JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first test of how Jacksonville’s new Democratic mayor and Republican City Council are going to get along is coming in the form of Mayor Donna Deegan’s pick to become Jacksonville’s next general counsel.
Deegan has chosen former Councilwoman Randy DeFoor, but it’s DeFoor’s former role as a city council member that might be the problem.
There is a state rule that says once you leave the City Council you must wait two years before you can lobby the City Council.
Some believe that could be part of DeFoor’s new job as the city’s top lawyer.
Before DeFoor can become the city’s general counsel, she will need City Council approval, and the Republican-controlled Council is raising the issue, voting Tuesday to ask the state if DeFoor’s appointment could be allowed.
City Council president Ron Salem and the council voted to ask the state ethics commission if DeFoor can serve now instead of waiting two years.
Some are saying pure politics could get in the way of Deegan’s choice — even though DeFoor is a Republican.
“Well, you know, the best part of being general counsel is, I am not a policymaker anymore,” Defoor said. “So that is not my role. That’s not my role anymore. That’s (Salem’s) role. That’s not mine. Mine is being an attorney and representing each one of my clients to the best of my ability.”
Melissa Ross — speaking on behalf of the mayor — said they will also ask the state the same question.
“Randy Defoor is not limited in her role to serve as general counsel,” Ross said. “At the same time to bring final clarity to this matter, the Mayor’s Office has requested an opinion from the state Ethics Commission.”
News4JAX asked Political Analyst Rick Mullaney of JU’s Public Policy Institute — who also served as the city’s general counsel — to break it down for us. He believes DeFoor can legally do the job.
“She represents the City Council and the consolidated government,” Mullaney said. “She’s not a lobbyist. She’s not a policymaker, she’s legal counsel. So for those reasons, that’s my opinion. On the other hand, there are those who are concerned that you need clarity from the state Ethics Commission, and it’s understandable that they could possibly come to a different conclusion.”
On Wednesday, Deegan will hold a news conference where other former city general counsels will speak out in favor of DeFoor’s appointment.