[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6587571,"mediaKeyId","5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954","parentId",5578139,"title","TRUE Commission backs 1/8‑mill cut to proposed Jacksonville millage, sends message on fiscal discipline (5‑3)","audioSeconds",1410,"startMs",4400000,"endMs",5810000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954&start=4400&end=5810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954/thumbnail_4400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587571/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/TRUE-Commission-backs-18mill-cut-to-proposed-Jacksonville-millage-sends-message-on-fiscal-discipline-53","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587571-271be18b123010407e0d75b2698e5203/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208721&Signature=Or-Mweho5j2CfJxphOhnDKxf3HV8gGMXFTw0vQ7ir6B01vrZmZLAT0-qj~22ltJWjAAmjMYRoo88VcatMwPKBGsTl590g7lQuMA4wVFQeUJWXgE19xAVLupdvzGFle0b6KePKJ3WSUSqJDHrD2ct7iNXiah0a4~vhh1a6M6cui856kik5uZpaf04K3pn~hb5~18Tfxnqo4Dd82~oQjrlOzfvdsHoPTv9YhFObO4Fzsrkr-uNjMC6Qfvb3QXrxC1vQzv571WMjAQzEKcWI2~P9B~1TM0MIFcnUak27x2Evjtndi8JyQ~FoPwE00LeDnsRoF20jYLPythPzt1J7jPhGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Jacksonville, FL","date","2025-08-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Taxation, Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures (TRUE) Commission voted 5‑3 on Aug. 7 to adopt a resolution supporting a one‑eighth‑mill reduction in the City of Jacksonville’s proposed ad valorem millage rate for fiscal year 2025–26.

Commissioner Raymond Day read a resolution that stated in part that the county’s certified tax roll had increased and that reducing the millage by one‑eighth of a mill would restrain growth in ad valorem revenue. Day and supporters argued the modest cut would impose fiscal discipline on the council while still leaving the city with substantial new revenue.

“Every single year, because of the increase in the market value of the real estate in this community, there is an increase in ad valorem tax revenues,” Day said during debate, arguing for restraint on automatic revenue growth.

Opponents said the commission should first review the full set of budget hearings so it can recommend where any revenue reductions should be accommodated. Commissioner Daniel Henry asked whether the commission should be “educated on that before we recommend the millage decrease” and Commissioner Kim said she was “not personally in a position at this moment to be able to support a resolution…simply for the same reasons that Commissioner Henry mentioned” because she had not yet reviewed the budget hearings.

The commission debated an amendment that would have required the group to also identify specific cuts to cover the proposed revenue reduction; the amendment failed on a 5‑3 vote. After further discussion the main resolution — supporting the one‑eighth‑mill reduction — passed by the same margin.

Why it matters: a change in the millage rate affects the amount of property‑tax revenue the consolidated city collects and is a central lever in municipal fiscal policy. The commission’s position is advisory; City Council sets the final millage and budget.

Vote and next steps: the TRUE Commission recorded the measure as adopted (5 in favor, 3 opposed). Commissioners asked that a formal copy of the adopted resolution be prepared and transmitted to City Council members; one commissioner said they would draft and distribute the text to council members promptly.

