Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan presented her $2 billion budget proposal on Monday to the Jacksonville City Council, highlighting efforts to streamline permit processes for small businesses, address affordable housing and homelessness, meet public safety needs, continue to improve literacy and education, and tackle blight.<\/p>\n
Deegan touted the fact that the budget proposal does not require the city to dip into its financial reserves, partly because of a one-time agreement with JEA to increase the utility\u2019s contribution to the city.<\/p>\n
The mayor explained that the additional revenue from JEA will go toward one-time cost projects the city has already committed to, like building a new $3.5 million Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department training facility.<\/p>\n
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Deegan\u2019s budget for the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan is $687 million.<\/p>\n
READ: <\/b>Mayor\u2019s full budget address<\/b><\/a> | <\/b>Budget highlights<\/b><\/a> | <\/b>Full budget proposal<\/b><\/a> | <\/b>Full CIP proposal<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Public safety<\/b><\/p>\n Deegan said her allocation of $638 million for the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office delivers on every request made by Sheriff T.K. Waters.<\/p>\n The JFRD budget is at $387 million.<\/p>\n Combined, that includes $100.1 million increases in JSO and JFRD salary and pension benefits to recruit and retain first responders.<\/p>\n Deegan said the historic contracts from both agencies have resulted in better recruitment, with JSO applications increasing by nearly 50%.<\/p>\n The JFRD budget includes $18.1 million in new fire station construction, $3.4 million for equipment, $7.5 million for cardiac monitors and 22 added positions to staff the new Fire Station No. 66.<\/p>\n JSO\u2019s budget includes $1.6 million for equipment and seven support positions with another $2 million to fund the Jacksonville Journey Forward violence reduction initiative.<\/p>\n Literacy & higher education<\/b><\/p>\n The mayor has been pushing her River City Readers literacy initiative, and her budget proposal includes $1.4 million for library renovations and $500,000 for additional library materials.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also funding for improvements at two private universities in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n The budget includes $8.7 million for Edward Waters University and $2 million to build a sports facility on the campus of Jacksonville University.<\/p>\n Economic development<\/b><\/p>\n Deegan also emphasized that while the city is growing, local government is not.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are one of the fastest-growing cities in America each and every year, so we are cutting the red tape to serve our people better and faster,\u201d Deegan said. \u201cI remain committed to making Jacksonville the small business capital of the Southeast, and in order to get there, we have to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers alike.\u201d<\/p>\n Part of that involves supporting Jax Hub, a fintech industry incubator, with $100,000 and a $1 million investment for a Jacksonville Urban League community and workforce center.<\/p>\n Affordable housing<\/b><\/p>\n Deegan\u2019s allocation to address homelessness was a bone of contention in her last budget, with the City Council slashing her requested $11.2 million to $2.2 million.<\/p>\n Deegan has gone big again this year, requesting more than $12 million in affordable housing and homelessness programs, including down payment assistance for those seeking to be homeowners, emergency rental and eviction diversion, shelter bed expansion, transitional housing and other programs.<\/p>\n Infrastructure<\/b><\/p>\n The mayor has requested a 64% increase ($51 million) in funding for roadway surfacing, sidewalk repairs and construction, and intersection improvements.<\/p>\n And the process of removing septic tanks across the city continues, with $9.2 million earmarked for the projects.<\/p>\n