I’m inspired by the many citizens who made their voices heard in the Council Chamber, town halls and committee meetings. I appreciate Council President Nick Howland and Finance Committee Chair Will Lahnen for the tone they set in a smooth and civil budget process. I’m grateful to Council Members Matt Carlucci and Moné Holder for their advocacy of affordable housing – and to their colleagues who voted to restore this vital investment. This is a great day for Jacksonville, and our best days are still ahead.

I heard the “Westside is the best side” many times at our final Budget Town Hall tonight at Ed White High School. Thank you for coming out and making your voices heard. Citizen feedback throughout this latest series of town halls is what drives us to make the city work for everyone on every side of town.

Every child in Jacksonville deserves access to a safe, welcoming place where they can play and feel that they belong. The new Nimnicht Stadium at Fort Family Regional Park is going to be just that.  Owned by the City and operated in partnership with @WalkOffJax, they will provide programming, daily operations, maintenance, events, and new opportunities for young people and families to use this public space. This is what can happen when the public, private and nonprofit sectors in our city come together to pitch in for their community.