JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Mayor Donna Deegan addressed several concerns in her first budget town hall Wednesday at Jean Ribault High School. Many of the questions she fielded were about problems in the city such as stalled projects and food deserts.<\/p>\n
The focus of the night was Deegan\u2019s proposed $2 billion budget set to be approved in September.<\/p>\n
Miles, a student in Jacksonville, asked Mayor Deegan about her 3 to 1 return on investment claim.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the report is based on national evaluation models, can you name one city service that has proven that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure what you mean,\u201d Deegan responded. She went on to say, \u201cWe based those on models that have been used by national non-profits, by the federal government; you have to figure out a way to figure out return on investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Action News Jax told you Tuesday that the claim is the result of an analysis prepared by the Mayor\u2019s chief of analytics.<\/p>\n
James Matchett has lived on the Northside for 35 years. He says he\u2019s concerned about the return on investment when it comes to his neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is some good work going on and I want to give them credit for that, but it\u2019s not enough, it does not come close to servicing the needs of the community,\u201d Matchett said. \u201cI would challenge that that\u2019s optimistic, but I don\u2019t see it as a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many residents spoke up tonight hoping they\u2019ll see the impact where they live.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur side of town should be not treated like a stepchild,\u201d one resident said.<\/p>\n
Action News Jax sent the Mayor\u2019s office a list of questions following the meeting as she could not interview with us.<\/p>\n
One of those questions asks about the return on investment claim and if she stands by it.<\/p>\n
Her office sent us this response to that question:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a first-of-its-kind analysis of a municipal budget that utilizes existing economic value metrics from the federal government, national non-profits, and academic institutions. This is part of keeping her promise to bring more transparency and accountability to the budget. We welcome the community discussion about how to best measure the return on investment for citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mayor has seven more planned budget town halls at the following locations and times:<\/p>\n
August 13, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School1819 Thacker Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207August 19, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Duncan U. Fletcher High School700 Seagate Ave. Neptune Beach, FL 32266August 27, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Mandarin High School4831 Greenland Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258September 1, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Ortega Elementary School4010 Baltic St., Jacksonville, FL 32210September 8, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Terry Parker High School7301 Parker School Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211September 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. First Coast High School590 Duval Station Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218September 21, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Edward H. White High School1700 Old Middleburg Road N., Jacksonville, FL 32210<\/p>\n
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