Deegan highlights city’s efficiency initiatives ahead of ‘Duval DOGE’ meeting

[Tacachale]

‘Proactive, practical and not political’: Deegan highlights city’s efficiency initiatives ahead of ‘Duval DOGE’ meeting

Marcela Camargo, Digital Producer, Jacksonville
Published: March 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Updated: March 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan discussed on Tuesday some of the city’s initiatives focused on smarter governance, greater efficiency and responsible stewardship.

During a news conference at City Hall, Deegan gave updates on Jacksonville’s 904 Lean Initiative program. The event came just an hour before a meeting set to be hosted by Jacksonville City Council Member Ron Salem to discuss a possible effort he referred to as “Duval DOGE.”

“These changes are practical, proactive and not political,” Deegan said. “And that’s not all. My administration takes our responsibility to the taxpayers very, very seriously.”

Some of the efforts highlighted on Tuesday included the use of AI. “We are among the first cities in the nation to leverage AI and advanced financial modeling to improve our budgeting process,” Deegan said. “This AI-driven approach allows us to make sure our budget decisions are data-driven.”

Deegan said the city is also working on new legislation to ensure fairness and accountability on taxpayer dollars and how they are being spent.

The Lean Initiative is a program focused on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of city government operations.

Last week, Deegan said Duval DOGE felt “more political than practical.”

Read more: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/03/11/live-deegan-to-discuss-citys-efficiency-initiatives-ahead-of-councilmans-duval-doge-meeting/

[marcuscnelson]

I understand that Mayor Deegan feels the need to do this given the current political climate, but as has been said elsewhere it seems silly to make all this talk about big cuts as the city continues to grow along with its needs. But I guess if we might be heading towards a recession having this kind of attitude may be called for.

[jaxoNOLE]

Even if we naively remove all aspects of partisan politics and assume the very best intentions behind the federal DOGE project, the underpinning justification is that waste, fraud, abuse, and inefficiency exists at such a massive and pervasive scale that incremental improvements would be insufficient -- hence, the chainsaw vs the scalpel.

For the sake of argument, let's stipulate to that premise. Even if true, that doesn't mean Florida's government is the same -- nor Jacksonville's -- nor, for that matter, any of our individual household budgets. When's the last time anyone here canceled utilities, all of your monthly subscriptions, your cell phone, and fired the babysitter simultaneously all in the name of "efficiency?"

Back in the real world, all of this piggybacking on Musk's DOGE efforts is simple puffery and "conservative credential" virtue signaling in the name of partisanship. As a conservative-leaning person myself, the hypocrisy of the right on fiscal matters is infuriating at the federal level and has no business being part of our local politics.

I understand that Mayor Deegan feels the need to do this given the current political climate, but as has been said elsewhere it seems silly to make all this talk about big cuts as the city continues to grow along with its needs. But I guess if we might be heading towards a recession having this kind of attitude may be called for.

Nevermind a recession -- how about all this talk of increasing the homestead exemption or eliminating property taxes altogether?

[marcuscnelson]

I understand that Mayor Deegan feels the need to do this given the current political climate, but as has been said elsewhere it seems silly to make all this talk about big cuts as the city continues to grow along with its needs. But I guess if we might be heading towards a recession having this kind of attitude may be called for.

Nevermind a recession -- how about all this talk of increasing the homestead exemption or eliminating property taxes altogether?

But those are related. If a state wants to kill off property tax collection in order to rely almost entirely on tourism-induced sales tax revenue while still increasing spending and getting worse at spending effectively in the name of "efficiency," with just hope that a recession doesn't proceed to kneecap tourism then… good luck. That plus a bad hurricane or two seems like pretty much the ballgame.

[jaxlongtimer]

Politicians that want to cut taxes are really about wealth transfer from the poor to the rich.  How?  Because rich people benefit the most from tax cuts and poor people lose the most from the resulting necessity to cut government spending on services.

Politically, the poor don't participate as actively in political campaigns as wealthy people so there are not significant penalties to most politicians promoting budget cuts.  And, there is a lot more risk to politicians trying to restore tax revenue down the road by cancelling tax cuts.

It will be interesting to see if anyone speaks for letting Trump's first term tax cuts expire which would add trillions in Federal revenue to fund much of what Musk says needs to go.  I don't expect to here this from either party.  So, deficits and/or expense cutting will continue and the problems will persist.  The same process applies to the State and City, with the exception that only cutting expenses are allowed as deficit spending isn't an option.

