The City of Jacksonville approved a $2 billion budget early Wednesday that includes just under $1 million for affordable housing, a fraction of what some council members had sought.

Jacksonville City Council members endured a nearly 14-hour meeting that stretched into early Wednesday morning to finalize the city’s budget. The session, which began Tuesday afternoon, wrapped up around 4 a.m., marked by intense debates over a property tax reduction and a controversial budget amendment.

After nearly 14 hours of intense debate, the Jacksonville City Council officially passed a $2 billion city budget, in what’s being called one of the most contentious budget battles in recent memory.

Jacksonville’s $2 billion budget passed after nearly 14 hours of debate and a last-minute vote change from Councilman Will Lahnen. The meeting included heated discussion over a controversial bath of amendments and a narrow vote to cut property taxes. Here’s how it all unfolded

Shortly after the Jacksonville City Council passed the $2 billion city budget early Wednesday, Mayor Donna Deegan thanked community members for voicing their concerns and councilmembers for coming together to reach a decision.

After nearly 14 hours of intense debate, the Jacksonville City Council officially passed a $2 billion city budget, in what’s being called one of the most contentious budget battles in recent memory.

With a packed agenda and razor-thin votes expected on several hot-button issues, the Jacksonville City Council is bracing for what could be a tense and lengthy meeting Tuesday night.

The Jacksonville City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a $2 billion budget that could shape the city’s future for years. The proposal includes a property tax cut and reductions in funding for several core social services, and it’s sparking one of the most contentious political battles City Hall has seen in years.

The Jacksonville City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a $2 billion budget that could shape the city’s future for years. The proposal includes a property tax cut and reductions in funding for several core social services, and it’s sparking one of the most contentious political battles City Hall has seen in years.

Ahead of Jacksonville’s city council’s vote on a nearly $2 billion budget, Jacksonville community leaders gathered Sunday to ensure residents were prepared for the process.

With the City Council budget vote approaching, local nonprofits face significant funding cuts that threaten their ability to serve the community. Dawn Lockhart, CEO of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, explained the financial struggles these organizations are experiencing.

As Jacksonville’s City Council prepares to vote on the budget on September 23, Mayor Donna Deegan is responding to claims from Florida’s chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, who alleges $200 million in unnecessary budget increases and says the city is “over taxing and overspending.”

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico has called for the removal of a city-appointed board member who posted what he calls “hateful rhetoric” regarding the death of Charlie Kirk.

Jacksonville City Councilman Rory Diamond fired back at the four councilmembers who abruptly walked out of Tuesday’s meeting during budget amendment discussions.

Four Jacksonville city councilmembers walked out of a city council meeting during budget amendment discussions Tuesday night, sparking drama and prompting the sergeant at arms to intervene.

The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters Local 122 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 released a joint statement opposing the proposed millage rate reduction.

Community members continued their push Wednesday evening to prevent a local grocery store from adding a meat processing facility at its Beach Boulevard location.

Mayor Donna Deegan will host another series of town halls, beginning Tuesday night, as she seeks public feedback on her nearly $2 billion proposal for Jacksonville’s budget.

As Jacksonville’s city council considers the upcoming budget, Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Carlucci is raising concerns about significant cuts, including funding for the Northeast Florida Regional Council.

Jacksonville’s Finance Committee is adding back some funding for the Meals on Wheels program. In its final budget hearing, the committee moved forward with $1.7 million for the program after pushback against proposed cuts to Mayor Donna Deegan’s initial budget request.

The city’s Finance Committee held its final meeting on Friday to review the proposed $2 billion budget before it heads to the full city council for a vote. During the meeting, however, council members approved a series of amendments introduced by Council member Rory Diamond, known as the “Big Beautiful Budget Amendments.”

Several Jacksonville City Council members met Wednesday evening to discuss the future of initiatives such as Jax Care Connect and Healthlink Jax, which have been used by many in the community.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan responded to Councilman Rory Diamond’s proposed budget amendments, which he calls the “Big Beautiful Budget Amendments.” Diamond’s proposals aim to ban spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, undocumented immigrants, and abortion services.

