be published on behalf of or for the Council.
(g)
Keep and update, as necessary, the legislative files, records and dockets of the Council as a whole, its committees and various Council members, as official records of the City.
(h)
Maintain records of every subpoena issued by the Chief of Legislative Services stating the date of the subpoena request, the person or agency requesting the subpoena, the person summoned thereby and the date of issuance.
(i)
Mail a copy of any complaint against the City, involving litigation which has as its basis the appeal of a decision of the Council to either approve or deny a petition for rezoning to all property owners lying within 350 feet of the property which is the subject of the litigation.
(j)
Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, President of the Council or the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.107. - Research Division; Chief of Research.
There is hereby created a Council Research Division which shall be responsible for providing the Council, its committees and members with the information and data (other than that provided by other departments in the legislative branch) necessary to the proper conduct of legislative business. The Research Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Research, who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by the Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Research shall be under the direct supervision of and shall report to the Council Secretary.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.108. - Duties of the Research Division.
The Research Division shall have the following duties:
(a)
Prepare a legislative summary of each bill introduced into Council, briefly summarizing the provisions of the bill and stating any effect it would have on present law if enacted or adopted.
(b)
Prepare informative and illustrative material on matters of interest to the Council or pertinent to proposed legislation.
(c)
Provide research services as necessary for boards and commissions that function as an extension of the Council.
(d)
Maintain the Council Library. The Chief of Research may designate one person within the division to be the Council Librarian. The Chief of Research shall, with approval by the Council Secretary, develop rules and regulations for the operation of the Council Library. Such rules and regulations shall include a prohibition against removing materials from City Hall except as permitted in § 11.111.
(e)
Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.109. - Research division; staffing.
With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Research may employ research assistants as may be required to carry out the duties of the Division within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and the salary ranges established by the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.110. - Value Adjustment Board Division; Chief/Deputy Clerk of Value Adjustment Board.
There is hereby created a Value Adjustment Board (VAB) Division. The VAB Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of the Value Adjustment Board Division, who shall serve as the Deputy Clerk of the Value Adjustment Board, and who shall be appointed by the Council Secretary and confirmed by the Personnel Committee and the Council and serve at the pleasure of the Council without regard to political affiliation, and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City.
The Chief of the VAB Division shall be under the supervision of, and shall report to, the Council Secretary, clerk of the governing body of the county. The VAB Division shall perform the duties provided in Rule 12D-9.005, Florida Administrative Code, as amended from time to time, and shall be responsible to manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the Value Adjustment Board as delegated by the Council Secretary and shall maintain the office of the Value Adjustment Board. In the absence or vacancy of the Council Secretary, the Chief/Deputy Clerk shall assume the role of Value Adjustment Board Clerk and will serve as interim Value Adjustment Board Clerk until such time as a permanent Council Secretary is confirmed by the Council.
(Ord. 2025-108-E, § 3)
Sec. 11.111. - Value Adjustment Board Division; staffing.
With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of the VAB Division may employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division and the office of the Value Adjustment Board within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council.
(Ord. 2025-108-E, § 3)
Sec. 11.112. - Duties of the Value Adjustment Board Division.
The Value Adjustment Board Division shall have the following duties:
(a)
Maintain the office of the Value Adjustment Board.
(b)
Issue all notices for the Value Adjustment Board and preserve all records thereof.
(c)
Manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the Value Adjustment Board as delegated by the Council Secretary.
(d)
Perform the duties provided in Rule 12D-9.007, Florida Administrative Code, as amended from time to time.
(e)
Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council that do not conflict with, change, expand, suspend or negate the applicable rules adopted by Florida Statutes, the Florida Administrative Code, or other provisions of law.
(Ord. 2025-108-E, § 3)
Secs. 11.113—11.115. - Reserved.
Editor's note— Ord. 2004-464-E, § 1, enacted May 25, 2004, amended the Code by repealing former §§ 11.110—11.115. Former § 11.110 pertained to the collection composing Library, and derived from Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; and Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1. Former § 11.111 pertained to Council Library serving members and employees of Council, and derived from Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1. Former § 11.112 pertained to functions of Library, and derived from Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1. Former § 11.113 pertained to addition of material, and derived from Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1. Former § 11.114 pertained to classification of materials, periodical binding, and derived from Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1. Former § 11.115 pertained to copies of Council Journal, legislation, etc., and derived from Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1.
Sec. 11.116. - Administrative Services Division; Chief of Administrative Services.
There is hereby created an Administrative Services Division which shall be responsible for all administrative matters of the Council including budget preparation, such personnel matters authorized by the Council Secretary, payroll, purchasing, and facilities management other than audio/visual. The Administrative Services Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Administrative Services who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by the Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Administrative Services shall be under the supervision of and shall report to the Council Secretary.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.117. - Administrative Services Division; staffing.
With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Administrative Services may employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.118. - Duties of the Administrative Services Division.
The duties of the Administrative Services Division shall include:
(a)
Maintain all personnel, payroll and purchasing files and records.
(b)
Maintain records of all physical inventories of Council equipment, and update this inventory annually.
(c)
Maintain all physical facilities and meeting spaces under the control of the Council, in proper condition for use by the Council. The Division shall develop a system of allowing the fair use of meeting facilities for legitimate City functions, provided that no such usage shall interfere with the needs of the Council.
