A bill that would bar city employees in uniform from appearing in campaign ads is set to be introduced and council members will celebrate the legacy of a long time city administrator at Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting.
Councilman Garrett Dennis is pushing for the campaign ad guidelines legislation, which would formally prohibit the use of any city property in political ads.
“It is legal for anyone to express their political opinion, but what I have a concern - and the citizens of Jacksonville have a concern (about) - city employees using city resources, whether it is uniform (or) cars paid for by taxpayers’ dollars to campaign for any candidate,” he told WJCT New partner News4Jax
Related: UNF Media Law Professor Weighs In On Ethics Complaint Filed Against “Cops For Curry” Ad
The move follows a debate over the ethics of having uniformed officers in campaign commercials after Mayor Lenny Curry featured uniformed police in an ad before winning reelection.
Both Democratic and Republican candidates have had law enforcement in political ads.
Recently, At-Large Group 1 candidate Lisa King released a campaign video that features two officers with shirts that have the Fraternal Order of Police logo as well as officers in uniform.
The City Council will likely not vote on the bill until after the May 14 runoff elections.
See Also: May 14 Runoff Elections Voters' Guide
Council members will also honor retiring Jacksonville Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. The 66-year-old has served five mayoral administrations over the course of two decades, holding a number of positions including director of public works and city engineer.
Related: Retiring Jax CAO Sam Mousa: My Successor, Brian Hughes, Will Do A ‘Marvelous Job’
Mayor Curry’s current Chief of Staff Brian Hughes will take over the position.
The City Council meeting starts at 5 p.m.
