JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan on Monday proposed a $2.03 billion city budget for fiscal 2026-27 that keeps reserve funds intact, holds non-public-safety staffing steady and boosts spending on roads, sidewalks, septic-tank phaseout and public safety.
The general fund budget is $2,026,502,015, a 1.1% increase from the prior year, or $22,583,868. For the second year in a row, the proposal does not draw from reserves, city documents show.
“The only reason for the rise is because we made a promise to do right by our first responders three years ago and we continue to keep that promise,” Deegan said in her budget address. She also said every spending decision is aimed at “making Jacksonville more affordable” and delivering measurable returns for taxpayers.
Key figures and priorities
- General fund: $2,026,502,015.
- Public safety allocation: $1,073,743,908 (about 53% of the general fund). That includes $673,613,389 for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and $400,130,519 for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.
- Budget growth: 1.1% over last year (+$22.6 million).
- No reserve draw and no increase in non-public-safety city staffing.
- People investments: $148,271,055.
- Other expenses (including interlocal agreements, pension obligations and debt service): $502,886,873.
- FY26-27 Capital Improvement Plan: $586,110,854; five-year CIP: $1,227,913,805.
Infrastructure and capital projects
The budget increases funding for street and drainage work and other long‑deferred projects. Notable capital allocations include:
- Road resurfacing: $35,947,180 (a $13.2 million increase).
- Septic tank phaseout: $25,000,000 (a $16 million increase).
- Stormwater and drainage projects: $25,000,000.
- New and repaired sidewalks: $12,000,000.
- Museum of Science and History improvements: $27,000,000.
- Riverfront Plaza: $25,000,000.
- UF Health capital improvements: $24,000,000.
Deegan said the city has paved more miles in the last three years than in any comparable period over the last decade and argued the upgrades are necessary to avoid higher costs later from deferred maintenance.
Public safety and prevention
Public safety remains the top spending priority. The mayor’s proposal continues multi-year investments in pay and pensions for police and fire personnel and funds equipment, training and technology, she said. Deegan touted gains in recruitment and retention and credited local officials with reductions in homicides and gang activity.
The budget also preserves and expands prevention and community programs, including juvenile diversion, crisis response and outreach teams. Deegan emphasized that prevention — from after-school programs to mental health crisis intervention — reduces more costly emergency responses down the line.
Health, housing and social services
The proposal includes $56 million for UF Health indigent care and $7.7 million for direct health services. Housing and homelessness programs receive continued local support, with $6.3 million allocated for affordable housing initiatives and $4.7 million for homelessness programs.
Deegan noted the budget increases funding for programs shown to produce returns — for example, a city auditor’s review that the Healthlink Jax program produced nearly a five‑to‑one savings.
Fiscal health and ratings
City officials cited strong credit ratings and outside reviews to underscore fiscal discipline. Fitch upgraded Jacksonville two notches to double-A-plus last year; S&P Global and KBRA reaffirmed double-A ratings. The Government Finance Officers Association recognized the budget’s quality, officials said, and the mayor argued higher credit ratings lower borrowing costs for taxpayers.
Revenue
The budget relies on growth in property tax revenue, which is projected to increase about 6% because of rising values and new properties. But if the property tax cut proposal is passed by voters this November, Deegan said everything would be affected.
“Our job here over the next little while is to simply make people aware of the fact that when you have to cut a third of your budget, pretty much a third of everything is under scrutiny so we’re hopeful that we can continue to move the city forward in the ways that we outline today. And I think that’s what most people in the city want,” Deegan said.
Major revenue items listed in budget materials include:
- Property taxes: $1,291,662,837.
- JEA contribution: $151,481,319.
- State-shared revenue: $225,952,033.
- Utility service tax: $122,854,579.
- All other revenue: $234,551,247.
Next steps
Deegan said the budget reflects partnership with City Council and noted the administration is honoring a council request for a $10 million allocation for strategic planning priorities. The proposal will move through council hearings and committee review in the coming weeks before final adoption.
“Your money will build a safer, healthier and more affordable Jacksonville,” Deegan said. “That is the city you have earned. That is the city we will deliver.”
Deegan also announced that she will be hosting town hall meetings beginning Aug. 5 so residents can give their input.
- 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.