Jacksonville City Council Convenes Multiple Committees to Tackle Infrastructure, Finance, and Government Efficiency

Busy Schedule at City Hall Today

Today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marks an exceptionally busy day for the Jacksonville City Council, with four major committee meetings and a specialized task force session scheduled to take place at the St. James Building. The agendas for today's sessions cover a wide spectrum of city governance, ranging from utility infrastructure and land use to high-level discussions on government efficiency and the municipal budget.

Focus on Utilities and Finance

The day began at 9:30 a.m. with the Transportation, Energy, and Utilities (TEU) Committee. Chaired by Council Member Will Lahnen, the committee is expected to review critical infrastructure projects, including road improvements and updates from JEA regarding the city's water and sewer operations. Public works projects and mobility plan implementations are also high on the priority list for this morning's session.

Following the morning session, the Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Led by Chair Raul Arias, this committee faces significant pressure as Council members continue to debate the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget priorities. Recent discussions have focused on a proposed millage rate reduction, a move supported by a majority of the 19-member board but opposed by Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration. The Finance Committee will weigh the impacts of potential spending cuts on essential city services against the desire for property tax relief.

The 'Duval DOGE' Special Committee

Of particular interest today is the 11:00 a.m. meeting of the Special Committee on Duval DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). Established by Council President Kevin Carrico, this committee is tasked with identifying waste and streamlining municipal operations. Today’s session is part of a recurring series of meetings aimed at addressing specific efficiency charges and auditing the city's building and development permitting processes. The committee’s findings are expected to play a crucial role in future legislative reforms and budget adjustments.

Zoning and Land Use Decisions

The legislative day will conclude with a focus on urban growth and development:

• LUZ Committee Agenda Meeting: 4:30 p.m. — A preliminary session to finalize the evening's discussion points.
• Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) Committee: 5:00 p.m. — Chaired by Joe Carlucci, this committee will hear public testimony and vote on various rezoning requests, comprehensive plan amendments, and historic preservation designations.

All meetings are being held at 117 West Duval Street and are open to the public. Residents who cannot attend in person are encouraged to follow the proceedings via the city’s online broadcast portal.