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4w ago

Jacksonville Council Passes $2 Billion Budget After Late Vote Flip, OKs 1/8-Mill Tax Cut

A last-minute vote flip broke a stalemate triggered by an attempt to attach culture-war restrictions to the spending plan.

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A key vote change early Wednesday morning was the catalyst that finally allowed the Jacksonville City Council to pass the city’s $2 billion budget after nearly 14 hours of intense debate.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan vetoed a bill on Tuesday that aims to block city funds from being used to support undocumented immigrants.

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.