Jacksonville City Council members grill General Counsel over separation of powers opinion
The City of Jacksonville's top attorney was publicly grilled by members of the Jacksonville City Council over a binding opinion he issued, which members claim has thrown city government into 'chaos.'
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
That opinion determined council violated the separation of powers by approving a $4 million annual contract boost for Meridian Waste.
It's now being used by the mayor to justify not releasing the funds, despite having her veto overridden by the council, which has led Meridian to threaten a lawsuit.
Finance Chair Ron Salem (R-Group 2 At-Large) argued General Counsel Michael Fackler never informed council members about the potential conflict, despite admitting the topic had been up for discussion months prior to the approval of the contract.
'And we walked right into a lawsuit,' said Salem.
RELATED: Meridian Waste threatens to pursue 'legal avenues' in trash dispute with City of Jacksonville
RELATED: Mayor Donna Deegan vetoes Meridian Waste contract
Council members also questioned how the decision could impact a list of 41 other contracts approved or altered by the council, including the stadium deal.
Fackler indicated most shouldn't be affected but couldn't say for sure.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
'It's not a clear-cut situation,' said Fackler.
Councilmember Nick Howland (Group 3 At-Large) suggested the uncertainty could lead to a chaotic situation.
'It's almost like you have given each team here, executive and legislative, an unlimited number of challenge flags, and you've said forget about the longstanding precedent,' said Howland. 'You know, throw the flags, and I'll be ready to decide. Go!'
RELATED: No confidence resolution filed targeting Jacksonville's top attorney
RELATED: 'Disappointing': Jacksonville Bar Association supports city attorney after 'no confidence' filing
Salem and other council members were especially concerned with the upcoming budget process and questioned how Fackler's opinion would impact their powers of the purse.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
'Now there's this threat of separation of powers. So, we've gone through this whole process and the mayor can still change that whole contract, and that's not how it's worked for 50 years,' said Salem.
Members requested Fackler return an opinion on the council's authority to override line-item budget vetoes.
Fackler also committed to doing further research into the separation of powers issue and indicated he'd be willing to overrule his standing opinion if he found evidence that changed his mind.
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Morris Brown president offers help to Job Corps students impacted by federal pause
Days after a judge temporarily blocked the Department of Labor's pause on the Job Corps program, the president of Morris Brown College is suggesting that students enroll at the college. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'The situation at Job Corps touched me intimately,' Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin James told Channel 2's Audrey Washington. 'My first job out of college was teaching at Job Corps. I have first-hand experience of how important Job Corps is.' The labor department cited financial issues as one of the main reasons for the pause on all contractor-led Job Corps centers. 'The Job Corps program has been in a financial crisis for years, creating constant uncertainty for participants and administrators,' the US Department said in a statement sent to Channel 2 Action News. TRENDING STORIES: 2 women critically injured after shooting on I-20 Atlanta Public Schools announces new first day of school, 13 new principals Armed robbers target Gwinnett store with baby inches away, police say 'It was just such a crazy thing to see happen and go, all of a sudden,' said Job Corps student Saebra Grannis. Last week, Job Corps filed a restraining order against the government. A judge granted that order. Now, the pause is temporarily blocked. However, James said he is focused on what the students should do next. 'If you've completed your GED or obtained your high school diploma, consider Morris Brown College,' James said. James sent a letter to Job Corps centers asking students to apply to Morris Brown College in order to continue their education and training. 'We'll sit down with them to talk to them about what their goals and dreams are, and maybe even walk them through considerations of different skills. Here at Morris Brown College, we want them to know that they're not alone,' Dr. James explained. James said counselors will be available to help students with financial aid and other questions. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florida fishermen celebrate red snapper rule change, but leaders say the fight isn't over
Big changes are shaking up red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic, and Florida Congressman John Rutherford says it's a hard-fought win for the families who depend on the water for their way of life. NOAA Fisheries just released Amendment 59, scaling back a controversial proposal that would have temporarily banned bottom fishing across much of the Atlantic. Instead, the updated rule now limits recreational red snapper harvest to just under 23,000 fish and allows commercial boats a little more than 102,000 pounds. Captain Steve Mullen, a longtime Mayport charter fisherman, welcomed the decision. 'That was really a knee-jerk reaction that didn't need to happen,' Mullen said. 'Local fishermen are the best stewards of the fishery because we want the fish to survive.' Recreational anglers will get just two days to harvest red snapper this year — July 11 and 12 — with a one-fish-per-person limit. Commercial vessels can begin harvesting July 14 until the quota is met. Rutherford says Amendment 59 is a major step forward because it scraps the originally proposed three-month closure, which had drawn sharp criticism from politicians and the fishing community alike. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Previous coverage: New bill from local congressman would protect red snapper season The governors of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce urging NOAA to reconsider the original plan, accusing the agency of using outdated science and ignoring economic impacts. 'Seven, eight years ago when I came to Congress, people told me there were so many red snapper they could walk across their backs,' Rutherford said. 'We've known NOAA's data was off — and now they've finally admitted it.' The governors want more control at the state level, and Rutherford agrees, saying Florida has already shown it can successfully manage Gulf Coast snapper seasons. 'We've got to make sure Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have the funding and authority to manage their own resources,' Rutherford said. He credits public pressure for forcing NOAA to back off its stricter plan — calling it a 'major victory' for Florida's 4 million anglers and the coastal families who rely on the fishery to survive. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brett's in Fernandina Beach is being demolished: Vote on its replacement
Brett's Waterway Cafe is shutting down, and the City of Fernandina Beach wants the public's input on what should take its place inside the Fernandina Harbor Marina. The current lease between the city and Brett's owners, the Center Street Restaurant Group, ends in December, according to officials. Because of the building's age and structural integrity, the city intends to demolish it at the beginning of the year. Several options have been proposed for construction in its place, including dock and pier extensions, a pavilion, and another restaurant. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< A new survey allows Fernandina Beach residents to vote on their favorite of six designs, ranging in projected costs between $365,000 and more than $3 million. Participants can also choose their preferred way of paying for the project. The two main options provided are paid parking revenue and property tax revenue, but participants may also select a third, 'other,' option. To vote in the survey, click here. To view a more in-depth presentation on the demolition plans and the proposed replacements, click here. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
