A Few Minutes with the Mayor – February 2023

As we closed out 2022 and look forward to 2023, I feel excitement for Jacksonville. 2022 saw so many varied projects in our city begin, reach completion, or require further research or work. 2023 brings new goals and fresh enthusiasm to our Council to start the New Year.

We began with the re-election of Councilor Ken Gregg, for his 3rd term. Andy Hellenthal and Talon Reed were newly elected as Councilors and will bring different areas of expertise to our Council.

The monthly work sessions we hold, in lieu of two full council meetings, continue to be extremely productive. The work sessions enable your council to have an opportunity to fully study issues, hear from professionals, and make wise decisions for our citizens and the city.

Some of our continuing items include the updating of the Jacksonville Municipal Code, Chapters 1-14. Chapters 15-18 are being updated through the Citizens Advisory Committee.

We are still deeply in study on the Urban Growth Boundary projects that have been submitted to the city. You will hear more on these subjects throughout the year. Council again discussed the Urban Growth Boundary at the City Council Work Session on February 14th and since this was a work session, no vote or decisions was made.

A project we continue to research and work with the Jacksonville Boosters on is a Museum based out of Old City Hall. This would be funded by Urban Renewal monies, donations and grants.

A similar project that was first discussed about five years ago has had a new surge of interest. A “Pedestrian Plaza” on part of South 3rd Street is being researched. This will be discussed at meetings throughout the year, so watch for it in upcoming agendas. This is another project that would have to be funded through Urban Renewal monies, donations and grants.

The city continues to perform well in our annual city audits and the Budget Committee will meet in May to finalize our budget for 2023/2024.

Jacksonville’s Public Works Department worked independently and with the Jacksonville Boosters to restore the Peter Britt Garden Fountain and other improvements to the hardscape of the Gardens. Improvements were made to many of the trails in our forest and trail system, work at the Cemetery including tree trimming, upgrades to the water system telemetry, street repairs and upgrading. Fuel reduction throughout the city, with input from the Comprehensive Safety Plan Ad-Hoc Committee and Fire Chief Wayne Painter will continue. This includes vegetation/fuel removal at all reservoir sites, removal of multiple large blackberry patches on city property, and development of Firewise Neighborhoods.

Perhaps the most impactful accomplishment the past year was the completion of the Jacksonville Fire Hall, the first new Fire Hall here in seventy years. Also built with Urban Renewal funds and grants and donations, our new Fire Hall will now house our Emergency Operations Center. Our EOC had previously been spread over three locations throughout the city. In the event of a catastrophe, our EOC and our CERT Personnel will be under one roof and in full communication. A large crowd celebrated with tours of the new Fire Hall, demonstrations, and food provided by Las Palmas Restaurant. More than 450 people were served a wonderful meal by a local restaurant that suffered extreme damage from a fire last fall.

There is not enough space in this column to acknowledge everyone and every project both past and upcoming. It is a pleasure to work with such a talented, diverse, and intelligent group of people that live in and support Jacksonville. Thank you all sincerely!