JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — What started as a regularly scheduled Jacksonville City Council meeting quickly turned into a heated one that stretched late into the night. Tensions rose as councilmembers debated the tentative millage rate and budget. 

The meeting began at 5 p.m. Tuesday and, after more than six hours, was still ongoing at 11 p.m. Council spent the first four and a half hours discussing and voting on the tentative millage rate and budget. While they came to a conclusion on the millage rate, they were unable to bring the tentative budget to a vote, forcing the meeting to continue into the night. 

The debate turned contentious when several councilmembers walked out of the chamber. Councilmembers Rahman Johnson, Jimmy Peluso, Ju’Coby Pittman, and Reggie Gaffney left in protest after heated discussions over what have been called the “Big Beautiful Amendments,” introduced by Councilman Rory Diamond.

The amendments would block funding for immigrants without legal status, abortion services, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Those who walked out said the language in the amendments was “offensive” and “divisive,” and they called for it to be removed.

However, the effort to remove the bill ultimately failed. 

Councilman Johnson explained his decision to leave, saying, “For me it was just a gut reaction. What I heard in those amendments was that people that look like me don’t exist, and I just couldn’t sit there hearing that again. I’m gonna keep fighting, whether it be standing up and walking to get attention, whatever it takes, I’m gonna do my part to make sure the voices of everybody are heard.”

Johnson said Mayor Donna Deegan called him later that evening to check in after the walkout.

The walkout prompted immediate reaction from remaining councilmembers, with Councilman Raul Arias questioning whether the move had been organized.

Councilman Diamond, who introduced the amendments, tweeted shortly after the incident: “A minority of the Jax Council [is] trying to hold our budget hostage so they can keep DEI, services for illegals, and taxpayer funded abortion in the budget.”

The four councilmembers returned to their seats about an hour later, and discussions on the budget resumed. In a 10–8 vote, council ultimately passed the tentative millage rate proposed by Mayor Deegan, set at 11.3169 mills. The decision came after three voting attempts. On the final round, the vote was tied 9–9 until Councilman Salem switched his vote from no to yes to allow proceedings to continue. 

Nothing is set in stone until the budget is passed. The full council will vote on the budget and related items on September 23 at 3 p.m. at City Hall.