Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has scheduled a series of six town halls to discuss her proposed $2.02 billion city budget for 2025-26.

The sessions are scheduled from Sept. 2 through Sept. 18 and will be held as Jacksonville City Council prepares to finalize the budget before the start of the city’s fiscal year on Oct. 1. Going into final budget hearings, at least 10 Council members – a majority of the 19-member board – say they’ll vote for a millage rate reduction that would require cuts in Deegan’s proposed spending.

Deegan has opposed spending reductions recommended by the Council Finance Committee, saying the cuts would hinder the city in providing essential services for the city’s growing population. She says the proposed millage rate cut of one-eighth of a mill would provide littl

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