The man who spearheaded the movement, former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence, was in Jacksonville on Monday to provide insight to leaders here in case they decide to try something similar.

The roughly 50 community members who attended the speech, most of them affiliated with nonprofit and children's service agencies, listened intently and were fired up afterward. But several said there is still more studying and planning that needs to be done before the decision is made whether it is time to ask Jacksonville voters to approve a similar tax.

Michael Munz, chairman of the Jacksonville Children's Commission, said there should at least be some discussion.

"I'm going to push for the conversation, and I think the community needs to decide" if a special tax is right for Jacksonville, Munz said.

The Miami-Dade half-mill property tax generates about $100 million in revenue. The money is distributed by The Children's Trust, an independent agency chaired by Lawrence.

Mayor John Peyton said he was encouraged by the successes in Miami-Dade but questioned whether now is the right time for Jacksonville.

"In this environment anyone would be hard-pressed to suggest a revenue enhancement," he said.

Peyton said he has made children's services a priority and provided additional funding by increasing funding for the Children's Commission every year and providing money through Jacksonville Journey for anti-crime initiatives.

"Jacksonville is already investing about the equivalent of half a mill now in children. It tells me we're in the ballpark," Peyton said.

Lawrence outlined the campaign in support of The Children's Trust, saying it was political but not partisan, and based on support from community leaders, elected officials and business leaders. Voters approved it by a 2-1 ratio in 2002.

The program was set to end in five years unless voters were satisfied enough by its results to approve continuation.

The Children's Trust awards grants that fund nurses and social workers in schools, after-school programs, summer camps and programs for children with incarcerated parents, to name a few.

When voters were asked in August to reapprove the program, 86 percent agreed. The Children's Trust is now a permanent fixture in Miami-Dade.

If a special tax is pursued in this city, Peyton said, he learned from Lawrence that it won't be elected officials leading the charge.

"Any movement like that is not typically led by elected officials," the mayor said. "It's apparent it has to be a community-based, citizen-driven initiative."

tia.mitchell@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4425

Florida Times Union