As tough financial times have caused City Hall departments to make drastic cuts to their travel budgets, two of Jacksonville's independent authorities are planning to spend more.

JEA and the Jacksonville Port Authority are increasing their travel and training budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, although both point out what they'll spend is still less than 2008 levels, before the economic downturn hit.

The need to stay updated on the latest technology and meet regulatory requirements are behind JEA's budget increases, spokeswoman Gerri Boyce said. JEA plans to spend $867,000 in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, compared with $595,000 this year.

The Port Authority characterizes its increased travel budget as an economic engine. Port officials will travel more to drum up new business, spokeswoman Nancy Rubin said. As the economy begins to turn around, Jacksonville's port is competing against other cities for business, which could mean gaining or losing jobs, she said. "We don't want to be caught where other people are working harder to attract other customers," Rubin said. "We want to be in the thick of it to take advantage and to be in position before any major upturn."

The Port Authority budgeted $415,000 for the current year, but has requested that the City Council approve $480,000 for the next year.

On the other hand, the Aviation Authority and Transportation Authority are planning to cut back.

JAA Executive Director and CEO Steven Grossman said his travel and training budget was reduced about 19 percent from the previous year, to about $323,000. And, even when the money is available, only trips deemed absolutely necessary are approved.

For example, the authority has cut back on international travel. Grossman isn't sure if he will send any staff to the big Paris Air Show next year, which is the industry's premier event. He sent only one person to a similar event that was just held in England.

"Whether we're going or not depends on the value that we perceive at the time," Grossman said. "If we think it's of real value to go, we can go."

Much of the authority's 2010-11 travel will be focused on visiting companies that are existing or potential tenants for the portion of Cecil Field it now owns. The agency has made developing Cecil Field among its biggest priorities.

These three independent agencies are not supported by general fund dollars, but the City Council must approve their budgets.

JTA, whose operations are subsidized by the general fund, is cutting its travel budget by 10 percent, to about $129,000, and its training budget by 13 percent, to about $115,000.

In an effort to cut costs, the City Council has scrutinized travel and training budgets for city agencies.

Earlier this month, Mayor John Peyton resubmitted the budgets for city departments under his purview, eliminating funding for all travel and training except that which is mandatory, essential to daily operations or certifications for firefighters.

The result was a travel budget that shrank from $318,987 to about $91,500, and a training budget down from $795,514 to roughly $582,000.

The catch is, many high profile city agencies like the Sheriff's Office and the City Council, as well as the independent agencies, were not subject to the mayor's budget exercise.

Knowing that the Finance Committee was looking for cuts, many of those other departments voluntarily submitted decreased budget requests.

The Sheriff's Office reduced its travel budget by more than $3,000, to about $27,000. Much of the police department's travel is related to prisoner transport and investigations. The Sheriff's Office also has a training budget of more than $500,000, mostly to pay for officer training and certifications.

The Tax Collector's Office agreed to put its entire $15,000 travel budget request "below the line," meaning the City Council must give approval before any money is spent. It also reduced its planned spending on training from $12,500 to $10,000.

The Property Appraiser's Office reduced its combined travel and training budget by about 60 percent to roughly $10,000.

Council President Jack Webb submitted the City Council's budget to an exercise similar to the mayor's office. As a result, he cut the council's travel budget by 70 percent to $20,000, compared with the $67,100 that had initially been requested. The council's training budget was also reduced by more than half, from $25,050 to $11,250.

Much of the council's travel and training budget isn't used by the members themselves, but by the 60 or so other staff members, which includes auditors and those who carry out duties for the city's Value Adjustment Board.

The council president has historically traveled with the Chamber of Commerce on its annual leadership trip, scheduled for Indianapolis this year, but Webb said he hasn't decided whether he's going. He said that decision will be based on the agenda and whether he believes he would benefit the city by attending.

Webb said his understanding is that the council's travel and training spending is now in line with the mayor's office. If there are any inequities, he said, he will consider further cuts.

tia.mitchell@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4425

link: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-09-06/story/city-tightens-t...