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Finance committee approves workforce-and-education substitute after debate over Edward Waters funding and payment terms
Summary
The committee approved a finance substitute that folded revised term sheets for workforce and education projects, moved $2 million for Edward Waters University above the line, created a $675,000 contingency for apprenticeship programs, and set a 37.5% reimbursement model with a 10-year clawback; an initial proposal for 25% upfront payments was amended to an invoice/reimbursement approach.
The Duval County Finance Committee on Dec. 2 approved a finance substitute that packages multiple workforce and education appropriations with revised term sheets and added legal safeguards after extended debate over whether Edward Waters University (EWU) funding satisfies a public-purpose test.
The substitute reduced EWU’s appropriation by $675,000 and placed that amount into contingency for apprenticeship programs; it then moved the remaining $2,000,000 for EWU above the line so the university knows city support while the Office of General Counsel finishes a legal review. Committee members insisted on additional protections: the revised EWU term sheet limits the city's contribution to reimbursements equal to 37.5% of planning, design and permitting costs and includes a 10-year clawback if the full structure is not completed.
Council President Carico moved the amendment to bring the $2,000,000 above the line; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote before adopting the substituted…
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