JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council’s Duval DOGE special committee announced the launch of an official webpage on the city’s website Thursday to “enhance transparency and public engagement,” a release stated.

City officials said the webpage will feature information on the overall objectives of the special committee, meeting schedules and other related documents.

The webpage lists four main items the special committee will address, including:

• Analyzing recent growth in city departments and programs to identify areas for potential savings
• Evaluating services to identify potential savings
• Consider implementing a budget lapse while being mindful of service impacts
• Other matters identified by the special committee

Councilman Ron Salem, who serves as chair of the special committee, said the new page will allow residents to review and track decisions that would ultimately impact their community.

“We’re looking at deficits of $70 to $100 million over the next three years while clarifying that essential services such as police, fire and garbage collection are protected from their review,” Salem added.

The special committee is made up entirely of Republicans, including Salem, Councilman Joe Carlucci, who serves as vice chair, Councilman Raul Arias, Councilman Mike Gay and Councilman Chris Miller. 

During a meeting held Tuesday, the special committee heard from the City Council Auditor’s Office, which presented data on capital improvement projects and department growth. 

The auditor’s office also surveyed the overall growth of city departments over the last seven years, city activities and money transferred out of the general fund. They flagged close to a dozen departments that grew over the auditor’s expected growth rate of 5.4%.

The next Duval DOGE meeting is slated for April 15, and the committee is tasked with delivering a final report by June 23, 2025.

People with questions or comments for the committee can email them to duvaldoge@coj.net.

Click here to visit the Duval DOGE’s webpage.