Council committee endorses using Historic Eastside nonprofit to oversee Jaguars CBA grants, with board representation rules

A Jacksonville City Council special committee on the Eastside CBA grants voted to proceed with language in the draft ordinance identifying Historic Eastside CBA Organization Inc. as the outside 501(c)(3) that would administer grant awards under the Jaguars’ community benefits agreement. The committee reached a consensus to "stick with what we have right now," affirming the organization named in the draft despite objections from some members.

The decision followed an extended exchange about whether the city should instead create its own 501(c)(3) or select an existing nonprofit. Mary Stifopoulos of the Office of General Counsel told the committee that the city legally could form its own nonprofit but would likely need outside counsel and that doing so could slow implementation. She also warned of a legal exposure if the city uses an outside organization to disperse city funds under the existing Community Benefits Agreement: "that places the city in a position where...it could compromise that contract," she said, urging the committee to adopt additional guardrails if it proceeds.

Daniel Nunn, who represents the Historic Eastside CBA Organization Inc., said the nonprofit has bylaws and has been structured to include representatives of the mayor’s office, city council, the Jaguars and the East Side community. "It is the way the organization has been structured to represent the Eastside," Nunn told the committee.

Council members who spoke in favor of proceeding — including Joe Carducci and Councilman Carlucci — said choosing an established nonprofit would avoid delay, allowing the board, bylaws and CEO to be vetted and finalized rather than awaiting the lengthy process to establish a city-created 501(c)(3). Councilman Ron Salem reiterated his preference for keeping the program inside government initially (the “opioid model”) but said he was prepared to continue the discussion and move forward with the committee’s choice.

The committee also emphasized that board composition and bylaws — not just the nonprofit’s name — are central to the program’s integrity. Chair Councilman Arias said the chief priority is representation: "At the end of the day, what I care the most about is the board member representation," he said, adding that both sides of the community must have a stake on the board.

What’s next: OGC and staff will produce a red-lined version of the ordinance reflecting committee changes and provide comparative charts of existing city grant programs for the committee’s next meeting, which staff said they will schedule before the December break if possible.