(d)
Prepare periodic budget reports for the Council Secretary.
(e)
To the extent authorized by the Council Secretary, assign and provide supervision for all other support employees of the Division, including the staffing of the Council reception area and Council Aides.
(f)
Generally, assist Executive Council Assistants appointed by individual Council members in the performance of their duties.
(g)
The maintenance of administrative records shall be coordinated with the Chief of Legislative Services.
(h)
Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.119. - Public Information Division, Chief of Public Information.
There is hereby created Public Information Division, which shall serve as a resource to all Divisions of the Office. The Public Information Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Public Information who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by the Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the Civil Service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Public Information shall be under the supervision of, and shall report to, the Council Secretary. The Public Information Division shall: maintain a public information office; create and maintain contracts and/or facilities for public broadcasts of the Council meetings, with the approval of the Council Secretary; and be responsible for audio visual technical support as needed by the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.120. - Public Information Division; staffing.
With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Public Information may employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.121. - Duties of the Public Information Division.
The duties of the Public Information Division shall include:
(a)
Manage the public relations of the Council.
(b)
Respond to requests for information from the public, the media, or other governments, for information about the Council, or when appropriate, refer requests for information to agencies within the City government.
(c)
Maintain the Council's internet website.
(d)
At minimum, publish an annual printed bulletin on the membership and committee assignments of the Council to be used to inform the public.
(e)
Maintain the audio/visual facilities and equipment of the Council. Maintain a scheduling system for these facilities.
(f)
With the approval of the Council Secretary, arrange for the public broadcast of Council meetings and selected proceedings, either through contract with a third-party provider, or through in-house systems installed in Council meeting areas.
(g)
Generally, assist the public with information about the Council and its proceedings, assuring public access and comfort at all Council meetings, committee meetings, and other special meetings or programs of interest to the public.
(h)
Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)
Sec. 11.122. - Executive Committee, Personnel Committee; appointment and discharge.
(a)
An Executive Committee shall be convened by the Council President from time to time to consider such matters as may be assigned by the Council President including but not limited to administrative, financial or internal matters of Council. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Council President, Vice President, and the Chair of the Finance Committee.
(b)
A Personnel Committee shall be convened by the Council President from time to time to consider personnel matters. The Personnel Committee shall be composed of the Council President and Vice President, the Chairs of the Finance and Rules Committees and one other Council Member selected by the Council President. The Committee's recommendation for the appointment and discharge of the Director/Council Secretary shall be approved by the Council by resolution, by a simple majority of the Council. The Committee shall also be responsible for recommending or confirming, as applicable, the appointment of the Chief of Research, the Chief of Administrative Services, the Chief of Public Information, the Chief of Legislative Services, and the Chief of the Value Adjustment Board Division. Each such recommendation shall be approved by resolution by a simple majority of the Council. The Assistant Chief of Legislative Services shall be recommended by the Director/Council Secretary to the Personnel Committee and approved by resolution by a simple majority of the Council. The discharge of the Chief of Research, the Chief of Administrative Services, the Chief of Public Information, the Chief and Assistant Chief of Legislative Services, and the Chief of the Value Adjustment Board Division shall be effected by the Director/Council Secretary with the approval of the Personnel Committee. All other appointed employees in the Office of the Director/Council Secretary and its divisions shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Director/Council Secretary without regard to political affiliation. All classified employees in the Office of Director/Council Secretary and its divisions shall be employed, disciplined and discharged by the Director/Council Secretary pursuant to and in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of the City.
The Personnel Committee shall, from time to time, bring recommendations regarding salary ranges and positions pertaining to all applicable City Council employee positions to the Council for Council approval.
(Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2004-464-E, § 2; Ord. 2013-412-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)
Chapter 13 - COUNCIL AUDITOR'S OFFICE[1]
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Charter reference— Auditor, § 5.10; independent audit, § 5.11; secretary and other council employees, § 5.12; applicability of civil service system to employees of Consolidated Government, § 17.06.
Sec. 13.101. - Reserved.
Editor's note— The provisions of former § 13.101, relative to the continuation and designation of the Council Auditor's office, were deleted as part of the Super Supplement to the Code. Former § 13.101 derived from Ord. 83-591-400, § 1.
Sec. 13.102. - Peer reviews.
Subject to appropriated and available funds in the Council Auditor's Office budget, the Council President, in consultation with the Council Auditor's Office, may execute agreements with not-for-profit local government auditor trade associations or organizations in an amount not to exceed $15,000 to provide peer reviews of the Council Auditor's Office. The Council President, in consultation with the Council Auditor's Office, shall approve the agreement terms executed pursuant to this Section. Any agreements more than $15,000 shall be procured in accordance with Chapter 126 of the Code or approved by the Council. Any local government auditor trade association or organization doing business with the City that is required to comply with the nondiscrimination policy requirements of Chapter 126, Part 4, shall be deemed to comply with such requirements if the association or organization's nondiscrimination policy substantially conforms to the City's nondiscrimination policy.
(Ord. 2023-346-E, § 1)
Sec. 13.103. - Reports; research.
