Florida Record
Jacksonville
RD

Rory Diamond

Council Member2019-07-01 - 2027-06-30

About

Rory Diamond's platform emphasizes political and electoral reforms, notably advocating for race-neutral districting maps for the Jacksonville City Council. Additionally, his legislative and public focus includes local governance issues and community welfare initiatives.

Campaign promises (1)

  • transparency
    Rory Diamond called for the implementation of race-neutral maps prior to the next Jacksonville City Council elections.
    Related votes

At a glance

News mentions
2

Term ending Jun 30, 2027.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
70
Total speaking time
5:37:52
Avg per meeting
4:50
Segments
6933

Want every word Diamond has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Diamond said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

critical↑Jan 2026[100]

JTA Financial Crisis and Subpoena of Outgoing CEO Nat Ford

Paratransit under-budgeting was a major driver of the FY26 expense gap, and a significant portion of the service is unfunded.

critical↑Feb 2026[59]

Affordable Housing and Property Conveyances

The city will issue a $5 million development loan with a 20-year term and 1% annual interest, with repayments and excess developer distributions returning to the city.

critical→Mar 2026[56]

Municipal Budget Appropriations and Trust Funds

Involves a total city budget of $9.2 billion, including a $2.026 billion general fund operating budget.

critical↓Apr 2026[54]

Electric Bicycle Safety Regulations

Minimal administrative cost for developing standardized educational signs.

critical↓Aug 2026[39]

Retention Pond Inventory and Safety Regulations

Fencing requirements could trigger state-level regulatory cost analyses exceeding $200,000, and one HOA spent over $10,000 fixing pond compliance issues.

critical↑Jan 2026[37]

Comprehensive Land Use and Rezoning Reviews

Property values and development costs shift as rural and low-density land is rezoned.

high↑Oct 2026[36]

Fort George River Sandbar Vessel Speed Regulation

The city would need to fund the installation of required signage if the no-wake zone is approved.

high↑Jan 2026[34]

City Venues and Stadium Operations

About $1.52 million in city expenses through 2028, with a $28,282 gap for the 2026 game covered by the Sports and Entertainment budget.

high↑Nov 2026[30]

Government transparency: JEA, JAA, and JAXPORT livestreaming

Minimal — JAA already has the equipment.

critical↑Feb 2026[29]

State Homestead Exemption Fiscal Impact

Potential state-level tax cuts could significantly impact municipal operating revenues.

medium↑Oct 2026[28]

JEA meeting transparency charter amendment

JEA would bear the cost of recording and posting its meetings; no estimate is given.

high↑Oct 2026[28]

Sibbald Road housing initiative

The East 22nd Street land would have gone at no cost; the Sibbald Road effort asks for negotiation of about 3.45 acres with costs TBD.

high↓Jan 2026[25]

Downtown Riverfront Parks Management Partnership

Includes $1.2 million for riverfront park maintenance and $1.257 million for the Jacksonville Riverfront Alliance contract.

high↓Sep 2026[25]

Water Safety Education and Infant Swimming Programs

Funding for expanded swimming programs and lifeguard training initiatives will require municipal or partner support.

high↓Feb 2026[23]

Cultural and Public Service Grants Funding

Roughly $3.2 million combined across the grant items, mostly from general fund reserves.

high↑Nov 2026[22]

Gateway Shopping Mall RV and boat storage

The owners have invested millions in the self-storage conversion already; a traffic study later would cost roughly $25,000-30,000 if triggered.

high→Jan 2026[22]

George Crady Bridge Repair and State Coordination

A study-and-design grant of roughly $3 million to $4 million could be a first step toward a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation.

high↑Jan 2026[21]

St. Johns River Water Quality and Manatee Monitoring

Monitoring and restoration projects require ongoing multi-million dollar investments from local and state funding sources.

high↑Nov 2026[21]

Sidewalk deferral denial appeal — 19 infill lots, District 8

Sidewalk costs would be passed to homebuyers now, or fall on individual homeowners later if the city ever builds connecting sidewalks.

critical↓May 2026[21]

Downtown Development Incentives and Political Climate

$6 million in city-backed grant and loan money, appropriated by later legislation.

Decisions during term (1269)

Recorded while Diamond was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved5-0Nov 4, 2026

Ordinance 2026-0779 — Industrial parking maximums

approved6-0Nov 4, 2026

Ordinance 2026-0799 — Arbors CDD expansion

tabledNov 4, 2026

Ordinance 2026-0801 — Williamson Lane closure deferred over unpaid taxes

tabledNov 4, 2026

Resolution Q (2026-0777) — Sidewalk deferral appeal continued

tabledNov 4, 2026

Bill 2026-0803 — JEA meeting broadcasts (deferred)

tabledVoted no3-3Nov 4, 2026

2026-0541 — Beaver St W redevelopment agreement (Publix-anchored project)

approvedVoted yes6-0Nov 4, 2026

2026-0802 — Post-election voting audit system grant ($590,000)

approvedVoted yes6-0Nov 4, 2026

2026-0800 — Inmate Welfare Trust Fund budget ($2,280,097.81)