The race for Detroit’s next mayor is set to pit a longtime City Council member against a popular pastor.

Milan's mayor says he will not step down in the face of a sweeping probe into the city’s massive urban development over the last two decades.

The City of Jacksonville’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year has drawn attention from many, including government law attorney Chris Hand, who shared his insights on surprising elements in the $2 billion spending plan.

Mayor Donna Deegan presented her $2 billion budget proposal on Monday to the Jacksonville City Council, highlighting efforts to streamline permit processes for small businesses, address affordable housing and homelessness, meet public safety needs, continue to improve literacy and education, and tackle blight.

Mayor Donna Deegan is pushing what she considers a major investment in Jacksonville’s first responders, with more than $1 billion of her $2 billion budget proposal designated for public safety.

Mayor Donna Deegan presented her $2 billion budget proposal on Monday to the Jacksonville City Council, highlighting efforts to streamline permit processes for small businesses, address affordable housing and homelessness, meet public safety needs, continue to improve literacy and education, and tackle blight.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is set to present her proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the City Council on Monday, marking the start of a monthslong process that will determine how funds are allocated across the city’s departments.

Jacksonville City Councilmember Matt Carlucci said he was “upset” when he learned a federal funding request for the Emerald Trail was removed from Trump’s budget bill. But he remains optimistic about the project’s future.

A Republican and 34-year veteran of the JSO, Wesley is seeking to replace outgoing Council Member Terrance Freeman, who is term-limited. According to a press release, a Jacksonville native, Wesley began her law enforcement career in 1991.

Recently filed financial disclosure forms by members of Jacksonville’s City Council have revealed that the majority of them have a net worth exceeding $1 million. The forms, which are required to be filed by July 1 under Florida’s ethics law, show that at least 10 millionaires, all of whom are Republicans, make up the River City’s council.

As his term as Jacksonville City Council president comes to a close, District 12 Councilmember Randy White reflected on accomplishments, challenges, and the future of city leadership on this week’s episode of This Week In Jacksonville.

This week, Jacksonville City Council member Mike Gay introduced a resolution to formally request a review by the Florida Commission on Ethics of the decision by General Counsel Michael Fackler to hire the Bedell law firm for representation in the city’s criminal gun registry case. Fackler’s father-in-law, Hank Coxe, has been a partner of the Bedell firm for many years.

A major funding proposal aimed at revitalizing Jacksonville’s riverfront may also deliver a boost to affordable housing, if city leaders can agree on the details.

Jacksonville City Councilman Kevin Carrico is set to take the gavel as council president on July 1. In a recent interview, Carrico shared his vision for the year ahead, emphasizing a focus on youth, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.

The City of Green Cove Springs on Tuesday announced the immediate resignation of Mayor and City Council Member Thomas Smith.

A meeting Tuesday of the Jacksonville City Council's Special Committee on Duval DOGE comes after City Councilman Ron Salem announced the committee discovered more than $25 million in unspent funds sitting in the city’s budget.

The Jacksonville City Council is moving forward with Ordinance 2025-385, which proposes appropriating $45 million from excess insurance funds to support affordable housing and downtown development initiatives.

One of the nearly 2,000 locations for Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump’s administration will be right in the heart of Jacksonville’s Southside.

Jacksonville City Council will discuss new rules to prevent disruptions during meetings, following a May incident that led to three arrests. A protest today calls for dropped charges and the rejection of a controversial ordinance.

Incoming Jacksonville City Council Vice President Nick Howland outlined his priorities and challenges for the upcoming year. Emphasizing the importance of public safety.

The Jacksonville City Council will discuss an ordinance tomorrow that proposes the appropriation of $450,000 from the Environmental Protection Trust Fund. This funding aims to enhance air monitoring activities in disadvantaged communities, particularly focusing on Health Zone 1 in Jacksonville.

After Mayor Donna Deegan said that changes will be implemented to enhance security at City Hall following the arrests of three people during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, a knife expert explained how a knife could have gone undetected at security checkpoints.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said on Wednesday that changes will be implemented to enhance security at City Hall following the arrests of three people during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

An activist group is planning a protest Wednesday evening to condemn the arrests of three people following a disturbance at last night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting.

