Beaches homeowners will pay the same city tax rate next year after the Jacksonville City Council voted 15-2 on Sept. 8 to hold the millage rate at 11.1919 mills.

The Beaches' contribution rate to city revenue stays at 9.238 mills, unchanged from the current year. That rate is separate from each beach community's own municipal millage, which ranges from 2.7499 mills in Atlantic Beach to 3.9947 mills in Jacksonville Beach.

Council Trims Millions From Mayor's Budget

The council also cut $22.91 million from Mayor Donna Deegan's proposed $2.02 billion budget, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported. The tentative budget passed 16-1 in a separate vote. Council members Kevin Carrico and Rory Diamond voted against the millage ordinances. Diamond also cast the lone vote against the budget. Members Raul Arias and Randy White were absent.

No one has publicly explained the dissenting votes.

What the Rate Means for Homeowners

At 11.1919 mills, a Duval County homeowner with a $300,000 property and a $50,000 homestead exemption would owe $2,797.98 in city property taxes. The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors pegs $300,000 as the median price of a single-family home in the county.

The Sept. 8 vote followed six Finance Committee meetings chaired by Council member Will Lahnen. Council President Nick Howland oversaw the floor vote. Deegan's administration said it was concerned about items that were cut, including the affordable housing trust fund.

Phil Perry, a spokesperson for Deegan, said in an Aug. 28 statement that the mayor "proposed a balanced and lean budget that only grew by 1% to keep our commitment to first responders, while not drawing any money from reserves."

Homestead Amendment Looms Over the Budget

The budget debate is playing out against a bigger threat to local revenue. Amendment 3, on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot, would raise Florida's homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in fiscal year 2028 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2029, with annual inflation adjustments after that. City Council auditors estimated Jacksonville would lose $300 million in property tax revenue by fiscal year 2029 if the measure passes. It needs 60% voter approval. An Aug. 18 poll by Sachs Media put support at 65%.

Neptune Beach Warns of Revenue Losses

The stakes are steep at the Beaches, too. Neptune Beach City Manager Richard Pike told the Neptune Beach City Council on Aug. 5 that the city collects $2.5 million in homestead property taxes. He warned that if Amendment 3 passes, "within four years, we will lose that $2.5 million," according to the Beach Gazette.

Neptune Beach's own millage rate is 3.3656 mills, below the state average of 4.82 mills, Pike said.

The council can still amend the budget before its final vote on Sept. 22.