New fiscal year for Jacksonville: What’s in the city budget?

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. — October 1st marks a new fiscal year for the city of Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville City Council passed the 2021-2022 city budget, totaling over $1.5 billion dollars. This is about $80 million more than last year’s budget.

The council meeting went well into the night on Tuesday, with some residents unhappy with some of the line items in the budget.

One of the major sticking points was the 3.6% increase in the Jacksonville Sheriff Office’s budget, totaling nearly $508 million dollars.

WATCH: Jacksonville City Council Meeting, Tuesday September 28th, 2021

Several speakers at the meeting criticized the increase with one saying, “At what point do we accept that we can’t police our way to a better Jacksonville?” Another speaker complained that the JSO budget takes up about 40% of the overall city budget.

Other residents voiced their frustrations, saying that the budget wasn’t transparent enough and more meetings should’ve been held to help the community be better informed.

Other items in the budget include a combined approximately $414 million dollars for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, the Public Works Department, and the Parks Recreation and Community Services Department.

Also included in the spending for next year is a number of projects like the long-anticipated phasing out of septic tanks, extending sewer lines, and road resurfacing. This is through Mayor Lenny Curry’s 5 year, $469 million dollar Capital Improvement Plan that was presented back in July.

READ MORE: City and JEA to dedicate over $25 million to remove septic tanks from NW Jacksonville neighborhoods

Mayor Curry posted a statement on Twitter following the approval of the budget:

“Last night, the City Council approved my budget, including $4 million for affordable housing projects, continued investment in non-profit sector, and the largest CIP ever at almost $470M with investments in parks, public safety, septic tank phaseout, and roadway resurfacing. 2. Our investment in our Jacksonville Parks is substantial: $100 million over the next two years. This is the largest commitment to @JaxParks in generations. 3. I continue to make Public Safety my #1 priority by funding new and replacement fire stations, purchasing equipment, and securing raises for fire/safety personnel so when people are having emergencies - we have men and women available to answer their call. 4. I doubled funding for roadway resurfacing for next year which will help move people safely and protect both bicyclists and pedestrians, something of top importance to the people of Jacksonville.”

We will be digging through the budget throughout the year. Check back for more details.

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