Resolution Board of Directors JAX Chamber City of Jacksonville Police & Fire Pension Reform THE ROLE OF JAX

CHAMBER IS TO DRIVE QUALITY ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA THROUGH INITIATIVES AND POLICY DESIGNED TO MAKE THIS REGION THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE WORK AND PLAY. THIS MISSION DETERMINES WHICH POLICIES ADDRESSING THESE GOALS THE CHAMBER WILL SUPPORT. BECAUSE OF THIS CHARGE, THE JAX CHAMBER CANNOT ENDORSE THE CURRENT PENSION REFORM PROPOSAL (2013-366) BEFORE CITY COUNCIL. WHEREAS, the Chamber believes government must operate as effectively and efficiently as possible to encourage economic growth and greater prosperity; and WHEREAS, the Jacksonville community will forever be indebted to its first responders for placing community above their safety; and WHEREAS, our police and firefighters deserve fair and equitable benefits; and WHEREAS, the pressure the underfunded pension liability adds to the citys budgetary crisis is threatening our communitys ability to provide essential public safety services, threatening our quality of life, and undermining our ability to sustain long term economic growth; and WHEREAS, the Chamber believes that any reform plan must be affordable and not detrimental to those services the community relies upon; and WHEREAS, any reform plan must be sustainable over time while not hindering Jacksonvilles long term financial health; and WHEREAS, deliberate study of this issue is required to find a workable solution, and all interested stakeholders should continue to work together toward a solution that is not driven by City budget shortfalls; and WHEREAS, the Chamber acknowledges the substantive efforts and progress that was made by the Administration and the Police and Fire Pension Fund in the current Pension Reform Proposal; and WHEREAS, after considerable discussion and due diligence, the Chamber will not endorse the current reform legislation as it does not achieve an effective, comprehensive, and sustainable longer term solution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Directors of JAX Chamber will not endorse 2013366 in its current form, but will continue to work with the Administration, City Council and the Police & Fire Unions to find an alternative plan which is effective, affordable and sustainable over the long term. their

___________________________ Greg Smith, Chair

Attest:

_____________________________ Daniel Davis, President and CEO July 19, 2013