A spokesman for Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown says no final decisions have been made regarding the upcoming proposed budget.
But it’s expected what is proposed will include major spending cuts of nearly 14-percent. That’s because by law the administration can’t factor in projected savings from pension reform until it’s approved by the city council. Brown says pension reform would free up 46-million dollars.
A vote on the legislation won’t come before the Mayor presents his budget proposal to the council on July 15th.
Director of Communications Dave DeCamp says the general fund cuts could be worse if the constitutional officers present budgets higher than what’s been requested.
The Library Board’s proposed cuts includes closing six libraries and slashing the materials budget.
The city council will begin holding budget hearings in August. The budget must be approved by October 1st.
Mayor Brown says he’s hopeful the pension reform plan will be approved before the budget is finalized.
