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Residents urge committee not to cut libraries, community centers and senior services
Summary
During public comment, multiple residents told the committee that proposed budget cuts to libraries, community centers and senior services would harm vulnerable residents; speakers pressed the committee to reconsider trimming these services while questioning why higher-level offices were not reviewed for savings.
Several Jacksonville residents used the committee’s public-comment period on June 17 to urge members not to cut funding for libraries, community centers and senior centers and to ask the committee to look higher in the city budget for savings.
Gray Driscoll said he feared cuts to libraries and senior centers and urged the committee to consider the role those services play for working families. “Community is important,” Driscoll said. Alyssa Arroyo criticized proposals to trim library and children’s services budgets and said those programs benefit generations. Wells Todd, identifying with the group Take Them Down Jacks, said savings labeled as “cutting fat” would be used for development and not for people experiencing homelessness.
Denise Scott asked why the committee focused on programs serving vulnerable residents rather than larger offices, saying the Office of General Counsel has “over 40 lawyers” and asking why salary-level changes were not considered. Marlena Geddes raised concerns about corporate tax breaks for large employers, noting that some jobs created locally paid near-minimum wage and that libraries and community centers provide education, safe space and services—particularly for children and immigrant residents.
These remarks came during public comment; the committee did not take action on the points raised but discussed libraries and community centers later in the meeting during its facilities and CIP conversations.
