A week after Jacksonville Beach residents sounded off on a proposal to merge the Jacksonville Beach Fire Department services with those of the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach city leaders on Monday night decided to postpone the vote on the proposal.
During Monday's meeting in the Jacksonville Beach City Council Chambers, Councilman Cory Nichols motioned for the merger vote to be tabled. The council unanimously approved that motion to put the merger vote on hold. The city manager asked that council members submit questions about the merger to him no later than Thursday, so he can submit them to the city of Jacksonville. The vote will now be taken up on May 20. Community members have been split on the issue since it was introduced.
Some residents believe merging JBFD with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department would be helpful, while others are concerned it would affect response time.