A $630,000 pricetag for art at the new courthouse in downtown Jacksonville.

We've found the plan on the agenda for tonight's city council meeting as a public hearing.  Here is the description:

ORD re Duval County Courthouse Facilities Proj; Approp $629,000 from Art in Public Places Acct to Provide Art for Courthouse; Providing Funds Carryover from Yr to Yr until Disbursed for Purchase & Installatn of Artwork for Courthouse in Accordance with City's Procedures Set Forth in Pt 9 (Art in Public Places), Chapt 126 (Procurement Code), Ord Code (BT 11-043). (McCain) (Req of Mayor)

Cy Council President Jack Webb expects to hear an earful about the need to spend that money on art.

"It's gonna be scrutinized.  It didn't pass before because there were a lot of concerns about that.  I don't see that necessarily changing". 

Mayor Peyton is pushing this spending to the floor and his team is trying to explain why it's needed.

Mayoral spokesperson Misty Sipper says the city is required under the Better Jacksonville Plan to use a percentage of money from projects for art. 

"The art would be in the form of something that is functional".

Skipper says even though it's money that could only be spent on art there is a way around it.

"Separate legislation would have to be passed by the city council at this point in order to actually spend those dollars".

It would then be up to the council to determine where that money goes and how much would then be deemed appropriate for the courthouse.