News Summary
Mayor Donna Deegan plans to host a series of town halls focusing on Jacksonville’s budget, allowing residents to express their concerns. The initiative follows proposals from City Council President Kevin Carrico for $13 million in tax cuts, which has raised alarms about cuts to affordable housing and public health funding. Deegan stresses the importance of community input amid tensions with the City Council over budget cuts. The discussions come as Jacksonville faces projected deficits and seeks to balance community needs with fiscal responsibility.
Jacksonville – Mayor Donna Deegan is set to host a series of public town halls aimed at discussing Jacksonville’s upcoming budget, providing residents with an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. The town halls, which are open to all community members without the need for an RSVP, will begin on Tuesday, September 2, at the Mandarin Senior Center, starting at 6 p.m. Mayor Deegan is scheduled to hold a total of six town halls, concluding on September 18, 2025.
The town hall initiative comes on the heels of an announcement by City Council President Kevin Carrico regarding proposed tax cuts amounting to $13 million. These cuts are designed to return some financial relief to citizens while still ensuring funding for essential services. Despite the intent behind these tax reductions, the proposed budget includes significant cuts to areas such as affordable housing and public health initiatives like Healthlink Jax, raising concerns among community leaders and advocates.
Additionally, the City Council’s finance committee has recently moved to lower the city’s millage rate by 1/8th. However, Mayor Deegan has voiced criticism regarding these cuts, labeling them a political maneuver heavily influenced by external pressures from Tallahassee. The mayor noted that 51% of Jacksonville’s residents are renters and will not receive any tangible benefits from the tax cuts, pointing out that the proposed adjustments would only equate to approximately $1 monthly for property owners.
The ongoing budget discussions have seen tensions arise between Mayor Deegan and the predominantly Republican City Council. Deegan has articulated her position that Jacksonville already maintains the lowest millage rate among major Florida cities, and she is concerned that further cuts will undermine essential services that residents rely on.
In a move that has raised eyebrows, the finance committee, under the direction of Councilman Rory Diamond, introduced ‘Big Beautiful Budget Amendments’ which involve restrictions on funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, support for individuals without legal status, and abortion services. Deegan is currently consulting with the Office of General Counsel to evaluate the legality of these amendments as she navigates the budgetary landscape.
The budget discussions will soon transition to the full city council, where a final vote is anticipated by the end of September. Meanwhile, Deegan intends for the town halls to serve as a platform for community engagement, emphasizing the importance of citizen input in the budget process and the need for residents to communicate with their council representatives. Mayor Deegan’s approach aims to build a collaborative community atmosphere as budget decisions that affect essential services and community welfare are on the table.
Jacksonville faces financial challenges ahead, with estimates suggesting potential budget deficits ranging from $70 million to $100 million over the next three years, attributed largely to fluctuations in the real estate market that affect tax revenue. Despite these challenges, the city’s general fund budget is projected to grow from $1.58 billion in fiscal year 2022-23 to $1.88 billion, amounting to an increase of $330 million. As part of her budget proposal, Deegan aims to keep property tax rates stable while prioritizing community needs, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and affordable housing development.
Plans for an affordable housing trust fund are underway to bolster the availability of affordable units within the city. Moreover, construction projects valued at $34 million have been earmarked in Financial Districts 7, 8, 9, and 10 to improve infrastructure throughout Jacksonville. In an effort to enhance operational efficiency, the city administration has also initiated an AI pilot project to analyze budgets. Additionally, Deegan’s budget proposal includes funding to hire new police officers, spotlighting her focus on public safety initiatives.
As these budget discussions unfold, the backdrop includes the establishment of a Duval DOGE special committee, inspired by the federal Department of Government Efficiency, to scrutinize city spending practices. Furthermore, there is the potential for audits of Jacksonville’s expenditures by the state DOGE despite Deegan’s assertion that independent audits are conducted annually.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
California’s High-Speed Rail Project Faces Major Federal Funding Cuts
Jacksonville Faces Budget Battle Over Tax Cuts and Funding
Jacksonville Finance Committee Restores Funding for Meals on Wheels Program
Trump Activates National Guard Troops in D.C. to Tackle Crime
Jacksonville University Launches Medical School Initiative
Security Concerns Raised Over Public Art Installation in Jacksonville
White House Scrutinizes Smithsonian Over ‘Woke’ Exhibitions
Florida Lt. Governor Raises Autism Speculation About DeSantis
Habit Burger & Grill Expands to Jacksonville
Jacksonville Community Mourns the Loss of Local Leaders
Additional Resources
- News4Jax: Mayor Deegan to Host Town Hall Meetings
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- First Coast News: Council President Celebrates Budget Cuts
- Google Search: Jacksonville budget 2025
- Jacksonville.com: DOGE Enters Budget Jockeying
- Google Scholar: Jacksonville budget meetings
- Jax Daily Record: Deegan at Budget Town Hall
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville budget
- News4Jax: Finance Committee Approves Budget Amendments
- Google News: Jacksonville budget town hall
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
