JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach City Councilman Cory Nichols announced his resignation from the city council Tuesday, citing two reasons that has fueled his decision.
Nichols, councilman for district No. 1, listed an effective date of Saturday, Dec. 30, for his resignation in a resignation letter addressed to City Clerk of Jacksonville Beach Sheri Gosselin, Mayor Christine Hoffman, council members and city staff.
Nichols starts the letter off saying he greatly enjoyed his time in service to the citizens of Jacksonville Beach over the past five years on city council and during his previous four years as a member of the city of Jacksonville Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency. He also stated in the letter that it has been a "tremendous honor" to have been selected by fellow council members to serve as vice mayor for the past three years.
Nichols's first reason he lists in the letter for his resignation is due to the professional responsibilities with his personal company increasing, making it potentially more difficult to be committed to his role in public service than he'd like.
"My professional responsibilities to my company and the travel requirements involved have increased to a point that could potentially interfere with my ability to be as committed to my role in Jacksonville Beach as I would like," Nichols stated in the letter.
Secondly, Nichols says in the letter that the state's decision to "force local elected officials to change financial disclosures from Form 1 to Form 6 is a major overreach and a direct attack on 'Home Rule' for local communities." On Jan. 1, the governor, mayors, sheriffs, and other elected officials statewide, would be required to file Form 6, as it will publicly disclose any amount of income over $1,000.
Nichols further states in the letter that the level of personal financial disclosure required on Form 6 is "unnecessarily invasive and will keep highly qualified candidates from participating in local government to the detriment of our beloved communities."
Nichols ends the letter off by saying that he looks forward to seeing what great things the city has in store in the future.
"We have accomplished an incredible amount during my time on council and I truly believe that I am leaving the City in an outstanding financial position, with substantially improved transparency, and with a City Staff that loves that Jax Beach community," Nichols said in the letter.