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Committee approves one‑year pilot to open JSEB opportunities to St. Johns County with report due March 1, 2026
Summary
The special committee voted to run a pilot reciprocity program allowing JSEB-certified businesses from St. Johns County to compete for designated opportunities in Duval County; members asked the JSEB office to study fee structures and report back
The Jacksonville City Council Special Committee on JSEB voted April 7 to authorize a one‑year pilot to allow reciprocity with a neighboring county—beginning with St. Johns County—so that JSEB-certified businesses in the participating county can compete for selected opportunities in Duval County.
Why it matters: Committee proponents said reciprocity would expand opportunities for small and emerging businesses. Opponents cautioned that expanding eligibility could strain the JSEB office’s current staffing and could move local dollars outside Duval County unless the program includes a fee or cost-recovery mechanism.
Motion and amendment: Councilman Rahman Johnson moved a reciprocity motion that would allow businesses from surrounding counties to participate in a formalized pipeline for small-business opportunities. Councilman Ken Amaro offered and passed an amendment limiting the initial pilot to St. Johns County and setting a time‑certain pilot period. The committee approved the motion as amended.
Committee direction and implementation notes: Greg Grant of the JSEB office said the office had received applications from other counties and that current administrative capacity is limited; he recommended starting with a pilot and producing preliminary data. Council members requested a fee-based approach be considered to protect Duval taxpayer dollars if outside counties participate. The administration suggested the pilot proceed as an unbinding memorandum of understanding during the test year and that any legislative fee structure would later require council action.
Reporting requirements: The committee set a report date of March 1, 2026, to assess the pilot’s results and operational impacts. Members also asked for interim updates if meaningful data become available sooner.
Ending: The motion passed. Committee members said they expect the JSEB office to provide a plan for staffing, fee structure options and a one‑year evaluation of the pilot.
