Jacksonville Review – May 2025 Issue

BUDGET SEASON BEGINS—At its monthly work session on April 15, council, staff and budget committee members met to review and preview the 2025-26 fiscal year budget. The most notable discussion centered on the need to shore-up funding for the fire department, which is fully funded for the next year. Going forward, the council weighed options to stabilize funding and appeared to agree with one of several scenarios presented by staff that would raise the current fire surcharge from $45 to $52/month or to $55. Doing so would ensure that the department will be well-funded for at least 3 years, without the need for further increases. At present, the Police Department is fully staffed and fully funded for the next 3 years, due partially to a $10 increase in the Police Surcharge last year. Councilors expressed their appreciation that staff is forward-thinking and that is has examined multiple revenue raising sources, including consideration of a hybrid property tax levy/surcharge. However, given that the surcharge equates to significant savings for every household compared to a property tax levy, the surcharge appears to be favored again this budget cycle. It was noted that surrounding cities have increased their reliance on surcharges, a once-demonized funding mechanism that seems to have won favor with citizens in recent years. As mentioned, the meeting was a work session, and no decisions were made. The public is encouraged to attend the first meeting of the full Budget Committee on May 15, 4pm, at New City Hall. At that time, City Finance Director Stacy Bray and City Administrator Jeff Alvis will present the most recent budget proposal for City Council consideration.