City Council on Tuesday approved Mayor Lenny Curry’s $1.37 billion fiscal 2019-20 budget, which includes no tax increases and a $173.5 million capital improvement plan with $225,000 for a market analysis of The Jacksonville Landing property.
The budget passed 18-1, with District 9 City Council member Garrett Dennis voting no. It is Curry’s first budget to not receive unanimous support.
“This budget makes major investments in priorities like public safety, neighborhoods and economic development throughout the community, while maintaining our steadfast commitment to sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Curry said Tuesday night in a statement on the city’s official Twitter account.
The budget takes effect Oct. 1.
It includes $481.6 million for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a $42.5 million increase from last year.
The largest single expense in the capital improvement plan is a $20 million line item to University of Florida Health for building and infrastructure improvements.
The budget begins a three-year, $2.25 million plan in initial funding for the Landing. After the $225,000 in 2019-20, the CIP calls for two $1 million appropriations in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 plans designated for site preparation and pre-engineering and landscape work.
A $1 million match for improvements to the Florida Theatre also was approved. The money will go toward a five-year agreement between the city and the nonprofit theater’s board of directors to fund 50% of a $10 million renovation.
The budget also will provide $5 million for capital investment for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens; $1.5 million in capital investment for Mayport dock redevelopment; and more than $1 million for improvements for the Ritz Theatre and Museum ($570,000) and the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center ($440,000).
The millage rate remains at $11.4419 per every $1,000 of taxable property value. The tax rate for the urban service districts 2-4 — the Beaches — was set at $8.1512 per $1,000 of taxable value, and the rate for the city of Baldwin is $9.6312 per every $1,000 of taxable value.
Although the tax rate will stay the same, some Duval County property owners could see an increase in their bill because of increasing property values.
Jacksonville homeowners with a $150,000 home with a $50,000 state homestead exemption could expect to pay about $1,144 in city taxes.
The rate does not affect the Duval County Public Schools tax rate or property taxes from any other government entity.