Probate Judge Alice Martin swore in the Jacksonville City Council and Board of Education member Sue Jones on Monday morning. Mayor Johnny Smith, followed by each of the five council members, took the oath of office then set to work in their organizational meeting, ensuring the city was set to function properly until the new council members have a chance to get oriented.Several changes were implemented by the council beginning with the committee appointments. Each council member is assigned by the mayor to chair a committee and sit on two others. This term, Smith opted to merge the street and sanitation committee into the utility committee, creating the public works committee, which will be chaired by Councilman George Areno.
“Some of it will combine nicely together. I’ll give you an idea – equipment – it could be there will be a lot more sharing of equipment and an ability to save money by the pieces that we buy that can be used by the two areas,” said Areno.
The parks and recreation committee added the public library to its purview and became the leisure and recreation committee, which will be headed by Councilman Mark Jones. Jones, who has a strong background in recreation, was thrilled by the appointment.
“That’s something that I’m well versed in, so I look forward to that,” said Jones, adding that he is eager to help out on the two other committees he will serve as well.
Councilman Truman Norred will chair the former police and fire committee, which will now be called the public safety committee.
“I look forward to working with both chiefs and the employees to have a stronger police department and a stronger fire department,” said Norred.
Councilwoman Sandra Sudduth, who was also reappointed by the council to serve as mayor pro tempore, will now head the finance committee.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got a good committee there, great finance employees,” said Sudduth, adding that she plans to keep open lines of communication between the committee and the finance department to ensure the city stays well within its budget.
A new committee was also created, one dedicated to city development and planning, with Councilman Derek Raulerson leading it.
Raulerson is already looking at re-doing the city’s comprehensive land use plan, which will have to be modified following the 2010 census and he is working on information to send to potential businesses wanting to locate in Jacksonville.
“I’m pretty excited about the development side. Over all these years we’ve never really had anybody who spent the time researching, contacting potential businesses, so I’m going to make that a priority,” said Raulerson.
During the organizational meeting, the council also opted to increase the funding limit on contracts the mayor can approve without the council for general fund and utility spending. In the past, the mayor’s limit has been capped at $2,000 and the new council increased that limit to $3,000.
“That amount has been $2,000 in the past, but that’s sort of a problem. There’s not a lot you can do with $2,000 anymore, so you’re held up waiting for a council meeting to spend the money you need to get something that costs $2,100 or something. It’s kind of tough sometimes,” said Smith.
In other action:
• Joseph M. Maloney was reappointed as municipal court judge.
• William J. Miller was reappointed as public defender.
• Grant A Paris was reappointed as city prosecutor and city attorney.
• The mayor’s expense account was approved at $300 per month.
