JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As former Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford prepares to start a new job in Dallas Texas, Jacksonville City Council members want him on the record about what they’re calling a financial mess left behind at JTA.
Council member Rory Diamond, who serves as the city’s liaison to JTA, spoke with News4JAX about his push to have Ford testify before local lawmakers.
“JTA is a nightmare. It’s an absolute living nightmare,” Diamond said. “200 employees got fired. There’s a $40 million deficit. There’s people who can’t get to work and school like they used to because of huge leadership problems at JTA.”
Subpoena voted on, but voluntary appearance expected
Diamond and other city leaders on the Financial Audit and Oversight Select Committee voted Tuesday to subpoena Ford. But Diamond says that may not be necessary. After speaking with Ford’s team, he says Ford indicated he will appear voluntarily.
“His folks told me he’s going to voluntarily come,” Diamond said. “And to his credit, he’s never not shown up when we asked him to come over the last several years. So I expect that he’ll do that.”
Diamond says the appearance will not happen this Friday, but is expected within the next several weeks. He hopes to have Ford testify before the holiday season.
Documents requested in the subpoena are due Oct. 30.
Questions about ridership data and federal funds
Among the key questions Diamond wants answered: whether JTA’s administration inflated ridership numbers for its Navi and Skyway systems to obtain federal funds — and who else bears responsibility for the financial shortfall.
“I’m very curious whether or not we falsified numbers about ridership,” Diamond said. “It sure looks like paying employees to be on the Navi doesn’t look right to me.”
Diamond drew a distinction between the city council’s inquiry and a separate criminal probe being conducted by the State Attorney General’s office. He said the council’s goal is accountability, not prosecution.
“We’re here to speak for the people to get the answers so that we could avoid this happening again,” he said.
Ford heading to new role in Dallas
Ford is set to begin a new position at DART — Dallas Area Rapid Transit — which pays him more than $515,000 a year. News outlets in Dallas have been closely following the JTA investigation. Earlier today, however, DART board members said they are standing behind their decision to hire Ford.
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