Personnel Committee

117 W. Duval Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Lynwood Roberts Rm, 1st Floor, City

Hall

Jason Teal

Council Secretary/Director

(904) 255-5133

Honorable Kevin Carrico

President, 2025-2026

District 4

(904) 255-5204

Honorable Nick Howland

Vice President, 2025-2026

At Large, Group 3

(904) 255-5217

City of Jacksonville

Monday, April 6, 2026

1:00 PM

Personnel Committee

Agenda - Marked

I. Call to Order and Introductions

II. Discussion on the Council Auditor position

(a) Public Participation

III. Other Personnel Matters

IV. Questions/Comments from Committee Members

V. Public Comment (Time Permitting)

VI. Adjourn

Page 1 of 1

>> Folks, it is one on one. So we are going to go ahead and gavel in and call this personnel committee agenda. So order we will start with I said, give me the date is Monday. APRIL 6 is 01:00:01pm. Let's do our introduction. Starting with MISS Stuff. A plus. Very Plus office of General counsel Jace until Council secretary. Chris Miller at large to 5 McAllen at large group. 3 Kevin Carrico Council district 4 and Chair Joe Carlucci District 5 Rocklin Johnson District, 14. We have in the crowd. They have microphones. Go ahead. MISTER White. That's PRESIDENT Life and West Side White District oil. Our city Council district one, Ron Salem group, 2 at large. We should go ahead. Let us introduce yourselves as well. Phil Peterson counselor's office, Kim Taylor Council auditor. All right. And we also have missed him see here from council research. All right. So we are calling this order. First up is the discussion on the council auditor position. I think we have to call for public participation first. Is that right? MARCH air? You have a couple of instances on here. You have public participation for this item which you would just take up before you vote. So you can take it up now or you can allow the conversation to occur and then. >> As long as you take up the public input before you vote on the matter, you can do it right away. >> We have one car for this matter, will go ahead and get it on the way. MISTER New 2 minutes come on down. And your time starts now. >> All Well, hello. >> I j. Noon Jacksonville City Council resolution 2023 0, 1, 9, City Council district 4 cpac, 3 school board district 3. And just going from the agenda. Council auditor position. Well. I don't know who it's up. But you've got a gut feeling, it's going to be one of the best appointments the city could be making. And in that spirit of the council order, it's almost like or cpac. You're representing the entire city. That this legislative body. Legislative branch, as well as the executive branch and everyone that's here. Let's join me in supporting what could be. The first. Council Park. For Duval County. Jacksonville. And so. I just want to have that on the record. I will probably be trying to advocate for throughout the entire state. Thank you for allowing me to participate. In this process. Take. Any questions. And >> all right, MR. Noone standing by for questions. I don't see anything so we are going to move on. I think the most appropriate thing to do is probably turn it over to our current council auditor. And many of us probably know what is going to be said. But I'll let you say it. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT. >> With my upcoming retirement at the end of MAY, had reflected in my letter to you all that absolutely recommend fillet Peterson, who is the current assistant council auditor to this role. He has this month. I think 21 21 years this month that I've worked alongside him and I can tell you I can speak for. To the most important traits which are trustworthy, loyal team. There's many more. He has the utmost integrity for this job. And you work with somebody long enough. You know, those traits come through every time. But his historical experience that he has that he continue to carry the city Council through stability, consistency. Everything from better Jacksonville plan to. Any economic development agreement. He has all of that institutional knowledge. So I I highly recommend that this council considered this committee consider him for that position. I think that. Anything else like he you just have that he right here in this person I've seen throughout all the years. Kerry, the city council through many different pieces of legislation he's conducted audits. He's done special projects. He's worked on big projects like the jta in 2018. Considering the sale for that. He's worked on a lot of things in this office. And and I I highly recommend to take on my position drive right here. >> All right. Thank you for that. I'll take the floor first to know everyone probably going speak, but I'll take the the honor of the chair here to more swan songs. I'm sure will come and more speeches for you. Ms Taylor, but you have been an institution and your role and true champion for the city and advocate for this council and all the constituents that we serve and I'm sure we'll have resolutions and speeches and plenty things coming as you progress towards your final time. But I just want to say personally, thank you for for your service and so we are left here with them. Looking at replacing you and I appreciate all the things you said about MR. Petersen, you know, we could we could consider no casting a net nationwide search for the the next council auditor. And we could we could go through those motions and posted if you wanted to. Philip Peterson is built for this role he's been doing, you know, the work beside you for, like you said, 21 years. I don't think there is a person in