Jacksonville’s City Council bucked Mayor Donna Deegan and powerful advocates for her position, and reduced the millage rate Tuesday, cutting property tax from 11.3619 mills to 11.1919 mills .

While the Council was unable to accomplish that two weeks ago when tentatively approving the levy, they were able to get the requisite 10 votes during the last Council meeting of the fiscal year.

Ahead of the vote for the Finance amendment that ultimately memorialized the Council’s will, 53 people spoke, most in opposition. These included former Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson and former Congresswoman Corrine Brown .

“I’m here because my phone has been blowing up the last few days,” the former 12-term legislator said, alleging problems with “water, sewer, and mosqu

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