The Council Auditor's Office shall prepare such periodic, interim and special audit reports as are required by Section 5.10 of the Charter, Chapter 102, the Council President or the Committee on Finance. The Council Auditor's Office shall do such other research as the Council President, the Committee on Finance or individual Council members may request or require concerning the financial, staffing or management affairs of the Consolidated Government or of the agencies to which the Council makes miscellaneous appropriations. The Council Auditor's Office may also, from time to time, enter into contracts with the City's independent auditor to develop staffing analysis procedures and assist in the performance of staffing analysis reviews of the Consolidated Government.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 86-985-864, § 1)
Note— Derived from Rule 1.402, Rules of the Council.
Sec. 13.104. - Audit staff.
In fulfilling his duties, the Council Auditor shall be assisted by Assistant Council Auditors, appointed by the Council, and by various public accounts auditors and civil service personnel as are provided from time to time in the budget and under general City procedure.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 98-874-E, § 1)
Note— Derived from Rule 1.403, Rules of the Council.
Sec. 13.105. - Council Auditor to assist independent auditor.
The Council Auditor shall render assistance to the independent auditor appointed by the Council under Section 5.11 of the Charter as agreed upon between him and the independent auditor. This assistance shall be extended to all special audits or limited examinations ordered by the Council under Section 5.11 of the Charter.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Sec. 13.106. - Rules of Council Auditor; principles and practices to be considered.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the financial transactions of each executive, legislative and judicial agency and of each public or private agency to which the Council makes miscellaneous appropriations shall be subject to audit by the Council Auditor's Office in accordance with such principles and procedures and under such rules as may be prescribed by the Council Auditor. In the determination of auditing procedures to be followed and the extent of examination of vouchers and other documents, the Council Auditor shall give due regard to generally accepted principles of auditing, including internal audit and control, and related administrative practices of the respective agencies.
(Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Chapter 14 - OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL
Sec. 14.101. - Office of Legislative Counsel created.
There is hereby created, an Office of Legislative Counsel, which may be staffed by a chief legislative counsel, assistant legislative counsels, paralegals, or specially retained outside counsels, all to serve the special legal needs of the City Council.
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Sec. 14.102. - Authority.
The Office of Legislative Counsel is created pursuant to Section 7.01, Charter, which states: "the council may create an office of legislative counsel within the legislative branch whose purpose shall be to advise and assist the council and its committees and members in the achievement of a clear, faithful and coherent expression of legislative policies and to perform such other related duties for the council as the council may by ordinance direct."
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Sec. 14.103. - Purpose and Scope of Services.
The purpose of this Chapter is to make available to the City Council, as needed, independent legal advice, counsel and services. The City Council hereby recognizes that on occasion, conflicting issues may arise between the legislative branch, the executive branch and the independent agencies, such that independent legal advocacy and counsel, separate from the Office of General Counsel, may be necessary. The only limitation on the scope of services provided by the Office of Legislative Counsel is that the services be directly related to matters that can reasonably be expected to be acted upon by the City Council.
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Sec. 14.104. - Administration.
The Office of Legislative Counsel shall be administratively housed, funded, budgeted and administered under and by the Council Secretary/Director.
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Sec. 14.105. - Staffing.
Attorney staffing and compensation for the Office of Legislative Counsel shall be effected and determined by the City Council Personnel Committee, subject to available funding, and subject to appeal by resolution of the City Council. Attorneys working for the Office of Legislative Counsel may be full or part-time City employees, or private attorneys or firms under engagement agreements approved by the Personnel Committee. No attorney in the office shall have civil service status or be entitled to the civil service protections of the Charter. The Council Secretary/Director shall coordinate and provide such administrative assistance that may be necessary for the proper functioning of the Office of Legislative Counsel.
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Sec. 14.106. - Initiation and Supervision of legal services.
Legal services provided by the Office of Legislative Counsel shall be initiated and supervised by the Council President; except that the City Council, by resolution, may initiate the use of the Office of Legislative Counsel.
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Sec. 14.107. - Coordination with Office of General Counsel.
It is contemplated that the relationship between the Office of Legislative Counsel and the Office of General Counsel shall be guided by the following principles:
(a)
Traditional legal services and staffing offered to the City Council by the Office of General Counsel shall continue.
(b)
As both the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Legislative Counsel share the singular purpose of supporting and representing the City of Jacksonville, the two offices shall, to the maximum extent practicable, cooperate and share legal resources, opinions, research, experts and expertise, and shall maintain strong and active lines of communication to vet legal issues, all for the ultimate purpose of providing the best legal outcomes to the City of Jacksonville.
(c)
The Office of Legislative Counsel and the Council Secretary/Director shall coordinate with the Office of General Counsel in order to make available hard copy and electronic research to the Office of Legislative Counsel in the most cost effective manner to the City.
(d)
Nothing contained herein is intended to limit the General Counsel's authority to issue legal opinions as provided for in Section 7.02, Charter.
(Ord. 2014-664-E, § 1)
Chapter 15 - JACKSONVILLE SUNSHINE LAW COMPLIANCE ACT
Sec. 15.101. - Statement of purpose.
The purpose of the Jacksonville Sunshine Law Compliance Act is to ensure compliance with the Sunshine Law, F.S. Ch. 286, and to create procedures, methods, best practices and education that will enhance compliance with open meeting laws, and enhance and maintain public confidence and transparency in the legislative practices of the City Council.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.102. - Applicability; Public Meeting, Location defined.
