JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council officially passed the city’s $2 billion budget early Wednesday after more than 10 hours of intense debate.
Last night, the city council also passed the 1/8th millage rate decrease by a vote of 10-9. Supporters say this decision is expected to save about $13 million in property taxes.
But it was a proposal from Councilman Rory Diamond that caused a significant delay in the passing of that budget.
Just before 1 a.m., Diamond’s “Big Beautiful Budget Amendment” passed by a similar 10-9 vote. However, that vote was later reconsidered, and councilmembers ultimately decided not to include Diamond’s proposal in the budget.
That amendment would have blocked any future city funding for:
- Services for undocumented immigrants
- DEI programs
- And abortion-related care
Diamond admitted these items weren’t currently in the budget, but said he wanted to make sure they never are.
At the center of the debate was a proposed 1/8 mill reduction in property taxes, which supporters say will save taxpayers $13 million.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) pushed for the tax cut, arguing that Jacksonville residents have been overtaxed by $200 million over the past five years.
“We are seeing it at all levels of government,” said CFO Blaise Ingoglia, a vocal advocate for the cut.
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The Republican-led City Council finance committee supports the reduction, but Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has continuously pushed back, warning that lower tax revenues could force cuts to essential services.
“All of our property taxes — every bit of it — goes to police and fire,” Deegan said during an appearance on “This Week in Jacksonville.” “If we cut $200 million, I don’t know where that would come from.”
The mayor also touted the North Florida Central Labor Council’s letter that opposed a millage rate reduction, calling for city council to reject the proposed cuts.
“The North Florida Central Labor Council has joined our police and fire unions in speaking out with one voice that represent tens of thousands of working families. They know we must invest in all people and the essential services that make Jacksonville a desirable – and affordable – place to live," Deegan said in a statement.
The budget debate has already sparked heated exchanges and even walkouts at previous council meetings.
Michael Binder, faculty director of the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Laboratory, says cultural and political divisions are increasingly shaping local policy.
“I think there’s going to be some surprises,” Binder said. “There will be some votes that you might not expect in one direction or another.”
Binder also warned against allowing national political culture wars to dominate local decision-making.
“You can compromise on a budget. You can’t compromise on these social and cultural issues,” he said. “Those are the things really ripping D.C. apart, and you don’t want to see them filter into local city government.”