The Jacksonville City Council approved a 6-cent per gallon increase and extension to Duval County’s local option gas tax May 26 and a companion bill to boost funding to remove failing septic tanks in underserved neighborhoods.
The Council voted 14-5 to approve the Ordinance 2021-223 that will increase the gas tax to 12 cents, starting Jan. 1., to complete nearly $1 billion in road, drainage and other infrastructure needs.
The bill splits the additional 6 cents and the project list between the city with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The tax proceeds include $132 million for the 30-mile Emerald Trail.
Council rejected Council member Randy DeFoor’s amendment to remove the $247 million for the JTA Downtown Skyway modernization.
Mayor Lenny Curry, Council President Tommy Hazouri and JTA branded the tax increase as the Jobs for Jax program, stating it would create 7,640 construction jobs.
Council members Rory Diamond, Danny Becton, LeAnna Cumber, Al Ferraro and DeFoor voted against the tax increase.
The $100 million septic tank financing was approved 18-0.
