City Council Meeting (11/02/2026)

At its regular meeting on November 2, 2026, the Jacksonville Beach City Council approved advancing the Beaches Energy substation communication-system replacement project from FY2029 to the current fiscal year. The system’s existing equipment is no longer supported, and replacement parts have a 34–40-week lead time; funding is available from electric operating reserves, with a midyear budget amendment planned. Council unanimously approved the sole-source purchase through Power Connections Incorporated, the sole-source vendor for SEL equipment. Council also unanimously adopted electric-rate changes averaging a 1.4% annual increase for three years to support distribution-system maintenance and renewal, while adjusting the bulk power cost component. The year-end operating-budget amendment was also adopted.

Council approved RFQ 03-2526, establishing a five-year pool of 12 engineering firms from 33 respondents; the vote was 6–1. Staff will negotiate scope and fees for individual projects, and may conduct a project-specific solicitation when the pool lacks suitable expertise. The mayor and city manager were authorized to negotiate and execute resulting contracts. Other actions included first-reading approval of two ordinances vacating public alleyways and a utility easement, with second readings scheduled for November 16, and continuation of another ordinance reading to that date because of an advertising issue. No contract amounts were stated for the engineering pool or system replacement.