[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568597,"mediaKeyId","3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae","parentId",3194010,"title","Multiple speakers urge Rules Committee to reject Elizabeth Anderson library appointment","audioSeconds",222,"startMs",149000,"endMs",371000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae&start=149&end=371","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae/thumbnail_149000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568597/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Multiple-speakers-urge-Rules-Committee-to-reject-Elizabeth-Anderson-library-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568597-3eeea3d86eb810a4e742f49b76905bd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042520&Signature=okW6xITrYbU011EgWCP4NjdxcuFNicIUOWGvnNyHrpnO27L4JsfxUrlpyloHtEmVvCj7NRAIwH7cJ0tgq1lHjfWW3Z8ZLKtH5Jgl~QwzTOOmg6HYLBn~Dtu-Ah2jvBV1wahMDhBTKFwFhxIt5zKR-x95Vqt3Jp4ff8djB7GdPGqwi~em06cTcPAjF5wCpOrakwXKFcyQs3CrSuqbF~RwQ5nAayeKVoy9F-i1FqKQr9mRiJo7J-mYBw1FGmMMYEnLnI5W2mY-ZyuY5WFgbgHEnX8pLjY9YRaAl0uOyrrOXz-xrCR4gIq2IzmvVCcxCts7umVJx91xO7R8NKusvkfmVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Jacksonville, FL","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","During the public comment portion of the May 5 Rules Committee meeting several residents urged the council to oppose the pending appointment of Elizabeth Anderson to the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees.

Speakers who addressed the committee said Anderson’s record on the Duval County School Board and other public statements make her unfit to serve on a board that oversees library policy. Blake Harper said Anderson had called a woman “a token” and had not apologized for the remark. “A token is still a token, and that is the worst sort of excuse,” Harper said.

Anne Kirby told the committee she had researched Anderson’s decisions and urged members not to confirm her. Melody Balduk (introduced in public comment as a private citizen and parent) said she respected Anderson’s intelligence but questioned her judgment on protecting children and on respecting parental authority. Balduk cited Anderson’s actions on the Duval County School Board and said she had “a pattern of dismissing and disparaging people who disagree with her.”

John Scott spoke in favor of a different agenda item but thanked council members for taking up other matters. No confirmation vote for Elizabeth Anderson was recorded in the Rules Committee during the May 5 meeting; the comments were part of the public comment period that preceded committee business.

Ending: Members acknowledged the public comment record. The committee did not take a recorded vote on Anderson’s appointment during the May 5 Rules Committee session; any formal action on appointments would appear on the committee or full council agenda if scheduled by the mayor or by council referral.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Jacksonville, FL - Rules Committee - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several public commenters and a former school board critic urged the Rules Committee not to confirm Elizabeth Anderson to the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees, citing past comments and policy positions; speakers requested the mayor withdraw the nomination or the council reject it.","taxTitle","Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida","taxId",2881,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568601,"Rules Committee confirms deputy fire chief, board appointments and emergency staffing; votes listed",350,6685000,7035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae&start=6685&end=7035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae/thumbnail_6685000.jpg","/articles/6568601/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Rules-Committee-confirms-deputy-fire-chief-board-appointments-and-emergency-staffing-votes-listed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568601-485e54cc8cc4937a49a7a66e65d38b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042520&Signature=Pi1SQOykUAZRMo-UySnQlkCQEv~SIDp9~s-WVKCQgyBbxeqkp0vfokCK2OKckHPAHnwp3uJkyFSvTPYqe5xfkyj9Sx2RzJmwEbhEAWN-miQsq-dX7IaTp5YiNmoOmjeZLy24A~nT1vNvJUInAVrgUSrcchwyKnSAheaI8TO5KwjPgEoFpjBox9tqg-bWOlhBcIxbl4IyAsu07JPoadDE-d7fYyjhoVVpAW087p8sinjRiogNYOf-pcEHJtTdW3NemCFgMNoTZmgnp7tj2qBxFyJVOJrrcgNwN3KQYk3IRe4dnAW~ALtYG52A9SG0EJFlYpKOtDMyeoPt9sTwfI-J6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rules Committee on May 5 confirmed several mayoral appointments and approved a resolution honoring a student killed last year.

Chief Cody King — appointment confirmed

The committee unanimously confirmed the appointment of Cody King to deputy chief of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Council members said King had served in the role for about 15 months before the confirmation. The recorded vote on the appointment was 7–0. Committee discussion included a request from Council members to clarify the administrative process that left the acting deputy chief unconfirmed for more than a year; administration staff called the delay an oversight and said the mayor supported the appointment.

