Council Member Installation

Council Member Installation — Aug 31, 2026

>> Gentlemen and honored guests. Welcome to the 2026 special installation ceremony of the Jacksonville City Council at large group. One member elect Monet Holder. Whether you're a constituent and neighbor, a friend or a family member. We welcome and thank you for your attendance. I'd like to recognize all the elected officials in attendance here today. All just name you starting with former Mayor Alvin Brown Isom around here somewhere. >> There is Mayor Brown. Mayor Donna Deegan. Thank you, mayor, for being here. I saw a property appraiser. Joyce Morgan here. Thank you, Joyce. I know Senator Gibson, former Senator Gibson is here. Yet. There she is, going to see it. >> State representative elect gets in. Yes, indeed. Former council PRESIDENT Sam Newby here. There he is. All right, Sam. And so many fellow councilmembers, I won't name them all, but everybody can wave if you wouldn't mind. That's a testament to Monet that so many council members are here today. So that's terrific. Thank you, everybody for your tenants in their support of special. Thank you to the 2026 2027 City Council members for your continued dedication and service to our city. We're here today to honor the voices of our citizens and electing Monet Holder is council member elected to serve on Jacksonville City Council. This body, this legislative by a body by design is the closest branch of government to the people. Its chosen by the people. We live among the people. We are of the people. We decide where streets are plotted, where homes are built, where water is accessed. Where we spend the money that taxpayers give us to the contract with local government. That's what the American experiment did. It takes those roles law making policy, making taxes and budgeting from the executive and gives them to the legislative body. And that's why this body is so important that separation of powers at work. That's a balanced government. And that's why it's also fitting that we have a formal installation for every new member of the legislative body with hopes that a city of our size that the media picks it up and that the people can stop you at the grocery store on the street. And let you know their concerns. Every citizen of Jacksonville is represented by 6 of us on City Council. And so let's go right now to the indication and let's pray that we on City Council always do the bidding of the people of Jacksonville to deliver for the people of Jacksonville. So with that, would everyone please stand for the invocation by George Davis, senior pastor of Impact Church followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by council member Jimmy And then the national anthem. Please. Let us pray. A gracious and eternal GOD. We thank you for the gift of this beautiful day. We thank you for the privilege that we share of calling Jacksonville our home. We thank you for every person who is accepted the responsibility of public service. And today in a very special way, we thank you for COUNCILWOMAN Elect Monet Holder. She takes a sacred oath and begins this new chapter of service to our amazing city. Granted wisdom beyond her own understanding courage to make difficult decisions, compassion for the people she serves and integrity that remain steadfast in every circumstance. Surround her wise counsel, strength and her family and given the grace to carry both the privilege and the weight of this responsibility. Well, always remember the leadership is not simply about holding a position. What about serving people, especially those whose voices are too often unheard. We pray also for every member of the Jacksonville City Council for mayor our constitution, officers, first responders, public servants and all those have been entrusted with leadership in this great city with our differences. Give us respect. Are there challenges? Give us wisdom? Well, there's division. Help us find common ground where there's opportunity. Give us the courage to seize it together. We pray for the entire city of Jacksonville, every neighborhood, every family, our children and our seniors for businesses in our schools and for all who call this city home, a Jacksonville be a city where justices pursued opportunities, expand it. Compassion is demonstrated and every person has the opportunity to flourish. And now as COUNCILMAN Elect colder takes his oath, Michie be reminded that public office is a public trust. Give her the strength to lead with conviction. The humility to listen and the wisdom to always seek what is best for the people. She's been called to serve your favor, rests upon her. Put all of our city leaders and upon this great city of Jacksonville in your holy name. We pray a man. Thank you, Pastor. Now please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I but believe Ok, we did the Pledge of You can all sit. Thank you very much. Pastor Davis, thank you, Jimmy. Thank you. At this time will get on with it with the honorable Judge. Rhonda Peoples Waters. Duval County. Of the Duval County Court. Please come up to the microphones to deliver deliver the oath of office from its Monet Holder Councilmember Elect for the Jacksonville City Council at large group, one within the consolidated. >> Government of the city of Jacksonville Council member elect Holder. Will you please come forward with your children? Blake and Bailey. >> Try your hand. You got your right hand to write