JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Today, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power joined City Council Members to demand accountability for the city’s bloated budget and wasteful spending. The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is proud to support conservatives in Jacksonville who want fiscal responsibility and a reduction in the property tax rate. Liberals like Donna Deegan oppose a cut, costing residents money and putting a strain on families. Chairman Power says conservatives will not stand idly by as government waste runs amok.

“Get your scissors out because the waste is being cut in Jacksonville,” Power said . “The waste in Jacksonville is not a hologram. It’s almost as if liberal mayors like Donna Degan want to run their cities into the ground. The budget is inflated and increasing beyond what any family can afford. From DEI initiatives, abortion, and money for illegals, here is significant waste that Mayor Deegan can’t hide. It’s time to cut taxes and cut waste to save Jacksonvillians’ hard-earned money.”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed 7.1% budget increase for the 2025-2026 fiscal year exceeds the 2.7% inflation rate—marking the second straight year of spending growth over 7%. RPOF notes that this rate of growth is unsustainable and will cost taxpayers far more money in the long run.

RPOF has been an advocate of local governments looking at what waste can be found in their budget. As some local property tax revenues increased by over 50% in some counties, home values and tax bills have skyrocketed, straining hard-working Floridians and families.

“If you look at any of these county budgets over the last five years, they’ve had a windfall of money. I commend leaders like City Council President Kevin Carrico and Councilmembers Nick Howland, Raul Arias, and Terrance Freeman for fighting to cut waste and restore Jacksonville’s budget to focus on real priorities, not Mayor Deegan’s liberal wish list,” Power said.

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