Jacksonville’s City Council bucked Mayor Donna Deegan[1] and powerful advocates for her position, and reduced the millage rate[2] Tuesday, cutting property tax[3] from 11.3619 mills to 11.1919 mills[4].
While the Council was unable to accomplish that two weeks ago when tentatively approving the levy, they were able to get the requisite 10 votes during the last Council meeting of the fiscal year.
Ahead of the vote for the Finance amendment that ultimately memorialized the Council’s will, 53 people spoke, most in opposition. These included former Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson[5] and former Congresswoman Corrine Brown[6].
“I’m here because my phone has been blowing up the last few days,” the former 12-term legislator said, alleging problems with “water, sewer, and mosquitoes” at her home on Jacksonville’s Northside and vowing to lead a petition drive to eliminate at-large districts.
Debate was robust ahead of the vote.
“People do not want this cut,” said Democrat Jimmy Peluso of the Urban Core, who noted “hidden deficits” need to be addressed in out years, including Jaguars spending, the University of Florida campus, and roads and sidewalks, as well as Florida Retirement System participation for first responders starting in 2027.
Republican Matt Carlucci, a Deegan endorser and ally, said the money was needed for already agreed to first responder pay raises.
“Get on the right side of the budget,” the political veteran at-large councilman urged.
Republican Ken Amaro, a former broadcast news colleague of the Mayor’s, said “half the audience doesn’t believe what we’re saying” and “half of them believe it’s in the bag, so this is a performance.”
“My problem with where we are now is the timing,” he said, calling this “well-meant but ill-timed.”
“I don’t think supporting this is the right decision for tonight,” he added, saying Council has a “trust problem” with the people who voted them in.
Republican Randy White likewise stood with “public safety” and against the “tax cut.”
Police and fire union heads Randy Reaves and Kelly Dobson were called up by Democrat Reggie Gaffney Jr, but they were cut off by Council President Kevin Carrico.
Ju’Coby Pittman let them finish outlining cuts to first responder pay packages going back decades, as Reaves said “this time is not right for this” given manpower and infrastructure issues in the Sheriff’s Office and the city jail.
“Enough is enough,” Pittman said, “This year is not the year to do it. Back off.”
On the other side, Republican Rory Diamond of the Beaches said the cut was a mere “pittance” but that he’d vote for it to “start bending the cost-curve” for homeowners.
Republican VP Nick Howland said the cut was the “right thing to do” for hard-working homeowners, and opposition is “out of touch” with their needs.
“Every dollar matters,” at-large Howland said, noting food prices have “doubled” in recent years.
Ron Salem said that while he “respects the concerns” of the Civic Council and first responders, he believes “relief is necessary.”
“I hear it in the Wal-Mart aisles,” the at-large Republican said.
That relief is modest.
But it’s coming.
Advocates of keeping the rate flat told tax cutters that consequences loomed.
“This rollback idea is bad fiscal policy and bad politics,” warned former Republican Mayor John Peyton.
Time will tell if Peyton and others back Deegan’s re-election, but the hawks took the risk and carried the day, with support from the state Republican Party[7], CFO Blaise Ingoglia[8] and others buoying them along the way.
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References
- ^ Donna Deegan (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ millage rate (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ cutting property tax (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ 11.3619 mills to 11.1919 mills (jaxcityc.legistar.com)
- ^ Audrey Gibson (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Corrine Brown (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Republican Party (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ Blaise Ingoglia (floridapolitics.com)