the United States of America that could come in to be a better replacement for you than than Philip Peterson. So if you have nationwide or local search, my mind is made one of this committee. So I'm I'm going to. Let the body talking, let them put their $0.02 in. But I'm all in for making the motion at some point, too, have filters to be the next council auditor. And I'll just let everyone chime in from. There was a start down there with Dr Johnson raise him for Sun. Let everyone speak. Thank you so much, MISTER PRESIDENT and MR. Chairing this role. I appreciate your your work and there before I >> give my comments. I have to say that as Taylor has been. >> Stellar not just here, but I had a chance to spend some time as a younger person being a younger electorate years ago with the former Council auditor, Bob Johnson, who I consider. So if your friend so incredibly highly. And what he sees from afar. I just honored to come in and be able to be a part of that lineage. And so before I even say anything about Mr, Peterson. What I know and I'm sure we will say more of this as you as as the PRESIDENT Indicated, but this council is so much better because of your leadership for it. I am so thankful for you always shooting straight and giving us the information we need so that we are empowered to make the decisions that are going to move this community forward and always know. I know you'll be stepping away from the auditors office but know that your phone MAY ring just because we want to say hi because I know personally have had some amazing personal conversations with you and GOD has really blessed you. And honored to call you a friend. And I know GOD has so many other blessings coming for you in retirement. I tend to agree with you, MR. PRESIDENT. I think one of the reasons and I have to ask this question through the PRESIDENT To MISS Taylor, your retirement is going to be the end of MAY. I think I read that correctly. Yes, or through the chair. It's MAY 27th. >> And the reason I asked that question is PRESIDENT Is because I kind of agree with what you said in the fact that the council come JUNE. We'll have a month in the new council leadership takes over. So I don't think we have time to do a national search to cast the net. Not that. Have you know, a person that doesn't deserve it. But I just don't think the time element is there. So it does make sense to make sure that the city government work continues. I've worked closely with MR. Peterson, I think he's a phenomenal person who brings so much to the table, not just in light of what this work is, but in the sensibility of the Jacksonville community. And I think that's what we need. People who understand the community but also understand the fiscal responsibility that we all have. And so I like you, MR. PRESIDENT, going to be very supportive of not creating a process, but certainly moving this to be distanced nomination forward. >> All right. Thank you. Let me acknowledge Councilmember has joined us. Did you want assure all recognized? All right. Thank you, chair. You know, when when I first got elected, I came in and I was met with us. What I now consider kind of the dream team, which is Canfield Brian and all the rest of the people there. It is just looking back on it. Now. Were spoiled. We're said we're incredibly spoiled because you guys have so much information and so much knowledge. You make it so easy for us. That was my constituents. Ask me questions. I can say with 100% confidence and like authority. After you've given me information that it's taken to the bank. No questions asked. And that means so much to me. And I know he's much to everyone here, but the can your you're incredible. You, you know. You have all those characteristics. But with it's more about like keeping the office together. Right? Like everyone in your office when I come down there and kind of just joke around, everyone's in good spirits, everyone's happy everyone's there's no tension. That speaks to the leader of that office and you carry a respect and kind I don't know the right word. Just dignity for that office role in general of what you're doing, getting all of our finances like that's important. You don't. You are never political. You're never bias. You give straight answers. And I appreciate that. And look moving on to Phil you. You carry all that. And even if there was time, if we had all the time in the world. You are the guy who would win a nationwide search. And I mean that sincerely. And it's it's when you work with people for 8, 1, year, 2 years, 3 years. You just, you know, you know, when you know, this is the guy. So obviously all the support of MR. Peterson today I look forward to county council auditor. All right. Thank you, MR. Carlucci, real quick for keep going most populous. >> So personally posture at some point, someone needs to move to appoint MISTER Peterson is desire of the committee. >> That is correct. So motion would likely be something in the nature of move to nominate Peterson to be appointed as the council auditor. And then what I would do is it that motion passes by the committee? I prepare a resolution to be introduced by the personal Committee for Council consideration. >> All right, MR. Vice PRESIDENT. All right. