Mayor signs Jacksonville Heroes Act to increase benefits for city employees who serve in the military

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan hosted a signing ceremony Friday morning for the Jacksonville Heroes Act, which will provide increased benefits for city employees who also serve in the military.

The bill was introduced by City Councilman Rory Diamond, who serves in the Florida Army National Guard.

The legislation covers employees with the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, JEA and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.

The Jacksonville Heroes Act (Bill No. 2024-120) will triple the amount of time the city will pay employees who are called for duty overseas and will create a first-in-the-nation eight-hours of “flex time” a month for spouses of deployed service members to help them shoulder the burden of taking care of their families while their loved one is deployed.