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 to taxpayers while preserving ‘‘compassionate services for our most vulnerable citizens.’’ Arias described the proposed property-tax reduction as ‘‘a modest 1 eighth.’’

Council members said essential services — police, fire and major infrastructure work — will remain funded under the plan. ‘‘Public service, fully funded. Essential services, fully funded. Garbage, fully funded,’’ Council President Carico said. The council leaders emphasized that the budget reduces some office salaries and fees, including cuts they described as more than $400,000 from the mayor’s office and a reduction in lobbyist fees.

The draft budget also preserves $14,000,000 tied to a community benefits agreement (CBA) that accompanied the new stadium contract; officials described that sum as $1,000,000 earmarked for each of the city’s 14 council districts. Council members said those district-level funds are intended to remain available for capital improvements in each district.

The briefing included public political criticism from Evan Powers, who introduced himself as the chairman for the Republican Party of Florida and criticized Mayor Deagan’s leadership, saying she ‘‘isn’t leading the city in the right direction’’ and indicating the party would continue to publicize its objections. Council member Terrence Freeman, a former council president, praised the finance committee and the council for making difficult budget choices.

The proposed budget still must be approved by the full City Council; speakers at the event said the mayor may veto some items. Council members noted amendments proposed by Council member Diamond that would bar city spending on certain programs; a speaker described the amendments as saying ‘‘no money for DEI. . . no money for abortions. . . no money for illegal immigration.’’ Supporters of the amendments said the mayor will have to decide whether to sustain or veto them.

City leaders framed the proposed cuts as targeted reductions intended to curb ‘‘wasteful and fraudulent recurring programs’’ while protecting services they define as essential. They said further review of the budget will continue during the formal council process and that final approval is expected next month.

Questions from the media at the end of the briefing focused on whether the cuts would endanger public safety funding; council leaders repeatedly said essential services are protected. Officials also said the budget remains open to future adjustments and reiterated that district-level CBA dollars remain available for community improvements.

Votes and formal actions were not recorded during the news briefing; council members described next steps as taking the draft budget to full council for official consideration and possible amendment.

Ending: Council leaders requested public engagement ahead of the full council vote and urged residents to contact council offices as the budget proceeds through the formal approval process.