JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Civic Council is calling on City Council to vote against a proposed cut in the millage rate for property taxes by saying the city's "long-term fiscal health is at stake."

"We urge our elected officials to choose sound fiscal policy over political expedience," the Civic Council says in the Sept. 8 letter sent to council members on the eve of their vote on a proposed 1.1% cut in the property tax rate.

The City Council Finance Committee voted last week to advance the millage rate cut for a vote by the full council. Mayor Donna Deegan's proposed budget keeps the current property tax rate.

The Civic Council, which is comprised of civic and corporate leaders, says in its letter the city has made several large-scale financial commitments it must k

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