(a)
The Jacksonville Sunshine Law Compliance Act shall apply to the Jacksonville City Council and those public meetings of the Council that are contemplated by F.S. Ch. 286, including meetings of the Council and Council committees, and meetings between and amongst Council Members. These meetings shall hereinafter be identified in this Chapter as "Council Public Meetings". Since other agencies are already obligated to comply with Florida's Sunshine Law, Ch. 286, F.S., even if Council Members serve thereon or attend, the Jacksonville Sunshine Law Compliance Act shall not be applicable to the noticed meetings of the various other commissions and agencies established by law, ordinance or executive order.
(b)
Public location shall mean any government owned building.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-135-E, § 1; Ord. 2013-285-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.103. - Notice of Council Public Meetings; posting and timing.
(a)
All council public meetings shall be publicly noticed in a timely manner. The notices required shall include at a minimum (i) the date and time of the meeting noticed, (ii) the date and time the notices are posted, (iii) the location of the meeting, and (iv) the general subject matter of the meeting, and (v) the Council Member calling the meeting and any other Council Members who, at the time of notice, are expected to be in attendance.
(b)
Council Public Meeting notices shall be provided on the Council's internet website, which utilizes modern technology and provides swift public notice to all of Jacksonville. In addition to the internet, posting of notices shall be made at such locations at City Hall where public meetings are generally noticed, and by such other methods as may be appropriate or required by particular circumstances.
(c)
Notice of Council Public Meetings shall be posted for at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, not including weekends and holidays.
(d)
Notwithstanding subsection (c) above, notice of Council Public Meetings may be posted for a period of less than 24 hours, only in the event of an emergency, and when approved in writing by the Council President and with notice to the City's Ethics Director.
(e)
A copy of the notices of all Council Public Meetings shall be provided to and maintained in a retrievable format and filing system developed by the Legislative Services Division.
(f)
The Director/Council Secretary shall develop and implement standardized policy and procedures for City Council sunshine meeting notices and uniform calendaring practices.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2008-329-E, § 1; Ord. 2013-285-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.104. - Public Meetings location.
(a)
All Council Public Meetings shall be conducted in such places as will assure open, reasonable, and convenient access to the public.
(b)
The locations for Council Public Meetings include the Council Chambers and public conference, meeting, or committee rooms. Public meetings shall not be held in the individual offices of Council Members, except in the event of exigent circumstances.
(c)
Public locations shall be used for all Council Public Meetings, unless other locations are approved in writing. A request therefore shall be made in one written submission to both the City Ethics Officer and the Office of General Counsel Ethics Liaison, with a copy thereof delivered to the Council President. Written approval shall be required from either the City Ethics Officer or the Office of General Counsel Ethics Liaison, with a copy thereof provided to the Council President and to the other approving authority.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-135-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.105. - Public Meeting; commencement and adjournment.
The business and conversations conducted during a noticed Council Public Meeting shall commence upon the chair's or Council Member's opening of the meeting, and shall conclude upon adjournment. The mere fact that a meeting has been noticed, does not authorize action or discussions prior to the opening of the meeting or following its adjournment.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.106. - Public Meetings minutes.
(a)
Each Council member is responsible for the taking and preparation (or delegation thereof) of the minutes of each Council Public Meeting noticed by that Council Member, in a manner as required by F.S. Ch. 286, and subsection (c) below.
(b)
The Director/Council Secretary shall be responsible for developing and implementing procedures for assuring:
(1)
Minutes are written for all noticed Council Public Meetings;
(2)
Minutes are filed; and
(3)
A system for the maintenance and retrieval of minutes is developed for all minutes of Council Public Meetings.
(c)
The minutes of every Council Public Meeting conducted between two or more Council Members outside of the regular Council meeting or committee meeting structure shall reflect, at a minimum:
(1)
The location, date and time the meeting commenced and adjourned;
(2)
The members of the Council, other public officials and employees, and registered lobbyists in attendance;
(3)
The substance of the discussions and positions presented by the persons in attendance.
(d)
A copy of the minutes of all noticed Council Public Meetings shall be kept, with the notice to such meetings, by the Legislative Services Division. The Legislative Services Division shall develop such systems and policies as are necessary for the orderly filing, maintaining and retrieval of minutes.
(e)
No less than once every 30 days, the Legislative Services Division shall review notices of all Council Public Meetings to ensure that copies of the minutes of all applicable public meetings have been placed on file in the Legislative Services Division.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-135-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.107. - Biannual (every two years) review and report on Council notices, meeting locations, and minutes.
(a)
The Inspector General's Office shall review information provided by the Legislative Services Division regarding:
(1)
The notices of Council Public Meetings;
(2)
The location of such public meetings; and
(3)
Written minutes of such public meetings, and prepare an annual report thereon.
The Inspector General shall file such report with the Council committee to which audit matters are referred, the Council President, the City Ethics Officer, and the Ethics Commission, who may comment thereon.
