{"id":215193,"date":"2025-09-10T09:55:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/215193\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T09:55:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:55:15","slug":"procedural-pingpong-precedes-inconclusive-jax-city-council-millage-rate-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/215193\/","title":{"rendered":"Procedural pingpong precedes inconclusive Jax City Council millage rate vote"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jacksonville\u2019s supermajority Republican City Council temporarily sided with the city\u2019s Democratic Mayor and voted for her proposed millage rate rather than tentatively adopting lower rates of their own.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not likely to hold up.<\/p>\n

Some legislators wanted to reduce the millage levy for the City of Jacksonville from 11.3619 mills to 11.1919 mills, but with one member (Chris Miller<\/strong>) absent, the Council was deadlocked on the matter with a 9-9 vote.<\/p>\n

Although members ultimately voted 10-8 to maintain the current rate, it was merely procedural, and many expect fiscal hawks to have enough votes to reduce the rate in two weeks.<\/p>\n

While the cuts to property taxes are minor, critics ahead of the preliminary vote said the rollbacks they drive are significant and will impact social programs, including affordable housing, help for people experiencing homelessness, telehealth, primary care programs and Meals on Wheels, disadvantaging renters who, some argue, should be subsidized by homeowners.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Republicans argued that the move was really meant to stop free spending by Mayor Donna Deegan\u2019s<\/strong> administration, which proposed the city\u2019s first $2 billion budget this year.<\/p>\n

Members moved to affirm the Mayor\u2019s position ahead of what appeared to be a successful vote not to roll back the property tax rate.<\/p>\n

That initial victory was short-lived.<\/p>\n

After the 11-7 vote in favor of the Mayor\u2019s rate, Republican Terrance Freeman<\/strong>, who voted for the non-rolled-back rate, said he had meant to keep the discussion going rather than vote for the measure.<\/p>\n

One motion to reconsider was upheld before a second motion to do so failed. Finally, a third motion to reconsider passed, leading to a 9-9 vote and temporary failure of the bill.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Republican\u00a0Ron Salem<\/strong> then said he\u2019d vote for the bill to break the deadlock, adding that he intends to vote for a millage cut two weeks from now at the final vote, concomitant with the budget vote.<\/p>\n

Others said they are voting for the bill for real, including Republican Michael Boylan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe least among us are paying for this reduction,\u201d he said. \u201cI can\u2019t support it this week, and I won\u2019t support it in two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Democrat\u00a0Jimmy Peluso<\/strong> said \u201cthe message is loud and clear\u201d that people don\u2019t want the millage cuts.<\/p>\n

Even a father and son disagree.<\/p>\n

While Republican\u00a0Matt Carlucci<\/strong> opposes cuts to the rate, his son\u00a0Joe Carlucci<\/strong> is a proponent of rolling it back.<\/p>\n

Finance Chair\u00a0Raul Arias<\/strong>, who supports cuts, noted that it\u2019s \u201cvery clear\u201d that Council is the No. 1 supporter of public safety, but that he won\u2019t move despite negative feedback and will \u201ctake action on this in two weeks\u201d because it\u2019s \u201csomething our community needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are being pressured from the Civic Council,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t care. I will win the next election without the Civic Council.\u201d<\/p>\n

Republican\u00a0Rory Diamond<\/strong> said the proposed reduction \u201cisn\u2019t enough of a cut\u201d and that up to two mills need to be cut to help renters get onto the property ladder.<\/p>\n

Vice President Nick Howland<\/strong> said \u201cspending on new and recurring programs far outside the scope of government\u201d and \u201cgovernment excess\u201d threaten public safety, not \u201cmodest tax relief.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proponents of cuts affirmed their dedication to public safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a political hot potato intended to divide us,\u201d Freeman said.<\/p>\n

Pressure will continue for the next two weeks.<\/p>\n

Former Mayor\u00a0John Peyton<\/strong>, a Republican who served two terms through 2011, opposes cuts, as do the police and fire unions.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy position on community investment has been consistent for more than 15 years. I stand with our public safety leaders and the Civic Council in support of the millage rate proposed by the Mayor,\u201d he said in a prepared statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur city faces financial challenges in the coming years and rolling back the millage rate is a mistake. Duval County has the lowest millage rate among peer Florida cities. Furthermore, our per capita spending is significantly lower, adversely impacting our ability to fund public safety, quality of life and growth management.\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, the Republican Party of Florida<\/a><\/strong> is threatening party members who vote for the Mayor\u2019s millage rate.<\/p>\n

\u201cJacksonville families deserve relief, not higher bills,\u201d the organization said in a statement. \u201cTonight\u2019s City Council property tax vote is a test of priorities. The Republican Party of Florida expects Republican elected officials to keep their word and fight for tax cuts. We will be watching tonight\u2019s vote with great interest and see who stands with taxpayers \u2014 and who does not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearly, they will have to watch the vote in two weeks as well.<\/p>\n

City Council President\u00a0Kevin Carrico\u2019s<\/strong> office notes that if approved, the amendment would \u201ccut the millage rate by one\u2010eighth (0.125) of a mill lowering property taxes by $13 million this year alone and saving taxpayers nearly $70 million over the next five years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Duval Democrats frame it this way, meanwhile: \u201cJacksonville City Council Republicans were forced to punt on their misguided plan to cut the city\u2019s millage rate after failing to secure enough votes.\u201d<\/p>\n


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