Mayor Deegan unveils $2 billion general fund budget, emphasizes public safety, housing and literacy

Mayor Donna Deegan presented a proposed $2,000,000,000 general fund budget and a $687,000,000 2026 portion of the capital improvement plan to the Jacksonville City Council during a council meeting, saying the plan funds public safety, housing, literacy and process improvements and uses no reserve drawdown.

Deegan said the budget is both "urgent" and "bold," and framed it as responsive to priorities raised at citywide town halls, including housing affordability, mental health and trash and blight. "This budget belongs to the people," she said.

The budget as presented directs substantial funding to public safety departments: a $638,000,000 budget for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and a $387,000,000 budget for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Deegan said the sheriff's request is fully funded and that the fire department allocation supports equipment updates, training and programs the mayor said reduce homeowner insurance costs.

On housing and homelessness, Deegan said the proposal includes more than…