Ending: The commission also agreed to review the proposed city budget in the coming weeks and return with recommendations at its September meeting, and some commissioners said they would monitor council deliberations during the remainder of September.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Jacksonville, FL - TRUE Commission 07 Aug 25","oneSentenceSummary","The Taxation, Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures (TRUE) Commission voted 5‑3 on Aug. 7 to support a proposed reduction of the city’s ad valorem millage rate by one‑eighth of a mill for fiscal year 2025–26 and agreed to transmit the adopted resolution to council members.","taxTitle","Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida","taxId",2881,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587576,"City council director explains public‑records process to TRUE Commission; offers guidance on costs and scope",254,2346000,2600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954&start=2346&end=2600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954/thumbnail_2346000.jpg","/articles/6587576/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/City-council-director-explains-publicrecords-process-to-TRUE-Commission-offers-guidance-on-costs-and-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587576-be9a98bc9b7b79bc88e1d7cc8d305381/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208721&Signature=fBz~Gb-nG9~vOP4nFYiSUt~T0pBY3qgKf7kudi-f49YBE~T7UjkuNzWWLTd~sPNkZQLRSRAJan-UclydTxeZ6-gby-gXElVYoFSx4t7SDGmPiAIEdWDfYc07jtW6MsMCbY~pEj6sRW8o5qWOx45LbY2ma9YMl29NufkZqVrli~mT3K1gWTZPQhqhwOqlJ7Gt6ZFvH-hvpIlHquMIJ8qtmHgCiztQd9xoOq0CtOHRf9EUY01MRAn~yZCPcWCcX7to3cAShYu1HwGQFG30~GhLQTUiWRSNNk3xwJ7McRyj-RrvGJTC8oclqSPq2CVhJX6bBEwF~1JsuqiTNADtAscylg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Teal, director and secretary for the City Council, briefed the TRUE Commission on Aug. 7 about how the council handles public‑records requests and the practical limits of staff resources.

Teal said the council’s approach balances the public’s right to records with the cost of compliance. “If a public records request comes in, that is going to take a half hour or less of staff time to be able to comply with that public records request, then we don't charge for it,” he said, noting that Florida law permits recovery of reasonable costs for more time‑consuming requests.

Why it matters: commissioners earlier raised questions after an expansive records request by a colleague that would have required many staff hours and crossed multiple departments. Teal advised that when a single commissioner files a broad request the city may ask whether the full commission has sanctioned the request, and that the council can provide an estimate of the cost of compliance before proceeding.

Key points from the briefing:
- Individual vs. board requests: Teal emphasized that an individual commissioner may make a public‑records request as a private citizen, but that does not equate to speaking for the full commission. When a request has broad implications or significant staff cost, the council may ask whether the commission as a whole wants to pursue it.
- Cost and scope: Teal described examples in which expansive requests—such as asking for all documents across the length of a corridor—would require dozens of staff hours; the council’s practice is to propose narrowing date ranges or scope and to provide an estimated compliance cost if necessary.
- Practical advice: He urged commissioners to clarify what information they want, consider narrowing requests, and, if the commission wishes to pursue a review, take the request up as a commission action so staff and the public understand its official status.

Teal also discussed the council’s streaming and public‑access work. He said the council uses a vendor (Granicus) and is expanding distribution to platforms including YouTube to increase accessibility; some meetings are already available online.

Ending: Commissioners discussed whether a single commissioner’s records request should be routed through the body; Teal recommended using the commission’s open meeting to vet and, if warranted, formally request staff work so the burden and cost can be assessed and, if needed, allocated.","Jason Teal, council director and secretary, told the TRUE Commission that routine public‑records requests taking 30 minutes or less are not charged, while broad requests that consume many staff hours may incur recoverable costs under Florida law; he recommended commissioners vet requests as a body before asking staff to comply.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587580,"Jacksonville sheriff presents $638 million FY‑26 budget, cites salary, technology and grants as drivers",578,242000,820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954&start=242&end=820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578139-6a369f3deb9a52fa5910af7876aaf954/thumbnail_242000.jpg","/articles/6587580/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Jacksonville-sheriff-presents-638-million-FY26-budget-cites-salary-technology-and-grants-as-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587580-cc864c4f24c70b466b15bf1503cb6993/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208721&Signature=bZ1Fjzof3SELF8BQXxUNCkbFo3n~wpUmLzfteEkVZzSFJ-5sxYunt2YNg8ojL6xpfz8n6rfeGXh2wD1rL793TgcE85K4mZ0cXZoy-HQ8M9kKLpcz6sRRpc1UO6dtw0nHL9uWDU-mgl7kj80HoxSYWEHwCriHIxpkxL4~tG-SEakTdjavyM77Y492Bk33I6Kn4DSV1d788eQnkZJNFEuyGiiGbI7s2KW9p0JxkM2TXfrCZeelJ8rqFL8vDPNo6y6O7JkmXu8LvcPRIJPpso8oZmh4EKLhRDlrgOA9C3sahU0FA0aFNB2mA8U7-D0ugw3gCEtxTLB6I2XDbrfc4bXCyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Ed Cayenne of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office told the Taxation, Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures (TRUE) Commission on Aug. 7 that the JSO’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget is $638,000,000, “which was only an increase of $4,800,000 from the FY '25 budget.”

