The Council President thinks the $150M of city money should be part of the normal budget process.
Although it appears like the stadium agreement between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the city is in a good position for the time being, the president of the city council is hinting that there might be a problem with a concession that the Donna Deegan administration added as a sweetener. Additionally, surveys indicate that this is the most well-liked aspect of the plan.
Concerns have been raised about the $300 million portion of the plan that would provide “community benefits” by President Ron Salem. If the deal went through as proposed, the team and the city would split the costs 50/50. However, the Southside Republican serving his second term feels that the stadium deal’s cash for parks, affordable housing on the Eastside and elsewhere, and workforce development is mostly for downtown. Salem told Florida Politics, “It should be separate from the stadium,” and he anticipates a “significant debate” over that portion of the proposal on the supermajority Republican Council “over the next couple of weeks.”
He points out that the agreement can’t even be changed for two weeks, so if Council’s concerns aren’t addressed, the city’s $150 million proposed contribution on the CBA may become a contentious issue and perhaps postpone the planned vote on the package on June 25.
The amount would be better suited “placed in the normal budget process,” Salem said, adding that “it’s a lot of money to debate in two or three hours.” The Deegan administration continues to support the plan exactly as it stands. The community benefits agreement and stadium renovation were negotiated together, therefore they will be filed as a single piece of legislation. As many corporate and community leaders have requested and as the public is massively in favor of, we hope that the City Council retains these two elements together, said spokesperson Phil Perry.
Salem’s reservations aren’t unique, though. By the time Council can change the agreement, he and colleague Republican Rory Diamond probably won’t be the only ones against the CBA portion of the proposal. A survey conducted last month by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) revealed that while 43% of 667 registered voters in Duval County disapproved of the agreement, 56% of them supported it.
The $150 million community benefits agreement, which will be funded by the city over the next few years with a potential match from the club, will add to the deal’s overall appeal to those questioned. 88% of Jags supporters and 71% of non-supporters agree with that stipulation. On the other hand, with only 41% in favor of the deal overall and 58% against, the city’s proposed $775 million stadium expenditure is the least appealing aspect of its framework. Just 21% of non-Jaguars fans agree with that portion of the agreement, compared to 54% of fans.
For more sport news visit lifestyleroom.net
Leave a Reply