Mayor Appoints Director for Military Affairs and Veterans Department and New Director of Public Affairs

Mayor Lenny Curry today appointed retired U.S. Navy Commander William S. Spann as Director of Military Affairs and Veterans Department and Ms. Marsha Oliver as Director of Public Affairs. 

Ms. Oliver currently serves as Chief of Public Relations and Marketing for the Duval County Public Schools.  Commander Spann currently serves as Mayor Curry’s Director of Public Affairs.

Asks Regional Water Planners to "Look for a Better Solution"

In a letter to officials of the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI), a consortium of five Central Florida counties looking to siphon up to 155 millions of gallons of water daily from the St. Johns River, Mayor Lenny Curry has asked that water withdrawals from the upper and middle basins of the St. Johns River be put on hold until additional work exploring alternative water supply options is completed.

“While we are committed to working with the CFWI to develop a long-term strategy,” Mayor Curry said upon the letter’s release, “we’re asking those involved to look for a better solution in meeting that region's water supply needs.”

Mayor Lenny Curry’s Transition Subcommittees presented their final reports to the administration on Aug. 6 during a presentation at City Hall. The Transition Subcommittees convened individuals with knowledge and expertise from throughout the community to help the new administration address the diverse issues facing Jacksonville. To learn more about the Transition Subcommittees and read their recommendations, visit www.coj.net/transition. 

Mayor Appoints Directors for Office of Economic Development and Fire & Rescue Department

Mayor Lenny Curry today announced key appointments to the Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department (JFRD). 

Kirk Wendland, current Director of Business Development at the architecture, engineering and construction firm Stellar, will serve as the director of OED.  Wendland has more than 28 years in the Jacksonville market, with previous experience as president of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and director of finance and administration for the Downtown Development Authority.

Kurtis Wilson, an 18-year veteran of JFRD, was appointed as Director and Fire Chief. Wilson is currently the captain of Marine Unit 39 and has previously served as division chief of Operations, Fire Prevention and Administrative Services. 

Move Will Create 123 Local Financial Services Jobs

International financial services company Macquarie Group will open an office in Downtown Jacksonville, creating 123 highly skilled jobs over the next two years.

The Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved the project on Tuesday as Project Post, and Macquarie officials announced today they selected Jacksonville as the home for these jobs, which have an average annual wage of more than $64,000.

Mayor Lenny Curry laid out his priorities and presented his proposed 2015-2016 Annual Budget to the Jacksonville City Council during a special meeting on Monday, July 20, 2015. View digital versions of the mayor's proposed budget and capital improvement plan at www.coj.net/myjaxbudget. 

Robin Lumb Will Serve as Mayor’s Director of Policy
 
Mayor Lenny Curry announced today that he has appointed Robin Lumb as his Director of Policy. 
 
In this capacity, Lumb – a former At-Large Jacksonville City Councilman – will report to newly appointed Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart.  

Playoff Teams Atlanta and New Orleans to Face Off in Third Annual Event

For the third straight year, Jacksonville will be a destination for the NBA as the Atlanta Hawks and the New Orleans Pelicans face off in a preseason game at Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday, Oct. 9.
 
The Hawks, who posted the best record in the Eastern Conference this season, will be playing a Pelicans team that advanced to the playoffs in the Western Conference for the first time since 2011.
 
“This year’s NBA game between two playoff teams showcases Jacksonville’s strong ability to host major events. We are excited that our partnership with the NBA will continue for a third successive year,” Mayor Alvin Brown said. “Our city’s record as a premier destination for sports and entertainment will only continue building momentum with this first-class show for basketball fans in 2015.”
 
The New Orleans Pelicans return to Jacksonville for the third year in a row. They feature All-NBA performer Anthony Davis coached by Alvin Gentry, who was an assistant coach for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors this past season.

Join the City of Jacksonville and PRI Productions in celebrating our nation’s independence with the annual 4^th of July Celebration. The event will feature a free concert at the Shipyards with performances by Jacksonville’s own Be Easy opening for pop/rock band Orleans. Orleans is best known for iconic hits “Still the One,” “Dance with Me,” and “Love Takes Time.” Activities kick off at 5 p.m. with family fun games and entertainment on the Northbank at the Shipyards and on the Southbank at Friendship Fountain.
 
Capping off the day’s events will be a spectacular fireworks display, choreographed to music, over the Downtown riverfront. The show will begin at 9:45 p.m.
 
The fireworks can be viewed from the Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns River. Fireworks will be launched near The Jacksonville Landing and the Shipyards.
 

On July 1, 2015, Mayor-Elect Lenny Curry will take office as the next mayor of Jacksonville. Work to ensure a successful, effective and seamless transition is underway. Learn more about the Transition Leadership Team, find out about upcoming meetings and stay up-to-date on the latest announcements by visiting Mayor-Elect Curry’s Transition website at coj.net/transition. 

Retirement Reform Agreement Saves Taxpayers $1.5 Billion Over 30 Years

Mayor Alvin Brown and the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund Board of Trustees signed off Friday on a new reform agreement that will provide long-term savings to taxpayers and support the retirements of the city’s first responders. The approval followed the City Council’s strong vote of support earlier this month for the reforms sponsored by Councilman Bill Gulliford.

More Than 100 Hiring Companies and Service Providers Expected

Job seekers from throughout the Jacksonville area can seek opportunities at the 2015 Citywide Job and Resource Fair at the Prime Osborn Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, hosted by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and Mayor Alvin Brown. More than 100 companies and service providers are expected to attend.

Program Will Connect Local Young People with the Great Outdoors

Mayor Alvin Brown today announced that Jacksonville was selected by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a priority city for its new Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative.

The bold new initiative will work to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and inspire millions of young adults to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors. Mayor Brown joined National Park Service Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell and Eric Mann, president & CEO of Florida’s First Coast YMCA, to announce that Jacksonville has been selected as one of the first 50 cities to participate in the nationwide movement.

Renew Jax Project Will Improve Drainage and Reduce Flooding, Erosion

In the latest Renew Jax project to begin construction, Mayor Alvin Brown and Councilmember Reggie Brown today broke ground on a major drainage project along Avenue B and Zinnia Avenue on Jacksonville’s Northside.

View the Avenue B & Zinnia Avenue Fact Sheet

The project, which invests more than $3 million, includes the installation of over 1,300 feet of box culvert to improve drainage in the area. The completed construction will also increase driver and pedestrian safety by enclosing the existing drainage ditch along Avenue B and Zinnia Avenue from Edgewood Avenue to Moncrief Road.

Enhanced JaxScore Performance Dashboard Optimizes Services 

The City of Jacksonville today launched an update to its online performance dashboard in an effort to optimize services for residents and increase transparency and accountability. The new JaxScore 2.0 will provide an interactive tool so residents can examine the City’s performance delivering services.

View JaxScore online
 
“These updates to the JaxScore dashboard will help the city streamline operations and services to provide an even greater return for Jacksonville taxpayers,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “As cities across the country look to do more with less, technology plays a key part in accomplishing that goal. I commend the city’s hard-working team for their continuing efforts to make our operations as effective and efficient as possible.”