JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Weeks after state Rep. Janet Atkins asked Gov. Rick Scott for a state investigation into possible mismanagement and questionable practices of the grossly-underfunded Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund, she led public workshop about the issue at City Hall on Thursday.
Atkins, a Republican from Fernandina Beach whose district includes part of Duval County, wouldn't say if Scott has responded to her request, but her call has been joined by Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Bishop and, at Thursday's meeting, Atlantic Beach Mayor Carolyn Woods made the same request.
"It does sound like from the reports that some things went on that shouldn't have, and the best way to stop these things is to understand how this started and fix it," Woods said.
Atkins said she held the workshop to get input from stakeholders and constituents about how to fix the city's pension problems.
Jacksonville's unfunded liability to the pension fund is now more than $1.6 billion. The City Council has approved a reform package intended to make the retirement plan more financially sound, but the board of the pension fund returned it to council for changes.
Concerned citizens are fed up that city leaders helped created the massive debt, and that months and years have passed without agreeing on a plan to fix the problem.
"It's not the taxpayers of tomorrow that are going to have to pay for the services of yesteryear, it's the taxpayers of today that are paying more money because of the unfunded liabilities," said Robert Weissert, of Florida TaxWatch.
City Councilman John Crescimbeni said the solution must involve a tax increase -- something Mayor Alvin Brown has repeatedly spoken against.
"A vehicle that would allow us to have a half-cent sales tax that the voters would approve would be sellable and produce the $400 million as quickly as possible," Crescimbini.
A independent commission appointed last year to recommend possible solutions to the funding issue make the same recommendation.
Atkins' meeting wasn't limited to finding funding for Jacksonville's pension plan, but also restoring the public's confidence in the plan and city government.
"I'm also looking at crafting legislation that will look at pension reform," Atkins said. "We heard a lot of good ideas today, and in the next few weeks, you'll see a pension plan that will help."