JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s been virtually a month since Jacksonville unveiled a hologram of Mayor Donna Deegan at Jacksonville International Airport; nevertheless, it hasn’t been well-received by each member of the Metropolis Council since its reveal.
Earlier this week, extra questions surrounding the hologram got here out throughout the Metropolis Council’s Finance Committee assembly, particularly concerning its funding and the way a lot the field really prices.
The machine, which was positioned out of view Saturday night on the airport, sometimes shows Mayor Donna Deegan giving vacationers a welcome message.
“I frankly assume you should ship the rattling factor again,” stated Metropolis Councilmember Ron Salem, who added that he doesn’t perceive why the funding was made.
Through the assembly, town auditor questioned if JAXEPICS (Jacksonville Enterprise Allowing, Inspections and Compliance System) might sponsor the field as a result of the entity is funded by constructing inspection charges. She additionally questioned if constructing inspection charges might finally be used to pay the invoices for the field.
Whereas discussing whether or not inspection charges might cowl the price of the hologram, it was revealed that the machine value nearer to $75,000, which got here as a shock after it was initially believed that it value nearer to $30,000.
“It’s completely an unlawful use of funds,” stated Metropolis Councilmember Rory Diamond. “The mayor’s workplace spent cash on the ‘Holo-Donna” that needs to be spent on allowing, and that’s simply not proper.”
Nevertheless, the mayor’s chief of employees, Mike Weinstein, argued the machine has future advantages for town as a result of it follows a way that Jacksonville might use sooner or later.
“The field goes for use for an schooling program for the way you submit planning,” Weinstein stated. “The way you submit permits, the way you take care of the system, and it’s going to be in several areas.”
News4JAX reached out to the mayor’s group in regards to the hologram and acquired the next response:
Constructing inspection funds can be utilized to enhance the allowing course of and promote these efforts. Whereas the top aim is a allowing schooling software, the airport location serves a twin function of a welcome greeting for vacationers and better foot visitors for testing and studying how the expertise works… The field just isn’t in its unique location on the airport as a result of we’re working via some technical challenges in our efforts so as to add content material and performance.
Mayor Donna Deegan’s group
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