JACKSONVILLE, Fla. _ The city of Jacksonville spent staff time but no taxpayer dollars on the canceled Republican National Convention, a top aide for Mayor Lenny Curry told City Council members Friday.
Chief of Staff Jordan Elsbury said "any time a special event comes to Jacksonville" the city's emergency operations center and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office work on preparing for it.
Elsbury said the sheriff's office provided security for Vice President Mike Pence's recent visit with the Jacksonville 2020 Host Committee in Jacksonville, but he said that is a cost the city picks up as it would any time a "dignitary" comes to Jacksonville.
He said the host committee was not billed for the security costs related to Pence's visit on July 11 at Epping Forest Yacht and Country Club.
City Council member Garrett Dennis asked the council auditor's office to examine how many hours of staff time were consumed by the planning for the convention.
The Republican National Committee moved most of the convention to Jacksonville from Charlotte, N.C. six weeks ago, but President Donald Trump announced Thursday he was canceling the Jacksonville portion of the event.
Trump cited the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Florida and said it wouldn't make sense to have an event like a convention with people packing a venue.
