The battle over Jacksonville’s city budget took another turn Thursday, as the city’s top legal authority weighed in — deepening the divide between Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration and the Republican-led City Council.
General Counsel Michael Fackler issued a formal six-page opinion stating that Mayor Deegan cannot veto the Council’s proposed 1.1% property tax rate reduction — a key component of the Republican budget plan that would save taxpayers approximately $13 million but potentially impact city services. He also clarified that the mayor does not have the authority to veto the budget in its entirety.
However, when it comes to a set of controversial amendments pushed by Councilman Rory Diamond targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, immigration-related services, and abortion funding, Fackler said the mayor can issue a line-item veto. The Council, in turn, could override that veto with a simple majority vote…