U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited Jacksonville this week to discuss the Affordable Care Act with community stakeholders.

Dozens of community stakeholders representing hospitals, non-profits and local government attended a meeting with the Secretary at the Sulzbacher Center on Monday. The meeting was held in anticipation of the Oct. 1 enrollment launch supported by www.healthcare.gov, a government website to connect people with insurance options. Read more in the Mayor's Blog.

HealthCare.gov and a toll-free line, (800) 318-2596, are available to help people explore insurance options available under the Affordable Care Act. 

See more photos from Sec. Sebelius' visit on Sept. 16, 2013

Dr. Annmarie Kent-Willette, an award-winning educator and communications expert, will serve as Jacksonville’s education commissioner, Mayor Alvin Brown announced today at Jacksonville University. Dr. Kent-Willette will serve on-loan from Jacksonville University for a term of two years.

“As a parent, accomplished professional and educator, Dr. Kent-Willette brings passion and insight into this important role to build partnerships and advocate for quality education throughout Jacksonville,” said Mayor Brown. “We’ve already made great progress with efforts to build mentorship, expose more young people to the possibility of college and promote financial literacy for all ages. We must continue to intensify our focus and work together. The education commissioner plays a key role.” Read more

Program Creates a Long-Range Arts Education Plan for Students Grades K-8

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has chosen Jacksonville, Florida as the 14th site for Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child, a program that creates a long-range arts education plan for students in grades K-8. The program will incorporate existing resources of the Duval County Public Schools, along with those of local arts organizations and the Kennedy Center to create a plan for arts education specific to the city.

Any Given Child seeks to bring access, balance, and equity to each student’s arts education, using an affordable model that combines the resources of the school district, local arts groups and the Kennedy Center. With the assistance of expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a long-range plan for arts education that is tailor-made for the school district and community.

Move Expands to 1 Gigabit Network, Saves Up to $200,000

The City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), JEA and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) are consolidating their internet service in a move that will produce up to $200,000 in combined savings annually. Mayor Alvin Brown announced the cost-savings move in a news conference on Monday.

“This is a great opportunity for all the partner agencies to work together to provide superior service and save money at a time we need to make every dollar count,” said Mayor Brown. “With a growing number of websites and applications helping to expand the reach of city government, we owe it to taxpayers to invest wisely in the most effective and efficient systems to keep everyone connected.”
 

Former Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler died today at the age of 86.

In office from 1967 to 1979, Mayor Tanzler was the first mayor of the consolidated City of Jacksonville. A Jacksonville native, Tanzler graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Florida. Mayor Tanzler was a dedicated public servant, and was well known as a strong advocate for local education, economic and downtown development, and our treasured St. Johns River.

Statement from Mayor Alvin Brown

Slideshow: Mayor Hans Tanzler

Mayor Alvin Brown delivered the proposal and his annual address to City Council on July 15, 2013.

Total spending: $952.9 million
Retirement obligations: $181.3 million
Balanced without tax increase or use of reserve funding
Eliminates more than $60 million to keep Jacksonville living within its means

To learn more about the mayor’s budget proposal, visit MyJaxBudget.com
 

The Jacksonville City Council will meet in Council Chambers today at 4 p.m. for the installation of the Honorable William I. Gulliford, Jr., as the 2013-2014 Council President, and the Honorable Clay Yarborough, as the 2013-2014 Council Vice President. In accordance with Council Rules the positions will become effective July 1, 2013.

The event is free and open to the public at City Hall - St. James, 117 W. Duval St.

Watch live video, starting at 4 p.m.

Don't just be ready this hurricane season, be JaxReady! The City of Jacksonville partnered with the Times-Union Media, First Coast News, the American Red Cross and WJCT to produce the 2013 Emergency Preparedness Guide, at no cost to taxpayers.

Download the 2013 Emergency Preparedness Guide

You can pick up a copy in the Sunday, June 2 edition of the Florida Times-Union, or pick up a copy at various locations throughout the city starting June 3, listed here. To learn more about Emergency Preparedness, visit www.JaxReady.com or get the JaxReady mobile app.

Hurricane Season Starts Saturday, But Residents Can Plan Now For All Hazards

Hurricane season starts Saturday, but the public should prepare now for any emergency.

Proper planning can help people have the right plan in place to respond and recover from emergencies – not just storms, but fires, floods and other hazards. Mayor Alvin Brown and leaders of the American Red Cross of Northeast Florida and Duval County Emergency Management are providing resources to assist residents and business owners with precautions in 2013.

Mayor Alvin Brown will host Mayor Brown’s Interfaith Breakfast on May 20 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The breakfast, featuring Bishop T. D. Jakes of The Potter’s House of Dallas, will focus on the theme "Faith, Family and Friends." The event will explore ways to build community partnerships that will improve education and reduce crime. During the event, Mayor Brown will launch initiatives focusing on mentoring local youth, as well as crime prevention and intervention.

Learn more about Mayor Brown's Interfaith Breakfast at JaxHappenings.com

Mayor Alvin Brown today announced an agreement on retirement reform with the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters (JAFF), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund (JPFPF).

The new agreement is projected to save taxpayers approximately $1.1 billion over 30 years, including almost $50 million in the next Fiscal Year alone (10/1/2013 to 9/30/2014). To put those numbers in perspective, the first year savings alone are the same amount of money needed to pay the compensation of approximately 800 city employees. The savings equal the combined budgets of the Jacksonville Public Libraries and the City Planning and Development Department.

“I greatly respect our brave public safety employees and the important work they do for our community,” said Mayor Brown. “This agreement is a product of partnership between the City and public safety professionals. Together, we have achieved retirement reform that will help ensure financial sustainability for both taxpayers and employees.”

Learn more at www.coj.net/RetirementReform.

Five City of Jacksonville Department of Public Works employees demonstrated excellence in equipment operation and winning skills at the Equipment Rodeo held on Wednesday, April 24, during the American Public Works Association (APWA) Florida Chapter conference held in Jacksonville.

The centerpiece of the day’s event was the Professional Skills Competition held in the parking lot of the Prime Osborn Convention Center. APWA-approved equipment dealers hosted eight challenging and innovative events aimed to test the skills, safety and time of competitors. Types of equipment featured at the event included a mini-excavator, a sewer cleaner, a backhoe loader and a remote-control mower. Competitions included obstacle courses and tasks emphasizing skill and agility.