Special Council Meeting - Mayor's Budget Address

All right. Good morning. I call order the special meeting of the City Council for the mayor's budget address. It's 09:00am on JULY. 20th 2026 Councilmember America. Our chaplain for the 3rd consecutive year. Would you please leave us any indication followed by the pledge. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Good morning, everyone. Let us pray. Gracious GOD, we thank you for yet a new day. A new year. >> a new opportunity. To serve this community with. Heart full of service. Got to ask you to continue to cover this body. Cover. The mayor covid leadership and city Councilor new PRESIDENT Nick Allen. Covid. This nation cover public safety cover troops. That war. Covid the city. You've been with the city since it was founded in 18. 22. With their we consolidated in 1968. And you've been with us down through the ages. We need to be with us one more time. GOD. As we look beyond the horizon, there's some. Heavy winds. We must face. But you are the master and commander in you're in charge of the house. So be with us. Everything that we Remind us that the reward for everything, it's public service. Meeting this community and its needs providing it with the quality of life that is expected. We asked these things in your son's holy name. And everyone says a minute. I pledge allegiance. >> Thank you, MISTER Roll Call. Please. >> 17 present. >> Thank you very much. Well, welcome back, everyone. I hope by each of the council members and staff had the opportunity during the council break to rest, recharge and prepare for the year ahead. I noticed in the audience, of course we have the mayor and her staff. We have Sheriff Waters. We have chief Golden. Thank you all for being here. In my view, this is the most important meeting of the council year. Not because it's our first, but because it begins a 3 month budget process where this council makes its most important policy decisions this month. Our nation is celebrated the 200 and 50th anniversary of American independence with the founders later gathered to write the Constitution. They understood that concentrating too much power in one branch had been the great failure of autocracy. So they carefully separated powers. One branch would make the laws another would execute them. And that lawmaking extended to the power of the purse. The authority to approve how public dollars are spent was deliberately placed in the legislative branch because that's a branch closest to the people that same principles reflected and state governments across the nation. And here in our consolidated, consolidated local government when public revenue comes from taxes, whether it comes from taxes, fees and entities, operations grants or government services, whether it touches the city's general fund or not. The principal never changes. Public funds are budgeted and appropriated through the legislative process. It's simple, but it's brilliant. The mayor and our independent authorities proposed budgets. The council reviews, amends, inappropriate son, the mayor and our independent authorities then carry them out. This ensures that every government entity, every single one remains accountable to the people because the government entity that ignores who works for is the very worst kind. The mayor today will present a budget of just over 2 billion dollars, mostly supported by tax revenues. But over this budget season, the council will review and appropriate over 9 billion in public funds from many different revenue sources. When this meeting is adjourned, the real work begins and we all know the challenges before us as Arrow pointed out in the invocation are real. My hope is that this budget season is marked by a new spirit of cooperation, not only between the legislative and the executive branches, but among all entities that make up our consolidated government, that doesn't mean there won't be disagreements. There will be and there should be. It is democracy. Differences are inevitable. Disrespect is not as we enter this budget season. Let's remember that our city is always strongest when we work together in service of the people of Jackson. So with that, it is now my privilege to recognize Mayor Donna Deegan for the presentation of the proposed fiscal year, 26, 27 budget. They're digging. >> Good morning. Good morning. >> Council PRESIDENT Howland, Vice-PRESIDENT Carlucci, members of the City Council constitutional officers, members of my administration city employees, community leaders, neighbors watching from across Jacksonville and of course, the first did who has joined me here this morning. Thank you for being with us. To those of you on the dais. Thank you for your dedication to our city. I'm looking forward to the work ahead. And as Nic said, my sincere hope is that we will keep our focus on the present. And let the next political season prevent us from working together to make progress. Because Jacksonville is a city on the rise. We're a national leader for jobs and small business. More and more cranes are popping up all over downtown. The inventory of attainable housing is growing. Historically, this invest in neighborhoods are seeing long awaited infrastructure improvements. This momentum is both significant. And fragile. It takes an active force to keep it going and we cannot stop now, let's keep pushing forward. So Jacksonville can meet its promise as a city. Council PRESIDENT. How and congratulations to you, sir. Your installation. I notice