RB
Ronald B. Salem
Council Member
At-Large Group 2
Jacksonville, FL
October 23, 2026
Last heard
Statements in public meetings
Attributed by AI speaker identification from official meeting recordings; excerpts link to the full transcript for context. Attribution is conservative — unverified speech is left unattributed.
at 4:45But if it went towards operations, my concern would be, did we mask some operational shortfalls that would have started possibly a lot earlier if not for the COVID dollars?
at 15:40And number two, I've asked for cost savings in regard to the furloughs that have been undergoing because clearly they realized there was a problem and they put those two things in place.
at 50:39I mean, I remember, as Council Member Diamond does, I'm sure, you know, subpoenas by the city council were not well received in the community just several months ago.
at 1:03:31But if he does not appear at 10.30, can we structure the meeting to the Oversight Committee to continue as it would have
at 19:54Now, from what I'm hearing from them, they've already spent the $4 million out of their own – apparently they've borrowed the money to finish that phase, and they're paying interest on those dollars presently.
at 20:27So we just have to expand the scope, as my good friend, Council Member Clark Murray has stated, to allow the $12 million and at the same time release the $4 million.
at 2:03:35Salem, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Before I say what I want to say, I want to deal with
at 2:04:45it in a death spiral, when you're borrowing money to pay bills, you're in a death spiral. You really are.
at 19:00I've heard forensic audit, uh, mentioned a couple times and such. Has the JTA or the board agreed or voted
at 1:19:30Okay. You, you, through the chair, you mentioned, or I've seen in the media, I think you mentioned it,
at 23:02Well, are you satisfied that this gentleman has done everything he can to get this air conditioning working so that he could be placed on this board?
at 24:45Would it be more appropriate, I'm throwing this out, that he come back when this is totally resolved versus putting an artificial time point of 30 days?
at 35:20Through the chair to Mr. Peterson, the governor's law that he signed was new to me.
at 36:37Through the chair, if the mayor should recommend a tax cut in the budget itself, then the entire budget would require a two-thirds vote.
at 2:26:56I think 50% for, what is it, 36 days, 33 days, or whatever it is, to November 3rd is very reasonable.
at 2:27:06I also agree with my colleague, Councilmember Diamond, that we could have done a lot more for Amendment 3 and did not.