JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The city of Jacksonville is presenting its plan to spend $1.3 million in newly discovered funds.
The money is coming from match grants that didn't materialize and were never distributed and funds not spent by the now defunct Jacksonville Economic Development Council.
The city wants to funnel the money into various departments like public safety and parks.
That was welcome news for people hanging out at Memorial Park on Tuesday.
You can find Matt Jarvis and his friends playing soccer and tossing the Frisbee at Memorial Park three days a week. While he loves the scenic view along the St. Johns, Jarvis says the park needs some upgrades. "There needs to be some bathrooms and fountains."
Jarvis may soon see some of those changes. Action News has learned city administrators want to put $235,000 into its parks and $160,000 on right-of-way mowing.
"When people come to town and visit, we like to show them the best part of the city," said councilman Stephen Joost.
"We had some difficult decisions during the past budget," said city spokesman David DeCamp. "This is an opportunity to protect the quality of life here in Jacksonville and fund it more and really address some of the needs of the city."
The bulk of the money will pay for unfunded spending left in this year's budget.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will get $247,000; $190,000 will pay for COJ general employees; $118,000 for economic development; and $117,000 for the fire department.