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT first the can. You will be remembered as an incredibly accomplished council auditor. I hope you take serious pride in that you've done an amazing service to your city. I think the entire council recognizes that. And thank you. One of your greatest accomplishments too. That's clear to me is the team that you built and it goes to fill up. It goes to Heather Acosta, Brian, and even beyond them that you've created such a great team to be able to support you and support with the city council demands of you one of the best accomplishments that. I think you can take pride the there's a little secret that anyone who's been a finance chair they always say that being financiar is one of the most difficult jobs in council. It's not really because you have this team that can build and the council for her built supporting you and they make it easy. They really do which brings me to fill up who has my wholehearted support to the council auditor and normally, I would say this is kind of job, a serious management jobs in the city that we should post for all applicants. But this role in particular. Requires a highly specialized skill set. Requires immense feeling familiarity with the city requires continuity in leadership. And I think there's a precedent. Several leaders of the council auditor even prior to Kim where the council auditor mentors, a successor. It's clear that Philip has been mentored as a successor here. And Phillip will do an amazing job as counsel honor for the city. I move to nominate Villa Peterson to be appointed as counsel in second. Motion. And second on that will continue discussion, MR. Miller. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I think. Most my colleagues have said things that I would say, but I'm I'm going to safe. You just because I really appreciate both of you. And for me, this just nomination considering. Changeover. To me, it's just a given. It's just a natural way for us to go. Even if we had. Lots of time for a national search this is just the right fit. Philip, you're the right fit to take over where? While can moves on to things, it's just absolutely the right fit in. I appreciate that. You always. Always gave us the right information you made sure. You are right before you gave us that information. You can come back and go. Told you this. But and never never. I could always count on. And I've heard from past council member saying the same thing they always count on the otters and that's because of the team that you put together and the standards that you set, Kim, you set such high standards that we could always in can always count on the auditors send. I know again, I think this is just a formality. And Philip has my full support in and I'm sure ours you're going to be the next council auditor and you will continue those high standards and that dependability. And for me, you did it. You always ahead exchanges and you are so kind. So nice. So pleasant to work with you don't always get that. When. There's a lot sometimes stress and short time lines for quick turns on information and come on. Got to go. Got to go. Got to get it. And you always you and your team always remain pleasant to that all made it a good experience. Not trustworthy experience, but a good unpleasant experience for us. And I'm sure that will continue and Kim looks like you're gonna have a park named after you. I mean, what the now the only thing I said to Kim and I'll wrap this up feeling. I said the cameras. You didn't ask me. Nobody asked me if you could retire me one. What is this? We're going to MISS You so so much. But Philip will MISS B on Skip a beat? Absolutely not. But because of you forming keeping that team going on the right pass and that that will continue. So thank you very much. They'll be more time for that was was said. But Phil, if you have my 100 percent support. And I appreciate you so much. Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir. We do have a motion a second. I'm going to read into the record. A one-way communication was sent by. >> Councilmember Diamond see if any of the other members would like to speak, but it says Dear members of the personnel committee, I write to express my strong support for Philip Peterson's appointment as council auditor for the city. The roll accounts honor is one of the most critical positions within our legislative branch. It requires not only technical expertise and financial acumen, but also integrity, independence and the ability to communicate complex findings in a clear and actionable manner. Peterson bodies, each of these qualities forgo reading the rest of it. I think we understand. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely councilmember a diamond. Past PRESIDENT White like to speak. >> Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT this year also too. To support on MISTER Peterson. Making a great decision. Yeah, do know is from the West side. Told his wife he is the smartest man on the West Side. Now do believe Thank you, Philip, for all you do. And thank you. Can forget him live in the right direction and you enjoy your retirement. Thank you very much. Committee. I think best PRESIDENT Council tomorrow. Thank you, MR. Chair. >> Very quickly. The first let me congratulate can publicly. I did in private. And I know she is looking forward to the days that he doesn't have to go through budget and things of that nature. So Kim, enjoy your retirement. The last time I was here at the personnel committee, we're doing something quite the opposite. We weren't back dealing with the city employee that it become a problem. And so it's a pleasure for me to be here. For something more on the positive side. I think the nomination is the right posture. I believe that Philip, in my short tenure here on City Council has demonstrated to me. And that is extremely knowledgeable. He's a person of integrity. He has this financial us to this that is necessary. What the position of