JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist brought his campaign to pass the property tax amendment on next Tuesday's ballot to Jacksonville Thursday, the same day firefighters joined Jacksonville leaders in a rally to defeat the measure.

Appearing with members of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors -- about the only area group vocally supporting Amendment 1 -- Crist insisted that passage of the tax cuts will not cost jobs, reduce public safety or affect schools.

"I guarantee you, we will not see a reduction in police forces. You will not see a reduction in fire departments. You will not see a reduction in the services people truly want and deserve," Crist said. "And I will tell you why, because local officials understand they have to spend the money wisely."

At a rally Thursday afternoon sponsored by firefighters outside City Hall, opponents claim just the opposite: The budget belt has already been tightened last year when the Legislature passed a rollback of the property tax rate.

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, who has joined with area school officials, firefighters and the local teacher's union in opposition to the measure, said that if Amendment 1 passes, new cuts in services would be deep, and people would feel them.

"Last time I checked, it is not in his job description to determine who hires and who fires public safety officials," Peyton said.

Crist said he opposes the garbage fees and other taxes that cities like Jacksonville passed to make up for the property tax losses.

"I believe it's going to pass," Crist said. "If, after that occurs, people in local government tried to raise them, I bet those people will get voted out of office -- and they should."

Crist said the property tax cuts will help get Florida's economy going again and there will be more sales-tax revenue that can be used to pay teachers.