City of Jacksonville

Attention parents 🏫 This weekend marks the last days of the Back to School 2024 Sales Tax Holiday. Save $$ on computers, clothes, backpacks, supplies, learning aids and more. The Sales Tax Holiday ends August 11th - Go to https://lnkd.in/gRJs7tHH for complete information.

Officially cutting the ribbon and opening our newest JaxParks addition is a great way to start the day! Artist Walk Skatepark is located under the Fuller Warren Bridge at 715 Riverside Avenue. Spanning 3 blocks, the park creates a dynamic environment where art and sport come together. "The vision for this skate park was not just about creating a space for skating, but about blending art and recreation in a way that reflects the vibrant spirit of our community," said Mayor Donna Deegan during the ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning. The skatepark features wide, curving concrete walkways and benches surrounded by fresh landscaping and field turf. It also has multiple ramps, rails, and boxes - all in different sizes, making it accessible to all ages and abilities. The space will support the Riverside Arts Market, which has been open along the banks of the St. Johns River on Riverside Avenue since 2009 and will provide a much-needed public space connecting historic Riverside and Downtown’s Brooklyn neighborhood as part of the Emerald Trail.

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Purple Heart Observance last night at the Veterans Memorial Wall. As always, it was a touching event honoring those brave men and women wounded or killed defending our nation. “The heroes we are recognizing and remembering this evening are those who put their duty above all else,” said Mayor Donna Deegan during the ceremony Wednesday night. “They sacrificed everything, putting themselves in harm’s way, to protect and serve our great nation. I’m grateful, our entire city is grateful, for their courage.” After the ceremony, our Military Affairs & Veterans Department and several members of City Council, unveiled three street signs along the Purple Heart Trail recognizing us as an official Purple Heart City.

Big announcement tomorrow 🛹 🎨 🚶 🌳

In recognition of Purple Heart Day, join our Military Affairs & Veterans Department for an observance ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Wall starting at 6:30pm tonight. 💜 Following the ceremony, there will be a short walk on the Purple Heart Trail to the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Thank you for helping us recognize and honor the brave men and women who were wounded or killed during their time in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The City of Jacksonville just received its updated credit ratings and Fitch upgraded the City’s credit rating by two levels – from AA- to AA+ – in a reflection of Jacksonville’s robust financial health, strategic monetary management, and strong fiscal outlook into the future. S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and KBRA reaffirmed ratings of AA and all three credit rating agencies indicated a stable outlook. All three leading agencies agree that Jacksonville is in a strong financial position after conducting an unbiased and apolitical analysis of the City’s current and future fiscal outlook. The agencies issued these ratings knowing the proposed 2024-2025 general fund budget and usage of operating reserves, proposed 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), movement of infrastructure projects back into the Better Jacksonville Plan, inclusion of stadium renovation funding in the CIP, and 5-year projections for revenue and expenditures. “Jacksonville continues to deliver strong financial results and credit rating agencies appreciate our diversified economy, fiscal responsibility, and investment in infrastructure and development projects,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. "This credit rating upgrade is a big deal for our city. It means savings for taxpayers through lower interest costs and money back into our coffers that can be spent on services for citizens." "We are extremely proud of the credit rating upgrades from Fitch and ratings affirmations from S&P and KBRA," said Chief Financial Officer Anna Brosche. "These ratings reflect our commitment to sound financial management, strategic investments in our community, and the economic vitality of Jacksonville. As we move forward, we will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth to ensure long-term prosperity for our residents."   For more into the city's credit rating background and how Fitch, S&P, and KBRA arrived at their ratings, please read more here: https://lnkd.in/eZsi5jJ3

Our annual Purple Heart Recognition Day is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 7th. 💜 Join our Military Affairs & Veterans Department at the Veterans Memorial Wall for an observance ceremony starting at 6:30pm followed by a short walk on the Purple Heart Trail to the VyStar Veterans Arena.

Latest Tropical Storm Debby updates: 🟥 Mayor Donna Deegan ended the emergency order as of 8am 🟥 Shelters are in process of closing by Noon 🟥 Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Skyway opening at Noon - All other JTA transportation is on its regular schedule. Go to https://lnkd.in/e_pke9EE for up-to-date information.

Earlier today, Mayor Donna Deegan and agency partners from JaxReady, the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, JEA, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), Duval County Public Schools, and the US National Weather Service Jacksonville Florida held a press briefing updating the public with the latest details concerning now Tropical Storm Debby. 🟥 COJ offices and facilities will be open Tuesday 🟥 Waste collections will continue as scheduled 🟥 Shelters will remain open tonight. 🟥 Next 15-18 hours will see the worst of the weather for Duval County. For the latest, up-to-date information on Debby, including Frequently Asked Questions, please visit https://lnkd.in/e_pke9EE If you missed the press briefing, you can view it here: https://lnkd.in/ejBxs8wy

The City, with agency partners JaxReady, Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, JEA, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), US National Weather Service Jacksonville Florida, and Duval County Public Schools will hold a press briefing today at 12:05pm to inform the public on the latest concerning Hurricane Debby. Watch live on your local news channels or streamed on their websites.