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.

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