Fourth Consecutive Budget, Unanimously Approved

Last Tuesday, my fourth budget was unanimously approved by my colleagues on City Council.

Together, we have produced four balanced budgets that continue to demonstrate fiscal stewardship and a strong commitment to investing in the priorities of Jacksonville citizens.
 
Those investments include:

• $30 million increase for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, including funding for a Real-time Crime Center
• $17 million increase for the Fire & Rescue Department, to fund additional personnel, fire stations, and rescue units
• Funding to develop important downtown properties including The Shipyards, Lot J, The District, Laura Street Trio and more
• Funding to restore and reclaim the historical significance neglected Pinehurst, Memorial, Sunset, Hillside and Mt. Olive cemeteries
• Funding for expanded library hours, new personnel, and $850,000 for new materials
• 5-year, $25 million program for capital improvements at the city-owned Jacksonville Zoo
• $12.4 million in road improvements
• $2.6 million for new pedestrian crosswalks
• $9 million for sidewalks
• $12.4 million to reconfigure the Hart Bridge off-ramps
• $6 million in drainage fund projects