Three people were arrested Tuesday night after “disrupting the proceedings” at a City Council meeting, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Three people were arrested Tuesday night after “disrupting the proceedings” at a City Council meeting, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

At a Tuesday afternoon meeting, members of Jacksonville’s City Council voted for Kevin Carrico to serve as the next president, replacing current president Randy White, who has concluded his year in the position.

With a City Council leadership election approaching, Councilman Matt Carlucci is expressing his concerns about the direction of Jacksonville’s local government. He stated that he has concerns about what he perceives as “pot shots” at the mayor that could set the city back.

The proposal involves a company currently searching for a location for its airplane manufacturing and production, with Jacksonville emerging as a contender.

City Councilman Matt Carlucci has announced a meeting to discuss the need for increased competition in council leadership roles. He expressed concern over the lack of competitive elections.

Six people in a rural Texas county have been indicted in a widening elections investigation led by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.

A new zoning ordinance introduced at City Council this week may allow a new restaurant or bar on Hendricks Avenue, with alcohol sales permitted just steps from a nearby church.

The Jacksonville City Council is set to consider a new bill that would require all city employees to report instances of abuse, contract mismanagement, fraud, and similar issues to the city’s Office of the Inspector General.

The Jacksonville City Council passed a bill with a 12 to 7 vote that prohibits food trucks from preparing and/or selling food or beverages at gas stations.

The Special Committee on Duval DOGE, led by Jacksonville City Council Member Ron Salem, has launched a webpage to enhance transparency and public engagement. The site provides details on the committee’s objectives, meeting schedules, and related documents.

Jacksonville city council members are advocating for a significant change to honor a local legend with a proposed bill to rename Oakland Park after Dr. Eartha White, a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian who left a lasting mark on the River City. The Legacy of Oakland Park, located at the corner of Ionia and Union Streets, has been a staple of Jacksonville for over a century.

A few months ago, a mayor in Massachusetts was relishing a rare victory over a newspaper for its years of personal attacks.

In a unanimous 16-0 vote, the Jacksonville City Council passed a resolution to recognize April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in the city.

The City Council is deciding on the proposed Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act at the Tuesday night meeting.

On Tuesday night, Jacksonville City Council members are set to vote on a proposed ordinance that would create a special development review board for Northeast Jacksonville, despite facing some council opposition. Ordinance 2024-0851, introduced by Councilmember Mike Gay, aims to protect the area from overdevelopment and give people in the neighborhood a chance to weigh in on how development is conducted.

A proposed Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act is now on its way to a full vote by the Jacksonville City Council.

Two Jacksonville lawmakers are pushing for tougher local immigration policies through two proposed bills.

The city of Jacksonville is proposing extending its stadium naming rights deal with the Jaguars and EverBank -- with some tweaks, including a change to the Jaguars' mailing address.

Dozens of the 37 City Council employees who participated in the survey were highly critical of two particular people in leadership: council director and secretary Margaret Sidman and former legislative services chief Merriane Lahmeur.

A shooting outside the Sulzbacher Center in downtown Jacksonville this past January is prompting a big change at the East Adams Street facility. The shooting left a man with critical injuries, and as a result, the Jacksonville city council will now consider a bill that would set aside $100,000 to pay Jacksonville Sheriff’s officers to provide security.

A new surf park planned in Jacksonville’s eTown development is one step closer to becoming a reality after the City Council gave its final approval on Tuesday.

The board’s 11 newly appointed members will be having their first meeting Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Lynwood Roberts Room at City Hall.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is set to expand its operations into the Florida Blue building on the Downtown Northbank, following unanimous approval from the City Council. The new office space will allow JSO to consolidate its staff and enhance operational efficiency.

Jacksonville City Council introduced two bills related to illegal immigration Tuesday. Protesters shared their concern about those bills ahead of that meeting.

Jacksonville Today reader Judy J. is curious about the division of labor inside City Hall. “It seems like the mayor and the City Council are always sparring over whose responsibility different decisions are,” she says.

