City Council president requests legal opinion on Sheriff Williams’ move to Nassau County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The future of Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams hangs in the balance, awaiting a decision by the city’s top lawyer.

Action News Jax first told you Friday that Williams moved from Duval to Nassau County a year ago, possibly violating Jacksonville’s charter.

Now city officials are questioning the legality of his move.

“I did request a legal and binding opinion from [the] office of general counsel by closing date Wednesday, June 1,” City Council President Sam Newby said.

Action News Jax spoke with Newby on the phone. He said he believes Williams should live in Duval County like the rest of the elected officials.

The city charter says if an acting sheriff moves out of the county while still in office, they’re to be removed, but state law says otherwise.

The residency requirement was removed back in 2010.

Williams said his legal experts have advised that state law supersedes the city charter.

“He told me that he did move to Nassau County but he said that a state statute in 2010 said that he didn’t have to live in Duval County. So that’s what he’s going on, but that’s why I asked for a legal opinion to find out who’s right and who’s wrong because I think the city charter trumps the state statute, but I don’t know. I’m not a lawyer, so that’s why I asked for a legal and binding opinion,” Newby said.

Newby also said it’s a slippery slope.

General Counsel Jason Teal told Action News Jax he is not answering any questions at this time but he expects to issue the legal opinion on or before June 1.

Sheriff Williams told us the move to Nassau County was better for his family and it was a personal decision based on timing.

The sheriff declined to do a phone interview Friday but said he would take questions at the city’s Memorial Day ceremony Monday.

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