Investigates: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry proposes doubling Duval gas tax

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville drivers could soon see a hike in gas prices if a proposal passes through city council in the next few months. Mayor Lenny Curry is looking to double the tax from .6 to .12 cents.

Jordan Elsbury, the mayor’s chief of staff, made the announcement Wednesday.

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“There are tons of roadway resurfacing projects all over the county in every single council district that need desperately to be funded and this is an opportunity to fund this,” Elsbury said.

The tax would help jumpstart nearly $1 billion dollars in roadway improvement projects. See a full list of projects across Jacksonville below.

He added that the additional .6 cents would bring in hundreds of millions to complete infrastructure, road resurfacing and the septic tank overhaul project.

Action News Jax checked other local counties. Clay and Nassau also have a .12 cent gas tax while St. Johns County is still at .6 cent.

“It’s what surrounding counties have and what major metropolitan cities in the state of Florida have,” Elsbury said.

At the pump, many Jacksonville residents had disagreements about an additional tax. “I think it’s terrible. Especially during Coronavirus,” Carl Williams, who lives on the Northside, said.

However, some residents agreed that Jacksonville has some infrastructure problems that need to be fixed and understand the city needs the money to accomplish that.

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The proposal would have to pass through city council, and Elsbury said it’s still a few months away. If approved, revenue generated could lead to new projects as early as Oct. 1st.

Cox Media Group