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2h ago

Jacksonville Council Passes $2 Billion Budget After Marathon Session, Approves Modest Property Tax Rollback

A late-night vote switch removed a partisan rider to clear passage with a tax rollback trimming roughly $13 million.

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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.
District 3 Councilman Will Lahnen

Overview

  • The budget cleared 15-2 shortly before 4 a.m. after nearly 14 hours of debate and dozens of public speakers.
  • Council set the millage at 11.1919 mills in a 10-9 vote, a 1/8‑mill rollback expected to reduce revenue by about $13–13.5 million and save the average homeowner roughly $18.75 per year.
  • A Rory Diamond amendment to bar funding for abortion-related care, services for undocumented residents, and DEI programs initially passed 10-9 but was later stripped from the final plan.
  • Two members, Terrance Freeman and Mike Gay, recused over conflicts, and Will Lahnen’s early-morning switch provided the votes to remove the amendment and pass the budget.
  • State CFO Blaise Ingoglia and the new Department of Government Efficiency urged the tax cut, while Mayor Donna Deegan opposed the rollback but praised passage of the budget without the policy language.