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Jacksonville mayor jumped the gun on hiring consultant, councilors say Comment By Tony Boom Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 at 9:57 AM Updated May 13, 2015 at 3:59 PM By Tony Boom Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 at 9:57 AM Updated May 13, 2015 at 3:59 PM » Social News JACKSONVILLE — City Council members say Mayor Paul Becker jumped the gun when he hired a consultant to advise on fundraising to turn the second floor of the Jackson County Courthouse into a performing arts and meeting space without first getting approval for the venue. “It doesn’t look flattering, what’s going on. A normal person looking at this right now would not be very impressed,” Councilor Brad Bennington said at a recent meeting. “That money is being spent to hire someone to do something that the council has not voted on ... certainly, to most people, it would not look very appealing or transparent.” Becker hired Gold Hill consultant Theresa Hart to look at fundraising possibilities for the second-floor space after the city received a $5,000 donation for that purpose. Fundraising analysis by Hart has been suspended, but she will work with city staff to prepare a comprehensive report on potential uses and costs requested by the council. Deliberation on future use will be held after the city completes its 2015-16 budget process. “I’ll take responsibility for it,” Becker said Monday. “We didn’t at the time bring it before the council because we are not spending public money. I apologized for the contract.” Signing the contract did not bind the city to a particular use for the second floor, Becker said. At the council meeting, Becker said the second floor gathering place has been included as “aspirational” all along. Councilor Jocie Wall thanked Bennington for his comments and said the action lacked transparency. “I couldn’t agree with you more,” said Wall. “I don’t think we are at the decision-making point yet. We are at the point where we are discussing. … The citizens haven’t been properly informed.” Since receiving the 1883 courthouse from Jackson County in 2012, the council has proceeded slowly on plans to turn the building’s first floor into City Hall. Initial studies, design and improvements have been undertaken on a step-by-step basis. Council members want to ensure that costs would be covered by the $1 million of urban renewal funds that have been designated for renovation. The latest phase, which includes seismic retrofits and a fire-suppression system, should be completed in July. “I thought that it was good of (the mayor) to admit he jumped the gun,” said Councilor Ken Gregg Monday. While work on the downstairs has proceeded step-by-step, he said it seemed odd that the same process hadn’t been followed for the second floor. Delaying a decision on upstairs use until city offices are located downstairs is a possible scenario, said Councilor David Jesser. “I don’t think we, as the body that is representative government for the city, have hashed out the highest and best use for the upstairs,” said Jesser. Among items council members said need to be examined are competing venues, potential use, management options, acoustics, impact on neighbors and budgets. Public input was also requested. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected] . By Tony Boom Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 at 9:57 AM Updated May 13, 2015 at 3:59 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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