JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council President Randy White announced Monday the formation of a special committee tasked with reviewing the highly debated Community Benefits Agreement, marking his first move as council head.
The committee will review and identify any "necessary" amendments to the Community Benefits Agreement legislation, ensuring "key investments will pay dividends over the decades to come and that all residents in Jacksonville are positively impacted."
The committee will be made up of six council members; Councilman Raul Arias, Councilman Jimmy Peluso, Councilman Nick Howland, Councilman Will Lahnen, Councilman Ken Amaro and Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray. White plans to take part in committee meetings as needed and all council members are invited to participate in the debate and offer amendments.
The special committee will hold its first meeting on Wednesday and will report its findings and recommendations on or before Aug. 27.
In June, Jacksonville City Council approved the Jaguars stadium deal, but removed $94 million of taxpayer dollars from the Community Benefits Agreement, which would have gone toward renovating parks, improving Eastside neighborhoods and more. The city agreed to still fund $56 million of park improvements through a portion of the agreement that was passed.
Several council members, including former council president Ron Salem, voted to remove the $94 million from the CBA because they wanted to see Mayor Donna Deegan's budget to ensure the city has enough money to fund the proposal.
The committee can seek advice from both the public and private subject matter experts on the legislation, encouraging as much public participation as possible.
Here's a look at the committee meetings scheduled, according to city council:
- July 17: Legislation filed
- July 23: Legislation introduced to council
- August 5/6: Legislation on regular committee agendas for second reading
- August 13: Legislation on council agenda for public hearing and second reading
- Week of August 19: Legislation marked as deferred on regular committee agendas
- August 27: Council takes final action on Community Benefits Agreement legislation
