In 11 days, Jacksonville voters will decide whether they vote yes or no on referendum one. This is Mayor Lenny Curry’s plan to reduce the city’s billion dollar pension debt.
On Friday, Curry was joined by city leaders and two former mayors in support of the measure and addressed questions for seniors at Mary Singleton Center.
Former Mayor Jake Godbold said people need to put their political beliefs aside when they step in the booth to vote on referendum one. The questions asked at this lunch-in showcased that there's still confusion about Mayor Curry's pension tax plan.
Seniors wanted to know what it really means for the city. Leaders said Jacksonville can't move forward without it. Senior citizens like Jeanette Anthony asked questions of Jacksonville's most influential leaders and said their visit was beneficial in helping her decided how she'll vote.
"It's better to have the person here with us and explaining it to us so we can understand it better," said Anthony.
The referendum one extends the half-cent sales tax, created to fund the Better Jacksonville plan, past its 2030 expiration. The money will be used to help pay down the city's massive pension debt. Leaders at this event, said it's what the city needs to move forward.
"If you love Jacksonville… and if you love Jacksonville like I do. then we need to come forward and help the mayor out," said Former Mayor Jake Godbold.
Godbold told us the pension debit is a problem and that Mayor Curry needs the public's help to ensure a strong future for Jacksonville.
If approved, the extended tax would continue until the debt is paid off. We asked Mayor Lenny Curry if this doesn't get approved, what is plan B, and he said, "We are going to win."
Senator Audrey Gibson disagrees with Mayor Curry's pension plan. The Democratic state lawmaker sent a letter to Action News Jax that address her thoughts on this extended sales tax.
"There should be shared sacrifice, not a regressive tax"' that becomes a burden to middle and low income persons. The city budget will not exponentially increase by any amount that won't even start to be collected until 2030. Our infrastructure will continue to crumble and a local option tax for that specific purpose will not be available to us. The same areas that are in decline today will continue sliding and the current administration will be long gone."
Many seniors like Beverly Hayes told us they were undecided on referendum one until she was able to get her questions answered.
"It really helped me decide to vote, and I will be voting yes," said Hayes.
Referendum one will appear on the Aug. 30 ballot.
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