JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Over the past four years, city taxpayers have paid more than $200,000 for tickets, food and beverages at their luxury suites at Alltel Stadium and Veterans Memorial Arena -- money the officials who regularly get to use the facilities defend as money well spent. The mayor, City Council members and other city officials regularly enjoy Jaguars games, concerts and other events from luxury suites. City leaders told Channel 4's Jim Piggott the suites are used to host guests, their families, city workers, business people and VIPs, who get to attend and eat and drink for free.
The city has two skyboxes at the stadium, which they get at a greatly reduced rate -- $35,000 per year. The city also has one luxury box at the arena.
Recommended Videos
Other city money pays for food and beverages -- including alcohol -- served to those in the suites.
"I think its unreasonable to think to have guests for four hours and not have some type of refreshment," Mayor John Peyton said. "As far as alcohol, we are going to revisit that policy, and I asked my chief of staff to really review what our options are there."
So, while thousands paid for tickets to see John Mayer perform Thursday night, the city skybox was filled with city employees, City Council members and their guests enjoying the concert, food and drinks at taxpayer expenses.
The mayor said the boxes aren't just perks for city leaders and those they invite.
"We use this facility. The city-owned facility to really showcase this community to perspective business -- to military leaders, as we try to grow our military presence -- and paying tribute to volunteers," Peyton said.