JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There will be a new leader of Jacksonville's City Council. On Tuesday night, Randy White was elected unanimously by other city council members as the next president, and he takes over a section of government with major decisions ahead of it.
White was born and raised on Jacksonville's Westside and spent more than three decades as a firefighter. White said he wants to see his community continue to grow and flourish, adding his responsibility is to help it grow while also being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
His office is filled with posters and memories from his time serving Jacksonville as a firefighter.
"In my 32-year career, I took off 5 sick days, afraid I'd miss something," said White.
His service to his community will continue as Jacksonville City Council president, and White said he plans to finish the work that the council has already started. That includes big-ticket items like the Jaguars stadium renovations and the relocation of the jail, which are projects that come with expected price tags of more than $2 billion.
The city's population continues to grow, and with that comes new home construction and increased revenue from property taxes, but White preached fiscal responsibility.
"I'm not a proponent of raising taxes today, tomorrow, or anytime in the future," said White, "we're going to have to live within our means and try to get all these things done that we can get done."
White was a busy man after being voted in as council president, immediately after his interview with First Coast News he met with Jaguars President Mark Lamping to discuss the Stadium of the Future.
"I think one of the reasons the city has grown is because of the Jaguars, I think it's very important for them to be here, I think it's important to lock them in for 30 years," said White, who added that he's still reviewing the agreement that the team and mayor's office proposed to city council.
"We just have to figure out how to do what's best for them, best for the city and best for the citizens," said White.
That includes the citizens White said are looking to the council for things other than stadiums.
"With the continued growth of the city, if we manage the money right, there's enough money to go around and do all these things," said White.
Other things White wants to look into are the pay scale and benefits for police and firefighters compared to other large cities in Florida. Recalling his 32 years as a firefighter, White said public safety is very important to him.