JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayor Donna Deegan hosted a town hall meeting Wednesday night at Riverside High School to discuss her proposed $2 billion budget, drawing dozens of people who shared their views on city priorities.

More than half of the budget is dedicated to police, fire and rescue services. Deegan emphasized the importance of maintaining the current millage rate, warning lowering it could risk public safety.

“Lowering the millage rate is not something we should be doing right now,” Deegan said to applause from the crowd.

The millage rate is the property tax rate, set annually based on how much homeowners pay per $1,000 of their property’s value. It funds essential services like schools, parks, public safety and infrastructure and can vary depending on local taxing districts.

“Even a small change, as currently proposed by the council can add up to a big cut back on what we can deliver for our community,” she added.

Jacksonville’s Chief Financial Officer also visited the city and highlighted all city employees have received a 23% raise since 2020, while funding for police and fire departments has doubled to more than $270 million.

“At the end of the day I was looking for the beef and I didn’t find any,” Deegan said in response.

Some residents also voiced worries about ongoing flooding problems, long waits for housing vouchers and rising eviction rates. Duval County currently leads the state in evictions.

The proposed budget includes new investments in affordable housing and hunger programs to address these issues.

Vicki Gatewood, a longtime Riverside resident, expressed concern that budget cuts by the city council are affecting safety and increasing homelessness.

“I’m a widow living on the corner scared,” she said.

She also expressed support for Deegan’s efforts to protect the city.

“I feel that she’s gonna do what needs to be done to protect us, I hope that the city council doesn’t destroy Jacksonville,” Gatewood said.

If residents missed Wednesday’s meeting, two more town halls are scheduled. One Thursday at 6 p.m. at Fort Caroline Middle School and Monday at Northside Church of Christ. The city council is scheduled to cast its final vote on the budget on September 23.