the pride on the faces of your voice. And I got to tell you, a parent to parent it was sort of beautiful to watch live there and look at those boys and and recognize the young men. They're becoming. So I know that you're very, very proud of them. I look forward to working with you to build the city where our children and some day. Hopefully our grandchildren will benefit from projects that we are building together. And with with that said, that work continues today with the delivery of our proposed 2 billion dollar budget. A budget that only rises by one percent over the previous year. And let me be clear. The only reason for that rise is because we made a promise to do right by our first responders 3 years ago. And we will continue to keep that promise. In addition for the second year in a row, it does not draw from our air reserves or increase the number of non public safety employees. I want to be very clear about the key principle, which guided our decisions about what and how much to invest every dollar in this budget started with someone who got up early opened a business worked a double shift, drove a truck, taught a class, fixed an air-conditioner served in uniform, cared for a patient, waited tables, built a home and kept our city moving in ways that often go unseen. I think yes. I say you, I appreciate you and I want you to have more of your money. Life is getting more expensive. The cost of groceries insurance, rent home repairs and childcare are all on the rise. And what a family looks at its budget. There is no such thing as an extra dollar. Every dollar has a purpose. The same must be true for city government. Taxpayers do government the benefit of the doubt we owe taxpayers proof. Proof that we know the money is not ours. Proof that we will not spend it simply because it's available proof that each dollar invested delivers positive return for our citizens. In our analysis of the economic value generated by city services, each tax dollar provides nearly $3 in return with that in mind, every spending decision we make. Everyone is geared to make Jacksonville more affordable. And we do that by making it healthier, safer, more competitive, more prosperous and more prepared for the future. That is the standard for the budget I present today. And by that standard the state of our city is strong and growing stronger. Independent experts, not political candidates. Consultants are pundits have looked closely at our finances. They have reviewed our budget management, our economy, our tax base, our debt, our capital planning, and our strategy for the future. Their conclusion is clear. Jacksonville is financially strong and getting stronger last year. Fitch upgraded our credit rating by 2 levels to Double-a. Plus I got more so snp global and kbr, a reaffirmed our top tier double a rating as well. The government finance Officers Association recognized the quality of our budget. Also, those readings are not trophies for city hall. By the way, they are savings for taxpayers. They lower the cost of borrowing. They keep today's investments from becoming higher cost. Tomorrow. They tell investors Jacksonville is serious, stable and well managed. They tell businesses this is a city worth betting on and they tell the families out there that the city is not drifting. It is driving forward. This budget continues that discipline and shows that fiscal responsibility responsibility is not just a slogan. It is a core principle. This budget also reflects partnership with the City Council. It fulfills the council's request for 10 million dollars to support strategic planning priorities. Now, I want to begin with the priorities that residents expect us to put first. And that is public safety and infrastructure. Infrastructure is not abstract. It has daily life. It is the road you drive to work the sidewalk your child uses to get to school. The drainage system that protects your home in a storm. The septic tank phaseout that protects neighborhoods and waterways. The public buildings where services are delivered. The parks pools, libraries, fire stations, technology systems and public safe. The facilities that allow a city of a million people to not just function but to thrive. We paved more miles in the last 3 years than in any three-year period over the last decade. Still in every town hall, every interview and even chats along my morning run. I hear the need to do more to make our roads smoother. That's why we are bumping the road resurfacing budget up to 36 million dollars to increase road resurfacing across our entire city. Every child who walks to school or a bus stop every family who takes dog out for a walk. They all know good sidewalks are essential for a safe city. That's why we are investing 12 million dollars in new and repaired sidewalks and we are more than doubling our commitment for septic tank phaseout to 25 million dollars. Another Another 25 million dollars is going toward storm water, drainage projects that provide a 6 to one return on investment in avoided flood losses. These are not luxuries. These are the bones of our city. If they are weak, everything else cost more. If they are strong, everything becomes possible. We also have to be honest about capacity. Jacksonville has carried a capital project backlog for years. There were promises made with no clear plan to deliver on them. That's not ambition. That is hidden debt. We ended that practice 2 years ago and we will continue right-sizing that cap little improvement