Dig through the history of Jacksonville civic life, and you can find the warnings going back decades: Something has to be done to the city’s pension system.
Figuring out exactly what that something is appears to be the major focus of Mayor Alvin Brown in coming months as he tries to make changes to a system that now accounts for one of every eight dollars of the city budget.
Jacksonville’s pension situation isn’t as dire as some other places — California and Rhode Island, in particular — but those who have been sounding the alarm keep trying to turn up the volume.
“It’s bankruptcy if nothing is done,” said Jim Rinaman, a lawyer who headed up a committee looking at pensions for the Jacksonville Community Council Inc.
Those warnings have obviously resonated with Brown, who has said since taking office that pension reform is a priority. The mayor won’t go into detail about what changes, exactly, he is considering.
“The administration is conducting a review of the city’s pension plans,” chief of staff Chris Hand said in an email. “Since the results of that review will help to identify the challenges and necessary solutions, it would be premature to discuss options until that review is complete.”
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