Jacksonville City Council committee votes to limit officer installations to city-owned facilities

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee has voted in favor of legislation that would require Council officers to hold installation ceremonies in publicly owned buildings.

Matt Carlucci’s measure (2025-0869) emerged in the wake of Council President Kevin Carrico holding his own installation ceremony at a privately owned facility, which Carlucci believes could have discouraged people from attending.

Carlucci called the bill “self-explanatory” before noting that the bill came to mind when a town hall meeting was held at a “private place.”

“My concern is having it somewhere where everybody feels comfortable,” he said. “I think a city-owned venue is the right way to go.”

Republican Ron Salem noted that he had to have his at the Times-Union Center, but would have preferred to have it at the Ramallah Club.

“I have real mixed feelings about this,” said Salem, a former Council President. “I would like to give the President as much leeway as we can.”

Former President Terrance Freeman noted that he held his own installation at the city-owned Ritz, but had to fundraise more money because he was obligated to use the Ritz’s caterer. He said he was “shocked” by the cost of Carrico’s installation, which was more than $200,000.

Former President Randy White believes most future Presidents will be installed in city-owned facilities, but he doesn’t want to “hamper” future Presidents in ordinance.

Mike Gay, who has yet to be a Council President, likewise believes that Presidents should have “latitude” to hold installations where they see fit.

Ken Amaro acknowledged “merits to the bill” but also worried about “tying an individual’s hands” by putting this in law.

Carlucci said that an individual’s hands being tied is not the issue, given “the office belongs to the people.”

Amaro, Michael Boylan, Gay and Salem voted “yes.”

Freeman, White and Rules Chair Chris Miller voted “no.”

The bill likely will be voted on by the full City Council on Jan. 13.