The Jacksonville City Council voted against a resolution that would have allowed the Duval County School Board to change the city charter and hire its own attorney.

The resolution failed narrowly, 8 to 9, keeping the current system in place, where the city’s Office of General Counsel is responsible for hiring the school board’s attorney.

Supporters of the change argued that allowing the school board to hire its own attorney would improve the hiring process and address issues with the current consolidated legal services.

Councilman Rory Diamond, who supported the bill, noted that sometimes fixes are needed when consolidation causes problems.

However, many council members disagreed. Councilman Jimmy Peluso acknowledged issues with consolidation but said changing the city charter was not

See Full Page