Bernie De la Rionda — Jazz Journey Forward board

The committee unanimously confirmed Bernadette (Bernie) De la Rionda to the Jazz Journey Forward board. De la Rionda, who identified himself as a longtime prosecutor, told the committee he wanted to help address community violence. The vote was recorded 8–0. The chair noted the appointee will be brought forward for final confirmation at the full council meeting the following week.

Chief of Legislative Services — emergency appointment

Bernadette Smith was appointed chief of legislative services on an emergency basis and confirmed by the committee 8–0. Smith, who said she has more than 30 years of city service and previously worked in legislative services, told the committee she had served in acting roles before and brought institutional knowledge to the post. The committee approved the ordinance as an emergency to fill a vacancy.

Resolution honoring Alaysia (LaYsha) Williams

The committee approved a resolution honoring the life of Alaysia Williams, an Ed White High School senior who died in a hit-and-run collision last school year. Members spoke about the student’s athletic leadership and the community’s response; the committee recorded an 8–0 vote.

Votes at a glance

- Cody King, deputy fire chief — vote: 7–0; outcome: confirmed.
- Bernie De la Rionda, Jazz Journey Forward board — vote: 8–0; outcome: confirmed.
- Bernadette Smith, Chief of Legislative Services (emergency) — vote: 8–0; outcome: confirmed.
- Resolution honoring Alaysia Williams — vote: 8–0; outcome: approved.

Ending: The confirmed appointees will appear for final confirmation or take office per the city’s rules; committee members said they will follow up on administrative process questions about appointment timing.","The committee confirmed three mayoral appointments — a deputy fire chief, a prosecutor to a community board, and a legislative services chief — and adopted a resolution honoring a slain student. The meeting recorded unanimous or near-unanimous committee votes on each item.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568606,"Rules Committee approves resolution asking state efficiency team to review city finances; vote 5-2",1783,6997000,8780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae&start=6997&end=8780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae/thumbnail_6997000.jpg","/articles/6568606/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Rules-Committee-approves-resolution-asking-state-efficiency-team-to-review-city-finances-vote-5-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568606-0d252a8a2c49968da0d093076cecbe0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042520&Signature=XbRDkP~0jsiiy8QZ0KOLeV-RNkDzsJ~uAU0s8AwGMz2vfF7ImzhLzIeCHMuef6mnO2eCH86b9u4kkufGz2CrPOHczFEZiJqjpGUkrOI6eHtsvw9HJWdqlzKowH7Sxtyu80nPWEIm~lfOKsOaNn72dVSYaVFjsfDM2B2xU0hfsSFgqWUhehl4Jc7Jf8zZg03FF0YMuKMNN9saqWWHfSVmQvkC~TyU82YcAErYe9H3zZNAMo~S0ffx~soqT5qR6S1mWcpEZW~dKBozWesE1Wx2o5-2nVkFMkPqFiJibt14CpBxvlGlf5kWrKAUdL2eq3DXQDX5yalSBdNBkygLP0vh4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rules Committee on May 5 voted 5–2 to approve a resolution asking the Governor’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to conduct a voluntary financial review of Jacksonville’s budget and capital program.

Councilman Terrence Freeman, who introduced the resolution, told the committee the measure requests a voluntary audit from the state group established by executive order 25-44 to identify inefficiencies. “This resolution simply is requesting a voluntary financial audit of the city of Jacksonville by DOGE,” Freeman said during debate.

Supporters said the DOGE review would add an independent set of eyes and could reveal opportunities to reallocate funds to city priorities. Council members who backed the resolution noted prior local reviews that identified projects with unspent appropriations and argued the review would return recommendations to the council rather than impose actions.

Opponents questioned the need for a state-level review of an office that already has independent auditors and an inspector general. Councilman Matt Carlucci said he was reluctant to invite another layer of review, calling it an unnecessary encroachment on local authority and expressing confidence in the council’s auditors. “There are no better auditors that we have, anywhere, than our own city council auditors,” he said.

The committee adopted an amendment directing the Chief of Legislative Services to forward the adopted resolution to the governor’s DOGE team. After discussion the committee voted 5 in favor and 2 opposed; the resolution passed and will be transmitted as directed.

