Jacksonville pension tax bill receives approval from governor

A bill allowing counties to pay down unfunded pension liabilities through a surtax was approved by Gov. Rick Scott Friday.

The Discretionary Sales Surtaxes bill was proposed by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry to pay down the city's $2.6 billion pension debt by extending a half-cent sales tax from the Better Jacksonville Plan an additional 30 years, or until the debt is paid off.

"I came into office as a business man and committed that I would be a problem solver. I said that I would be bold and lead to solutions, and that's exactly what this is," Curry said.

The proposal now goes to the Jacksonville City Council for approval before going in front of voters through a referendum in Aug. or Nov.

Curry says he'll campaign the importance of paying down the pension debt now to voters.

"No one's tax bill will be increased if they vote 'yes,'" Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Flemming Island) said. "That's a community discussion for the people of Jacksonville to have. They have some tough decisions to make."

Managing the pension debt costs the city $270 million each year, and could balloon to $300 million if the debt is not handled immediately, according to Curry. The money comes out of discretionary funds in the city budget, which limits flexibility for the city to bring on additional police officers or improve infrastructure.

"I'm going to go out and speak the truth to voters," Curry said. "This is about solving a fiscal crisis that is on the verge, in the brink, of destroying the future of the City of Jacksonville."

When asked what his fallback plan is if voters turn down the proposal, Curry responded: "I'm playing to win."