OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL SECRETARY

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. II, ch. 11

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.101 Office of the Council Secretary created.

Sec. 11.101. - Office of the Council Secretary created. There is hereby created the Office of the Council Secretary which shall be a department of the legislative branch of the Consolidated Government. All laws relating generally to the administration of government shall, so far as applicable, govern the Office of the Council Secretary. The Council Secretary is the head of the Department, and shall be responsible for all matters of staff support for the Council. This Office shall include: a Legislative Services Division, a Research Division, an Administrative Services Division, a Public Information Division, and a Value Adjustment Board Division. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.102 Office to be under Council Secretary.

Sec. 11.102. - Office to be under Council Secretary. The Department of the Council Secretary shall be under the management of the Council Secretary, who shall be appointed by the Council without regard to political affiliation and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Council Secretary shall be responsible for the divisions and functions of the Department and shall exercise direct control and supervision over all Department staff, including chiefs. The Council Secretary shall also exercise direct control and supervision over Council aides and shall provide administrative assistance for the Executive Council Assistants. The Council Secretary may appoint an Administrative Assistant to the Council Secretary who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council Secretary and who may be assigned by the Council Secretary to assist Council Members, individually. The Administrative Assistant to the Council Secretary shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 4; Ord. 2018-536-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.103 Functions of Office.

Sec. 11.103. - Functions of Office. The Office of the Council Secretary shall: (a) Keep the records of the Council and be the official signatory and perform all duties which are assigned by the Charter or by law. (b) Maintain the offices, chambers, committee rooms and conference rooms of the City Council. (c) Provide clerical, secretarial or administrative assistance to Council committees and subcommittees and to boards and commissions that function as an extension of the Council. (d) Provide, maintain, and update the official legislative files, committee calendars and Council agenda, and other documents necessary to the conduct of legislative business, and be responsible for all official records of the legislative branch of government. (e) Provide the Council, its committees and members, with information, data and policy analysis, necessary to the proper conduct of legislative business and maintain a Council Library. This shall include providing a legislative summary of each bill introduced into Council, excepting those dealing with land use, rezoning or commendations. (f) In the absence of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Legislative Services shall serve as Acting Council Secretary solely for the purposes of acting as official Council signatory and for issuing or receiving subpoenas. (g) Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council President or the Council. (h) Serve as the Clerk of the Duval County Value Adjustment Board as provided in Rule 12D-9.006, Florida Administrative Code, as amended from time to time. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 4; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.104 Legislative Services Division; Chief of Legislative Services.

Sec. 11.104. - Legislative Services Division; Chief of Legislative Services. There is hereby created a Legislative Services Division which shall be responsible for all legislative operations of the Council, its committees, and boards and commissions functioning as an extension of the Council. The Legislative Services Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Legislative Services, who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council without regard to political affiliation and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Legislative Services shall be under the supervision of and shall report to the Council Secretary. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2001-1022-E, § 4; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 2)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.105 Legislative Services Division; staffing.

Sec. 11.105. - Legislative Services Division; staffing. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Legislative Services may employ up to one Assistant Chief of Legislative Services who will be confirmed by the Personnel Committee and the Council. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Legislative Services may also employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division. All employees in this division shall be hired within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council. In the absence of the Chief of Legislative Services, the Council Secretary may designate, at his or her discretion, the Assistant Chief of Legislative Services to serve as Acting Chief of Legislative Services and that designated person shall do all things that the Chief of Legislative Services can do including sign ordinances and resolutions and receive and issue subpoenas when authorized to do so by the Council Secretary in writing. The Assistant Chief of Legislative Services shall be confirmed by the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City, and shall be under direct supervision of and shall report to the Chief of Legislative Services. The Assistant Chief of Legislative Services shall perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the Chief of Legislative Services, the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.106 Duties of the Legislative Services Division.

Sec. 11.106. - Duties of the Legislative Services Division. The Legislative Services Division shall have the following duties: (a) Receive bills proposed for introduction into the Council and all amendments thereto. (b) Maintain a separate file on each bill introduced. (c) Prepare the agenda for each Council and committee meeting in accordance with the rules of the Council. (d) Prepare minutes of Council meetings and summary report minutes of each committee meeting. (e) Maintain the Journal of the Council, the Record of Ordinances and Record of Resolutions, carefully preserving the original of each enrolled ordinance and resolution, and prepare an index for research and retrieval purposes. (f) Publish all notices required by law to be published on behalf of or for the Council. (g) Keep and update, as necessary, the legislative files, records and dockets of the Council as a whole, its committees and various Council members, as official records of the City. (h) Maintain records of every subpoena issued by the Chief of Legislative Services stating the date of the subpoena request, the person or agency requesting the subpoena, the person summoned thereby and the date of issuance. (i) Mail a copy of any complaint against the City, involving litigation which has as its basis the appeal of a decision of the Council to either approve or deny a petition for rezoning to all property owners lying within 350 feet of the property which is the subject of the litigation. (j) Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, President of the Council or the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.107 Research Division; Chief of Research.

