JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The shift in Jacksonville City Council’s leadership has started its transition.
On Tuesday, Kevin Carrico was named the council’s next president, replacing current president Randy White.
“I’m ready to lead this body. I’m ready to move this city forward,” he said.
Carrico will be joined by Nick Howland, who was selected to become the council’s next vice president. He said first responders, youth programs and downtown developments are three areas of focus under his leadership.
Although Carrico and Howland have had their run-ins with Mayor Donna Deegan’s office, Howland discussed how he wants to move the city forward.
“A good, healthy government, when there’s a balance of power, there should be tension between the executive branch and the legislative branch and there has been,” Howland said. “That’s part of our charge from the electorate is to provide oversight and the government, not only financial but also legislative oversight.”
One hot topic that falls under Carrico’s downtown development focus is the conversation surrounding the Duval County Jail.
The issue of whether to renovate or relocate the jail has been debated for years, and the cost of constructing a new jail is estimated to be around $1 billion.
“It’s no secret that jail is in the wrong place and that it is past its life, so the jail needs to go, but we can’t just build a new jail anywhere,” he said. “There’s a couple things holding that back. That’s the price of the and where do you put it? You gotta put it in a place that doesn’t impact people’s everyday lives.”
He also emphasized that the decision on the jail’s next location is not entirely up to him, acknowledging the final vote will involve the city council.
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