Jacksonville City Council Questions Airport Hologram Funding

News Summary

The Jacksonville City Council is raising concerns over the funding of a hologram welcome message by Mayor Donna Deegan at the Jacksonville International Airport. Questions have been raised regarding the use of building inspection fees, with some council members viewing it as political self-promotion rather than a public service. The project, costing around $75,000, aims to enhance communication but has sparked a debate over its appropriateness and legality.

Jacksonville’s City Council Scrutinizes Hologram Welcome at Airport

In a surprising twist, members of the Jacksonville City Council have raised eyebrows—and some tempers—over the recent implementation of a flashy hologram technology that shares a welcoming message from Mayor Donna Deegan at the Jacksonville International Airport. The technology, known as Proto Box, is the brainchild of a startup company called Proto, but the usage of funds for this eye-catching installment has stirred quite the pot among council members.

Concern Over Spending and Legality

Recently, council auditor Kim Taylor flagged potential concerns about using building inspection fees to finance the hologram project. According to state law, such funds are supposed to be strictly used for activities that enforce the state’s building code. This has many council members, including Finance Committee Chair Ron Salem, questioning whether they are witnessing an unusual rise in political self-promotion from the mayor’s office.

In a city where transparency is expected, the decision to position a high-tech gizmo at the airport has left many scratching their heads. While Mike Weinstein, the chief of staff for Mayor Deegan, argued that the hologram aims to enhance the communication within the building inspection office, others believe it’s veering too far into promotional territory.

Hologram Features and Intended Purpose

The Proto Box is no ordinary gadget. It can engage passengers and visitors in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and German. Plans are even in the works to expand its linguistic capabilities to include Filipino. However, the location of this tech marvel has become a point of contention. Some council members have pointed out that utilizing the airport—not exactly an inspection office—doesn’t quite align with testing technology meant for building services.

Political Motivation or Public Service?

City Council member Rory Diamond voiced concerns that the hologram appears more geared towards promoting the mayor’s image rather than adding practical value. This sentiment was echoed by others in the council, such as Nick Howland and Raul Arias, who strongly insisted that expenditures should correlate more closely with their intended purposes.

With an allocated budget of around $75,000 for the hologram box, questions have arisen around the legality of this spending. As city auditors investigate, the council remains divided over whether the funds are being used appropriately or if this project is merely a way to shine the spotlight on the mayor.

Defending the Project

In response to the criticisms, Phillip Perry, Deegan’s spokesman, defended the project by noticing that many cities commonly feature welcome messages from their mayors in their airports. This context adds a layer of logic for utilizing such technology as part of an overall communications strategy aimed at positioning the city as a burgeoning tech hub.

Mayor Deegan’s administration touts the project not only as a means to showcase the city but also as part of a multi-year plan intended to enhance public services beyond permitting. They believe the hologram has broader applications, potentially benefiting various city services and ensuring that Jacksonville remains on the cutting edge of technology.

Looking Ahead

As this debate unfolds within the city council chambers, residents of Jacksonville are left to wonder whether this hologram will become a beloved part of the airport experience or simply another story in local political theater. While promoting the city’s technological prowess is commendable, the council’s insistence on lawful spending raises important questions about priorities in local governance.