[Zac T]

And now Terrance Freeman wants in on the action. So by my count, we have the annual city audit, the mayor's LEAN program, Duval DOGE, and now Florida DOGE conducting a city audit. Nothing like true government efficiency...

New legislation from Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman would invite the state of Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency to audit the city’s finances.

Freeman’s Resolution 2025-0259 expresses support for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ creation of the state DOGE initiative, which is modeled after the Trump administration’s similar effort.

The local legislation seeks recommendations from state DOGE officials to promote fiscal responsibility, maximize productivity and enhance transparency, according to an April 7 news release.

“Taxpayers deserve confidence that their money is being spent wisely,” Freeman said in the release. “By voluntarily inviting the Governor’s DOGE team to examine Jacksonville’s books, we’re embracing accountability and actively seeking ways to trim government waste, improve efficiency, and pass savings along to the taxpayers.”

According to the release, Duval County would become the third in Florida to welcome the DOGE audit, following Bay and Hillsborough, both of which are on the Gulf Coast.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/apr/07/council-member-terrance-freeman-seeks-to-allow-jacksonville-to-opt-into-state-doge-initiative/

[Ken_FSU]

Yet they're all seemingly fine spending $500 million on a network of spraypainted ambulances circling the crumbling historic structures we're too poor to publicly rehab.

[Jax_Developer]

Yet they're all seemingly fine spending $500 million on a network of spraypainted ambulances circling the crumbling historic structures we're too poor to publicly rehab.

I knew you were a man of culture Ken. But seriously, JTA acts with impunity.

[thelakelander]

^Its a shame. Hard to take people seriously about cost cutting with the amount of money being blown by risky and questionable investments they publicly support.

[jaxlongtimer]

Love UNF but not sure this is a project a cash strapped city should be funding.  Maybe Salem and Freeman can start here  .   

Really, the State should be funding these requests.  Seems it has done a good job of putting this burden on local cities (see also the City's subsidy of UF's new campus) when there was a time the State took more responsibility for funding our colleges and universities.

Ironic, given the State wants to simultaneously take local governance back to Tallahassee.  Sticking cities with new responsibilities but little or no authority  .

Council approves $3 million for esports arena at University of North Florida

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/apr/09/council-approves-3-million-for-esports-arena-at-university-of-north-florida/

[marcuscnelson]

Love UNF but not sure this is a project a cash strapped city should be funding.  Maybe Salem and Freeman can start here  .   

To be somewhat fair, I guess (from the article):

The funding is part of a $7.98 million pot of funds that the city “recaptured” after the 2023-24 fiscal year, meaning the money was not spent by the city during that year.

The $3 million for the UNF arena will count toward the city’s portion of the $300 million community benefits agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a companion to the $1.4 billion deal to transform EverBank Stadium into the team’s “Stadium of the Future.”

Council member Will Lahnen, whose District 3 includes the UNF campus, described the arena as a deficit-neutral investment in workforce development given that it constitutes unspent money as opposed to new expenditure from the city’s general fund. He said the project would position Northeast Florida to be a regional leader in esports training and development.

At the end of the day, it seems only fair to throw UNF a bone when so much money is going to UF. To speak more broadly (and putting JTA aside), it seems bizarre to be making a hoopla over the land-swap proposal given that any development on the riverfront parcel would likely entail incentives anyway. It's also very funny to be making a hoopla over giving incentives in general when Council previously approved the Related tower on the Southbank, of all things.

Really, the State should be funding these requests.  Seems it has done a good job of putting this burden on local cities (see also the City's subsidy of UF's new campus) when there was a time the State took more responsibility for funding our colleges and universities.

Ironic, given the State wants to simultaneously take local governance back to Tallahassee.  Sticking cities with new responsibilities but little or no authority  .

States cutting higher education budgets and shifting the burden onto municipalities, federally backed student loans, and international students has been a national trend for the past half-century. Florida might be giving it more flair but isn't really doing anything new in terms of that. More striking is probably the proposed cuts to things like Tri-Rail ($60 million per year) while continuing to pour billions into highway projects and K-12 voucher programs, while also proposing multi-billion-dollar tax cuts. Not sure how much bang for buck that all gets you.

[Ken_FSU]

Love UNF but not sure this is a project a cash strapped city should be funding.

Love UNF and think that this is a cool project that I've got no problem with the city supporting.

That said, I do think it goes against the spirit of the CBA to draw down almost 10% of the CBA's workforce development balance for this project.

Does it technically count as workforce development to train college students to play video games professionally and try to compete for one a few thousand "competitive gamer" jobs that exist domestically, largely outside of Jacksonville? I don't know, maybe.

