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Jacksonville City Council, Duval School Board meet to discuss proposed half-cent sales tax for aging schools

Jacksonville FL — Wednesday morning the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval County School Board held a joint meeting to discuss the proposed half-cent sales tax, that if approved by the voters, would help pay for nearly $2 Billion worth of infrastructure improvements at schools across the county. Passions were high for those on both sides of the issue. Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene says action is needed on this issue.

“We have to do this and we have to do it now.” Dr. Greene says.

While City Council President Scott Wilson still has some reservations about the plan.

“I don’t see how the school board or the City of Jacksonville can get this passed in 2019.” Wilson says.

Tuesday, WOKV updated you on this story after the city's Office of General Counsel sent out a legally binding opinion which said only the city council can put the question on the ballot as well as when the measure happens.

Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, we spoke to School Board Chairwoman Lori Hersey and she said she is not surprised by the general counsel’s opinion.

“It mirrored the memorandum that was given back around April or May.” Hershey says.

No action was taken at the meeting Wednesday. The request to have the half-cent sales tax referendum on the ballot stills needs to clear two city council committees before it goes to the full city council.

“I don’t see how the school board or the City of Jacksonville can get this passed in 2019.” Wilson says.

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