Mayor Lenny Curry revealed his $1.374 billion budget proposal for this fiscal year on Monday, with primary focuses in safety, crime reduction, economic development and youth services.
This year's budget proposal is $60 million more than last year's.
Read the key points to his budget below:
1. Public Safety
Public safety remains to be the major recipient of the funds with more than $70 million going toward it:
- Continuing integration and investment in the Real Time Crime Center:
- Adding dedicated personnel for ShotSpotter technology and the NIBIN database, which will help go after gangs and criminals who bring gun violence to Jacksonville, Curry said.
- Investing in Cure Violence
- Increasing funds for JSO's School Guardian Program from $3.3 million to $3.8 million, which would put officers in schools, Curry said.
- Funding for JFRD
- $5 million for construction of a brand new fire station, number 65, in the Arlington Expressway at Atlantic Boulevard area
- $5.85 million for fire station renovations, upgrades, land purchases
- Three new rescue units for Tallyrand, St. Nicholas and Mayport
- Expansion/renovation for Fire Station 10 on McDuff Avenue
2. Economic Development
Curry said economic development is another key priority for his administration. He said his projects are expected to create 7,200 jobs and bring in $6.5 million annually.
Curry wants to provide:
- $1.5 million for dock redevelopment in Mayport
- $5 million for capital improvements at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Curry also said has a particular interest in growing and improving Downtown Jacksonville. In this year's budget, he's proposing:
- $1 million in matching funds as part of a five-year agreement for improvements at the Florida Theatre
- $1 million for improvements at the Ritz Theatre and Prime Osborn Convention Center
3. Neighborhoods and Communities
Curry said he wants to also focus his efforts on investing in neighborhood infrastructure that has suffered from neglect in previous years.
- $173.5 million of capital investment in the Capital Improvement Program, which includes:
- $2.5 million for drainage and safety improvements in Brooklyn
- $200,000 for Library capital maintenance improvements
- $1.5 million for railroad crossing upgrades
- $3.8 million for ongoing work at City-maintained cemeteries
- $11 million for maintenance, improvements and new sidewalks throughout the city
- Increasing from $2 million to $3 million for upgrades, maintenance and repairs of parks
- $500,000 for countywide pool maintenance upgrades
- $20 million for continued capital improvements for UF Health
- $650,000 operational budget for disabled services
- $250,000 from a trust fund for disabled services activities
- $4 million to be ADA compliant
- Curbs, ramps and sidewalks
- $2 million on accessibility within public buildings
4. Youth
Nearly $2.7 million for building and supporting Kids Hope Alliance and its work of protecting children in Jacksonville:
- Budget will increase to support programs and initiatives in:
- Early learning
- Expansion of jobs for teens year-round
- Help manage juvenile justice diversion program to help keep young, nonviolent offenders out of jail