JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The morning after City Council voted down a proposal to increase the property tax rate by passing a resolution keeping the current millage rate for another year, Mayor John Peyton denounced and vetoed the measure.

The council voted 10-9 Tuesday night to keep the rate at 8.48 mills, rejecting Peyton's request for a 12 percent property tax increase -- returning the tax rate to what it was before Tallahassee began to work on tax reform two years ago.

"I think this legislation is irresponsible," Peyton said in announcing his veto.

The mayor said balancing the city's budget without additional revenue would require $50 million in cuts beyond what he has already proposed.

"I am disappointed in the action of the majority," Peyton wrote to Council President Richard Clark. "I will not sign legislation that does not outline a plan for the required cuts or the consequences of such an action."

Council does have the right to override Peyton's veto, but Clark said he doesn't think that is possible before a state-mandated deadline of Aug. 4 to get tax notices in the mail.

"I don't know that we time or the ability to do so," Clark told Channel 4's Jim Piggott.

Without a signed bill setting the tax rate, state law requires that the millage goes to a "rollback" rate of 9.2, meaning property taxes would go up about 9 percent, or around $77 for the average homeowner. That would leave the city short about $12 million.

The council will have to decide what it will cut and pass the 2009-2010 budget by Sept. 22.

"Make sure that we keep our essential services, and those services that help others, we may have to cut them," Councilwoman Denise Lee said.

Council members were aware when they voted that this could happen.

One council member flip-flopped his vote and went against Peyton.

"I think that we'll probably end up having quite a few program cuts," Councilman Ray Holt said. "I think we'll probably see a few programs cut entirely."

Sheriff John Rutherford said Wednesday he was worried about the cuts that will have to happen.

"Folks, our tax base is moving out, and they're not moving out because they want low taxes," Rutherford said. "They've got low taxes. They want quality of life. They don't want their family members murdered in their homes. They don't want their children dying in carnage on the streets. They want a quality of life, and they're willing to pay more taxes to get it."

How They Voted

A vote for Resolution 2009-510-A would keep the current 8.48 millage rate.

Yea: Bill Bishop, Richard Clark, John Crescimbeni, Daniel Davis, Johnny Gaffney, Art Graham, Ray Holt, Glorious Johnson, Denise Lee and Clay Yarborough.

Nay: Reggie Brown, Michael Corrigan, Ronnie Fussell, Kevin Hyde, Warren Jones, Stephen Joost, Don Redman, Art Shad and Jack Webb.