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Jacksonville Council Passes $2 Billion Budget After Late Vote Kills Funding Ban

A late flip by Will Lahnen cleared the path for passage under a state deadline.

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After nearly 14 hours of intense debate, the Jacksonville City Council officially passed a $2 billion city budget, in what’s being called one of the most contentious budget battles in recent memory.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan vetoed a bill on Tuesday that aims to block city funds from being used to support undocumented immigrants.

Overview

  • The council approved the general fund plan 15-2 with two abstentions after a 13-hour session that stretched into the morning.
  • Members removed Rory Diamond’s amendment that sought to prohibit city funding for abortion services, services for undocumented residents, DEI initiatives, and certain commissions after it initially passed 10-9.
  • A 1/8-mill property tax cut passed 10-9, trimming next year’s revenue by about $13.5 million and yielding an estimated $18.75 annual savings for the average homeowner.
  • The budget delivers record public safety allocations, including $647 million for the Sheriff’s Office and $426 million for Fire & Rescue.
  • Lawmakers balanced the tax cut with reserve transfers, restored $729,557 for JaxCareConnect safety-net clinics, reinstated $390,673 in regional council dues, and signaled further reserve and contingency moves next month.