{"id":247357,"date":"2025-09-22T22:35:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T22:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/247357\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T22:35:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T22:35:31","slug":"city-council-to-make-high-stakes-jacksonville-budget-vote-on-tuesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/247357\/","title":{"rendered":"City council to make high-stakes Jacksonville budget vote on Tuesday"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 The Jacksonville City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a $2 billion budget that could shape the city\u2019s future for years. The proposal includes a property tax cut and reductions in funding for several core social services, and it\u2019s sparking one of the most contentious political battles City Hall has seen in years.<\/p>\n

The vote could also mark the first major test of influence for a newly formed state agency backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n

At the center of the debate is a proposed 1\/8 mill reduction in property taxes, which supporters say would save taxpayers $13 million. <\/p>\n

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are pushing for the tax cut, arguing that Jacksonville residents have been overtaxed by $200 million<\/a> over the past five years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are seeing it at all levels of government,\u201d said CFO Blaise Ingoglia, a vocal advocate for the cut.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Mayor Deegan defends lean budget, pushes back on CFO\u2019s tax criticism ahead of budget vote on Tuesday<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

The Republican-led City Council finance committee supports the reduction, but Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is pushing back, warning that lower tax revenues could force cuts to essential services.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of our property taxes \u2014 every bit of it \u2014 goes to police and fire,\u201d Deegan said during an appearance on \u201cThis Week in Jacksonville.\u201d \u201cIf we cut $200 million, I don\u2019t know where that would come from.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mayor also fired back at the North Florida Central Labor Council\u2019s letter that opposed a millage rate reduction, calling for city council to reject the proposed cuts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe North Florida Central Labor Council has joined our police and fire unions in speaking out with one voice that represent tens of thousands of working families. They know we must invest in all people and the essential services that make Jacksonville a desirable \u2013 and affordable \u2013 place to live,” Deegan said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The proposed budget also includes potential reductions in funding for:<\/p>\n