Sec. 11.107. - Research Division; Chief of Research. There is hereby created a Council Research Division which shall be responsible for providing the Council, its committees and members with the information and data (other than that provided by other departments in the legislative branch) necessary to the proper conduct of legislative business. The Research Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Research, who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by the Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and who shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Research shall be under the direct supervision of and shall report to the Council Secretary. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.108 Duties of the Research Division.

Sec. 11.108. - Duties of the Research Division. The Research Division shall have the following duties: (a) Prepare a legislative summary of each bill introduced into Council, briefly summarizing the provisions of the bill and stating any effect it would have on present law if enacted or adopted. (b) Prepare informative and illustrative material on matters of interest to the Council or pertinent to proposed legislation. (c) Provide research services as necessary for boards and commissions that function as an extension of the Council. (d) Maintain the Council Library. The Chief of Research may designate one person within the division to be the Council Librarian. The Chief of Research shall, with approval by the Council Secretary, develop rules and regulations for the operation of the Council Library. Such rules and regulations shall include a prohibition against removing materials from City Hall except as permitted in § 11.111. (e) Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.109 Research division; staffing.

Sec. 11.109. - Research division; staffing. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Research may employ research assistants as may be required to carry out the duties of the Division within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and the salary ranges established by the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.110 Value Adjustment Board Division; Chief/Deputy Clerk of Value Adjustment Board.

Sec. 11.110. - Value Adjustment Board Division; Chief/Deputy Clerk of Value Adjustment Board. There is hereby created a Value Adjustment Board (VAB) Division. The VAB Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of the Value Adjustment Board Division, who shall serve as the Deputy Clerk of the Value Adjustment Board, and who shall be appointed by the Council Secretary and confirmed by the Personnel Committee and the Council and serve at the pleasure of the Council without regard to political affiliation, and who shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of the VAB Division shall be under the supervision of, and shall report to, the Council Secretary, clerk of the governing body of the county. The VAB Division shall perform the duties provided in Rule 12D-9.005, Florida Administrative Code, as amended from time to time, and shall be responsible to manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the Value Adjustment Board as delegated by the Council Secretary and shall maintain the office of the Value Adjustment Board. In the absence or vacancy of the Council Secretary, the Chief/Deputy Clerk shall assume the role of Value Adjustment Board Clerk and will serve as interim Value Adjustment Board Clerk until such time as a permanent Council Secretary is confirmed by the Council. (Ord. 2025-108-E, § 3)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.111 Value Adjustment Board Division; staffing.

Sec. 11.111. - Value Adjustment Board Division; staffing. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of the VAB Division may employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division and the office of the Value Adjustment Board within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council. (Ord. 2025-108-E, § 3)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.112 Duties of the Value Adjustment Board Division.

Sec. 11.112. - Duties of the Value Adjustment Board Division. The Value Adjustment Board Division shall have the following duties: (a) Maintain the office of the Value Adjustment Board. (b) Issue all notices for the Value Adjustment Board and preserve all records thereof. (c) Manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the Value Adjustment Board as delegated by the Council Secretary. (d) Perform the duties provided in Rule 12D-9.007, Florida Administrative Code, as amended from time to time. (e) Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council that do not conflict with, change, expand, suspend or negate the applicable rules adopted by Florida Statutes, the Florida Administrative Code, or other provisions of law. (Ord. 2025-108-E, § 3)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.116 Administrative Services Division; Chief of Administrative Services.

Sec. 11.116. - Administrative Services Division; Chief of Administrative Services. There is hereby created an Administrative Services Division which shall be responsible for all administrative matters of the Council including budget preparation, such personnel matters authorized by the Council Secretary, payroll, purchasing, and facilities management other than audio/visual. The Administrative Services Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Administrative Services who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by the Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the civil service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Administrative Services shall be under the supervision of and shall report to the Council Secretary. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.117 Administrative Services Division; staffing.

Sec. 11.117. - Administrative Services Division; staffing. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Administrative Services may employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.118 Duties of the Administrative Services Division.

