JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s city council votes Tuesday on Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed budget — a package worth just over $2 billion — and one council member is already pushing to redirect public safety funds to remodel city hall offices.
Deegan held her final budget community meeting Monday night at Ed White High School on the Westside, giving residents a last chance to weigh in before the council vote.
Council member wants $500K moved from public safety
Councilman Rahman Johnson has floated the idea of shifting $500,000 from public safety into a fund to renovate city council offices. He says the timing makes sense given the uncertainty surrounding Amendment 3.
“We are running around with our hair on fire,” Johnson said. “If we’re going to do things that need to be done, now is the time to do them.”
RELATED | Jacksonville advisory board outlines possible budget cuts if Amendment 3 passes
Johnson says the offices are overdue for improvements, pointing to deteriorating conditions inside city hall.
“Desks are falling apart. There’s things that haven’t been done since 1999,” he said. “There’s mold. There’s chairs with mold.”
Amendment 3 casts shadow over budget process
The looming statewide property tax amendment is hanging over nearly every budget decision at city hall. The city council auditor has warned Jacksonville could take a $300 million hit if Amendment 3 is approved by voters.
Amendment 3 would take effect Jan. 1, but its financial impact would not be felt until trim notices go out at the end of next summer — which is why Johnson argues the city needs to act now.
Mayor Deegan says the city has “very robust reserves,” but did not mince words about the potential fallout, stating that the city could be headed into uncharted waters if Amendment 3 was passed.
“We really cannot inoculate ourselves against Amendment 3,” Deegan said. “It would be devastating.”
“When you look at amendment 3 we are running around with our hair on fire,” Johnson explained. “If we’re going to do things that need to be done. Now is the time to do them. We don’t realize the affect of amendment 3 until the next fiscal year.
The city council is set to vote on the full budget Tuesday night at city hall. With billions of dollars on the table, negotiators say much can still change before the budget is finalized.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.