JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shortly after the Jacksonville City Council passed the $2 billion city budget early Wednesday, Mayor Donna Deegan thanked community members for voicing their concerns and councilmembers for coming together to reach a decision.
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After nearly 14 hours of intense debate, the Jacksonville City Council passed a $2 billion city budget in a 15-2 vote at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The 2025-26 fiscal year budget includes:
- Efforts to streamline the permit processes for small businesses
- Addresses affordable housing and homelessness
- Meets public safety needs
- Continues to improve literacy and education
- Tackles blight
While expressing disappointment over the City Council’s decision to pass the 1/8th millage rate reduction, Deegan said in a statement she felt grateful that councilmembers “fulfilled their primary responsibility” to pass the budget.
Read Deegan’s full statement below:
“Thank you to the thousands of people who made their voices heard during the budget process. So many of you urged us to continue investing in Jacksonville’s momentum. While I’m disappointed by the millage rate vote, especially given the strong sentiments from the public, the City Council has fulfilled their primary responsibility to pass a budget. I respect their decision and their work.
I’m especially grateful that they removed divisive and unnecessary policy amendments that should never have been included. We started yesterday with prayers from the faith community. I pray that we start to heal from this difficult budget season and move forward together with love for Jacksonville guiding us.”
Mayor Donna Deegan
Last night, the city council passed the 1/8th millage rate reduction, which is expected to save about $13 million in property taxes.
“Cutting the millage sends a clear message that we must control spending, not demand more revenue,” Councilman Ron Salem said.
Councilman Rahman Johnson had a different take.
“The eighth of a mill means this money carved we will take things away from people,” he said.
Deegan had continuously pushed back against the millage rate reduction, 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.”
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.
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.
That proposal sparked immediate pushback — with several councilmembers saying, this wasn’t the place for political statements.
“This is a budget folks. This is serious business. This is not the time to make a political statement,” Councilman Matt Carlucci said.
But the turning point came from District 3 Councilman Will Lahnen.
“I supported you, not just on this but on ACPS, and I’m proud of the growing number of 17 to 2 votes against downtown cash incentives, and I look forward to joining you on those. However, we have to pass that budget, so I will be voting no on the Diamond amendment the next time it comes up. Again, I am doing this so we can pass our budget tonight,” Lahnen said.
Lahnen changed his vote — from yes to no — helping the council break the stalemate and move forward.