For the first 10 years of consolidated government in Jacksonville, the property tax rate was lowered each year.

This demonstrated the promised efficiencies achieved by combining the city and county governments and eliminating many duplicated services.

Mayor Hans Tanzler was almost in tears when he disclosed to the City Council that he was proposing a small increase in the taxes at the end of that decade.

Amazingly, the efficiency of the government structure continues to keep Jacksonville among Florida cities with the lowest property taxes.

That should be a source of pride.

But not with some politicians and civic leaders.

They assert that most Jacksonville residents would prefer higher property tax bills. However, it is far more likely than anyone with that desire is among those who pay little or no property taxes.

The City Council Finance Committee has proposed a tax rate that would produce more revenue than last year – but not as much more as Mayor Donna Deegan, Democrat, would like.

In the property tax world, there is something called the rollback rate. It was devised by the late state Rep. Carl Ogden about 50 years ago and is calculated to produce the same amount of money as the previous year, excluding new construction. In other words, the purpose is to avoid punishing homeowners for rising property values.

Property appraisers are required to notify taxpayers what the rollback rate is, through what is called a TRIM notice.

For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the Duval County rollback rate for the consolidated city-county government is 10.8614 mills. 

If the Finance Committee’s action is adopted by the full Council, the rate would drop from last year’s 11.3169 mills to 11.1919. (For any mathematically challenged politicians, 11.1919 is more than 10.8614.)

That rate of 11.1919 would produce a 6.7 percent increase in property tax revenue countywide vs. the previous year. But it would be $13.5 million less than Deegan wants.

Some in the media are calling this a “tax cut” because Deegan asked for a hefty 7.9 percent increase and they think anything less is a “cut” apparently.

Let’s be clear. There is no tax cut in play. The Finance Committee wants to increase taxes. The Council wants to increase taxes. The mayor wants to increase taxes.

Even the rollback rate would produce more tax revenue, because of new property added to the tax roll.

Now the Jacksonville Civic Council has joined the chorus. Its members are making the curious argument that Jacksonville property owners are derelict in their duty by enjoying the fruits of efficient government, and secretly desire to give more of their money to politicians so they can paint streets in rainbow colors.

There are many unmet “needs,” the civic leaders say.

There are always needs. They never end and only increase. There is not enough money on the planet to fulfill all the needs politicians can envision — especially those in socialist nations.

Fortunately, in America real needs are met by the private sector creating jobs and wealth, which is done with capital, which is what people have left over after paying the federal, state and local governments.

The City Council has a reasonable position and should stay the course.