The City of Jacksonville's True Commission Meeting on September 4, 2025, revealed critical findings from recent audits that could significantly impact local governance and public safety.

One of the most pressing issues discussed was the audit of the city’s accounts payable system, which highlighted several control weaknesses. While payments to vendors were generally accurate, the audit uncovered deficiencies in written policies and procedures. Notably, there were 241 user accounts in the financial system linked to former employees or candidates who never started their jobs, raising concerns about security and accountability. Additionally, the audit identified over $3.8 million in duplicate payments that were eventually corrected, but the findings pointed to broader issues with payment timeliness and invoice processing. These weaknesses could lead to financial mismanagement and inefficiencies that affect city operations.

Another significant topic was the audit of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) GPS electronic monitoring program. The audit found that the program lacked sufficient standard operating procedures, which could jeopardize the enforcement of court orders. Issues included delays in attaching monitors to individuals and excessive access granted to users of the monitoring system, including former employees. One alarming example cited involved an individual who was improperly released without a monitor and later arrested for being in a stolen vehicle. This incident underscores the potential risks posed by the current system's shortcomings.

In response to these findings, JSO officials indicated they are revising procedures to ensure individuals are properly monitored and that all necessary agreements are completed before release. A new electronic monitoring unit email group has been established to improve communication and streamline the monitoring process.

The discussions at the True Commission Meeting reflect ongoing efforts to enhance accountability and safety within Jacksonville's city operations. As these audits reveal significant areas for improvement, city officials are tasked with implementing changes that will better protect public resources and ensure the safety of the community. The outcomes of these audits will be closely monitored as the city works towards addressing these critical issues.