an >> All right. Please repeat after me. Monet Holder. >> I'm on a holder. Do solemnly swear? Do solemnly swear that I am duly qualified, that I am duly qualified to hold office to hold office under the Constitution under the Constitution of the state of the state. >> Or of the charter or of the charter or ordinance cold or ordinance Code of the City of Jacksonville of the city of Jacksonville that I will support that. I will support protect, protect, defend, defend and honor the Constitution's. And I know the Constitution's governments, governments and laws of the United States and laws of the United States and of the state of Florida and of the state of Florida that I will support that. I will support protect, protect, defend, defend and honor the charter and honor the charter. The Ethics Loft the ethics laws and other ordinances in other ordinances. >> Rules rules. >> And regulations of the city of Jacksonville and regulations of the city of Jacksonville. >> And that I will well and that I will well and faithfully perform and faithfully perform the duties duties. >> Of councilmember of Councilmember City of Jacksonville City of Jacksonville, which which I am now I am now about to enter about to enter help me GOD. So help me GOD. Amy >> it's a Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the podium. The Honorable Councilmember Monet Holder. Good morning. Me. Thank you for being here today. >> I feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by friends, family neighbors, elected officials, elected leaders and faith leaders. First foremost, I give all glory to GOD ordering my steps and giving me the privilege of serving as your at large city COUNCILWOMAN. I want to give special recognition to my family. My mom, my grandmother, my on my cousin who traveled from New York City to be here with me. And my children like him daily contributed with that high. Their fashion advice. And who independently decided to use some of their birthday money to contribute to my campaign to get mom across the finish Blake was actually a recurring donor. So. When I look around this room, I see many powerful people. But what stands out are the different cultures, backgrounds and political affiliations who have come to welcome you to the council. This room represents with Jacksonville can look like when we all come together to move the city forward. As I position myself to literally hit the ground running by serving on the neighborhood's community services, public Health and safety Committee. That means some less than 2 hours today. And the transportation Energy and Utility Community Committee that meets tomorrow and to vote on the budget in a couple of weeks. I am fiercely focused and the message many of you heard me deliver on tv every day and every And, you know, you know, but I will put people over politics. That I will advocate for a Jacksonville that is affordable. That respects our first responders that invest in our youth and seniors because I believe we all deserve quality of life. Minute. So my new colleagues on the council, some of which are good friends. I look forward to building a strong working relationship with all of you. Since election night at been asked, what are some of the projects that are going to be my legacy? While I'm on the council. And I pointed to affordable Housing Park improvements, expanding sports and cultural opportunities for our children. As a few of my priorities. But hopefully I will advance not only in this time, but my next one. If you know, you know, yesterday I was reminded of an old proverb that says grows when Oldham and plant trees shade. They will never get to sit in. So although I'm not an old man. I look forward to planting the seeds necessary to the Jacksonville better than it was. When I got here and to leave a legacy that keeps us moving forward for years to come. So I'm honored to serve as your city COUNCILWOMAN And thank you once again. >> Congratulations again to the Honorable Councilmember Monet Holder and being elected to serve as the group one at-large city council member. Lets give COUNCILWOMAN Monet Holder another round of applause. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today and supporting the 26 27 Jacksonville City Council. We will now have a benediction by elderly Harris pastor, the Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church after which this concludes the special installation ceremony. All, is. Thank you, to Maybe stand. >> Eternal GOD, our father, we are grateful and to the for the opportunity and the privilege that you have extended an to us to be able to assemble here at this place. My father and we thank you for blessing each and every one to arrive here as we come there got to celebrate the life. Of an individual that he's so dedicated themselves to serve in mankind. We pray that you would cover go with her. All right. Have family did this city. This mayor each and every one. But now they're GOD as we get ready to go back to various places of state, we pray that you would cover us with the blood that you would protect us from all her common danger ran into us, traveling nurses and keep us and bring us back together again that you'll point time for your service not to him. This able to keep us from falling in personal stuff. All this before thrown and blow it 2 and all eyes GOD me as grace, peace and love restroom and abide with those henceforth now and whatever and the people of GOD said.