(b)
The report, as required by subsection (a) above, shall include confirmation, through methods and means developed by the Inspector General, that:
(1)
Notices were public and timely, and not less than 24 hours exclusive of weekends and holidays, and accessible to the public by internet;
(2)
That meetings were located in appropriate public rooms, with a list of all meetings held in Council Members' offices;
(3)
That minutes were written, maintained in the filing system, and available for retrieval; and
(4)
That all Council Members and Executive Council Assistants have received annual continuing education and training on the Sunshine Law;
and shall provide recommendations, as appropriate to improve compliance, as authorized by Section 15.109 below. The report shall be based upon a review of that information collected and provided by the Council Secretary/designee, and any other information that is known to the Inspector General.
(c)
The Inspector General's review shall commence in even number years on May 1st, 60 days prior to installation of a new Council President, and the report shall be provided no later than June 1. The Inspector General's review shall be based upon statistically significant samples from the preceding two years.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-135-E, § 1; Ord. 2013-285-E, § 1; Ord. 2014-519-E, § 7)
Sec. 15.108. - Annual continuing education and training.
(a)
Council Members and Executive Council Assistants shall receive annual training on Government in the Sunshine, open meetings laws, ethics laws, and up to one hour devoted to updates on relevant changes to or interpretations or applications of such laws, if any, or other areas of emphasis as determined by the Office of General Counsel or the City Ethics Director. The Office of General Counsel, with the assistance of the City Ethics Director, the Director/Council Secretary and other supporting agencies, shall provide annual training to assist the Council Members and Executive Council Assistants in meeting this requirement. Such training may include annual in person/live training totaling 4 credit hours, four in person/live trainings of 1 credit hour each and in person, one-on-one training as follows:
(1)
Council Members and their Executive Council Assistants shall be required during the first year of a Council Member's term in office to attend in person, if possible, or if unable to attend in person, following the submission of a written excusal submitted to the Director/Council Secretary, to view the recording of the current year's training provided by the Office of General Counsel, the City Ethics Director and the Director/Council Secretary.
(2)
Thereafter, Council Members and their Executive Council Assistants may fulfill the requirement of this Section as follows:
a.
attending in person or viewing the recordings of the current year's trainings provided by the Office of General Counsel, the City Ethics Director and the Director/Council Secretary, including the annual training or other Office of General Counsel, City Ethics Director and Director/Council Secretary training sessions totaling 4 credit hours per year, or
b.
attending in person or viewing a recording of trainings offered by external organizations such as the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Commission on Ethics, and the State of Florida Attorney General's Office, and also completing, by either attending in person or viewing a recording of the current year's training provided by the Office of General Counsel, the City Ethics Director, and the Director/Council Secretary of up to one hour regarding relevant updates and changes to or interpretations or applications of Government in the Sunshine, open meetings and ethics laws, or any areas of emphasis as determined by the Office of General Counsel or the City Ethics Director. Trainings provided by external organizations shall only satisfy the requirements in this Section if such training materials have been previously approved by either the Florida Commission on Ethics or the State of Florida Attorney General's Office, or upon review and approval by the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Oversight.
(b)
The date and time of the annual trainings offered by the Office of General Counsel, the City Ethics Director and the Director/Council Secretary as provided in subsection (a) shall be determined by the Director/Council Secretary, City Ethics Director, and Office of General Counsel. The format and duration of these trainings shall also be coordinated by the Director/Council Secretary, City Ethics Director and Office of General Counsel and shall be sufficient to fulfill the requirements of F.S. § 112.3142. The Office of General Counsel and City Ethics Director shall notify the Director/Council Secretary of any one-on-one trainings provided to individual Council Members and Executive Council Assistants.
(c)
All Council Members and Executive Council Assistants attending or required to attend the annual training provided pursuant to subsection (a) shall be provided materials in electronic format.
(d)
In addition to the aforementioned annual training, training on Government in the Sunshine, open meetings laws and ethics shall be provided upon special request. These presentations may be given at committee or Council meetings or at other times as may be directed by the Council President.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2008-329-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-135-E, § 1; Ord. 2013-285-E, § 1; Ord. 2016-6-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-658-E, § 1)
Sec. 15.109. - Recommendations for improved compliance.
The Director/Council Secretary, the City Ethics Director, and the Office of General Counsel, may make recommendations for improvements to this Chapter to the City Council.
(Ord. 2007-733-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-135-E, § 1; Ord. 2013-285-E, § 1)
Chapter 16 - CITY COUNCIL SERVICE INCENTIVE AWARDS PROGRAM
Sec. 16.101. - Purpose and intent.
It is hereby determined and declared:
(a)
The growth of the size of government and of the population of Jacksonville has decreased the contact and understanding between citizens and civil servants. As a consequence of such lack of communication, acts of valor and exceptional service have gone unrecognized and no incentive exists for employees of the City or the citizenry to act for the good of their fellow citizens rather than personal gain, nor have the children of this community been provided in their formative years with clear and convincing evidence of the benefits of exceptional public service and models of such service to emulate. Apathy has replaced involvement as the motto of many employees and citizens.
(b)
Those employees of the Consolidated Government who are directly responsible for police and fire protection may be subject to grave personal risks in the performance of their duties and their assumption of these risks is of immeasurable benefit to the public health, safety and welfare, and deserves special recognition.
(c)
It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to increase the incidence of acts of service and valor performed by the employees of the City, including the independent agencies, and the residents of the City, by specially recognizing those whose acts of valor and service promote the public health, safety and welfare.
(Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Note— Former § 134.101.
Sec. 16.102. - Establishment and procedure.
(a)
Establishment. A City Council Service Incentive Awards Program is hereby established to recognize special acts of service to the community and thereby provide incentives for others to act to increasingly serve the public health, safety and welfare.
(b)
Procedure and standards for applications and approval of awards.
(1)
Any resident or employee of the City and its independent agencies may nominate any other resident or employee of the City and its independent agencies by filing a nomination application with the Council Secretary. The application shall contain the information required by Section 16.103.
(2)
The Committee on Rules shall review and investigate each application and, if the granting of an award is deemed to be in furtherance of the purpose and intent of this Chapter, the Committee shall cause to be introduced into the Council in its name a resolution authorizing the granting of the award and describing the category of award in accordance with Section 16.104 and the incident or service justifying such award.
(3)
Upon the adoption of a resolution granting an award, the Council President shall present the award to the recipient or his representative at a regular meeting of the Council.
(Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Note— Former § 134.102.
Sec. 16.103. - Contents of application.
A nomination application shall contain the following information:
(a)
The name, residence and business address and telephone numbers of the person making the nomination;
(b)
The name of the nominee, his occupation, and business or residence address;
(c)
Any relationship, whether of kindred, business or professional, between the nominator and the nominee;
(d)
The category of award, in accordance with Section 16.104, for which the nominee is recommended; and
(e)
A description of the actions or services for which the nominee is recommended for an award, including the names of other persons who may verify the actions or services for which an award is recommended, if known.
(Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Note— Former § 134.103.
Sec. 16.104. - Categories and descriptions of awards.
The Committee on Rules may recommend and the Council may approve the granting of awards for acts and services in accordance with the following categories and descriptions:
(a)
The City Council Service Medal of Honor shall be presented only to police officers or firefighters for outstanding courage and valor involving the risking of life and limb in an effort to serve with total disregard for personal safety. It shall consist of a blue ribbon and a gold-colored medal.
(b)
The City Council Citizens Medal of Honor shall be presented only to a resident of the City or an employee of the City or its independent agencies (excluding police officers and firefighters) for outstanding courage and valor evidenced by a specific action involving the risking of life and limb in an effort to serve with total disregard for personal safety. It shall consist of a red ribbon and a gold-colored medal.
(c)
The Injury in the Line of Duty Medal shall be presented only to an employee of the City or its independent agencies (including police officers and firefighters) receiving injuries during the course of performance of his duties that require hospitalization and from a cause or causes not attributable in whole or in part to the employee's negligence. It shall consist of a white ribbon and a purple heart-shaped medallion.
(Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Note— Former § 134.104.
Sec. 16.105. - Certificate of commendation or appreciation.
The Council President is hereby authorized and permitted to execute and the Council Secretary is hereby authorized to execute and affix the seal of the City Council to a Certificate of Commendation or Appreciation to be presented to a person, group or entity on behalf of the City Council to honor, commend or recognize such person, group or entity for outstanding service, accomplishment or distinction. Such certificate may be initiated by any Council Member by request to the Council President and any Council Member may elect to sign a letter to accompany the certificate when transmitted to the recipient or recipients thereof.
(Ord. 94-901-479, § 1)
Chapter 17 - CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION[1]
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Editor's note— Ord. 2004-584-E, §§ 1 and 2, amended the Code by repealing former ch. 17, §§ 17.101—17.105, and added a new Ch. 17. Former Ch. 17 pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. 72-51-37; Ord. 83-591-400; Ord. 91-495-219; Ord. 92-410-310; and Ord. 97-741-E.
Cross reference— Boards and commissions, Tit. IV.
State Law reference— Counties, Fla. Const. Art. VIII, § 1; municipalities, Fla. Const. Art. VIII, § 2; charter commission, F.S. § 125.61; charter commission, organization, F.S. § 125.62; charter amendments, F.S. § 166.031.
Sec. 17.101. - Charter Revision Commission created.
There is hereby created a Charter Revision Commission of the City. The commission shall be appointed during the month of May 2009, and shall thereafter be reappointed every ten years during the month of May in the year prior to the taking of the U.S. decennial census. The Commission shall, within eight months from the date of its first meeting, present to the Council any recommendations for amendment to the Charter. After the presentation to the Council, the memberships, duties, and powers of that appointed Commission shall cease. The provisions of Chapter 50 shall apply to the Commission.
(Ord. 2004-584-E, § 2)
Sec. 17.102. - Membership.
The Commission shall consist of not less than 11 nor more than 15 members recommended by the Council President and appointed by the Council. The chairman of the Commission shall be recommended by the Council and appointed by the Council President. A vacancy occurring during a term may be filled upon recommendation of the Council President and appointment by the Council for the unexpired term of the vacated position. Of the membership of the Commission there shall be included at least one member who resides within each School Board district.
(Ord. 2004-584-E, § 2)
Sec. 17.103. - Powers and duties.
The Commission shall make recommendations to the Council and the member of the Legislature representing Duval County concerning those provisions in the Charter and other special acts of the Legislature affecting the Consolidated City of Jacksonville. In making its recommendations, the Commission shall consider whatever factors are relevant to the establishment of a relationship between the state and local units of government in the Consolidated City of Jacksonville and which are best calculated to fulfill the needs of the citizens of the Consolidated City of Jacksonville.
