CITY COUNCIL SERVICE INCENTIVE AWARDS PROGRAM

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. II, ch. 16

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 16.101 Purpose and intent.

Sec. 16.101. - Purpose and intent. It is hereby determined and declared: (a) The growth of the size of government and of the population of Jacksonville has decreased the contact and understanding between citizens and civil servants. As a consequence of such lack of communication, acts of valor and exceptional service have gone unrecognized and no incentive exists for employees of the City or the citizenry to act for the good of their fellow citizens rather than personal gain, nor have the children of this community been provided in their formative years with clear and convincing evidence of the benefits of exceptional public service and models of such service to emulate. Apathy has replaced involvement as the motto of many employees and citizens. (b) Those employees of the Consolidated Government who are directly responsible for police and fire protection may be subject to grave personal risks in the performance of their duties and their assumption of these risks is of immeasurable benefit to the public health, safety and welfare, and deserves special recognition. (c) It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to increase the incidence of acts of service and valor performed by the employees of the City, including the independent agencies, and the residents of the City, by specially recognizing those whose acts of valor and service promote the public health, safety and welfare. (Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 16.102 Establishment and procedure.

Sec. 16.102. - Establishment and procedure. (a) Establishment. A City Council Service Incentive Awards Program is hereby established to recognize special acts of service to the community and thereby provide incentives for others to act to increasingly serve the public health, safety and welfare. (b) Procedure and standards for applications and approval of awards. (1) Any resident or employee of the City and its independent agencies may nominate any other resident or employee of the City and its independent agencies by filing a nomination application with the Council Secretary. The application shall contain the information required by Section 16.103. (2) The Committee on Rules shall review and investigate each application and, if the granting of an award is deemed to be in furtherance of the purpose and intent of this Chapter, the Committee shall cause to be introduced into the Council in its name a resolution authorizing the granting of the award and describing the category of award in accordance with Section 16.104 and the incident or service justifying such award. (3) Upon the adoption of a resolution granting an award, the Council President shall present the award to the recipient or his representative at a regular meeting of the Council. (Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 16.103 Contents of application.

Sec. 16.103. - Contents of application. A nomination application shall contain the following information: (a) The name, residence and business address and telephone numbers of the person making the nomination; (b) The name of the nominee, his occupation, and business or residence address; (c) Any relationship, whether of kindred, business or professional, between the nominator and the nominee; (d) The category of award, in accordance with Section 16.104, for which the nominee is recommended; and (e) A description of the actions or services for which the nominee is recommended for an award, including the names of other persons who may verify the actions or services for which an award is recommended, if known. (Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 16.104 Categories and descriptions of awards.

Sec. 16.104. - Categories and descriptions of awards. The Committee on Rules may recommend and the Council may approve the granting of awards for acts and services in accordance with the following categories and descriptions: (a) The City Council Service Medal of Honor shall be presented only to police officers or firefighters for outstanding courage and valor involving the risking of life and limb in an effort to serve with total disregard for personal safety. It shall consist of a blue ribbon and a gold-colored medal. (b) The City Council Citizens Medal of Honor shall be presented only to a resident of the City or an employee of the City or its independent agencies (excluding police officers and firefighters) for outstanding courage and valor evidenced by a specific action involving the risking of life and limb in an effort to serve with total disregard for personal safety. It shall consist of a red ribbon and a gold-colored medal. (c) The Injury in the Line of Duty Medal shall be presented only to an employee of the City or its independent agencies (including police officers and firefighters) receiving injuries during the course of performance of his duties that require hospitalization and from a cause or causes not attributable in whole or in part to the employee's negligence. It shall consist of a white ribbon and a purple heart-shaped medallion. (Ord. 77-428-172, § 1; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 16.105 Certificate of commendation or appreciation.

Sec. 16.105. - Certificate of commendation or appreciation. The Council President is hereby authorized and permitted to execute and the Council Secretary is hereby authorized to execute and affix the seal of the City Council to a Certificate of Commendation or Appreciation to be presented to a person, group or entity on behalf of the City Council to honor, commend or recognize such person, group or entity for outstanding service, accomplishment or distinction. Such certificate may be initiated by any Council Member by request to the Council President and any Council Member may elect to sign a letter to accompany the certificate when transmitted to the recipient or recipients thereof. (Ord. 94-901-479, § 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_CH16CICOSEINAWPRFetched: 10/27/2026