Come Together: The Story of Jacksonville's Consolidation -- Part 7

 The Duval County Local Government Study Commission saw six needs that would have to be met by any form of government that was to replace the outmoded, cumbersome, and confusing Mayor-Council-Commission form that had not been able to deal with the problems faced by Jacksonville. (Blueprint, 6-7)

1.  A governmental structure that is responsive to all of the area's citizens.

2.  A governmental structure easily understood by the citizenry and that encourages citizen participation in the local government process.

3.  A structure that simplifies citizens' ability to discern where they needed to interact with the government to present their problems and grievances.  Such simplification would make the citizens' votes more meaningful and effective.

4.  Maximum service from government agencies and officials with a minimum taxpayer burden; a streamlined administrative structure that emphasizes economy and efficiency.

5.  A structure better suited, with capability and flexibility, to meet current and future needs.

6.  Elimination of costly, inefficient, overlapping duplicated functions.

Now, keep in mind an observation made by 20th century CBS newsman Eric Sevareid:  "The chief cause of problems is solutions."  Here, briefly, are the solutions proposed by the Commission to solve the problems faced by city and county, outlined in parts 5 and 6 of this series. (Blueprint, 7)  We shall see later whether Mr. Sevareid's aphorism applies.

 1.  Eliminate existing outmoded, inadequate governmental structures, both city and county.

2.  Create a single countywide local government based on a Mayor-Council form, emphasizing checks and balances.

3.  Provide a structure with the legal capabilities and flexibility to meet local needs with a minimum of outside interference.  (I can hear voices:  "This means you, state legislature.")

4.  Provide a structure that clearly defines responsibility, making it easier for citizens to present their problems.  The hoped-for result: greater citizen understanding and participation.

5.  Provide high-quality governmental services countywide: police and fire protection, street and highway planning, traffic control, zoning, recreation and parks, library service, building codes, and more.

6.  Provide adequate urban governmental services in densely-populated areas: sewers, water, street lights, paved curbs and gutters, street drainage, refuse collection and disposal, sidewalks, and other services.

7.  Work toward  reduction of as valorem taxes through efficiency, economy, new revenue sources, and elimination of tax inequities.

These proposals carried with them four "Important Assurances:" (Blueprint, 7)

1.  The entire plan will be put to a countywide vote of the citizens.

2.  No one will pay taxes for services until they receive them.

3.   Every area of the county will have equitable representation based on population.

4.  Current employees at the time Consolidation takes effect will have their tenure and pension rights safeguarded.  This last assurance was aimed at preventing a recurrence of the resistance by county employees that torpedoed the 1933 attempt at consolidation, according to William Towers. (Towers, 62)

Duval County (Florida), Local Government Study Commission, Blueprint for Improvement, 1966. (Jacksonville: No publisher, 1966).  Online resource of the George W. Simons, Jr., Planning Collection, University of North Florida Thomas G. Carpenter Library, Special Collections and Archives.  UNF Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/simonsflorida/8/.  

Towers, William Benjamin, The Duval County-Jacksonville Experience: a Case Study of the Consolidation Movement in Local Government. (Original Publisher and date unknown; typed manuscript).  University of North Florida: UNF digital commons; stable URL https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/jaxdoc/7/ (Accessed 6 May 2025).

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