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Council approves $9 million addition to Florida Theatre capital plan
Summary
Jacksonville council voted to add $9 million to a multi‑year capital improvement plan for the city‑owned Florida Theatre, funding to be spread across the next four years and conditioned by contract language to be added to the budget ordinance.
The Jacksonville City Council’s finance committee approved a motion Aug. 22 to add $9 million to the capital improvement plan (CIP) for the city‑owned Florida Theatre, bringing the building’s multi‑year allocation to $10 million total when combined with previously budgeted amounts. The committee voted by a raised‑hand voice vote after several members described the building as a city asset and said matching funds and recent reductions to overall proposed debt made the additional investment acceptable.
Why it matters: The Florida Theatre is a historic, city‑owned performing arts venue; supporters said the funds would help preserve the building and support ongoing programming. Opponents said adding debt in this budget cycle risks increasing future fiscal pressure and criticized the late timing of the request.
Details: Kim Taylor, the council auditor, told the committee the Florida Theatre already had $500,000 budgeted in the current year and another $500,000 in the next CIP year; the additional request was therefore $9 million to reach a $10 million program total. Proponents including Councilman Rory Diamond and Councilman Ron Salem said the theatre is historically and culturally significant and that the city would receive a 50–50 match for the work. Council members who opposed the request cited overall added debt in the multi‑year CIP and concerns about the late presentation of the proposal.
Process and next steps: The auditors and the budget office said language would be added to the budget ordinance to authorize a contract amendment to formalize the additional indebtedness for the theatre and that the committee’s approval would require follow‑through with the Office of General Counsel and contract reconciliation. The committee also agreed the mayor’s team and the theatre should communicate with councilors earlier in future requests.
Vote: The motion passed by a voice/hand vote in committee and will be incorporated into the finance substitute and then included in the council budget ordinance for final consideration.