plan. Our 586 million dollar plan prioritizes projects that are ready necessary and valuable. We will use pay. Go where appropriate. We will resist the temptation to pretend that every good idea can be funded immediately. A growing city also needs a thriving center and strong neighborhoods for too long. People joke that Jacksonville with the city of renderings politicians talk about potential. That word always bothered me because it can become a way of settling for less than action. In the last 3 years we have turned renderings into reality and potential into production. Downtown development pipeline is now measured in the billions of dollars. The riverfront is becoming a public asset worthy of a world-class city. This budget continues to build out the public infrastructure, including our riverfront Park system that is bringing more and more people together downtown. And we are seeing the results of that inaction. Look no further than our America. 2.50, celebrations which brought more than 71,000 people to the North and South banks, parks to more than bring our community together, though, increased physical activity leads to better health outcomes and lower health care costs that deliver a 3 to one return on investment, a stronger downtown also expands the tax base for the whole city. A stronger riverfront creates public space for the entire city, a stronger arts and entertainment ecosystem brings visitors spending an energy that support businesses across our city. A stronger City Centre helps Jacksonville compete for companies for jobs, workers, students, conventions and families who quite frankly have choices. Then we turned back growth and that revenue that comes from it into quality of life for every neighborhood with smoother roads, safer, sidewalks, cleaner streets, better drainage, more mowing maintained parks, open pools and libraries that meet people where they are and community centers that give people a place to belong. These are the things neighbors feel they are how we create big city opportunities while holding on to our small town. Feel. Public safety remains the most important responsibility we have. Our 1 billion 73 million dollar commitment continues. Historic investments in the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. As promised it delivers a 3rd year of salary increases and returns. Our first responders to a defined benefit pension. It invests in the equipment, training and technology that support those who bravely protect us. As a result, both departments are delivering incredible results, recruitment and retention are way up. I commend Sheriff Waters and jso for keeping us safe and for delivering a significant reduction in homicides and gang activity that has permanently changing neighborhoods for the better. Thank you, Sheriff. And I commend Chief Golden and Jfrd for rescuing our neighbors and maintaining a top iso rating that generates 300 million dollars per year in property insurance. Saving. Every officer and firefighter in this room also know something else. Public safety is not just arrests in firefighting. It does not begin at the moment of crisis. It begins before the call. That's why we are fortifying journey forward, including juvenile justice diversion efforts that deliver a tenfold return an economic value because public safety begins when a child has somewhere safe to go after school, it begins when a young person has a mentor. It begins when someone suffering a mental health crisis can be help before harm is done. It begins when a returning citizen has a path to work. This is why prevention is not separate from public safety. The same is True of health. Poor health does not remain private. It shows up in emergency rooms, missed work, schools, public safety calls, family instability and the economic life of our city. When people can work, they can pay their bills and provide for their families. And that is good for everyone. The council auditor confirms that health link Jax saved citizens in emergency rooms. 9.3 million dollars off a 2 million dollar program. Nearly a 5 to one return on investment. Our elder care Yep. Our elder care food and security were delivered more than 271,000 meals and reduce the waiting list by 66%. Our support for the 9, 8, 8, crisis call center is contributing to a 98.7% de escalation rate, which is helping people in crisis before that crisis becomes something worse. You MAY never use telehealth. But eu benefit when your child with a broken wrist does not have to wait twice as long at the er because it's over crowded with flu patients. You benefit when you're first responders are available for true emergencies. You benefit when workers and employees and teachers stay healthy and you benefit when the most expensive form of care. It's not the first and only form of care. That is the tax dollar coming back as savings. That is a tax dollar coming back as public safety. And that is a tax dollar doing its job to create a more affordable city. Housing that is affordable as another citywide return. Housing affordability affects hiring traffic schools, family, stability, and the ability of businesses to grow. A city growing as fast as ours is must remain a city where working people can live. That's why for the 4th year in a row, we are dedicating local dollars to building more housing that's affordable. The 6.3 million Dollar dollar total investment includes the highly successful emergency rental and eviction protection program proposed by the City council's