Jacksonville council leaders unveil budget with modest millage cut, sparking debate over program funding

Jacksonville City Council leaders on Friday presented a proposed budget that they said will lower property taxes, reduce debt and strengthen reserves while keeping core public services funded.

Council President Kevin Carico, who opened the media briefing, said the package is meant to return money to residents and to ‘‘give the money back to the citizens.’’ He told reporters that ‘‘Over $13,000,000 have been cut from your taxes’’ and urged residents to press the council to complete the approval process next month.

Councilman Raul Arias, the finance chair, said the proposal balances three goals at once: ‘‘to lower taxes, to reduce a debt, and strengthen our reserves.’’ Arias cited recent increases in city revenue, saying Jacksonville collected ‘‘an additional $160,000,000 of additional property taxes on top of a $40,000,000 one-time JAA contribution and $40,000,000 in solid waste collection fees,’’ and described the package as a way to return some of those dollars…