ORD Estab an Eastside Community Grants Prog; Creating a New Pt 9 (Eastside Community Grants Program), Ch 118 (City Grants), Ord Code, to Create a New Grants Prog Pursuant to which Funds Desig for Progs, Svcs, Projs & Initiatives for Affordable Housing, Workforce Housing, Economic Dev & Mitigation of Homelessness in the Eastside, as Defined in the Supplemental Jax Stadium CBA Appvd & Authd by Ord 2024-905-E, may be Disbursed to Qualified Orgs; Prov for Oversight & Admin of the Eastside Community Grants Prog by the Grants & Contract Compliance Div of the Finance Dept; Prov for Severability; Prov for Codification Instructions (Staffopoulos) (Introduced by Community Benefits Agreement 2.0 (CMs Arias, Salem, Amaro, J. Carlucci, Clark-Murray & Peluso)) (Co-Sponsors CMs Pittman, Miller, Carlucci & Johnson) 1/13/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, R, F 1/20/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 1/20/26 R Read 2nd & Rerefer 1/21/26 F Read 2nd & Rerefer 1/27/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 2/2/26 NCSPHS Substitute/Approve 6-0 2/2/26 R Substitute/Approve 6-0 2/3/26 F Substitute/Approve 5-1 (Diamond) 2/10/26 CO Substitute/Approve 15-1 (Diamond) Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 1/27/26

This ordinance establishes the Eastside Community Grants Program (Ordinance 2026-36-E), creating a new Part 9, Chapter 118 of the City Grants Ordinance Code. The program aims to disburse funds from the Supplemental Jacksonville Stadium Community Benefits Agreement (authorized by Ordinance 2024-905-E) to qualified organizations in the Eastside.

Key Focus Areas:

• Affordable Housing: For occupants paying no more than 30% of 80% Local Area Median Income.
• Workforce Housing: For occupants paying no more than 30% of 120% Local Area Median Income.
• Economic Development
• Mitigation of Homelessness

Administration & Oversight:

• The program will be administered by the Eastside Grants Committee, an advisory body of the City, with staff support from the Grants and Contract Compliance Division of the Finance Department.
• The Committee consists of nine voting members: four appointed by the Mayor, four by the Council President (all confirmed by Council), and one selected by Jacksonville Jaguars, LLC. Members should reside in or have business interests in Eastside neighborhoods (Campbells Addition, Fairfield, Longbranch, Oakland, Phoenix) and possess relevant expertise.

Funding & Allocation:

• The Committee submits an annual lump sum appropriation request to the Mayor's Budget Review Committee by April 1 each year, which includes administrative costs. The City Council determines the final annual lump sum.
• For the initial grant cycle (Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027), funding is equally split: 25% to each of the four focus categories. For subsequent years, the Committee recommends allocations to the City Council by March 1, with Council approval by May 1.
• Funds for capital projects are limited to 60% or less of the total annual lump sum. Unencumbered funds roll over to the next fiscal year.
• Individual grants are awarded based on a "high score model," with a maximum of $250,000 for operational or programmatic initiatives.

Eligibility & Application:

• Organizations must operate in Duval County, serve Eastside residents, and have been in existence for at least 2 years (initial cycle) or 3 years (subsequent cycles) with corresponding filed tax returns.
• Programs receiving funding from other specified City grant programs are ineligible for Eastside Grants Program funds for the same initiative.
• Applicants must attend a Mandatory Application Workshop conducted by the program Manager (Finance Department).
• Applications are due by July 1 annually (initial cycle by August 1, 2026).
• Applications are scored by Committee subcommittees, requiring an average score of 70 points or more for funding consideration.
• An Eastside Grants Program Grants Appeals Board is established to hear appeals regarding eligibility or funding allocation decisions.

This ordinance was introduced by the Special Committee on the Community Benefits Agreement 2.0 and co-sponsored by Council Members Pittman, Miller, Carlucci, and Johnson.