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Rules committee reviews business-interest justification for nonresident nominee to Kids Hope Alliance
Summary
Committee members heard the administration's justification for appointing Josh Martino to the Kids Hope Alliance despite his nonresident status and agreed the sponsor should present the nominee at the next rules meeting for formal consideration.
The rules committee on June 16 discussed the appointment of Josh Martino to the Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) after staff noted Martino is not a Duval County resident and the council must determine whether he satisfies the code's residency or substantial business/philanthropic-interest test.
Philip Peterson, the council auditor, told the committee that when an appointee is not a resident the legislation's sponsor must explain the appointee's substantial business or philanthropic interest in Duval County so the council can decide whether to approve the appointment. Garrett Dennis, representing the administration, described Mr. Martino's business and philanthropic ties to the community: he is president and legal counsel for Bono's Barbecue, has longstanding involvement with local nonprofit and civic efforts including the Jacksonville Zoo, Tiger Academy, Operation New Hope, Feeding Northeast Florida and a college advisory board, and serves on multiple local advisory councils.
Several council members expressed support for Martino after hearing the administration's justification, and the committee concluded the sponsor's on-the-record explanation satisfied the statutory requirement. Committee staff and the chair said the formal appointment will be heard with the appointee present at the next rules committee meeting so the council can vote with the nominee available to answer additional questions.
The committee did not take a final vote at this meeting. Members indicated they were satisfied with the on-the-record justification and directed staff to ensure the sponsor and the nominee appear at the next rules meeting for the formal appointment vote.
