JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It's been the Mayor's mission to balance the budget without raising taxes or fees. But the City Council may not be able to make the same commitment.
At Tuesday night's meeting, the Council decided to withdraw a bill which would have frozen fees for things like building permits and inspections.
If it waives that fee increase, it's essentially saying goodbye almost a half million dollars in revenue, at a time when the Council has to fill a huge hole in the budget.
City Councilman Matt Schellenberg said, "The number is around $6 million."
He said the Council needs more time to decide whether it can help keep the Mayor's promise. After all, he and the other council members only have a few more weeks to balance the budget. "I believe we're going to get it done, because that's our job. We're a more responsible body at this point in time about actually balancing the budget. And we will do it," said Schellenberg.
Mayor Brown still supports a waiver of the fees.