(Ord. 2004-584-E, § 2)
Sec. 17.104. - Commission secretary.
The Council Secretary shall be the secretary to the Commission.
(Ord. 2004-584-E, § 2)
Chapter 18 - REDISTRICTING OF COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS[1]
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Editor's note— Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1, amended the title of Ch. 18. Formerly, Ch. 18 was entitled "Reapportionment of Council and School Board Districts."
Charter reference— Reapportionment of council districts, § 5.02; school board districts, § 13.02; apportionment of school board districts, § 13.03.
Sec. 18.101. - Legislative findings.
The Council finds and determines as follows:
(a)
Charter Sections 5.02 and 13.03 impose upon the Council the duty and responsibility of redistricting the Council districts and the School Board districts;
(b)
In making this redistricting, the Council is obligated to insure that all districts are as nearly equal in population and are arranged in as logical and compact a geographical pattern as it is possible to achieve and to insure that all federal and state constitutions, laws and requirements are complied with;
(c)
While the Council districts are based upon population with respect to their size, the geographical arrangement and territorial boundaries of the districts must take into consideration other factors, particularly compactness and contiguity, so that the people of the City, and their varied economic, social and ethnic interests and objectives, are adequately represented in the Council; and
(d)
This Chapter is enacted in order to set forth legislative policy, to provide for appropriate public input, and to provide for an adequate review of the redistricting plan before it is enacted into law.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 1; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Editor's note— A reference in this Section to § 11.03 of the Charter has been changed to reflect the correct Section, § 13.03.
Note— Former § 4.101.
Sec. 18.102. - Definitions.
In this Chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:
(a)
Census means the official decennial census master enumeration district list published by the Bureau of the Census and containing the population figures for the City.
(b)
Department means the Planning and Development Department.
(c)
Director means the Director of Planning and Development.
(d)
District means one of the 14 Council districts into which the General Services District is required to be divided by Section 5.01 of the Charter.
(e)
Plan means a plan or scheme for the redistricting of Council districts, which shall also be a redistricting of School Board districts by operation of Section 13.03 of the Charter.
(f)
Redistricting Committee means the committee of the Council appointed by the President to study redistricting and draft a redistricting plan; such committee may be a special committee or a standing committee designated as the Redistricting Committee; such committee's duties will terminate with the submission of a proposed plan to the Council.
(g)
Redistricting Consultant or Consultant means the Department or a person, partnership, corporation or entity requested or hired by the Council to assist the Council in drafting a redistricting plan.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 2; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.102.
Sec. 18.103. - Reserved.
Editor's note— The provisions of former § 18.103, relative to time for reapportionment, were deleted as part of the Super Supplement to the Code. Former § 18.103 derived from Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; and Ord. 83-591-400, § 1.
Note— Former § 4.103.
Sec. 18.104. - Preparation of plan.
Whenever the Council President deems appropriate, but no more than six months after the official date for the taking of the decennial census, the President shall appoint a special committee or designate a standing committee to serve as a Redistricting Committee. The Redistricting Committee shall investigate possible persons or entities, including the Planning Department, qualified to serve as a Redistricting Consultant. If it deems appropriate, the Redistricting Committee shall send out a request for proposals. After it has completed its investigation, the Redistricting Consultant shall present to the Council the names of the persons or entities recommended to be chosen as the Redistricting Consultant. Such selection shall be based on professional qualifications and experience in redistricting. Unless the Department is chosen, the hiring of a Redistricting Consultant shall follow the Purchasing Code, except that the final choice of the Redistricting Consultant shall be made by the Council. In addition, the Redistricting Committee shall adopt a schedule for preparation of a plan to be submitted to the Council. Within 150 days after U.S. Bureau of the Census certification of the final population count for the City, the Redistricting Committee will submit to the Council a final proposed plan pursuant to Section 18.106. The Redistricting Committee shall have available all alternative plans considered but not recommended. If the Department is not requested to be the Redistricting Consultant, the Department shall advise the Council and the Redistricting Committee with regard to any matter the Council deems advisable.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 3; Ord. 91-759-252, § 1; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.104.
Sec. 18.105. - Reserved.
Editor's note— Former § 18.105 which pertained to guidelines and derived from § 1 of Ord. 81-827-390 and § 1 of Ord. 83-591-400, was repealed by § 4 of Ord. 90-765-354.
Sec. 18.106. - Transmission of plan to Council; report.
Not later than 150 days after the census is published, the Redistricting Committee shall transmit to the Council the proposed plan. The plan shall be in the form of an ordinance, introduced by the Redistricting Committee, amending Appendix 1 of the Charter to substitute for the then-existing district boundaries, the proposed district boundaries. The plan shall be accompanied by a report containing the following information:
(a)
A map of the General Services District showing both the existing district boundaries and the proposed district boundaries;
(b)
A table indicating the population of each proposed district and the variations of each such population from the population average for all the districts, with an explanation of the variation in each district;
(c)
A statement of the methodology used in arriving at the particular plan recommended by the Redistricting Committee;
(d)
An appendix of any other redistricting plans considered or created by the Redistricting Committee in the process of creating the recommended plan, with the reasons for rejection of each such redistricting plan; and
(e)
Comments and recommendations deemed necessary or advisable by the Redistricting Committee to explain or illustrate the plan.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 4; Ord. 91-759-252, § 2; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.106.
