Mayor refuses to sign police legislation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The legislation will still take effect. The budget battle between the sheriff and the city just keeps heating up.

Action News obtained the letter from Mayor Alvin Brown to Council President Bill Bishop. It's about the bill council approved to give JSO $10.5 million in savings.

The mayor refused to sign it saying quote "I asked the JSO to make budget reductions that were, in percentage terms, significantly smaller than agencies like the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, Jacksonville Public Library, and Public Works Department. It is unfair to those critical city agencies that have absorbed deep cuts to allow one agency to use one-time money rather than engage in necessary budget tightening."‬

"That's his prerogative," said Bishop. "I share his concerns."

The big problem right now, the sheriff may not get all of that $10.5 million savings because of a new issue with outstanding workman's comp claims totaling nearly $5 million for JSO.

The sheriff did send Action News this statement, "In light of the deep lay offs and position cuts to public safety last year and this year (48 police layoffs, 74 police positions cut, 22 Corrections positions cut, all 63 Community Service Officers laid off or cut, and over 150 civilians laid off or cut) Jacksonville citizens are fortunate to have a large majority of City Council members that are unwilling to retreat from public safety and the recent historic crime reductions the City has recently enjoyed."