Public Notice: Holiday Service Schedule and Urgent Cold Weather Advisory

Official Notice: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Closures

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, all City of Jacksonville government offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026. This closure includes City Hall at St. James, the Ed Ball Building, the Yates Building, and the Duval County Courthouse. Most administrative functions, including the Office of the Tax Collector and the Office of the Property Appraiser, will resume normal operations at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20. Residents are encouraged to utilize the MyJax online portal for non-emergency service requests during the holiday.

Health and Safety: Urgent Freeze Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for Jacksonville and the surrounding Duval County area, effective until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026. Temperatures are forecast to drop as low as 26 degrees, with wind chill values reaching approximately 22 degrees. Residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• Protect the 'Four Ps': People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes.
• Check on elderly neighbors and vulnerable individuals.
• Bring sensitive outdoor plants inside and ensure pets have adequate shelter.
• Drip faucets to prevent pipe bursts in older plumbing systems.

Emergency Service: Warming Center Activation

In response to the dangerously low temperatures, the City of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Division has activated the Warming Center Contingency Plan. The Legends Center, located at 5130 Soutel Drive, will remain open until 9:00 a.m. Monday morning for residents lacking access to heat. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is offering free transportation to the center; residents should inform bus operators they are traveling to the warming center to receive a complimentary fare. On-site staff will provide water and basic comfort items.

Residential Waste and Recycling Schedule

The City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division confirms that there will be no changes to the collection schedule for garbage, recycling, or yard waste on Monday, January 19. Unlike the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, residential waste collection follows its regular schedule for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Residents should place bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. to ensure timely pickup.

Administrative Update: 2026 Homestead Exemption

The Duval County Property Appraiser reminds homeowners that the filing period for the 2026 Homestead Exemption is currently open. Residents who purchased a new home or moved into a permanent residence in Duval County during 2025 have until March 1, 2026, to file their timely application. Applications can be submitted via the official city website or by visiting the Yates Building once it reopens following the holiday.