JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan kicked off a series of town hall meetings to discuss budget priorities with residents. The first event, held at the Legends Center, drew a packed crowd with several priorities on their mind.
Deegan will host six meetings from January until March to discuss the city’s $1.9 billion budget, priorities and initiatives like affordable housing, the arts, public safety and homelessness.
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“We have put those projects front and center,” Deegan said, setting the tone for the evening.
Deegan started the night by highlighting things her administration has done and plans to do. She spoke about the Jaguars' stadium deal and investments in first responders.
Then the attention turned to the audience.
Residents came prepared with pressing questions, particularly about the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). One attendee asked, “Are you still saying that we can expect you to increase JSO’s budget again this year?”
She detailed several recent arrests of JSO employees as a reason for concern about giving them more money.
The mayor acknowledged the concern, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sufficient staffing in the JSO.
“I do think in a city of our size it’s important to have enough police officers to respond to any myriad of things that happen in our city for people to feel safe,” Deegan said.
Other residents expressed concern about JSO’s role in federal immigration policy, the mayor committed to addressing it when necessary but reaffirmed her dedication to community safety.
“I will do everything in my power to protect the people in this community who are vulnerable,” she said. ”And that is what I have done from the moment I walked into this office.”
Homelessness was another focal point of the discussion. The mayor explained that her proposed $10 million budget for addressing homelessness was reduced to $1 million by the city council finance committee.
One resident suggested aiming higher, saying, “Let’s get $30 million instead of $10 million, and they’ll give you $3 million.”
Several city council members, including Ju’Coby Pittman of District 10, attended the meeting and supported the mayor’s efforts.
“When you know better, you do better. And that is what she’s trying to do,” Pittman said.
District 7 Council Member Jimmy Peluso highlighted the value of these gatherings, adding that this is what brings about action.
“This is what democracy is,” Peluso said.
Here are the remaining dates and times for all the meetings:
- Tuesday, Feb. 4 - Ed White High School at 1700 Old Middleburg Road N from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 5 - Beaches Branch Library at 600 3rd Street, Neptune Beach. from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 18 - Atlantic Coast High School - 9735 R G Skinner Pkwy from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 4 - Riverside High School - 1200 McDuff Ave South from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 11 - First Coast High School - 590 Duval Station Road from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The meetings are free and open to all. No registration is required.
The city also rolled out an interactive Budget Transparency Dashboard that shows real-time budget allocations and spending trending data.
“This dashboard is more than a tool—it’s a commitment to letting the light in,” Deegan said. “We believe that when residents have access to clear and timely information, trust grows, collaboration strengthens, and accountability thrives.”
