Kevin Carrico Named New President of Jacksonville City Council

Members of Jacksonville City Council engaging in a meeting

News Summary

Kevin Carrico has been appointed as the new president of the Jacksonville City Council, succeeding Randy White. Alongside him, Nick Howland takes on the role of vice president. Both officials will begin their terms on July 1, 2025. Carrico emphasized priorities such as supporting first responders and addressing the future of the Duval County Jail. Recent council meetings have been marred by disturbances, leading to multiple arrests, underscoring the challenges faced by the new leadership.

Jacksonville — Kevin Carrico has been named the new president of the Jacksonville City Council, succeeding Randy White in a significant leadership change that comes amid recent disruptions at council meetings, leading to multiple arrests. Alongside Carrico, Nick Howland has been appointed as the council’s next vice president. Both leaders will officially begin their terms on July 1, 2025, serving until June 30, 2026.

In his acceptance, Carrico expressed readiness to lead the council and steer the city towards progress, highlighting priorities such as supporting first responders, enhancing youth programs, and advancing downtown developments. A critical issue under his purview is the future of the Duval County Jail, with Carrico indicating the existing facility is inadequate. He anticipates discussions will revolve around whether to renovate the current jail or potentially construct a new one, estimated to cost around $1 billion. Carrico stressed the importance of considering community impact when making decisions concerning the jail’s future, which will ultimately require city council voting.

Howland, the newly appointed vice president, addressed prior tensions with the office of Mayor Donna Deegan while expressing a commitment to collaboration for the betterment of the city. Together, the new leadership aims to work on pressing issues facing Jacksonville.

The council meeting on Tuesday, however, faced significant turmoil as three individuals were arrested following a disturbance. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed that officers were instructed to remove individuals causing interruptions during the meeting. Those arrested included Conor Cauley, who faces felony charges for resisting with violence and carrying a concealed weapon, as well as Leah Grady and Tegan Belloit, both charged with misdemeanors for resisting an officer without violence.

The Jacksonville Community Action Committee identified the arrested individuals as part of the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, which has since condemned the police actions and demanded the withdrawal of charges against them. Despite the protests, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reiterated its acknowledgment of the right to protest but maintained that the actions exhibited by the arrested individuals constituted illegal behavior.

During the meeting, the situation escalated to such an extent that it required a temporary pause before resuming. Video footage from the event captured a physical confrontation when an officer attempted to remove one of the protestors. The sheriff’s office praised the team’s efforts in maintaining order during the incident.

Carrico expressed gratitude to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for their efforts to keep the council meeting safe amid the disruptions. The arrest of the three individuals highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding the council’s proceedings, particularly among those advocating for various community issues.

This leadership transition occurs following a decisive vote of 17-1 in favor of Carrico’s presidency, with one council member absent. Carrico has been a council member since winning a special election in 2020 and previously served as the council’s vice president, while Howland joined the council after a special election in 2022 and has experience in various committee chairs. The new leadership faces both the challenge of ongoing community concerns, as evidenced by the recent disturbances, and an opportunity to address pressing issues that will shape Jacksonville’s future.