JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville City Council approved a lower millage rate Tuesday night, as the decision on the 2025-2026 fiscal year stalled. 

The council approved a millage rate at 11.1919, a drop of .125 from the proposed and current millage rate by the mayor.

The council also voted 10-9 to approval a millage rate cut for those who live at the Beaches, taking the current millage rate from 8.0262 mills, or $8.0262 to 7.9012 mills, or $7.9012. 

As of midnight, the council was still hearing public comment on the budget and its amendments. This was the ninth hour of the meeting. There have been concerns the budget would not get enough votes because of a split on the millage rate. With this issue resolved, the issue of an amendment proposed by Councilman Rory Diamond, which has been contentious during previous meetings, remained.

If passed, the over $270 million budget will be the city’s largest ever. 

Tensions started to rise during the public comment section of the meeting. At least one person was asked to leave, including former candidate for congress, LaShonda Holloway.

Holloway was escorted from council chambers by JSO. She ran against Aaron Bean for Florida’s 4th Congressional District during the 2024 election.

Holloway told First Coast News she was asked to leave for clapping, but she maintains she was not the one clapping, she was just in a section of people who were clapping. She said she feels singled out.

“It is unfortunate that as a taxpayer I am not freely allowed to speak on the record,” Holloway said.

Before the city council meeting, Council President Kevin Carrico called a budget procedure meeting to go over the rules and what is expected of councilmembers.

He warned councilmembers and their staff that if they walk out, they could be arrested. This comes after last city council meeting when councilmembers Jimmy Peluso, Ju’Coby Pittman, Reggie Gaffney, Jr., and Rahman Johnson walked out.

Chief Burns with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office read the official meeting rules to councilmembers and their staff, reiterating any disturbances or interruptions, such as walking out, are against the rules.

Pittman attended Carrico’s meeting, but called it divisive.

“I just want to make sure going forward that this is not going to be a problem that some of us are on a dais that we’re the problems and this is a bully tactic,” Pittman said.

Carrico said he called the meeting so he could lay out the ground rules.

“This does serve as a warning by the way, in case I didn’t make that clear. This is also part of why we’re having this meeting, why we’re getting to explain to everyone that is here, everyone’s ESAs that are here. We’re not going to put up with it tonight, so that’s your first warning,” Carrico said.