Sec. 18.107. - Reference to Rules Committee; public hearings; report.
(a)
As soon as the plan is received by the Council Secretary, it shall be referred to the Rules Committee. The ordinance amending the Charter shall be introduced at the next regular Council meeting following its reception by the Council Secretary, but the Rules Committee may begin consideration of the ordinance as soon as it is referred. It shall not be in order at any time to move for the enactment of the ordinance as an emergency measure. It shall not be in order to move for withdrawal of the ordinance from the Rules Committee, less than 60 days after the ordinance has been referred to the Rules Committee. The ordinance shall be a priority item of business of the Rules Committee, and the Rules Committee shall consider and report the ordinance with all deliberate speed. The Redistricting Consultant shall provide all necessary information and support to the Rules Committee, and the Director shall advise the Rules Committee during its deliberations or provide it with knowledgeable staff personnel.
(b)
The Rules Committee shall hold not less than three public hearings, at three separate places in the City, on the ordinance and the plan. The public hearings shall be advertised and held in accordance with the Council rules, and they shall be held after five p.m. and on any day except Sunday. Copies of the ordinance, the plan and the report of the Redistricting Consultant shall be made available to the public upon request and shall be available at the places where the public hearings are held. Written comments or views submitted by members of the public shall be made a part of the official record of the proceedings. The Rules Committee shall consider the testimony heard and evidence received at the public hearings, but it shall not be bound by them nor confined in its deliberations to them. These public hearings shall be completed not later than 45 days after the ordinance is referred to the Rules Committee.
(c)
As soon as practicable, but not less than 15 days, after the public hearings have been completed, the Rules Committee shall report the ordinance to the Council. If the Council adopts amendments to the ordinance which substantially change the boundary lines of the proposed districts, the ordinance shall be recommitted to the Rules Committee and it shall hold additional public hearings to receive the comments and views of those persons who are or would be affected by the amendments. All such additional public hearings shall be completed not later than 75 days after the ordinance was originally referred to the Rules Committee, and the Rules Committee shall report the ordinance as amended as soon as practicable after the additional public hearings are completed.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 4; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.107.
Sec. 18.108. - Enactment of ordinance; effective date of redistricted districts.
The ordinance amending Appendix 1 of the Charter shall be enacted by the Council according to its rules, except as provided in Section 18.107. The ordinance shall become effective at the time therein stated, but the redistricted districts shall not become effective for the purpose of electing members of the Council until the next general Consolidated Government election which occurs at least nine months after the enactment of the ordinance.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 4; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.108.
Sec. 18.109. - Redistricting by Circuit Court.
If the Council has not enacted a plan within eight months after the official publication of the census, the Council Secretary shall certify this fact to the General Counsel. The General Counsel shall forthwith petition the Circuit Court for the Fourth Judicial Circuit to make the redistricting required by the Charter and this Chapter. An order of the Circuit Court making the redistricting shall be considered the same as an ordinance amending Appendix 1 of the Charter, and shall be given the same effect under this Chapter. The redistricting order shall be included in the printed Charter in the same manner as an ordinance amending Appendix 1 thereof.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Editor's note— Ord. 82-490-191, § 1 permitted approval of the 1980 reapportionment plan not later than June 22, 1982, notwithstanding that this date extended beyond the period allowed by this Section.
Note— Former § 4.109.
Sec. 18.110. - Effect on School Board districts.
The redistricting of the 14 Council districts shall automatically redistrict the School Board districts, as provided in Section 13.02 of the Charter. The description of the School Board districts contained in Appendix 2 of the Charter shall determine the Council districts comprising each School Board district. The Council may, by ordinance, amend Appendix 2 of the Charter, to change the Council districts comprising each School Board district, subject to the requirements of Section 13.03 of the Charter, which shall also be considered a redistricting. Any redistricting of School Board districts shall not affect any term of office in existence at the time the redistricting becomes effective, but shall be applicable at the next School Board election which occurs at least nine months after the redistricting.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 90-765-354, § 4; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.110.
Sec. 18.111. - Effect on appointive offices.
A change in the division of the City into districts shall not vacate or otherwise affect the office of any member of an appointed board, commission or independent agency who is serving at the time the redistricting becomes official and who was appointed by reference to a district as it existed at the time such member was appointed. A member shall continue to represent the district in which he resided at the time of his appointment until the expiration of his term or until he resigns from the board, commission or independent agency, notwithstanding that, as a result of the redistricting, the member no longer resides in the district from which he was appointed.
(Ord. 81-827-390, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.111.
Sec. 18.112. - Post-enactment of Redistricting.
The Council Secretary/Director shall comply with the post-redistricting enactment requirements of F.S. § 124.02 (Notice of change of boundaries of district to be given by publication), § 124.03 (Description of district boundaries to be furnished Department of State), and § 1001.36 (District school board member residence areas), as may be amended from time to time.
(Ord. 2012-74-E, § 1)
Note— Former § 4.111.
Sec. 4.103. - Reservation of power to elect treatment as County or municipality. TITLE III - EXECUTIVE BRANCH