Jacksonville Needs to Cut Spending; One Cut Recommended: Councilmen Assistants

[Patricia M. McBride]

At the February Beaches FCTP Group Meeting, Councilman Crescinbeni responded to a number of questions from members. The Councilman explained how he was able to manage without a personal Executive Assistant.  Although he sometimes uses the services of another Councilperson’s Assistant, Councilman Crescimbeni writes his own emails. He explained that additionally, the 630-CITY/On line feature eliminated the need for memos from the Council to resolve complaints and to request work in their districts.  Using the 630-CITY/On line program, residents record their own requests. Councilman Crescimbeni is saving $70,000 annually by not having his own Executive Assistant, and we appreciate his explanations and responses to our questions. 

Beaches Group is recommending that all First Coast Tea Party Duval members contact the Mayor and City Council to request the elimination of city council assistants as a means of cutting spending. 

Duval County contact information for the Mayor and City Council:

Email addresses: 

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Complete contact information can be found here: http://www.coj.net/city-council/city-council-members.aspx

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Title Line:  Is there a need for all Executive Assistants in the Duval County City Council?

Mayor Brown, Council President Joost and City Council members,

It is suggested that the need for Executive Assistants by the City Council has been significantly reduced by automation.  Most memos and letters prepared by Executive Assistants in the past would now be handled by emails from the Councilperson. The 630-CITY/On line feature eliminated the need for memos from the Council to resolve complaints and request work in their districts.  It appears that this secretarial work moved out but the positions remained. Each Council Executive Assistants cost the taxpayer about $70,000 annually.  Councilman Crescimbeni does not have an Executive Assistant, thereby, saving tax payers $70,000 annually.  Councilpersons Anderson and Boyer share an Executive Assistant, thereby, saving another $70,000 annually. Perhaps the occasions when assistance is needed could be filled by temporary services from the private sector, thereby saving full time salaries and costly benefits packages.  Please look into additional savings in this area.

Thank you for your service.  I look forward to your response. 

Respectfully,

(Your name/contact information)