Sec. 11.118. - Duties of the Administrative Services Division. The duties of the Administrative Services Division shall include: (a) Maintain all personnel, payroll and purchasing files and records. (b) Maintain records of all physical inventories of Council equipment, and update this inventory annually. (c) Maintain all physical facilities and meeting spaces under the control of the Council, in proper condition for use by the Council. The Division shall develop a system of allowing the fair use of meeting facilities for legitimate City functions, provided that no such usage shall interfere with the needs of the Council. (d) Prepare periodic budget reports for the Council Secretary. (e) To the extent authorized by the Council Secretary, assign and provide supervision for all other support employees of the Division, including the staffing of the Council reception area and Council Aides. (f) Generally, assist Executive Council Assistants appointed by individual Council members in the performance of their duties. (g) The maintenance of administrative records shall be coordinated with the Chief of Legislative Services. (h) Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.119 Public Information Division, Chief of Public Information.

Sec. 11.119. - Public Information Division, Chief of Public Information. There is hereby created Public Information Division, which shall serve as a resource to all Divisions of the Office. The Public Information Division shall be under the general direction and supervision of the Chief of Public Information who shall be appointed by the Personnel Committee and confirmed by the Council, and serve at the pleasure of the Personnel Committee and the Council and shall not be in the classified service of the City and shall not be subject to the Civil Service laws affecting the City. The Chief of Public Information shall be under the supervision of, and shall report to, the Council Secretary. The Public Information Division shall: maintain a public information office; create and maintain contracts and/or facilities for public broadcasts of the Council meetings, with the approval of the Council Secretary; and be responsible for audio visual technical support as needed by the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.120 Public Information Division; staffing.

Sec. 11.120. - Public Information Division; staffing. With the approval of the Council Secretary, the Chief of Public Information may employ such other employees as may be required to assist in performing the duties of the Division within the positions and salaries allowed by the employee cap and salary ranges established by the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.121 Duties of the Public Information Division.

Sec. 11.121. - Duties of the Public Information Division. The duties of the Public Information Division shall include: (a) Manage the public relations of the Council. (b) Respond to requests for information from the public, the media, or other governments, for information about the Council, or when appropriate, refer requests for information to agencies within the City government. (c) Maintain the Council's internet website. (d) At minimum, publish an annual printed bulletin on the membership and committee assignments of the Council to be used to inform the public. (e) Maintain the audio/visual facilities and equipment of the Council. Maintain a scheduling system for these facilities. (f) With the approval of the Council Secretary, arrange for the public broadcast of Council meetings and selected proceedings, either through contract with a third-party provider, or through in-house systems installed in Council meeting areas. (g) Generally, assist the public with information about the Council and its proceedings, assuring public access and comfort at all Council meetings, committee meetings, and other special meetings or programs of interest to the public. (h) Perform such other duties and tasks as may be assigned by the Council Secretary, the Council President or the Council. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 11.122 Executive Committee, Personnel Committee; appointment and discharge.

Sec. 11.122. - Executive Committee, Personnel Committee; appointment and discharge. (a) An Executive Committee shall be convened by the Council President from time to time to consider such matters as may be assigned by the Council President including but not limited to administrative, financial or internal matters of Council. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Council President, Vice President, and the Chair of the Finance Committee. (b) A Personnel Committee shall be convened by the Council President from time to time to consider personnel matters. The Personnel Committee shall be composed of the Council President and Vice President, the Chairs of the Finance and Rules Committees and one other Council Member selected by the Council President. The Committee's recommendation for the appointment and discharge of the Director/Council Secretary shall be approved by the Council by resolution, by a simple majority of the Council. The Committee shall also be responsible for recommending or confirming, as applicable, the appointment of the Chief of Research, the Chief of Administrative Services, the Chief of Public Information, the Chief of Legislative Services, and the Chief of the Value Adjustment Board Division. Each such recommendation shall be approved by resolution by a simple majority of the Council. The Assistant Chief of Legislative Services shall be recommended by the Director/Council Secretary to the Personnel Committee and approved by resolution by a simple majority of the Council. The discharge of the Chief of Research, the Chief of Administrative Services, the Chief of Public Information, the Chief and Assistant Chief of Legislative Services, and the Chief of the Value Adjustment Board Division shall be effected by the Director/Council Secretary with the approval of the Personnel Committee. All other appointed employees in the Office of the Director/Council Secretary and its divisions shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Director/Council Secretary without regard to political affiliation. All classified employees in the Office of Director/Council Secretary and its divisions shall be employed, disciplined and discharged by the Director/Council Secretary pursuant to and in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of the City. The Personnel Committee shall, from time to time, bring recommendations regarding salary ranges and positions pertaining to all applicable City Council employee positions to the Council for Council approval. (Ord. 1999-418-E, § 1; Ord. 2000-793-E, § 1; Ord. 2004-464-E, § 2; Ord. 2013-412-E, § 1; Ord. 2025-108-E, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIILEBR_CH11OFCOSEFetched: 10/27/2026