Ending: The measure is voluntary and returns recommendations to local officials; supporters framed it as a nonpartisan effort to identify possible savings, while opponents cited home-rule and redundancy concerns.","The committee voted 5–2 to forward a resolution requesting voluntary review by the Governor’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE); supporters said additional outside review could identify savings and repurposing opportunities, while opponents warned of optics and home-rule concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568612,"Jacksonville rules committee hears officials describe state investigation into city firearm log",3492,901000,4393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae&start=901&end=4393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194010-195bc2ac9c1d64f08e32cf4e66b73aae/thumbnail_901000.jpg","/articles/6568612/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Jacksonville-rules-committee-hears-officials-describe-state-investigation-into-city-firearm-log","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568612-f74e3f5d714fb2e7e7ae9c057e566f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042520&Signature=AwSiSBYu1mtdn63cLk68psNm1xbuesquAUnZcde7VWQyXfb6t4y6m7jaKQhD6z6TSSh08sDtsSHOyqG2e1kI8lipoHP7rkfZa-kJgZTOwzbxVLgoxR7OMRSSCBvCjBXlwi~QB43AklZhWis-wpFhti8ySNQK0w9UzxmdCaikSgilFTepPhTkLDox8C3~0YAuweTgaa6Q~YCMBkklPNFANQgyL5r8ZhzmGTIUrKBtd-RUJKeN46WzjzAovFetUcQJ6jH~HPomnvZ4opYW9c67jDN6FwTwBCb4jE~JnrV7~QNeuGCAqVvpotM5l0dM2IT5likwk06kkP~usXwD2o089Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rules Committee of the Jacksonville City Council on May 5 heard an overview from the city’s general counsel about an ongoing investigation by the State Attorney into a firearm log kept at City Hall and the Yates Building.

The committee was told the city first learned of a maintained log on April 21 and that investigative subpoenas were served to the city’s outside counsel the next day. “We were made aware on Monday morning of the issue, and that was April 21,” the general counsel said. He also said the city “received and complied with the subpoena from the state attorney’s office out of respect and in full cooperation with their review.”

Why it matters: Florida law generally prohibits the compilation of a registry of gun owners; the committee and public speakers said the alleged practice could implicate Florida Statute 790.335. The potential penalties discussed at the meeting include criminal and civil exposure for the consolidated government and possibly for individuals if the statute were found to have been violated.

Committee members pressed the city’s general counsel for procedural facts rather than details of evidence, and the counsel repeatedly declined to discuss documents or the merits because of the state investigation and possible litigation. He said the city retained the Bedell Law Firm on April 21 to provide criminal and civil defense services and that Bedell responded to the State Attorney’s subpoena. “We retain them to assist us in the full panoply of whether it’s a criminal claim, whether it’s a civil claim brought by the state or by an individual,” he said.

Public commenters and outside counsel for an advocacy group raised legal concerns. Eric Friday, general counsel for Florida Carry, told the committee the state law makes creation of a firearms registry a felony. “It is a felony to keep a list of gun owners in this state. It is a felony to keep a list of guns they own,” he said during public comment and called for a State Attorney investigation and accountability.

Officials said the city has stopped the practice of cataloging firearms at building entrances while matters remain under review. The general counsel said he had advised administration and public works staff to be “circumspect” about public comments because of the legal risk and offered to meet individually with council members to provide more background in confidence.

Committee options and next steps discussed at the meeting included inviting administration representatives to testify voluntarily, issuing subpoenas through the council’s investigatory authority, and forming a special investigative committee. Council members reminded one another of the need for due process while also noting the council’s charter authority to investigate local government affairs. The general counsel said he has not been advised by the State Attorney or any other agency to stop the council from conducting its oversight work.

Ending: The State Attorney’s Office has not publicly disclosed the details of the investigative subpoena, and the city’s outside counsel holds responsive materials, the general counsel said. Committee members agreed to continue oversight discussions while deferring requests for evidence to the State Attorney and outside counsel as the investigation proceeds.","City general counsel told the Rules Committee the State Attorney has issued investigative subpoenas after reports that building security kept logs of lawful firearms carried into City Hall and the Yates Building; outside counsel was retained and the practice stopped while the investigation proceeds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Multiple speakers urge Rules Committee to reject Elizabeth Anderson library appointment

Rules Committee confirms deputy fire chief, board appointments and emergency staffing; votes listed

Rules Committee approves resolution asking state efficiency team to review city finances; vote 5-2

Jacksonville rules committee hears officials describe state investigation into city firearm log