The special committee charged with investigating the claims of a “toxic work environment” heard testimony from a former employee at Monday’s meeting.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville City Council’s special investigative committee met on Monday, and heard from the former JEA Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson. Wilson testified under oath, alleging that JEA CEO Vickie Cavey has created a toxic workplace environment for employees. 

“There was a management company that manages the building, so she’s not a JEA employee, but she was like ‘look, my folks refuse to go in that office with her, unless I’m there with them because how she would talk to them, treat them, things like that,'” Wilson said.

Wilson’s position was terminated earlier this year after he says he brought forward issues regarding employee morale. 

During the meeting, committee chair Ron Salem mentioned possibly having CEO Vicky Cavey come in and address the allegations against her before the committee. 

“She can call me,” said Salem. “I’d be happy to talk to her or have her come in.”

Still, Salem said Monday he had no plans on issuing a subpoena for Cavey to testify. 

The committee is working on implementing an anonymous survey for JEA employees to share their concerns, but council member Matt Carlucci says that’s not within their jurisdiction. 

“The real issue here is governance and the Jacksonville City Council has no authority over the Jacksonville Electric Authority,” Carlucci said. “They are independent so no matter what they do, we have no authority over what the independent board at JEA does in terms of firing or disciplining employees.”

After the committee’s first meeting, JEA announced it would be conducting its own employee survey and hire a third-party to analyze workplace conditions.

Cavey has denied the allegations against her.Â