critical Quality of Life Committee and airs property program that helps families build generational wealth it also seeds and affordable housing trust fund that will now have more than 5 and a half million dollars in it to build more housing that's affordable for low income levels and to assist first-time home buyers. The working people who run our city cannot afford to live here and we cannot compete. Housing is not simply a social concern. It is workforce infrastructure. Homelessness is also a fiscal issue, compassion alone would hopefully compel us to act. But fiscal responsibility does too. These $5 in costs for every one dollar invested in getting a person back on their feet, leaving people in crisis is expensive for fire rescue hospitals. Law enforcement courts, neighborhoods and businesses doing nothing is more expensive than funding. What works measuring outcomes, coordinating services and reducing the most costly forms of crisis response. This budget fully funds jfrd is path outreach team. The previous shelter bed expansion, mental health offender program and urban rest stop. That brings me to a question we hear often. And it really does deserve an honest answer. Someone MAY say I do use telehealth. I don't personally need affordable housing. Why should I pay for it? Well, in a city of a million people, not everyone will use the same service visit the same park need the same program or personally enjoy the same event. That is not a flaw in a city. That is what a city is. Not. Every investment is personally used by every resident, but every responsible investment should return value to the whole city. And this budget. They did. To clear examples of this are funding for public service grants and the Cultural Council which maintain levels of support on par with the previous year. Public service Grant support nonprofit organizations meeting needs. This community has identified as priorities children, seniors, families in crisis survivors, people with disabilities and residents facing a variety of challenges that can quickly become emergencies. If left unaddressed. By the same token, arts and culture are not decoration. They are economic infrastructure, youth development, neighborhood, identity tourism, small business support and talent attraction with a 20 to one return on investment. You MAY never personally need one nonprofit services or visit an art installation. But our city is stronger, safer and more vibrant. Because the services exist. And speaking of being competitive, there is no better return on the investment than those that we make in our children. We are investing with our partners at Kids Hope Alliance who are laying the foundation for future success when children are safe. After when children are safe after school, parents can work when parents can work. Small businesses stay staffed when children read graduate and find opportunity, the city gains productivity, earnings, innovation and civic life. These benefits are multiplied 6 fold for every dollar that supports early education. Meanwhile, we continue to invest in public libraries which provide a 5 to one return and our River city readers program keeps moving the needle with that support. And thanks to the hard work of every educator at Duval County, Public Schools Litter Literacy, scores are way up in Jacksonville and that's important because a 3rd grade re 3rd grader reading on grade level today is part of tomorrow's workforce. Tomorrow's tax base. Tomorrow's small business community in tomorrow's public safety outcome. That is the our ally of Hope made real. Before I go further, I want to congratulate the incredible people at the cps for the second year in a row team. Duval has earned an a rating this time under stricter state requirement. That achievement belongs to Superintendent Dr Byrne near the school board, teachers, principals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers support staff parents, volunteers and most of all the students who rose to meet higher expectations. City Hall does not run our schools, but we all know strong schools are vital to Jacksonville's future. They strengthen neighborhoods. They support property values. They give parents confidence. The Jacksonville is a place where children can thrive and they attract job creators when Duval County Public Schools are Sunday. That is good news for students and teachers. It is also good news for our economy, our neighborhoods and our future. A few months ago, Jacksonville was named a great American defense community because of the sun. We provide to our active duty military and veteran communities. That support includes continued progress on the memorial Wall shade structure. Veterans community center and growing outreach to the heroes who served. With an eye toward the future. This budget also connects a priority that I share with PRESIDENT Helen. That's economic development. Our budget includes tools to attract new employers, Jacksonville, small and emerging business support and workforce development efforts including 4 million dollars for Audi's community benefits agreement. And and you guys are happy about that. One with these initiatives are already hot job market is poised to get even hotter. All the other priorities being funded in the budget are setting our economy up for success as well because the city competing for jobs is also competing for people. Businesses choose places where their employees can build a life, not merely earn a paycheck. When you look at