JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Action News has learned the mayor announced he is changing his decision to turn off thousands of Jacksonville's streetlights.
Mayor Alvin Brown originally shut them off to save money. Now, he's found the cash to keep them on. During the tight budget cuts last year, the mayor decided they could save $300,000 by turning off more than 2,000 streetlights across the city. Local businesses were upset. They sent letters saying Jacksonville would lose big business. On Friday, the mayor responded.
Action News obtained a letter the mayor sent to one of the concerned groups. "It's about making sure we invest taxpayers money wisely and get a return on investment," said Mayor Brown.
The mayor says he doesn't want to turn businesses away. "I want to make sure we're working with the business community. It's a tough economy and I want to forge public-private partnerships," said Mayor Brown.
City council will have to vote to approve turning these lights back on. They'll be looking at the mayor's plan early next month. We're told the money to do this came from savings in the last fiscal year. The mayor says he's also working with JEA to look at whether LED lights could replace more expensive photo cell bulbs and save money.
