Mayor Donna Deegan to Host Budget Town Hall at Ed White High School Today

Community Dialogue on Budget Priorities and Infrastructure

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan continues her citywide series of public forums today, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, with a Town Hall meeting scheduled at Ed White High School. The event, which begins at 6:00 p.m., is part of a broader "transformative town hall tour" aimed at engaging residents on the city’s fiscal year 2025-2026 budget priorities and critical community initiatives.

The Mayor’s office has indicated that today’s session will focus heavily on four pillars: affordable housing, healthcare accessibility, infrastructure improvements, and the revitalization of underserved neighborhoods. These meetings are designed to be an open dialogue between the administration and the public as the city prepares to finalize its multi-billion dollar budget before the start of the next fiscal year. No RSVP is required for attendance, and the session is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

Public Service Grant Council and Advisory Meetings

While the evening is headlined by the Mayor’s town hall, the morning and afternoon will see activity from specialized government committees. Two significant sessions are scheduled at City Hall and via virtual platforms:

• Public Service Grant Council MVP Committee: This committee is set to meet from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The session, held both in person and virtually via Zoom, will address ongoing grant evaluations and the Most Vulnerable Population (MVP) funding categories.
• Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council (VAAC): Scheduled for 12:00 p.m., the VAAC will meet to discuss city-funded support services for crime victims and coordinate efforts between local law enforcement and community advocacy groups.

Looking Ahead: Legislative and Budgetary Impacts

Today’s meetings come at a pivotal time for Jacksonville’s political landscape. As the Jacksonville City Council prepares for its next full session on February 10, the feedback gathered from tonight’s town hall at Ed White High School will likely influence committee discussions regarding millage rate adjustments and proposed spending cuts. Council members have previously expressed varying opinions on the current budget proposals, making public input during these sessions critical for the administration's legislative agenda.

The town hall tour is scheduled to continue later this month with stops at Westside High School and Fletcher High School. Residents are encouraged to attend to voice their concerns directly to the Mayor and senior city officials regarding neighborhood-specific issues such as drainage, road repairs, and public safety funding.