Council Saves Vet Day Parade, to Look at Library Cuts

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The two-month process of reviewing the city's billion dollar budget is drawing to a close.

Wednesday, the council, along with Mayor John Peyton, jointly worked on some compromises that will allow the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to keep 92 community service officers and hire another 50 police officers.

That budget meeting also resulted in saving public events like the Veterans Day parade.

By reversing course budget cuts the council is poised to increase the millage rate for the first time in 17 years.

The budget as proposed right now would require a property tax increase that would cost the owner of a home assessed at $140,000 about $100 more a year.

Ronnie Mack who operates a car detailing business had hoped for a different outcome.

"The economy is kind of down and it's kind of hard right now. I don't think people can afford to pay a little extra taxes," said Mack who has been in business for 14 years.

Tonight, during a special meeting, the council expects to reconsider cutting the library system by nearly $700,000. That recommendation called for six branches to reduce service by 130 hours a week.

Tonight's special meeting gets underway at City Hall starting at 5 p.m.

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