Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
November 22, 2019
The latest series of Government Academy classes ended earlier this week. I truly enjoy this opportunity to meet area (not all City) residents in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. I not only have the ability to share my experience in and insights to local government, but also get to learn the interests and frustrations of residents who, in most cases, have never engaged local government officials. I do notice that a few of them now slip into City Commission meetings, so I am glad that they are now engaged.
One of the common frustrations voiced by Government Academy participants is the language of government. As with many professions, government has its own language, especially acronyms. During the course of our work, government officials communicate easily with each other (at least among those officials working at the same local, state, or federal level). When we communicate with others not familiar with our “language,” we often ignorantly assume that they understand perfectly what we are saying.
I have instructed one of the recent participants of the Government Academy that when he is at a City Commission meeting to wave to me if the current discussion includes terms or concepts that he doesn’t understand. I will gladly request permission from the Mayor to address or clarify his concerns. If he doesn’t understand what we are talking about, then it is highly likely that others in the audience or watching elsewhere have similar questions.
I suspect that sometimes even Commissions may be unfamiliar with some of the language. Commissioners often do not have a background in government when they take a seat on the other side of the dais, and when seated, the business of the City continues from where it left off two weeks ago: use whatever analogy you want- frying pan into fire, jumping into the deep end. It comes at a new Commissioner at a dizzying pace. Ask Commissioners Chapman, Lednovich, and Ross, all who have served only two years or less, what their first several months were like as new Commissioners.
So here are the beginnings of a government language dictionary. I’ll keep this document handy and continue to add terms, perhaps publishing the list annually like some of those organizations that introduce new words or banish old words. Don’t hesitate to recommend additions yourself.
AAC (Airport Advisory Committee) appointed by the City Commission, this advisory group reviews and recommends policies and actions related to the City Airport to the City Commission.
BoA (Board of Adjustment) appointed by the City Commission, this board hears and rules on variance requests and administrative appeals.
BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) the elected governing body of Nassau County.
COFB (City of Fernandina Beach)
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) the City Commission itself serves as the Executive Board of this agency, which is actually a defined district, encompassing an area of downtown. The general purpose of the CRA is to foster economic development through the collection of taxes that would otherwise be diverted to other agencies (see TIF).
FBCC (Fernandina Beach City Commission) the elected governing body of the City of Fernandina Beach.
FBFD (Fernandina Beach Fire Department)
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) a “concierge” service provider at the City Airport. This service can be provided by the Airport owner (City) or, as is the case in Fernandina Beach, a private entity. Services provided include a variety of amenities to pilots visiting the Airport, including plane handling, fuel, light refreshments, flight planning support, etc.
FBPD (Fernandina Beach Police Department)
HDC (Historic District Commission) appointed by the City Commission, this advisory group oversees the preservation efforts within the City’s registered historic districts (downtown and Old Town).
PAB (Planning Advisory Board) appointed by the City Commission, this advisory group reviews and recommends to the City Commission actions and policies related to planning and zoning, including the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
PRAC (Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee) appointed by the City Commission, this advisory group reviews and recommends to the City Commission actions and policies related to parks and recreation policies and projects, guided, in part, by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
TIF (Tax Increment Finance) a mechanism for diverting, not increasing, tax payments to agencies separate from the standard taxing agency.
That’s a good start. I know that I have plenty more to add (including your requests or recommendations).
The next Government Academy is scheduled to begin in late February (evening classes again, but this time on Thursday evenings).
Thank you for your continuing interest in local government.