JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Jacksonville city council members approach a vote on the final budget and a proposed millage rate cut, a debate unfolded over the potential impact on road maintenance funding.
Councilman Jimmy Peluso raised concerns about how the cut could affect the city’s ability to maintain and resurface local roads.
At a meeting inside City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, Peluso voiced his opposition to the proposed 1/8th of a mil reduction in the millage rate. Peluso argued that it could lead to a significant shortfall in funding for road maintenance projects.
“In five years, based on projected growth, we’re going to lose $76 million and that money could go into the neighborhoods of our constituents, and we should be having that conversation,” Peluso said. “Some of these roads are a year or two away from getting worked on. That’s just unacceptable to me.”
During his public meeting, Peluso provided handouts, including a spreadsheet of a preliminary resurfacing list. Peluso explained that a large number of road projects will not be resurfaced. Council President Kevin Carrico has a different view, emphasizing the importance of returning dollars to taxpayers.
View the handout below:
“We’ve got to put dollars back in the hands of taxpayers. That’s what we’re trying to do,” Carrico explained. “They’re feeling their insurance rates go up, and they’re needing relief, and they’re thinking that their taxpayer dollars aren’t going toward the things that they need. A 1/8 millage cut, it’s a start, and that’s going to escalate.”
Carrico also criticized Peluso’s stance, stating that the proposed budget already includes $22 million for road resurfacing.
“She proposed $22 million in road resurfacing; we funded all of those $22 million,” Carrico said. “Look at Mayor Curry’s last year in office. He proposed $29 million in road resurfacing. It’s a choice on what you asked for in the budget. And she didn’t ask for enough, she could have asked for more.”
Local drivers, like Marvin McCoy, agree that road maintenance should be a top priority for the city. He pointed to the impact neglected roads can have on people’s bottom line.
“A lot of people getting new cars, nice used cars, tears up a wheel alignment if the roads are messed up,” McCoy said. “Knocks the wheels out of alignment.”
As the city council prepares to vote on the millage rate issue next week, Peluso has indicated that he may propose an amendment to address his concerns. The outcome of the vote will determine the city’s fiscal approach and its ability to fund essential services, including road maintenance.
The debate over the millage rate cut underscores the challenges of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain critical infrastructure. As the city council navigates these discussions, the focus remains on ensuring that Jacksonville’s roads and public services meet the needs of its residents. News4jax has requested comment from Mayor Deegan’s office.