News Summary
The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters Local 122 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 have opposed a proposed millage rate reduction, fearing it will threaten public safety funding. The unions argue that a cut could result in about $13 million less in property tax collections, affecting their ability to recruit and retain essential personnel. Supporters of the unions, including Mayor Donna Deegan, highlight prior experiences where similar cuts negatively impacted public safety. A City Council vote is scheduled on the reduction soon, with significant implications for the city’s emergency services.
Jacksonville – The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters Local 122 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 have issued a joint statement opposing a proposed millage rate reduction that they believe will jeopardize public safety in the city. The unions, which represent nearly 4,300 firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and correctional officers, expressed their concerns on September 5, 2025. This proposed reduction involves a decrease of 1/8 mill in the city’s tax rate, leading to apprehensions regarding its long-term impact on funding for public safety efforts.
The proposed millage reduction, which is part of the 2025-26 budget advanced by the City Council’s Finance Committee, aims to lower the current rate from 11.3169 to 11.1919 mills. This decrease is projected to result in a loss of approximately $13 million in property tax collections within a $2 billion city budget. The unions contend that such a reduction could hinder the city’s capacity to attract and retain first responders, who may seek better pay and benefits outside of Jacksonville.
Opponents of the millage reduction, including Mayor Donna Deegan and Councilman Jimmy Peluso, have voiced their support for the unions’ stance. They argue that the proposed cut could lead to significant funding shortages for essential projects, including an estimated $76 million shortfall in road maintenance over the next five years. The mayor expressed gratitude toward the unions for their position, noting the city’s past experiences with similar funding cuts that ultimately hindered public safety operations.
In their statement, the unions highlighted a troubling history where prior commitments from council members and mayors to defend public safety were not fulfilled, amplifying fears that a reduction without an actionable and sustainable plan could lead to “long-term setbacks” for public services. Although the Finance Committee decided to cut over $27 million from proposed expenditures for social programs, both the Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Department maintained their funding levels.
Current budget plans indicate that homeowners with property assessed at $200,000 and a $50,000 homestead exemption would see only an $18.75 annual tax savings from this reduction. City Council President Kevin Carrico emphasized that despite ongoing budget constraints, public safety remains a chief concern, with funding for police and fire departments at unprecedented levels in the city’s history.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed millage rate reduction on September 9, 2025, followed by a vote on the full budget on September 23, 2025. As the debate continues, at least ten City Council members support cutting the millage, while six have expressed their intention to oppose the measure. The outcome of these votes will significantly impact public safety funding and the overall stability of emergency services in Jacksonville.
In summary, the potential millage rate reduction has sparked considerable debate among city officials and public safety unions, as concerns about future funding and recruitment challenges for first responders heights. The unions’ call to action highlights a critical moment in Jacksonville’s budgeting process, with significant repercussions for public safety services depending on the decisions made in the upcoming City Council meetings.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville.com: Police and Firefighter Unions Oppose Property Tax Cut
- Wikipedia: Property Tax
- News4Jax: Fire and Police Unions Oppose Millage Rate Reduction
- Google Search: Jacksonville Police Firefighter Unions Property Tax Reduction
- Jax Daily Record: First Responder Leadership Against Millage Rate Cut
- Google Scholar: Jacksonville Property Tax Millage Rate
- Action News Jax: Unions Oppose Millage Rate Reduction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Property Tax
- First Coast News: Property Appraiser Explains Tax Calculations
- Google News: Jacksonville City Council Budget 2025
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.
