TAXWATCH: Breaking down Jacksonville's $1.1 billion budget proposal

Jacksonville's budget tops $1.1 billion under the new proposal out from Mayor Lenny Curry, but it's not just relying on traditional revenue to fund a host of new spending.

We've previously told you that Curry wants to hire 40 more Jacksonville's Sheriff's Office Police Officers and 40 new JSO Community Service Officers. During a sit-down following his budget unveiling Monday, Curry told WOKV that will be supplemented by a federal "COPS" grant, which helps to fund the salaries and benefits of 15 officers. The grant requires a local match, however, Curry says that's being partially funded by the state and that the rest is coming from efficiencies found in the JSO budget.

“This budget is all about action. It’s about priorities, it’s about discipline, and it’s about accountability,” Curry says.

Curry says 55 firefighter positions that were funded by expiring federal dollars are also now funded in his proposal.  The JFRD section of the budget indicates 30 positions were rolled in to the general fund- or overall pool of tax dollars the budget taps. It’s not immediately clear where the other 25 positions fall in the budget, however the JFRD personnel cap holds steady.

The fleet of vehicles which would supplement those officers- and overhaul some fire and rescue vehicles as well as other City vehicles- is also proposed in this budget.  That $27 million comes from a combination of borrowing and money on hand.

While there is about $7 million in borrowing for capital projects, as well as more for areas like the fleet, Curry says this budget actually substantially cuts the amount of debt the City has. He says through “efficiencies” and “responsible” budget management, they’re able to pay off more debt than they’re taking in, reducing the City’s debt load by about $75 million.

The capital projects budget- which includes things like maintenance on libraries, working on the Jacksonville Beach pier, sidewalks, road resurfacing, and more- is supplemented this year by $58 million in one-time money.

“Whether they weren’t accounted for, whether they didn’t know they had them, they weren’t being put to use for the taxpayers,” Curry says.

Most of this was uncovered by a special committee led by Councilwoman Lori Boyer, which went line-by-line through the capital improvements, and Boyer says this is what the money should be used for.

“I’m happy that they looked at it, set some priorities, and appropriated it,” Boyer says.

The sum will only jumpstart the projects, however, and future year funding is unclear at this time- although Jacksonville’s CFO says they’re confident they will find other dollars.

One area that could lead to more available dollars is the ongoing emergency audit which Curry ordered for the City’s books. He says a team is working through that right now, but wouldn’t give any indication of what- if anything- they had uncovered so far.

The budget was also helped this year by an overall improving economy, which meant more sales tax and property tax revenue, although the rates themselves stayed the same.

Curry's proposal keeps funding for UF Health flat. He says that's not meant to show any wavering commitment to the hospital, rather he wants to spend the next year leading a task force, of sorts, to figure out how to see the hospital turn a profit and make it more financially sustainable. As is, the state had to step in to supplement funding to all of Florida's hospitals this year because of a decrease in federal dollars, which will once again drop in the fiscal year after this upcoming one.

Another area which will face major scrutiny this year is the Jacksonville Journey. Curry is proposing a $3 million budget boost for the crime prevention and intervention oversight program, but he made it clear during the sit-down that his Chief of Staff is personally taking on a review of the program to ensure there is a return on that investment.

Still a third review will be how the City pays down the massive Police and Fire pension debt. Through a new reform plan approved in the last few weeks, the City obligated itself to paying millions toward the debt beyond the required annual contribution toward benefits. That $5 million total is included in Curry's budget this year, but next year that price tag jumps to $10 million, then $15 million, then $32 million.

“We’ve got to deal with this unfunded liability aggressively, it’s got to be done thoughtfully,” Curry says.

He says his team hopes to release that plan this year.

Collective bargaining with the City employees is also coming down the pipe. Curry says his budget proposal will set aside $2.3 million for salary and benefits incentives for City employees, pending collective bargaining. He hopes that is a “sign of good faith” for when the negotiations begin, although he reiterated that no raise or bonus is guaranteed.

This formal presentation of the budget is just the beginning of work for City Council, now.

Several City Councilmen tell WOKV their early impressions of the plan are good. In fact, in jest Councilman Bill Gulliford- who chairs the Finance Committee which will lead the review process- told the Mayor that he would entertain a motion to pass the budget as is. To open his budget address, Curry joked that he had a dream the Council approved the whole packet as a Birthday gift to him.

“Obviously addresses need, and that’s important. So, I’m impressed with what I saw glancing through there,” Gulliford says.

Ultimately, the Council must pass the budget by October 1.