The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee wrapped up its budget hearings Aug. 23, cutting Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed expenditures by more than $40 million and scheduling further discussion on $90 million for riverfront parks development.
In seven budget hearings held over three weeks, the committee pored through Deegan’s $1.9 billion 2024-25 general fund budget and 2025-29 Capital Improvement Plan with designs on reducing the mayor’s proposed $47.2 million in spending of operational reserves.
The wrap-up ended with $9.995 million in reserve expenditures remaining in the budget.
“I’m happy that we’ve saved the taxpayers about $37 million and got the reserve use consistent with past years of under $10 million,” said Ron Salem, the committee’s chair.
The committee’s actions constitute a recommendation to the full Council and were not final. Removed items can be restored when the budget goes to Council.
Cuts to Deegan’s budget ranged from $10 million in seed money for an public-private affordable housing loan program to a $3,600 auto allowance for Karen Bowling, Deegan’s chief administrative officer.
The affordable housing fund was a priority item for Deegan, who also saw the committee make cuts on other priority areas such as homelessness services and diversity, equity and inclusion. The committee removed funding for her chief of DEI position, which is held by Parvez Ahmed.
Committee member Rory Diamond said he planned to introduce legislation barring the city from funding any DEI-related positions or programs after Deegan transferred funding to retain Ahmed last year after Council effectively removed the position.
After cutting the reserve spending to as little as $1.73 million, Council added back in $5.3 million proposed by Deegan and about $4.6 million for several priority items for various Council members, including a $750,000 request from Diamond to cover salaries and benefits of 14 full-time and one part-time position in Animal Care and Protective Services and $500,000 requested by Council President Randy White to support The Boselli Foundation Mentoring + Teacher Fellowship.
As for the parks, the committee flagged the funding over concerns about a proposed $154 million in spending on three projects in the five-year CIP – Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West Park and Metropolitan Park.
Salem said he was concerned about cost increases in the development of the parks. He requested a comprehensive report from city staff and the Downtown Investment Authority, including a breakdown of spending to date on architectural and engineering services for the parks, details on projected costs of construction and information on who was authorized to determine the scope of the projects.
The Finance Committee is scheduled to discuss the parks in its Sept. 4 meeting.
“I didn’t want to have the discussion here,” Salem said, referring to the budget hearing. “I wanted to have a more formal setting where we get all the experts in the room where we can figure out where all these extra dollars are coming from and what they’re being used for. They’re just being added in without any Council input.”
Diamond echoed Salem’s comment, saying the city was making commitments on the parks projects that were handcuffing Council to CIP spending.
“They’re just signing contracts and designing things without the Council’s approval. That’s the problem,” he said.
Pending the discussion, Salem initially moved to pull out $56 million for parks development that was part of the Community Benefits Agreement between the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The seven-member committee voted to leave that money alone, with member Nick Howland noting the Council already approved it on an 18-1 vote along with the city’s stadium deal with the Jaguars. Otherwise, he said, “the seven of us right here are challenging the will of the 19.”
The riverfront parks are a priority for Deegan’s administration. The mayor’s office and the Downtown Investment Authority, which is heavily involved in development of the parks, have described the parks as a key element of efforts to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville.
“Riverfront parks are one of the transformational projects that will create the ignition point for downtown Jacksonville to take off. It was the spark that made Tampa’s downtown ignite, and it will do the same for Jacksonville,” the mayor’s office said in response to an emailed request for comment.
“These plans have incorporated feedback from dozens of public meetings on what citizens would like to see in the parks. We look forward to further collaboration with the Finance Committee and City Council on proposed improvements that will ensure our downtown park system is a world class destination space.”
In community presentations, DIA CEO Lori Boyer said the parks would help bolster Downtown’s residential population and also attract visitors from the region and beyond by providing new spaces for outdoor activities and leisure.
The increased numbers of residents and visitors will make Downtown more attractive to retail establishments and restaurants looking for a place to expand or launch, she said, creating a virtuous circle in which more visitors or residents are drawn in by new places to shop, dine and be entertained.