The city received free tickets as part of lease agreements and contracts with city-owned venues.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a nearly unanimous decision, Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday voted to end a “gift policy” that allowed city officials to receive tickets to Jacksonville Jaguars home games and other events at city-owned venues for free.
Council member Rahman Johnson cast the lone vote against ending the policy.
The city received the tickets as part of lease agreements and contracts with city-owned venues.
In August, Councilman Ron Salem introduced a now-approved ordinance requiring that all tickets gifted to the city be distributed equally between city council and the mayor’s office.
However, Council President Kevin Carrico took it a step further with what he called the “DEEGAN Amendment.” He proposed ending the distribution of Jaguars home game tickets to the mayor and city council members altogether.
“Taxpayers should not bankroll politicians,” Carrico said.
Mayor Donna Deegan then suggested Carrico’s amendment cover all gifted tickets to events at EverBank Stadium, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, VyStar Ballpark, Daily’s Place Amphitheater and the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
The lease agreements and contracts that allowed officials to receive free tickets had been in place for years and for multiple administrations. A spokesperson for city council previously told First Coast News the tickets were not considered personal perks for city council, but instead, meant to host constituents, community leaders, organizations and even be used as a reward for city employees.
According to data obtained by First Coast News through a public records request, city council, including their staff, requested 116 tickets across all venues last year. For the 2024 football season, council members requested at least 86 tickets for home games, Salem requested at least six and Carrico requested at least 10 tickets.
Members of the mayor’s office requested 66 total tickets across all venues in 2024. At least 17 tickets were requested for Jags games for the 2024 season. Deegan did not request any Jags tickets, according to information provided by the city.