JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council’s Special Committee on Duval DOGE is expected to provide new updates Tuesday afternoon on city spending.
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The meeting comes after City Councilman Ron Salem announced the committee discovered more than $25 million in unspent funds sitting in the city’s budget.
In a post on Facebook, Salem shared additional details about the findings, including $5.5 million in unused funds from Fair Share Sector accounts. Those funds have been earmarked for transportation projects within the corresponding sectors.
What’s next?
Salem said the committee is reviewing a new round of capital improvement projects, which could reveal even more unused money.
“The committee is actively reviewing another round of capital improvement projects to identify underutilized or inactive allocations that have not had any expenditures since October 2023,” Salem wrote. “This list of projects totals more than $80 million and is in addition to the nearly $25 million the committee has already uncovered.”
The Duval DOGE initiative—short for Department of Government Efficiency—was introduced by Salem earlier this year. It’s modeled after similar efforts at the state and federal levels aimed at reducing wasteful spending and improving government operations.
However, the local version has not been without controversy.
Some residents have protested the initiative, arguing it could harm working-class families, seniors, and people who rely on city services.
The Mayor’s Office has also expressed concerns, stating that the Deegan administration has prioritized government efficiency since taking office—without the need for a separate committee.
What is 904 Lean?
Before Duval DOGE was launched, Deegan introduced the 904 Lean Initiative in June 2024.
The program was designed to reduce inefficiencies and improve how city departments function.
In a statement, Deegan said the initiative has helped city employees focus on more meaningful work while also identifying cost-saving opportunities.
“By eliminating unnecessary tasks, city employees can focus on higher-value work—leading to better service, greater job satisfaction, and cost savings that can be reinvested into critical areas like infrastructure, healthcare, affordable housing, homelessness, and small businesses,” Deegan said.
The Duval DOGE Committee is expected to deliver a final report by June 23. Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at City Hall.
