Lodging Tax Grants Going to Good Use—At its October 1 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the Transient Lodging Tax Committee for grant awards to non-profit organizations. The committee had $44,563.31 in available funds and awarded $28,167 as follows:

  • Jacksonville Boosters Club, Inc.
    The Jacksonville Boosters 2020 Home and Garden Tour – $1,350.00
  • Art Presence Art Center
    Replacing chairs – $1,232.00
  • Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
    Transitioning and training new staff in the management role(s) for visitor services and marketing – $5,000.00
  • Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Equipment, props, costumes and materials for special effects for the Haunted Trolley event – $4,000.00
  • Jacksonville Community Center Funding to execute a newly developed detailed marketing plan including the following components: extending the impact and reach of JCC’s newly-designed website; newly-designed promotional materials for both print and digital display; and search engine optimization (SEO) and social media promotion – $5,400.00
  • Jacksonville Community Center A two-part project to enhance the exterior environment of the center: Remodel / Garage Renovation project and Fourth Street Landscaping – $8,685.00
  • Historic Jacksonville, Inc. – “Behind the Counter” tours at Beekman Bank Museum – $2,500.00

No Britt Offices at Courthouse—At the City Council meeting on October 15, City Administrator Jeff Alvis informed Council that Britt Festivals had notified the city that the non-profit music and arts organization was no longer interested in moving its corporate offices to the second floor of New City Hall. At this point, Alvis told the Review that using the space for public meetings might be the highest and best use. During the meeting, Alvis also presented a brief history of previous Council discussions on the allowed uses of the Courthouse, a property that is within the city’s Historic Core and Special Protection area.