Overview
- After nearly 14 hours of debate, the budget passed 15-2 in the early morning following a marathon session complicated by two member recusals.
- The council narrowly approved a 1/8-mill property tax reduction, 10-9, cutting revenue by about $13–$13.5 million next year and saving the average homeowner roughly $18.75 annually, a move pushed by state officials including DOGE and the CFO.
- Members ultimately removed Councilman Rory Diamond’s proposal to bar future funding for services for undocumented immigrants, DEI initiatives, and abortion-related care after reconsideration.
- Councilman Will Lahnen reversed his vote just before 4 a.m., breaking the deadlock and clearing the way for the final budget vote.
- The adopted plan maintains record funding for public safety — $647 million for the Sheriff’s Office and $426 million for Fire & Rescue — and restores roughly $730,000 for six safety-net clinics through JaxCareConnect.