JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council’s special investigative committee on JEA met Monday for the third time.
And committee members raised the possibility of expanding the investigation to include JEA’s lobbying contract and a major power plant project.
The Special Investigatory Committee was formed by City Council President Kevin Carrico. Its current charge focuses on two areas: allegations about workplace culture at JEA and questions about whether the utility failed to properly collect certain water and sewer capacity fees from some commercial customers over a period of years.
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During his opening remarks, former JEA Board Chair Joe DiSalvo disputed claims that JEA’s workplace is toxic.
“Our work environment can be intense but it is professional and driven,” DiSalvo said.
DiSalvo also argued JEA was designed to operate independently of shifting political pressures. He asked the committee to give the board the space to look into some of the claims and concerns,
“Its governance framework was intentionally structured to allow for operational independence, professional management and decision-making insulated from shifting political pressures,” he said.
While the committee’s charge is focused on capacity fees and workplace culture, Monday’s questioning also touched on JEA’s lobbying contract and a combined cycle plant project.
DiSalvo said JEA has invested about $350 million in the cleaner energy combined cycle project and is still awaiting approval from state regulators. Committee members Rory Diamond and Chair Ron Salem expressed their concern for if the project were to be denied.
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“I was caught completely by surprise,” DiSalvo said. “The combined cycle has been in the works for at least three years… and that came out of the blue to me.”
Near the end of the meeting, Councilmember Rory Diamond asked Carrico to consider amending the committee’s charge to formally include the lobbying contract and the combined cycle plant.
Carrico said he would look into possibly amending the committee’s charge.
The committee said a contract for the employee culture survey is expected to be introduced to council Tuesday, with results anticipated by June 30.
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