News Summary
Jacksonville City Councilman Kevin Carrico has been elected as the new council president, set to take office on July 1, 2025. Representing District 4, Carrico received a decisive 17-1 vote and plans to focus on youth engagement, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. His tenure will see the establishment of a special committee for park programming and a vision for a vibrant downtown Jacksonville. Nick Howland has been elected as vice president, complementing Carrico’s leadership style as the council aims to enhance community participation.
Jacksonville City Councilman Kevin Carrico has been elected as the new council president, a position he will officially assume on July 1, 2025. Carrico, who represents District 4, will be the 57th individual to lead the council since the city’s consolidation, and his election came with a decisive vote of 17-1, with only Councilmember Matt Carlucci opposing him.
In his upcoming role, Carrico plans to prioritize youth engagement, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. His extensive experience with the Boys and Girls Club, where he dedicated a decade to working with youth programs, strongly influences his vision for the city. Carrico is rooted in three core values: faith, family, and future, which he intends to incorporate into his leadership style.
To enhance community participation, Carrico has indicated plans to establish a special committee focused on park programming. This initiative aligns with the city’s significant investment in local parks, which has surpassed $100 million in capital projects, aiming to foster greater engagement and recreational opportunities for Jacksonville residents.
Aiming for a vibrant and economically prosperous future for Jacksonville, Carrico envisions the city as a “world-class downtown” that could bolster tourism and economic growth. He proposes implementing a zero-based budgeting approach along with a rollback rate to reduce the tax burden on homeowners facing increased property values. This strategy seeks to ensure that the city’s fiscal policies are responsible and do not require drawing from financial reserves.
In terms of leadership dynamics, Carrico has expressed a desire for a collegial atmosphere among the council’s 19 members. His family-oriented approach is designed to foster cooperative relationships, even in the face of political differences, such as those he shares with Mayor Donna Deegan. Carrico has worked to maintain a professional and cordial relationship with other council members, including addressing tensions with Carlucci in a constructive manner.
Carrico’s electoral history is noteworthy; he was elected to the council in a special election in 2020 and was re-elected without opposition in 2023. His strong connection to the Southside of Jacksonville is pivotal in shaping his agenda as he steps into this leadership role.
In addition to Carrico, Nick Howland has been elected as the new vice president of the city council. Like Carrico, Howland is also a Republican and brings experience as a U.S. Navy veteran, currently serving as the executive director of a veterans’ advocacy organization. His election is expected to complement Carrico’s leadership style going forward.
As Jacksonville prepares for Carrico’s presidency, his commitment to uplifting youth, ensuring public safety, and managing the city’s finances will shape his term. The upcoming years will see how Carrico’s initiatives unfold as he collaborates with fellow council members to address the needs of their constituents and advance the city’s objectives.
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Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Incoming Council President Kevin Carrico Outlines Priorities
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Florida Politics: Kevin Carrico Officially Selected
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville
- Action News Jax: Incoming City Council President Said He Felt Threatened
- Google Search: Jacksonville City Council
