What ever became of this?

[pearlstone]

I ran across this old article and was wondering if anyone out there knows what the outcome was. I mean, did any of these cutbacks take place and if so, did the money ever make it to JSO? Was this where the recent $3 million to JSO originated from?

Mayor John Peyton Announces Proposed Budget For 2007

July 12, 2006
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The message that crime on Jacksonville's streets must be stopped was made clear Wednesday when the mayor revealed his proposed budget for next year.

As expected, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office got a major funding boost in Mayor John Peyton's 2007 budget.

The mayor wants to invest more than 50 percent of the city's money in public safety, hiring 200 new officers to fill positions that would have otherwise been left vacant.

"It provides our citizens with more services for far less money than any other major city in the state of Florida," Peyton said.

In order to devote more money to the JSO, funding to other departments was cut back. The mayor wants to cut Health Department money by $1 million. Money to social programs is also expected to be curbed.

Citywide, about 191 positions would be eliminated.

"The mayor has made a tremendous commitment to public safety," said Sheriff John Rutherford.

Thirty-six of the 191 city jobs the mayor wants to eliminate are currently filled.

"We did eliminate positions, and that's something we don't enjoy doing, but I think it's the fiscally responsible thing to do," Peyton said.

Some City Council members said they were encouraged by what the mayor said.

"Children, jobs, and certainly public safety … those are the things that we wanted to hear," said Elaine Brown.

Peyton said the budget is balanced, fair and that there are no tax increase. He said the spending cuts this year are what the city needs for the long term.

"We positioned this government to have easier sailing because of the budget cuts we've taken this year," Peyton said.

The City Council has until October to approve the budget.


http://www.news4jax.com/news/9508275/detail.html

[Diane Melendez]

All of that morphed and changed through the current budget process.

[pearlstone]

The mayor wants to cut Health Department money by $1 million. Money to social programs is also expected to be curbed.

so these agencies were cut or left as is?

[spidey]

Here's what hapened to the Health Department:


January 21, 2008

Another division frets tax-cut plan

By LARRY HANNAN,
The Times-Union

The Jan. 29 constitutional amendment aimed at lowering property taxes could end up driving a stake into the heart of a faltering partnership between the state and local health departments.

For the past few years, local health departments have had their budgets slashed while seeing increased demand for their programs. The Duval County Health Department now gets about $2.5 million less from Duval County than in 2005. This year's county contribution is $442,000 in operational funding.

Despite its name, the Duval health department actually is a state agency, and its employees are paid by the state. The same is true for the health departments in Clay, St. Johns and other Florida counties.

The loss of county money in Duval has been offset somewhat by additional state revenue. State subsidies increased by about $12 million over the past three years, a total of $56 .7 million this year.

Still, the loss of county money has led to program cuts, Duval County health officials say.

"We had a significant cut from the county, and we had to eliminate community outreach activities and educational programs," said Tim Lawther, director of chronic disease prevention.

Growth and cuts

The local government cuts hurt because population gains are outstripping the funding, Lawther said.

The health department tests for and helps treat sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, and other illnesses, such as tuberculosis. It also offers vaccinations for many illnesses and educational programs on emergency preparedness, nutrition and prenatal care.

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton proposed cutting all funding to the Duval health department in his initial budget draft this year.

"The city was facing a number of challenges, and the mayor thought this was the best way to move forward," city spokeswoman Misty Skipper said.
Negotiations with the City Council restored some money.

Throughout Florida a large number of county commissioners, mayors and fire districts have expressed concern about how the amendment will impact their ability to generate revenue and frustration at a state-mandated property tax cut that happened last year.

Unpredictable future

The Florida Association of Counties has expressed reservations about the constitutional amendment but isn't officially opposing it.

"We have expressed concern about the unintended consequences," spokeswoman Cragin Mosteller said. "Health departments are one of those unintended consequences. It's just impossible to know how they'll be impacted."

Health department officials in Clay and St. Johns counties also fear passage of the constitutional amendment could have a negative impact.

The St. Johns County Health Department got around $1 million less for 2008 than it got in 2005 from the County Commission, dropping from $1.5 million to $463,000.

During the same time period, state funding increased from $2.1 million to $2.9 million.

"We just can't speculate on what will happen right now," said Rafe Hewett, public information officer for the St. Johns department.

Doing OK, so far

Unlike Duval and St. Johns, Clay County hasn't seen a large reduction in the amount of money the county provides in the past few years. About $1.6 million came from the county for 2008, with about $4.4 million coming from the state.

"How much we get funded depends on the County Commission," health department administrator Nancy Mills said. "So far they've been very generous with us."

Mills can't say how the constitutional amendment will impact funding but concedes it could make life difficult for the health department. "There is no requirement that the Clay County commissioners fund the Clay County Health Department," Mills said. "I assume we will be impacted if it passes, but I can't tell you by how much."



http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/012108/met_238523466.shtml

[CS Foltz]

Mayor Johnny must use a dart board to decide what to cut,who to cut and where to cut! That may explain why there is no continuity rhyme or reason to the City's game plan! It is not a great help with no captain at the wheel either and none of the crew have no idea at all about what is right,dollar cognizant and is best for all! Not just a select few,or just your buddy's or your uncles aunts and cousins! One of these days Ethel!!!