Proposed tax assessment for Five Points businesses would be used to make area safer, cleaner

Legislation to improve security and cleanliness in Five Points by creating a special tax assessment is making its way through the Jacksonville City Council.

Council member Jimmy Peluso introduced Ordinance 2025-0539 to establish the Five Points Dependent Special District in Riverside.

Under the legislation, commercial property owners in Five Points would pay an assessment to the special district to fund private security, lighting and landscaping improvements, new wayfinding signage and special events aimed at attracting visitors. The money would create positions for a security officer, staff member and a sanitation worker.

According to a document filed with the ordinance, the district would charge assessments on about 100 commercial properties held by 80 owners.

The assessment would ta