Duval Times

On July 15, 2024, Mayor Donna Deegan presented a balanced budget to the City Council, focusing on infrastructure, health, economic development, public safety, affordable housing, and homelessness. The proposed budget aims to build on recent successes and make generational investments in key areas.

“Our proposed budget makes investments that deliver the best return for our citizens, continue to make good on the broken promises of consolidation, and create the ignition point that will take Jacksonville from potential to progress,” said Mayor Deegan. “The time is now to choose what type of city we want to be. Let’s be one that lifts as we climb.”

Key highlights of the budget include:

**Infrastructure**

- Downtown Riverfront/Resiliency: Metropolitan Park Marina Fire Station, Museum and Dock ($14.31 million in 2025 / $37.59 million total), Museum of Science and History ($3 million in 2025 / $50 million total), Northbank Riverwalk and Bulkhead as well as Northbank Marina ($15 million in 2025 / $115 million total), Southbank Riverwalk – two docks, bulkhead and riverwalk development ($13.2 million).

- Parks & Libraries: Library Renovations at Oceanway and Beaches locations ($4.2 million in FY25 / $5.5 million total), Park and Pool improvements at 14 facilities ($24 million).

- City Venues: Renovations at the Ritz Theater, 121 Financial Ballpark, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, and Performing Arts Center ($25.1 million). Additional funding in a five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for ongoing repairs and maintenance at city venues.

- Road Construction/Resilience: Annual target funding met for critical infrastructure projects including road construction, drainage, pedestrian crossings, and sidewalks ($62 million for transportation in FY25; $21 million for drainage in FY25).

**Public Safety**

- Addition of 40 police officers.

- New fire stations construction ($28 million).

- Additional funding for security at the Courthouse, Lonnie Miller Park, Friendship Fountain, and Riverside Skate Park ($138,119).

**Health**

- UF Health investment to care for vulnerable citizens ($56 million).

- UF Health capital project investment ($38 million in FY25; $24 million annually thereafter).

**Affordable Housing & Homelessness**

- Affordable Housing Loan Fund: $10 million.

- Homelessness program to comply with state law: $10 million.

- Eviction prevention funding: $300,000.

**Economic Development**

- Two positions supporting new procurement code.

- Economic development investments:

- $10.5 million in previously approved Downtown Investment Authority completion grants and forgivable loans.

- $24 million in Office of Economic Development grants, loans, REV grants and qualified targeted industry payments for companies relocating or expanding operations in Jacksonville.

**Community Funding**

- Arts Funding/Cultural Council: $7 million.

- Public Service Grants: $7.2 million.

For more details on the full budget or to read/watch Mayor Deegan's budget address visit jacksonville.gov/budget or youtu.be/vWagsntKCNM.