Hundreds of speakers oppose $1 billion jail plan, express alarm over proposed immigration enforcement and Brentwood morgue

Hundreds of Jacksonville residents used the council’s public-comment period to oppose a proposed $1 billion jail project, criticize draft local immigration-enforcement measures that would expand JSO’s role, and object to a proposed morgue and forensic facility in the Brentwood neighborhood.

The public-comment portion opened under the council’s public-comment rule (referred to in the meeting as ordinance 2024-75). Speakers were limited to 1 minute 15 seconds to accommodate the number of cards filed; the council indicated 60 minutes were allotted but shortened the per-speaker time so all could be heard.

Community members repeatedly pressed two core points: (1) the proposed new jail would cost taxpayers up to roughly $1 billion and could expand detention capacity that advocates say will be used disproportionately against Black and immigrant residents; and (2) Brentwood residents and neighborhood groups said the proposed 300-body morgue and associated forensic lab were sited without…