The Jacksonville City Council voted Monday to keep the property tax rate the same as last year in Duval County.
Some council members argued increasing the tax rate, or millage rate, would allow them to balance what they consider to be an unbalanced budget.
Mayor Alvin Brown presented his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year in July, but many members argued his proposal had financial gaps that needed to be filled.
Last year, the property tax rate was increased by more than 14 percent.
Finance Chair Richard Clark pushed for the option to raise the property tax rate again for the upcoming fiscal year, but many of his colleagues were weary of the plan.
After almost two hours of deliberation, Council opposed the increase by a 12-6 vote.
Clark said he understood why his fellow council members opposed the hike, but said the members who were against the increase should figure out where to make cuts in Mayor Brown’s proposed budget.
Councilman Bill Gulliford said the budget problems could be solved with an increase in sales tax.
Gulliford and other council members argued that by increasing sales tax, property owners would not be the only ones sharing the burden of generating revenue to balance the budget.
Members who opposed the property tax hike said by increasing sales tax, people who utilize infrastructure in Duval County would still be contributing revenue, even if they were not residents.
Even though the property tax rate will not increase during the upcoming fiscal year, property owners may still have to shell out more money in taxes.
If a person's property value increases, they still will have to pay more in property taxes compared to last year, even if the rate stays the same.
Council members are set to meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the proposed sales tax hike.
The final budget has to be approved by October 1st.
