Mayor Donna Deegan is set to present her annual budget to the Jacksonville City Council next month, which may include record spending on police and fire services. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has requested $675.9 million, a 5.9% increase over the previous year, while the Fire and Rescue Department has asked for $396.4 million, a 2.3% increase.
Driving the Increase
The main drivers of the spending increase are salary raises for police and firefighters, as well as rising pension costs. The city’s expenses for retirement plans are expected to rise by $7.98 million in the next fiscal year. The Sheriff’s Office has also requested additional funding for contractual increases, body cameras, and the move of its administrative office.
The budget breakdown shows that the cost for correctional services is expected to grow by $11.86 million, while the Sheriff’s Office will need $6.73 million for building rental and lease leases. The agency’s budget request does not include an additional $5.39 million in line items that the Sheriff’s Office would like the mayor’s office to add.
Public Safety a Priority
Mayor Deegan has made police and fire funding a stated priority since her election in 2023. The administration is making final budget decisions now, and Deegan will present her budget to the City Council in July. If the budget requests are approved, Deegan will have increased Sheriff’s Office spending by about $90 million from her first budget in 2023.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