council auditor. The positive side of approaching and making the decision to put him in this capacity. Now it's very simple. It also demonstrates that those in the office that there is a possibility for promotion and elevation. And that's something that is very difficult. Defying all government spaces. And in spite of timelines, the city doesn't have to spend the money to do a search. Because what we have already in hounds is just as valuable as whatever you MAY be looking for And Phillip also has one character that I've noticed in him, something that is often missing in government that oftentimes when those who are in the highest place of office, they're often forget the fact that they're still public servants. Don't he's lost that. And so I think that the nomination of moving him forward is indeed the right one. And I will support him. And I hope that we all do as well. Thank you. All right. That's PRESIDENT Salem, thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. >> I've been here 6 and half years. Along with Councilmember White in this group here today. And I remember in 2021 count, Billy step down and we went through a decision where we promoted Kim Taylor and I'm not going to say anything more about Kim Taylor today because this is Philip. That transition was seamless as many of you have no experience with Cam. I've had the pleasure of working with Philip for for those 6 and a half years. Fulfills every request that you bring to lean and he does it very timely. He's always available. I come from a corporate environment where we normally would look around in search. There is no reason to do any search year. You're not going find anyone with the knowledge that Philip has about this consolidated government, how it works. The finance isn't those of us that have been PRESIDENT And those of us that have been finance chair, you get the work. You have the pleasure of working with these 2 on a daily basis and you really understand what they bring to the table. And I just wanted to read off some names of past council auditors. I know all these people, Bob Johnson. I'm on a campaign for everyone to call the Bob Johnson room instead of the Green Room because he deserves said he was Kim's mentor and Fantastic Council order. Richard Wallace Park Sherman, how Billy and Kim Taylor. And there's no reason the world that Philip Peterson can follow in those footsteps. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. All right. Thank you. And councilmember >> I don't think is much I can say that other people haven't said. I spoke with him when she announced it or when she came round told us in the past. I don't think as a single person on this 19 member body, I could say a bad word about Kim Taylor. She has been nothing but a consummate professional and incredible in everything she does. And I think as we look for successor, I think the same thing with Philip Peterson. You're not gonna find a single person that's gonna say negative things about him or his work ethic. It's a natural progression of things. We've seen this with other council orders in the past time they're comfortable with this decision. I'm very excited for Kim she goes on retirement. Very excited for Philip for us. Bugging him at all. Hours of the day and night. >> All right. Thank you, Mary. Do any public comment on the motion as well? >> MISTER Chair, you took public participation prior to the nomination and believe he spoke to the matter with the expectation that MISTER Peterson would be the nominee. So if you've taken up all the cards that were received and I think you can proceed forward, what I would just like to let the committee know that to the extent that the motion is approved, I'll be filing resolution on behalf of the committee and it will include a prospective effective date from MR. Peterson's appointment of MAY 28. So it would be the day after Ms Taylor's retirement is effective and that's traditional for this type of resolution to be filed that way. >> All right. We're going to take a verbal vote all in favor of the nomination of Philae Peterson to take over as counsel auditor after the retirement of Kim Taylor say Aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Doctor Johnson. >> Even though no one said anything negative and Paluseo said there's no negative to say about feel stock. Answer your phone on the weekends through the chair we appreciate that. You can literally call this man any hours of the day or night. And and in comes the same way, I don't understand how they do it, but you can literally call them any time that office. I don't know when you all sleep, but thank you, folks for your service. Congratulations, Bill. >> All right. Moving on down the agenda. Any other personnel matters to discuss? >> Well, we're can be March air. I think that's it. All right. And it says public comment on here. >> MARCH air that was there in case he took up additional matters that would potentially lead to a vote. So I think and unless you otherwise wish to take additional public comment, you don't have to take it again. He took it on the matter. >> All right. Sounds good to me. And then before we adjourn, we come right back for executive session. Is that right? Can you explain what happens there? >> Correct. So the next committee meeting is the executive committee which is comprised of the PRESIDENT, the vice PRESIDENT In the finance chair and that you will be taking up the matter of MISTER Peterson's salary. And that is a function of the executive committee. >> All right. Let's one 26. We are adjourned and we will convene executive session in 4 minutes. Thank you.