After just 10 months in office, Mayor Lenny Curry is back on the campaign trail.
He’s not making an early run at a second term in office. He’s stumping for “Yes for Jacksonville,” the campaign to convince voters to approve extending the half-cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax beyond 2030 to pay down the city’s $2.8 billion pension debt.
Speaking Friday to The Jacksonville Bar Association, Curry described the referendum to be placed, pending City Council approval, on the Aug. 30 ballot as “the most important vote this city has faced in a long time.”
He said the association was the first group he’s spoken to about the vote since the tax extension was approved by the Legislature and a bill was introduced to council to put the question on the ballot.
He described the city as being in “financial distress,” with about $280 million of the $1 billion annual general fund budget allocated for pension fund debt service. Curry said that will escalate to $300 million within two years.
The sales tax extension is “the best of the bad options,” Curry said, because “we don’t have any good options.”
An increase in ad valorem taxes would place a burden on businesses and families. Plus, additional property tax millage can’t be dedicated to a single purpose, setting up the possibility that a future mayor or council might devote the extra funds to something other than paying down pension liabilities.
“We’re not asking for a pot of money for government to find new ways to do different things,” said Curry.
Going to the Legislature in hopes of getting an additional sales tax approved also isn’t an option.
“That would be dead on arrival in Tallahassee,” said Curry.
Voters should expect a campaign for the pension proposal similar to that which occurs before a general election with a team of Democrats, Republicans and Independents making a “get out the vote” effort.
“There’s going to be some tough talk in the months ahead. We have to define our priorities and then be focused and relentless,” Curry said.
“Vote ‘yes’ for Jacksonville on Aug. 30,” he added.
On a lighter note, Curry predicted a better season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished 5-11 last year.
He said the team “has the fundamentals in place” and predicted a season record better than .500 and a spot in the playoffs.
“The Jaguars know the community is looking for wins,” Curry said.
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