Property tax reduction approved by Jacksonville City Council

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(The Center Square) – Jacksonville, recently criticized by Florida’s chief financial officer for excessive spending, early Wednesday approved a $2 billion budget which includes a small decrease in property taxes.

The drop, cutting property tax proceeds by only about $13.5 million annually, was opposed by Mayor Donna Deegan and some members of the public who spoke against it at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Approval was 15-2.

“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,” the mayor said in a statement. “I respect their decision and their work.”

Under Jacksonville’s form of government, the mayor may veto specific items in the budget but not the entire budget or the property tax rate, Deegan spokesman Phil Perry told The Center Square.

Debate Tuesday highlighted the friction between providing city services and the rising cost of property taxes to homeowners.

“By making this millage cut, you are taking so much away from the people that need us the most,” resident Tammy Swag told the council. “I am begging all of you to dip down in your heart and ask, ‘What would happen if I were in someone else’s shoes?'”

Resident John Scott supported the tax cut.

“It has become increasingly difficult to afford living in Jacksonville,” Scott told the council. “Recent polls have shown that housing affordability is the number one issue affecting residents here. Therefore, it makes sense that all options should be on the table to address this alarming concern."

Last week, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia accused Jacksonville of spending $200 million per year more than could be justified by population growth and inflation.

Deegan said Jacksonville has the lowest property tax rate of any major city in Florida. She also pointed out that Jacksonville has a combined city-county government with the largest land mass of any city in the contiguous United States. That makes providing public safety services more expensive to provide, the mayor said.