JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville city leaders are weighing a $30 million proposal to help the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) out of a financial crisis — without raising taxes.
The money would come from the city’s existing local gas tax fund, which currently helps pay for roads, buses and other transportation services.
The proposal cleared two City Council committees and faces another vote Tuesday morning.
JTA struggled with payments this summer
City Council President Nick Howland says JTA needs immediate financial help after the agency struggled with vendor payments and payroll over the summer.
Under the proposal, which the JTA Board has already agreed to, JTA would access up to $30 million to pay down a line of credit, then repay the gas tax fund over time.
Howland says taxpayer dollars should prioritize services residents use daily.
“I think what we’ve got to do is we’ve got to rethink what is optimal transportation for the citizens of Jacksonville and the families and the businesses that depend on that transportation,” Howland said. “I personally believe it’s going to be optimizing fixed-route busing and paratransit, and it’s probably going to be de-optimizing and scaling down things such as NAVI, the Skyway, and even some of the longer unfunded parts of the Emerald Trail. We need to get back to the basics, back to the core, and we need to deliver optimal transportation to the people of Jacksonville.”
What could change for riders
While the local gas tax rate would not increase under this proposal, the transportation services and projects it supports could look different going forward.
Howland’s comments suggest a possible shift away from programs like NAVI and the Skyway in favor of fixed-route bus service and paratransit.
The committee is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday inside City Hall. If the proposal advances, Howland says the full City Council is expected to vote on it Oct. 13.
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