Jacksonville Beach council amends language and adopts ordinance clarifying mayoral emergency powers

An ordinance updating Jacksonville Beach—s civil-emergency code was adopted on second reading after the council amended section 2 to mirror the language of the city charter on mayoral emergency authority.

Madam Clerk read the ordinance by title as "An ordinance of the City of Jacksonville Beach, Florida amending Chapter 2 Administration, Article 7 Civil Emergencies, Section 2-193 authority to declare and extend a state of emergency, activation of disaster plans," and summarized that it updates procedures for declaring or extending a state of emergency and provides legislative findings, severability and an effective date. City Attorney David told the council there had been no changes since the first hearing and that two main points relate to clarifying mayoral powers during the first 72 hours of an emergency and providing guidance on extensions in accordance with state law.

The ordinance was before the council for a public hearing on second reading. No members of the public spoke on the item. A council member moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading; council member Golding then proposed an amendment to section 2 so the ordinance would "mirror what the charter says" and inserted the charter language referencing the mayor—s authority to "take command of and govern the city for a period not to exceed 72 hours," with any extension beyond that period authorized by an affirmative vote of at least five council members.

Golding said the amendment was suggested by a citizen who noted the charter language contained no gendered references and recommended using the charter text verbatim. City Attorney David confirmed the amendment and the originally proposed ordinance were both legally sufficient and that either would remove code language that conflicted with the charter; in response to a council question he said, "So, no, it does not," when asked whether the ordinance would allow the mayor to take control of the police department.

The council took a roll call on the amendment and later on final adoption; the roll call recorded "yes" votes by the council members present and the ordinance passed. The clerk announced the motion passed and the meeting was adjourned.

Action details

- Amendment: Council member Golding moved to amend section 2 to mirror City Charter Section 4 language on mayoral emergency authority; the amendment was seconded and passed on roll call.

- Adoption: A motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-8227 on second reading passed on roll call; the clerk recorded affirmative votes and the ordinance was adopted as amended.

The ordinance will take effect according to its effective-date clause; staff follow-up is expected for codification and any scrivener—s corrections.