libraries, parks, healthcare, housing and youth programs throughout that lens, you see a positive and measurable economic impact. It's a big part of why so many companies are investing and expanding right here in Jacksonville. Yes, we have low taxes and a fantastic business environment, but we're also a wonderful place to live and raise a family because of our laser focus on creating a good quality of life for our citizens. I want to challenge the way we talk about core government too often. We divide city services into 2 categories, core and discretionary police and fire are core roads and drainage and picking up trash our core. Everything else gets labeled as optional. But it doesn't work that way in practice. Our city is a system when one part fails, cars show up somewhere else. When one part improves the whole improves. So the question is not whether a line item sounds traditionally core. The question is whether it advances the core purpose of a city safety opportunity, prosperity and quality of life at a price people can afford housing that keeps workers near jobs. Is workforce infrastructure after school programs that keep children safe and parents employed or economic infrastructure nonprofits that stabilize families are public safety, infrastructure, arts and culture that support small business and attract talent. Our economic development, infrastructure telehealth that diverts non-emergency care away from emergency rooms is health care infrastructure, libraries that support literacy, job searches, small business resources and technology access our opportunity, infrastructure parks, and improve wellness and create places of belonging. Our civic infrastructure. By that measure. Many programs that have been called discretionary are actually upstream core investment. That is how we should evaluate a world-class city budget and with yes. And this is important. We should never confuse in action with conservatism. Sometimes the most expensive thing government can do is nothing. Because maintenance deferred. That's not savings that's debt. The road that we failed to maintain becomes the road. We must rebuild the drainage project. We delay becomes the neighborhood that floods again, the permitting system. We neglect becomes the business that opened someplace else. The family we fail to stabilize becomes an emergency call and eviction, a hospital visit or crisis. They cost way more than prevention ever would have fiscal responsibility does not mean refusing to spend. It means asking what works, what lowers future costs and what makes Jacksonville more affordable to live in because the city simply works better. Now I know there's going to be debate and there should be every member of this council has a duty to ask hard questions. Every taxpayer has a right to expect clear answers. My administration welcomes that process. We will defend the investments we believe in. We will listen where improvements can be made and we will continue working with every council member who wants to move our city forward. Not backward. This budget reflects the people that it serves bold and thoughtful, compassionate and accountable, responsible and not afraid of the future. Because Jacksonville's future is worth investing in. We are not the owners of the city. We are its guardians today. I make one simple promise to our citizens. Your money will build a safer, healthier and more affordable. Jacksonville. That is the city you have earned. That is the city we will deliver. And that is change for good. We Thank you for taking the time to listen today. MAY GOD bless you. And MAY GOD continue to bless the people and this city. We love. >> Thank you, Mayor Deegan and thank you to the mayor's team who put this proposed budget together. >> At this point, I'd like to open up to any of my colleagues if they have any questions on the budget for the mayor. Matt Carlucci Councilmember Lisa, you are recognized. >> I'll give you a loaded question and all they could Survation. Do you think that was your best budget message I know that comes from my heart. That's all I can tell you. I don't know if it's the best one, but I know it comes from my heart. >> Well, I think it's the best one. Thank you. I think it's most complete one because 3 years to tie so many things together that have made this one. Your best one. Thank Thank you. Tied all of the different parts of our budget into a complete hole that enhances Jacksonville's quality of life. And that's many different elements that you put together and I the other observation, I think this is my 19th or 20th budget. I can't remember. >> Lord help. I don't know how you do it. I I asked bicep that this after my wife did. But and thank you for that, COUNCILMAN, appreciate your service. Well. It's interesting to note that the first budget hearing that I attended Mayor Tommy Hazouri. And the last. What you're gonna make me cry up here we are in. I hope not. And and the last one, the cost. Your Mayor, Donna Deegan, but your maiden name is his are e and that was your cousin. Yes, and I'm very proud every day. It's very special to me. And you have that same trait the Tommy had and that is of optimism for the future. I'm glad you chose that one and have faith thank you, Matt. >> Well, I know some of the but I just want to thank you for the last 3 years of service. Think you've been very gracious towards this council and I think this council we'll definitely go through the budget and have chained different opinions on things. But I think he laid out a very good game plan for this coming year and it all makes sense. It takes a lot to make us a world class city and you laid out a good a case for that. