JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announced new transparency legislation Tuesday morning which, if approved, would bring changes to how the city of Jacksonville awards funding to non-profits.
The legislation, aptly named “Fairness in Non-Profit Contracting,” was submitted to the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee, approved by the committee, and will now be looked at by the Jacksonville City Council for consideration.
READ | Proposed legislation “Fairness in Non-Profit Contracting”
“I promised to throw the blinds open at City Hall when I took office, and we have worked hard since day one to keep that promise,” Deegan said during a news conference at City Hall Tuesday.
The legislation has multiple layers. It states if nonprofits wish to request funding from the city, they would be required to disclose if they have direct relationships with elected officials.
“That includes me, it includes members of the city council, and our spouses and children,” Deegan said. “If there aren’t any connections, then the bill moves forward like any normal bill.”
If there are connections to elected officials, a public notice would have to be published on the city’s website for at least two weeks. The legislation says this would give other nonprofits the chance to submit proposals for the same services. The mayor went on to say if there are any waivers to the requirements, the bill calls for two thirds of the council to approve.
“There may be times when the city needs to move fast or where there’s a unique organization that can deliver a service, the new bill does not prevent that from happening,” Deegan said. “What it does is raise the bar by requiring a two-thirds vote of the council, instead of a simple majority, to waive the requirements.”
Deegan said this legislation aims to bring more transparency.
“Let me be clear, this is not a response to any instance from the past. I see it as living up to Jacksonville’s history as a leader in transparency,” Deegan said.
Though Deegan and some council members have been split on issues, Deegan said she’s optimistic council members will support her bill. Several have known connections to local non-profits. For example, Nick Howland serves as executive director of The Fire Watch. Also, Ju’Coby Pittman is CEO/President of the Clara White Mission.
“I think it removes any sort of cloud that might hang over things, when these things are just waived, and they go through the council,” Deegan said. “And these are good organizations doing good work, so we want to make sure that they don’t have the appearance that something might be going on there.”
During the news conference, Deegan was asked about the Donna Foundation, which she founded.
“I am neither employed, nor am I on the board of the Donna Foundation,” Deegan said. “So technically, I don’t have any financial connection to the foundation, nor do I have a voice in the foundation beyond the fact that it’s named after me. What I would say is it’s the foundation I created and has my name on it. So, out of an abundance of caution, I think I would probably make sure that people knew that.”
The Office of the Inspector General expressed its support for the proposed legislation in the following statement:
The Office of Inspector General appreciates the efforts of the Mayor and the City Council regarding the competitive bidding process. It is crucial that the City impartially selects qualified vendors, suppliers, and contractors without favoritism or partiality.
This process ensures fairness and transparency in City contracts, which, in turn, increases community confidence.
The mission of the Office of Inspector General is to enhance public trust in government through independent and responsible oversight. Legislation such as this demonstrates that Jacksonville’s leaders have the same commitment.
Inspector General Matthew J. Lascell