Is this why the CBA was created? I'd argue no, and that the funds should be used according to a larger strategic plan to uptrain disenfrachised local populations with the hard skills necessary to succeed in this city and make Jacksonville a more equitable, safe, and productive place.

Litmus test to me is: "If I am living in a distressed community with few opportunities and being asked to help bankroll a $1.4 billion stadium for the better-to-do with my tax dollars, does [Project X] make me feel better about that sacrifice."

Affordable housing? Yep. Homeless support? Yep. A new community center offering trade classes? Sure. A fancy esports arena for UNF students to learn how to "game" professionally? To me, it's a no.

Less concerned about this specific project, more concerned about the CBA being tapped for pet projects without a publicly available strategic framework for its highest and best use in the spirit of which it was created. With the general fund stretched very thin for the next couple of years, there will be lots more temptation to tap the CBA.

[Tacachale]

And now Terrance Freeman wants in on the action. So by my count, we have the annual city audit, the mayor's LEAN program, Duval DOGE, and now Florida DOGE conducting a city audit. Nothing like true government efficiency...

New legislation from Jacksonville City Council member Terrance Freeman would invite the state of Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency to audit the city’s finances.

Freeman’s Resolution 2025-0259 expresses support for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ creation of the state DOGE initiative, which is modeled after the Trump administration’s similar effort.

The local legislation seeks recommendations from state DOGE officials to promote fiscal responsibility, maximize productivity and enhance transparency, according to an April 7 news release.

“Taxpayers deserve confidence that their money is being spent wisely,” Freeman said in the release. “By voluntarily inviting the Governor’s DOGE team to examine Jacksonville’s books, we’re embracing accountability and actively seeking ways to trim government waste, improve efficiency, and pass savings along to the taxpayers.”

According to the release, Duval County would become the third in Florida to welcome the DOGE audit, following Bay and Hillsborough, both of which are on the Gulf Coast.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/apr/07/council-member-terrance-freeman-seeks-to-allow-jacksonville-to-opt-into-state-doge-initiative/

It's even worse than that. Council already has responsibility the vet the budget through the Finance Committee, which holds budget hearings and makes recommended changes that go to the full Council to approve. Those two things naturally require significant taxpayer resources and staff hours, but when done right it's well worth it. Council also have their own full-time team of excellent auditors (though they don't always follow their advice). And by charter, Council also must hire an independent, external auditor each year.

Plus, for the last year the administration's 904 LEAN initiative is already finding efficiencies and saving staff hours without slashing services, which will be reflected in the upcoming budget. So Salem's "Duval DOGE" committee and Freeman's move to invite Florida DOGE are on top of all that, and can't really do anything besides what Council already has to do. Salem and Freeman's moves are just political theater the taxpayers have to pay for.

[Tacachale]

Love UNF but not sure this is a project a cash strapped city should be funding.

Love UNF and think that this is a cool project that I've got no problem with the city supporting.

That said, I do think it goes against the spirit of the CBA to draw down almost 10% of the CBA's workforce development balance for this project.

Does it technically count as workforce development to train college students to play video games professionally and try to compete for one a few thousand "competitive gamer" jobs that exist domestically, largely outside of Jacksonville? I don't know, maybe.

Is this why the CBA was created? I'd argue no, and that the funds should be used according to a larger strategic plan to uptrain disenfrachised local populations with the hard skills necessary to succeed in this city and make Jacksonville a more equitable, safe, and productive place.

Litmus test to me is: "If I am living in a distressed community with few opportunities and being asked to help bankroll a $1.4 billion stadium for the better-to-do with my tax dollars, does [Project X] make me feel better about that sacrifice."

Affordable housing? Yep. Homeless support? Yep. A new community center offering trade classes? Sure. A fancy esports arena for UNF students to learn how to "game" professionally? To me, it's a no.

Less concerned about this specific project, more concerned about the CBA being tapped for pet projects without a publicly available strategic framework for its highest and best use in the spirit of which it was created. With the general fund stretched very thin for the next couple of years, there will be lots more temptation to tap the CBA.

Yeah, this is a great project. UNF doesn't ask for much, and when they do, they always knock it out of the park. This is a perfect example of them finding a way to build on things that are already working and making it top notch, in a way that benefits not just them but the whole community. I don't understand the justification to count this as part of the city's CBA contribution, but that's the just how it goes with this political environment unfortunately. In terms of ROI, it definitely stands on its own.