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. COUNCILMAN Carly. >> Thank you, sir. And council Atlanta just did the math in his head. It's not your 19th that your 20th budget address that some coalition. We have 2 more members. You want leave it to COUNCILMAN Lane, is it in the math on fly there? Yeah. Very We have a team or council members in the queue. First COUNCILWOMAN Pittman followed by council soon. >> a good mornin. First of all, I just want to say thank you because a lot of the things that you addressed, this mornin concern, broken promises and not only broken promises you made good on them where especially I was saying North side regarding the septic tanks and it was music to my ears to hear you go into it, increase the budget by 25 billion 1 million dollars. So I really appreciate that because those promise is have been over 50 years ago and its deserved shape that bank. And not only that, a lot of the things that you address this morning. The infrastructure that is needed in neighborhoods and not only just in the North side but all over Jacksonville. And so I look forward and and working with your office along with my colleagues to ensure that you will continue to address. Not only that, a couple weeks ago we worked on housing and opportunity. That's coming here. And so I'm really looking forward to to looking forward to working with my colleagues in supporting a budget that we both can live with and implement. Thank you so much. COUNCILWOMAN. Thank you, ma'am. Over to council in Salem. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT morning. Good morning. Mayor Duggan has the budget been posted for the public and if not, do you know when it will be posted? >> I believe. Has it been posted yet? Feel? It'll be posted immediately imminently like today. Over to MISTER 5. Plus. >> We will file it immediately upon the. >> And of this address and then the Legislative Services Division will work diligently to get posted to the gateway and then staff for mayor will posted in the other locations. The website, etc. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Yeah, okay. We have MISTER First followed by MISTER Carlucci for the second time. >> Thank you, MR. For PRESIDENT. Very quickly. I want to commend the mayor for his scathing rebuke of this concept in government that deferred maintenance to me and my short tenure, I found that to be cowardice, if you will. I mean, we sent here to do what we're supposed to do. And unfortunately, when things are tougher and accumulate, and it becomes a bigger price tag later down the road. I want you on the score very quickly. You mentioned if I heard you correctly, a one percent increase to fulfill our commitment to public safety. Just need you to re site that again, because I think we've made some decisions that have put us into a position that we still have to fulfill And so I commend you for courage full fulfilling that because public safety has been doing wonderful job and side, the results thus far. And we still have that obligation to fulfill what was promised in the back. That's right. Ken, thank you for mentioning that yet. Our our first responders deserve everything that we can give them to help them do their jobs well, and and for years, they were frankly underpaid. And when they lost their defined pension. >> It really hurt recruitment retention. And wonderful to see that that's back on the path if it's an expensive proposition. But one that we absolutely must commit to. Yeah. >> Thank you, sir. And last speaker in the queue for the second time COUNCILMAN Matt Carlucci. Okay, I make a quick observation that by orders code talking about access to the budget. It should be delivered to every public library in Jacksonville, Florida. This week for display and that's been law for a long, long time since I introduced to thank you. Thank you, Matt. Okay. Thank you so much, everyone. Thank you. Well, I wanted to say is the end of the queue. COUNCILMAN Plus just jump time. Thank you as PRESIDENT. Thank you, mayor, for coming here. Presenting his budget. I'm incredibly excited about the road resurfacing dollars that you're putting into the city. It's been a massive need for a long time. And I'm so glad that you put that in there. The drainage projects as well, myself and COUNCILMAN Carlucci are districts are consistently flooded. So these projects are going save lives, help improve people's transit to and from work. I'm very grateful to you for that. I know you've done a lot of town halls. Are you intending to do more town halls to discuss this budget with members of the public? Because I know you help put it together. >> I do. I do town called Halls every every quarter because it is important. Get out there and hear from people about the budget. So just just to be accessible. So I can listen to see if if for hitting the mark or not. So talk town halls will start, I believe next week. Is that right? Melissa? AUGUST 5th, the start AUGUST 5th and they go through the first couple weeks in SEPTEMBER. >> Excellent. I don't think I've seen a merit successful to the public as you are. Thank you, Mayor. Thanks to me. >> Mayor, thank you again very much. There are no other McCue. Now this budget is turned over to the council auditors and the Council Finance Committee with that are meeting is adjourned.