JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Councilman Kevin Carrico is set to take the gavel as council president on July 1. On This Week In Jacksonville, Carrico shared his vision for the year ahead, emphasizing a focus on youth, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.
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Carrico, who will serve as the 57th council president since consolidation, brings a background with the Boys and Girls Club and said his work with youth will continue to guide him in office.
“Anyone who knows me knows that my career has been with the Boys and Girls Club for the last ten years, [I’m] extremely passionate about young people and youth and really the next generation,” Carrico said.
He said his leadership will center around three core values: “faith, family, and future,” explaining that faith provides guiding principles, while the future focuses on creating opportunities for youth.
He also expressed interest in forming a special committee on park programming, saying that although the city has invested over $100 million in park capital projects, “If we don’t have the programming and the people in those parks… then we just have world-class parks with no momentum.”
Downtown development and public safety also rank high on Carrico’s agenda. He described a vision of Jacksonville as a “world-class downtown that attracts tourism, that attracts economic growth and companies to come to our town.”
On the financial front, Carrico called for a zero-based budget and suggested a rollback rate to offer tax relief to homeowners burdened by rising property values. “I’d like to see us spend what we bring in and not dip into the reserves,” he said. “I think the taxpayers need a little relief.”
When asked about his leadership style, Carrico described his approach to managing the 19-member council as family-oriented. “We are a family. We might be dysfunctional… but we got to have fun and get along when we can, and when we disagree, let’s do it… professionally.”
He also addressed a recent exchange with Councilmember Matt Carlucci, who was asked to step back during a tense committee meeting. Carrico clarified that the decision wasn’t personal. “It was just a moment of, we just need to keep the meeting going,” he said, adding that the two have since spoken and remain cordial.
Carrico also commented on his relationship with Mayor Donna Deegan, acknowledging political differences but emphasizing a shared commitment to the city. “Yes, we disagree sometimes on policy issues. I’m a Republican. She’s a Democrat. We don’t always agree… but I think both of us love this city,” he said. “I’m not going to do anything that’s going to harm the ability to move Jacksonville forward to a world-class city.”
