JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee kicked off budget hearings Thursday, digging into Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed $2 billion city budget.
During opening remarks, the mayor’s office indicated it wants to work as a team with council members to get to a final product.
“Some of you may not want to be on the same team, but we’re looked at as a team,” said Jacksonville Chief Administrative Officer Mike Weinstein.
But quickly disagreements arose… Many repeats from last year.
A $1.5 million budget ask for a Telehealth program serving the uninsured was cut in half - at least for now.
“I don’t believe the city government should be subsidizing this,” said Councilmember Ron Salem (R-Group 2 At-Large).
The committee also slashed nearly $5 million meant for affordable housing programs, to the disdain of some members.
“I think that when we take care of those who are the least amongst us financially and give them a little dignity in how we take care of them, I think that speaks to the spirit of the kind of community that we are,” said Councilmember Matt Carlucci (R-Group 4 At-Large).
The committee even cut $8 million out of its own contingency fund.
Finance Chair Will Lahnen (R-District 3) argued the council needs to lead by example in this uncertain budget year, as revenues totaling hundreds of millions of dollars could be lost if the property tax phaseout proposal passes in November.
“Whenever you’re in the real world, the business world, and you’re facing revenue uncertainty, you want to preserve cash,” said Lahnen.
In total, about $14 million was either cut or put on hold in the first round.
There are five more budget hearings scheduled over the coming weeks.
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