That sum, Cayenne said, is driven primarily by personnel costs and contractual raises. “What most don't understand is that 80% of our budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits, which are predetermined through negotiations with the City of Jacksonville,” he said. The director said the remaining 20% covers operational costs such as software licensing, equipment maintenance and upgrades for more than 3,000 JSO employees.

Why it matters: the JSO budget is a significant portion of the city’s spending and the commission’s work focuses on taxation and how public money is used. Commissioners asked detailed questions about whether JSO’s reorganization, technology investments and vehicle changes have reduced costs or improved response; Cayenne described a mix of data-driven patrol reorganization, grant-funded projects and gradual equipment replacement as part of the agency’s strategy.

Cayenne highlighted the role of technology and federal grants in investigative work and crime reduction, citing the real time crime center, license-plate readers and advanced forensics. He cited a recent multi‑state narcotics investigation funded in part by a Florida Department of Law Enforcement SAFE grant that led to 14 arrests and large seizures of narcotics and weapons. He also noted the agency pursues federal and state funding “to ease the financial burden on the taxpayers of Jacksonville.”

On patrol deployment, Cayenne described a multi‑year reorganization into patrol districts intended to equalize officer workloads across growing and changing neighborhoods. He said the sheriff’s office shrank some districts’ geographic area and redistributed officers so “each district covers the same square mileage and has the same amount of police officers in hopes of reducing response times.”

Commissioners asked about specific items:
- Vehicles: Commissioners questioned the switch from white sedans to silver SUVs. Cayenne said the fleet change incurred “absolutely no cost increase…to the taxpayers of Jacksonville” and was phased in as sedans reached end of life. He added the nationwide shift to SUVs also reflects manufacturers’ product lines and operational needs in a climate prone to flooding.
- Crime trends and technology: Cayenne attributed recent declines in homicide and violent crime to the reorganization, improved response times and technology-driven investigations. He recounted two recent business robberies solved by tracing a vehicle tag and matching phone location and other investigative leads, noting that technology “has made us a better police agency.”
- Hazardous device and dive teams: Cayenne explained that the JSO’s hazardous device unit and marine/dive teams require specialized, often grant-funded equipment; the agency does not pass costs for ordinance disposal to private individuals.

Requests and follow-up: Commissioner Raymond Day asked for a district-level matrix comparing patrol staffing, calls for service and average response times for fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25. Cayenne agreed to provide the data through the JSO crime analysis unit and staff contact Miss Hemingway. The director also said the sheriff had not requested additional personnel in the current budget (he noted 40 positions were previously funded via a COPS grant).

The JSO presentation framed the budget as constrained by long-term personnel commitments and a limited remainder for new initiatives. Cayenne closed by reiterating the office’s intent to continue pursuing grant funding and technology investments while emphasizing stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Ending: Commissioners said they would follow up with written requests for the data Cayenne offered and planned further review of the proposed city budget as part of the commission’s upcoming work.","Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Director Ed Cayenne told the TRUE Commission the JSO proposed FY‑26 budget totals $638 million, a $4.8 million increase largely driven by contractually required pay and benefit costs; Cayenne also outlined investments in technology, specialized units and grant-funded work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

TRUE Commission backs 1/8‑mill cut to proposed Jacksonville millage, sends message on fiscal discipline (5‑3)

City council director explains public‑records process to TRUE Commission; offers guidance on costs and scope

Jacksonville sheriff presents $638 million FY‑26 budget, cites salary, technology and grants as drivers