Mayor Alvin Brown presented City Council with a $1.9 billion general government funds budget this morning for fiscal 2012-13 that includes a $12.7 million revenue drop from the current year and the loss of 445 City jobs.
Brown, in a 15-minute speech, said his administration kept revenues to $945 million, “the lowest amount since 2008.”
“My administration balanced the budget without raising taxes, we are not increasing fees and we are not tapping our reserves,” he said. “I am asking you to do the same.”
Brown said the administration must spend more than $150 million on pension obligations, an increase of more than $46 million.
“Pension reform must be our City goal,” he said. “We must reform pensions. This is not an option.”
Brown called his budget a “fair, sustainable plan” and referred to the Chapter 9 bankruptcy filings of three California cities.
“Jacksonville will not be a part of America’s failure,” he said.
He also said he doesn’t “take downsizing lightly.”
Brown also kept property tax rates identical to the current year, although he had the option to increase the rate to keep revenues even with the past year.
City Council President Bill Bishop said this morning he reviewed parts of the budget, which was released Friday afternoon, over the weekend.
“At first blush, it’s pretty much what you’d expect,” he said.
Bishop said health care and pension costs were “spread around” but said he was concerned about potential nonproportionate cuts to areas such as the Jacksonville Public Library system.
He also said he was concerned about the “virtual lack of capital spending in the budget.”
“We can’t simply stop doing everything,” he said, noting that the Council “will have to make some adjustments in that area.”
Of the 25 listed departments, 10 are slated for increases in expenditures and 14 will find their budgets reduced.
The Council Finance Committee will review Brown’s budget during a series of budget hearings scheduled for Aug. 9, Aug. 10, Aug. 16, Aug. 17, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.
Council must approve a balanced budget before the fiscal year begins Oct. 1
356-2466