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Committee advances $12 million upfront for Jacksonville Zoo to address construction cost gap
Summary
The Neighborhoods Committee approved moving $12 million of the City’s pledged five-year match to the current year to help the Jacksonville Zoo finish a construction project that has increased in cost from earlier estimates. The measure passed 6-2 and moves to finance committee for further review.
The Jacksonville City Council committee on Monday approved advancing $12 million of a previously committed multi-year match to the Jacksonville Zoo to address construction cost increases on a major capital project.
Council President Ron White described the decision as an effort to protect a long-standing city asset. The committee voted 6-2 to move the funds forward; the measure will be considered by the Finance Committee next. Councilmember White told colleagues the zoo opened in 1914 and is an important city amenity.
City auditor and staff explained the mechanics: the council had previously approved a five-year match committed as $4 million per year; the action before the committee would accelerate the final three years of that obligation — $12 million — so the zoo can meet construction cash-flow needs now instead of waiting to seek reimbursements after it spends. The administration noted the change accelerates the city’s borrowing and will increase the city’s debt service costs accordingly.
Jacksonville Zoo representative John Hagen (board/leadership) said private fundraising continues but that construction costs rose substantially: earlier project estimates near $46.5 million (October 2023) were reported to have risen to about $70.5 million (February 2024), creating a funding gap the zoo is now addressing. Hagen told the committee the zoo had roughly $8 million in signed gift agreements and expected additional fundraising, but that the timing of donations and the need to pay contractors had created a cash-flow problem.
Committee members supported the project but asked for documentation. Councilmember Michael Boylan urged the zoo to present written commitments or gift agreements showing matching funds; city staff said the agreement accompanying the legislation requires the zoo to provide quarterly evidence of matching dollars spent against the advance amount until the match is met. Councilmember Ron Salem said he favors matches and wanted assurances; he voted against the measure because he felt he had insufficient documentation at the time of the committee.
Council members also discussed financial implications: the city’s debt-management office estimated that every $10 million of debt costs roughly $800,000 per year in principal and interest; staff estimated the additional $12 million would add roughly $850,000 per year in debt service. Supporters cited the zoo’s ongoing private fundraising and the risk of construction delays and escalating costs if the project stalls.
The committee approved the advance 6-2; members asked that the zoo and administration provide additional written materials and that the Finance Committee consider the debt-service impact and matching documentation when the item is taken up next.
