JTA to furlough about 80 senior staff amid budget cuts

JTA said in a statement the move is necessary in order to maintain a balanced budget through the end of the fiscal year and preserve the Connexion plus service.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Transportation Authority told First Coast News Thursday that as part of a budget amendment passed during a February Board of Directors meeting, about 80 senior staff members will be furloughed.

In a statement, JTA said in order to maintain a balanced budget for the fiscal year and preserve the premium Connexion plus service, CEO Nat Ford will have 15% of his salary reduced and around 80 senior staff members will receive four unpaid weeks off.

JTA said the moves are projected to save the agency approximately $2.2 million.

During JTA’s February board meeting, board members reached a compromise with representatives of the disabled community to increase the fare for the Connexion Plus service, but by a smaller amount than originally proposed.

The new fare structure adopted for Connexion Plus begins on April 2 for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. It will be $10 for the first 12 miles, and $2.50 per mile thereafter without limit to the number of monthly trips. According to JTA, 75 percent of Connexion Plus customers travel 12 miles or less per trip.

“As part of the overall budget adjustments, the JTA Board approved $14.2 million in expense reductions, changes that became necessary due to sales tax revenues coming in nearly $11 million lower than projected by year end,” JTA said in a February press release. “Sales tax revenue makes up more than half of the JTA’s operational revenue budget. The JTA has had a budget surplus on sales tax projections 11 of the last 13 years. This year, sales tax revenue is trending lower than anticipated.”

Other expense reductions outside of the reported furloughs and Ford having part of his salary reduced include JTA “eliminating some professional service contracts, renegotiating other contracts and bringing some technology services in-house.” according to the agency.

“The JTA is committed to ensuring financial stability across the agency, while maintaining the services we provide for this community,” JTA CEO Nat Ford said. “The adjustments made today (Feb. 26), while difficult, are necessary to ensure we end this year with a balanced budget while preserving the transportation services that citizens of Northeast Florida rely on each and every day.”