Nick Howland, a Republican at‑large member, was inaugurated as Jacksonville City Council president on Thursday. He outlined priorities for his term, emphasizing public safety, infrastructure and government services. Howland said the council will focus on fiscal responsibility, accountability and job creation. He noted that the November ballot measure on property taxes is uncertain but hopes it passes to aid homeowners. The Finance Committee, chaired by Will Lahnen and vice‑chaired by Chris Miller, will review the budget in August hearings, aiming to deliver a budget lower than the previous year, the first such reduction since 2019. Some budget items will be held in reserve due to revenue uncertainty from the tax amendment beginning in 2027. He proposed a third‑party development incentive that would have companies fund completion grants in exchange for future tax credits. He said the city aims to be leaner, smarter and more innovative with its money. Howland said he will bring community advisory councils to Finance hearings, allowing neighborhood groups to submit recommendations. Transparency is a priority; the Jacksonville Aviation Authority has not recorded its meetings and the Jacksonville Economic Development Authority has not recorded workshops or committee discussions. As a Navy veteran, Howland said he will require that economic development incentives include set‑aside positions for military veterans. He plans to introduce legislation next week that would require at least 10% of new jobs created through city incentives to be filled by military veterans, guards, reserves or active‑duty spouses, a measure he calls the Stand for Service Act. He intends to create a more inclusive committee structure, breaking from the previous arrangement under outgoing President Kevin Carrico, with eight of ten chair and vice‑chair positions held by first‑term members and five by military veterans. All council members will serve on two committees, aiming for bipartisan cooperation. Committee assignments will be released on Friday, with Mike Gay named chair of the Rules Committee. He also urged the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to accelerate development at Cecil Spaceport this year, saying the space sector is growing and the city has an opportunity to assume a leadership role. He said the market is growing and the city risks missing opportunities if action is delayed.