JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Another fight is brewing between Jacksonville's City Council and the Mayor's Office.
This time it's over an employee appointed by the mayor, who is now working for the Fire Department.
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City Council members said they eliminated Terrance Ashanta-Barker's position during budget hearings. And one member was angry to see he's still working and said it's keeping legitimate firefighters from being hired.
Ashanta-Barker was appointed to head up the city's Neighborhoods Department over two years ago. The position paid over $130,000, but with benefits included, the job is worth nearly $175,000 a year.
It didn't work out, and Ashanta-Barker was then transferred to the fire department to work with emergency management.
That's not working out with the City Council, who eliminated the position last month.
But City Councilman Matt Schellenberg told the finance committee Tuesday that Ashanta-Barker is still working for the city and still collecting the same salary.
"Which means critical positions for the Fire Department are going unfilled, because this gentleman is taking $175,000 when you look at salaries and benefits," Schellenberg said. "Going forward, when I look at this, it is bad for morale and shows a great deal of indifference for the council."
Chief Marty Senterfitt said Tuesday that he is out of town and can't comment right now.
The Mayor's Office released a statement clarifying Ashanta-Barker's current role with the city:
"Terrance Ashanta-Barker is currently assigned to the Emergency Preparedness Division, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, in the position of Emergency Preparedness Manager. Mr. Ashanta-Barker is a licensed attorney in Florida and has an extensive background in project management, and community and economic development. He is currently working on short-term and long-term disaster housing issues. He is also coordinating initiatives between the city and other partners to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our community in an all-hazards environment."
During the finance meeting, the head of emergency management said that Ashanta-Barker's position might be paid for from a million-dollar grant they are set to receive from the Rockefeller Foundation, but they are working out details.
"He would be working on emergency preparedness, resilience in our community to respond to any type of disaster," said Steve Woodard of the Emergency Operations Center.
But Schellenberg said that goes against everything the council just approved.
"I am just appalled that it is a total disregard for our message and cooperation to make Jacksonville a better place," Schellenberg said.
He and others are asking for more information about the position and why it's being left open and what firefighting positions are not being covered.