JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan on Monday presented a proposed $2.03 billion budget for fiscal 2026-27 to the Jacksonville City Council and announced a citywide series of budget town halls beginning Aug. 5 so residents can review priorities and ask questions.
RELATED: Deegan proposes $2.03B budget preserving reserves, prioritizing roads and public safety
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The balanced proposal includes a $2,026,502,015 general fund and a $586,110,854 capital improvement plan. City officials say the plan requires no draw from reserves for the second year in a row and increases spending on public safety, roads, stormwater, sidewalks and housing, among other priorities.
“Jacksonville is a city on the rise, and our proposed budget continues that momentum,” Deegan said in remarks included with a city press release. “Every spending decision we make is geared to deliver a positive return for our citizens and make Jacksonville more affordable.”
Town hall schedule (all events run 6 to 7:30 p.m.)
- Aug. 5 — Jean Ribault High School, 3701 Winton Drive, Jacksonville
- Aug. 13 — Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School, 1819 Thacker Avenue
- Aug. 19 — Duncan U. Fletcher High School, 700 Seagate Ave., Neptune Beach
- Aug. 27 — Mandarin High School, 4831 Greenland Rd.
- Sept. 1 — Ortega Elementary School, 4010 Baltic St.
- Sept. 8 — Terry Parker High School, 7301 Parker School Rd.
- Sept. 15 — First Coast High School, 590 Duval Station Rd.
- Sept. 21 — Edward H. White High School, 1700 Old Middleburg Rd. N.
The mayor’s office says the town halls are intended to “continue the conversation with citizens” about the budget and how it will fund public safety, infrastructure, health and housing programs. The proposal allocates roughly $1.07 billion for public safety — about 53% of the general fund — and boosts road resurfacing and a septic-tank phaseout program, among other capital projects.
City documents and local coverage note the budget grows about 1.1% from the prior year, preserves reserve funds and relies in part on expected property tax revenue increases. The proposal now will go through City Council hearings and committee review before a final vote.