Jacksonville City Council Vice President Kevin Carrico filed legislation to ensure the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has the resources needed to enforce illegal immigration laws.

Councilman Ron Salem is calling for a special meeting on Wednesday to figure out the next steps when it comes to the Meridian Waste contract, which comes as the trash hauler is threatening to sue the city of Jacksonville over how it’s paid.

Councilman Ron Salem is calling for a special meeting on Wednesday to figure out the next steps when it comes to the Meridian Waste contract, which comes as the trash hauler is threatening to sue the city of Jacksonville over how it’s paid.

Jacksonville City Council is considering legislation to raise trash fees in order to address a growing debt for a solid waste loan, which could reach $500 million by fiscal year 2031-2032.

Dozens of students gathered at City Hall for a mock city council session led by Councilmember Jimmy Peluso to introduce young people to the workings of local government.

Meridian Waste threatens legal action after Jacksonville’s General Counsel invalidates a City Council-approved 29% pay raise for waste haulers.

It’s been almost a month since Jacksonville unveiled a hologram of Mayor Donna Deegan at Jacksonville International Airport; however, it hasn’t been well-received by every member of the City Council since its reveal.

The Jacksonville City Council is set to discuss an ordinance introduced by Mayor Donna Deegan at tomorrow’s council meeting, aiming to allocate $1.5 million for the LaVilla Transit Innovation and Equity Project.

It’s been almost a month since Jacksonville unveiled a hologram of Mayor Donna Deegan at Jacksonville International Airport; however, it hasn’t been well-received by every member of the City Council since its reveal.

The Jacksonville City Council secretary is on paid administrative leave following complaints about the work environment and issues surrounding the opening of council members' mail.

The city of Jacksonville is setting aside $4 million to help for garbage and recycling services as one city council member proposed raising garbage fees.

Councilmember Jimmy Peluso made headlines when he declined an invitation to a holiday party hosted aboard Jaguars team owner Shad Khan’s 410-foot yacht, the Kismet.

Tenants searching for an apartment in New York City have long been forced to pay thousands of dollars to real estate brokers.

In September, Jacksonville City Councilmember Rahman Johnson introduced a resolution that highlighted what he said is a pressing need for broader healthcare coverage in Duval County. The resolution would have called upon state legislators to work toward Medicaid expansion.

The Jacksonville City Council approved a $500,000 grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Drone Replacement Program.

In a step toward tackling affordable housing and homelessness in Duval County, the Jacksonville City Council approved an ordinance allocating $1 million from the city’s contingency fund to support affordable housing projects.

Jacksonville’s City Council unanimously approved an amendment that appropriated $137,000 for the Homeward Bound Program, which helps unhoused residents return to their hometowns or reunite with family.

A lot of political changes are coming to Portland, Oregon.

The family and friends of Erma Lee Cole gathered around a newly installed sign ordained by city council on Jacksonville’s Westside on Saturday.

The Jacksonville City Council will vote on Tuesday in an emergency move for an ordinance that would give $10,000 to extend a pilot program in the King and Park Street area of Riverside.

The Jacksonville City Council’s Public Safety Committee will consider Tuesday two bills -- totaling $2.5 million -- that are part of a $10 million budget proposal to help the city comply with a new state law banning sleeping in public spaces.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is defending her proposed budget and bracing for a tough fight in the coming weeks over funding for initiatives like affordable housing, the arts, and equity in city government.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is defending her proposed budget and bracing for a tough fight in the coming weeks over funding for initiatives like affordable housing, the arts, and equity in city government.

A historic marker to honor the victims killed in a racially motivated Dollar General shooting last year is planned for the Grand Park neighborhood.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan presented a $1.9 billion budget, the first composed entirely by her administration, to the City Council on Monday.

Mayor Donna Deegan will present her budget to the city council on Monday at 9:30am. So, we want to know what questions you have about the budget that we can bring to the mayor?

Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer is frustrated, claiming the DIA’s work is on hold until the Jacksonville City Council decides how the agency will operate.