Emergency! Should We Call FEMA?

Emergency!  Should We Call FEMA?

Categorized | Competitive Bidding

We have another “emergency” bill probably coming up for a vote at the Jacksonville City Council meeting this Tuesday. The bill is 2009-467 and its purpose is to appropriate $168,078 for the installation of a new batting cage and picnic pavilion at Wingate Park in Jacksonville Beach.  Apparently, the “emergency” is that the contractor specified in the bill (Jaguar Builders of Jax, Inc.) is working at a location close to the park.  On account of this lucky break, the contractor avoids the competitive bidding process and the usual construction bond requirement. It would be very unfortunate that after the City Council made the right decision by rejecting the no bid Trail Ridge contract that they would so quickly abandon the competitive bidding process on such flimsy grounds. The bill is sponsored by the incoming City Council President Richard Clark. Hopefully, this is not a sign of the City Council’s future under his leadership.

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Jacksonville City Government Tax and Spend Hall of Shame

  • Out of Control County Courthouse Costs
    The original cost of the new county courthouse was supposed to be $190 million, but it soon ballooned up to $400 million before it was finally approved at $350 million by the City Council.
  • Peyton's Three New Fees
    Following the property tax reductions enacted by the Florida legislature, Mayor Peyton and the City Council rolled back needed tax relief by imposing three new costly and regressive fees on Jacksonville taxpayers.
  • Shipyard Debacle
    What do you get when you join a poorly drawn up contract with lax oversight of the downtown riverfront project by the city? $36.5 million spent, no downtown park and riverwalk and a black eye for the JEDC.

Jacksonville City Government Tax and Spend Hall of Shame






Out of Control County Courthouse Costs

The original cost of the new county courthouse was supposed to be $190 million, but it soon ballooned up to $400 million before it was finally approved at $350 million by the City Council.

Peyton's Three New Fees

Following the property tax reductions enacted by the Florida legislature, Mayor Peyton and the City Council rolled back needed tax relief by imposing three new costly and regressive fees on Jacksonville taxpayers.

Shipyard Debacle

What do you get when you join a poorly drawn up contract with lax oversight of the downtown riverfront project by the city? $36.5 million spent, no downtown park and riverwalk and a black eye for the JEDC.