Finance Committee approves resolution expressing council concerns about Office of General Counsel

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee approved, 5-1, a resolution recorded in the meeting as Bill 20 25 1 81 that expresses the council’s concerns about operations and trust in the city’s Office of General Counsel.

Council members said the measure was needed because they do not trust the office to treat the council as an equal client and to resolve outstanding ethics and lobbying questions. Council member Terrence Freeman and others described a breakdown of trust and management issues in OGC; Freeman told the committee he had repeatedly raised an outstanding ethics question that had not been fully followed up.

Why it matters: council members said the council’s ability to get frank, independent legal advice is a core part of their job. The resolution — driven by a series of amendments discussed in Rules and Finance — is intended to register the body’s concerns and press for clearer processes and responsiveness from OGC.

During a lengthy discussion, several council members said the issue was not personal to any single lawyer but about institutional trust. Council member Rory Diamond said he believed there were “management issues” at OGC. Council member Brian Miller described reviewing OGC decisions and said the council needed to ensure its legal interests are equally considered alongside the administration’s.

Michael Fackler, the city’s general counsel, addressed the committee before the vote and told council members he accepted responsibility for responsiveness and pledged to be more attentive to the council’s requests. He also said deputies are involved in confidential matters only as necessary and that the office tries to hold confidence where appropriate.

What the vote did: By a 5-1 vote the committee approved the resolution (Bill 20 25 1 81). The committee record shows the measure moved forward to the full council with the committee’s approval.

Context and next steps: speakers referenced prior requests for state ethics guidance about lobbying and return-to-government rules. Council members said a separate process may be needed to resolve longer-term charter or procedural questions about how the council and administration obtain legal advice. The resolution itself does not remove or discipline staff; it formally records the council’s concerns and asks for improved responsiveness and procedures.

Speakers who took part in the discussion include council members Terrence Freeman, Rory Diamond and Brian Miller and General Counsel Michael Fackler.