approvedVoted yes6-0Nov 4, 2026

2026-0811 — Gator Bowl Sports stadium use agreement

approvedVoted no4-2Nov 4, 2026

2026-0814 — Downtown Vision enhanced municipal services assessment

approvedVoted yes6-0Nov 4, 2026

2026-0756 — Prohibited grant expenditures (vehicle purchases)

deniedVoted no0-6Nov 4, 2026

2026-0804 — School Crossing Guard Trust Fund (withdrawn)

approvedVoted no5-1Nov 4, 2026

2026-0805 — Murray Hill Preservation Association grant ($125,000)

approvedVoted yes6-0Nov 4, 2026

2026-0806 — Historic preservation ordinance

approvedVoted no5-1Nov 4, 2026

2026-0813 — Youth Crisis Center House of Hope ($162,640)

approvedVoted no5-1Nov 4, 2026

2026-0855 — Shore Manufacturing economic development grant ($65,000)

approvedVoted no6-0Nov 4, 2026

2026-0865 — Goodwill Summer Youth Works re-appropriation ($150,000, emergency)

tabledVoted no3-3Nov 4, 2026

2026-0869 — Council suite furniture purchase ($70,000, emergency)

tabledNov 4, 2026

Deferred items — 2024-0966, 2025-0361, 2026-0227, 2026-0320, 2026-0377, 2026-0677, 2026-0808, 2026-0809, 2026-0810, 2026-0867, 2026-0868

tabledNov 4, 2026

ORD Apv an Agrmt for Settlement of Fines Imposed by the Municipal Code Enforcement Brd/Special Magistrate btwn the City & Live Oak Ancient City Living, LLC, a Delaware LLC, & Directing the Mayor, or Her Desig, & the Corp Sec to Execute &…

Voting record (284)

167 yes117 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted noNov 4, 2026

amend

Voted noNov 4, 2026

amend

Voted noNov 4, 2026

amend

Voted noNov 4, 2026

emergency

Voted noNov 4, 2026

approve the amendment

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0541 — Beaver St W redevelopment agreement (Publix-anchored project)

Opposes downtown developer subsidies in light of Amendment 3's passage

Voted yesNov 4, 2026

2026-0802 — Post-election voting audit system grant ($590,000)

Voted yesNov 4, 2026

2026-0800 — Inmate Welfare Trust Fund budget ($2,280,097.81)

Voted yesNov 4, 2026

2026-0811 — Gator Bowl Sports stadium use agreement

Supports today but says the money should stop if Jacksonville gets no seat at the table in a 24-team playoff

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0814 — Downtown Vision enhanced municipal services assessment

Voted yesNov 4, 2026

2026-0756 — Prohibited grant expenditures (vehicle purchases)

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0804 — School Crossing Guard Trust Fund (withdrawn)

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0805 — Murray Hill Preservation Association grant ($125,000)

Opposes nonprofit spending after Amendment 3's passage

Voted yesNov 4, 2026

2026-0806 — Historic preservation ordinance

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0813 — Youth Crisis Center House of Hope ($162,640)

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0855 — Shore Manufacturing economic development grant ($65,000)

Voted yesNov 4, 2026

2026-0865 — Goodwill Summer Youth Works re-appropriation ($150,000, emergency)

Voted noNov 4, 2026

2026-0869 — Council suite furniture purchase ($70,000, emergency)

Considers the purchase tone-deaf after Amendment 3 and does not want a new chair

Voted noOct 27, 2026

the item be Approved

Voted noOct 27, 2026

the item be Approved

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Rezoning at 9520 Sandler Road (2026-0695)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Rezoning at 11713 Alta Drive (2026-0660)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Rezoning at 0 103rd Street (2026-0696)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Sign waiver at 960 Girvin Road (2026-0747)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Consent agenda (items 5-25)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Resolution 2026-0830 honoring Phil Amato (Amended)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Kings Creek II CDD contraction (2026-0748)

Voted noOct 20, 2026

Approve 2026-0765

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Surplus Property Conveyance Withdrawal (Ordinance 2026-0672)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Corrections Employees Defined Contribution Plan Amendment (Ordinance 2026-0687)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Jacksonville Zoological Society Agreement Amendment (Ordinance 2026-0749)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Critical Care Equipment Grant Appropriation (Ordinance 2026-0751)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Tori Meadows Affordable Housing Loan and Substitute (Ordinance 2026-0752)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

SHIP Grant Appropriation Amendment (Ordinance 2026-0753)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Traffic Calming and Electric Bicycle Signs Amendment (Ordinance 2026-0755)

Voted noOct 20, 2026

JHFA Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds Resolution (Resolution 2026-0765)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Homelessness Initiatives Commission Deadline Extension (Ordinance 2026-0778)

Voted yesOct 20, 2026

Subpoena Issuance for Outgoing JTA CEO Nat Ford

Voted noOct 6, 2026

Funding for Gateway Jax Completion Grants

Voted noOct 6, 2026

Appropriation of Investment Pool Earnings for Osprey River Project

Voted noOct 6, 2026

Extension for Lofts at Southbank Development Agreement

Voted noOct 6, 2026

Economic Development Agreement for Project Apollo

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be PH Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be Amend/Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be PH Emergency/Amend/Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be PH Emergency/Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be PH Emergency/Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be PH Emergency/Approved.

Voted noSep 22, 2026

The Floor Leader moved the item be Amend/Approved.

In the news (2)