JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 An interim CEO will lead JEA while the utility company\u2019s current CEO, Vickie Cavey, takes an extended leave of absence, effective immediately.<\/p>\n
The leave is expected to last more than 14 days but fewer than 60 days, JEA said. <\/p>\n
JEA announced that Jody Brooks has been named interim CEO.<\/p>\n
JEA Board Chair M.G. Orender designated Brooks to serve in the interim role during Cavey\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful for the Board\u2019s confidence and honored to serve JEA in this role,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cOur focus remains unchanged: supporting our employees, serving our customers and continuing to provide the safe and reliable utility services our community depends on every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooks will work closely with JEA\u2019s executive leadership team to ensure operations continue smoothly, JEA said. The utility\u2019s priorities and its dedication to delivering safe, reliable electric, water, and wastewater services will stay the same, the news release said.<\/p>\n
Probe into toxic workplace allegations, capacity fees<\/p>\n
The leadership transition comes as JEA faces intense scrutiny from a Jacksonville City Council special investigative committee examining allegations of a toxic workplace, claims of racism and millions of dollars in disputed capacity fees.<\/p>\n
Cavey was recently questioned for more than two hours during a sometimes-contentious hearing that included heated exchanges among council members. The committee pressed Cavey about how she was appointed, her leadership style and whether she had ever used the phrase \u201cMake JEA Great Again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t recall a meeting saying that,\u201d Cavey said. \u201cI may have, but I don\u2019t recall it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cavey also testified that she first learned about workplace culture allegations from a news report.<\/p>\n
Criminal investigation limits questioning<\/p>\n
The committee\u2019s questioning ran into legal limits when members sought to discuss a contract involving the Ballard lobbying firm. Michael Fackler, general counsel for the City of Jacksonville, warned that the topic was off limits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis particular contract is the subject of a criminal investigation by the statewide prosecutor and the state attorney,\u201d Fackler said. \u201cThe agency does not know if it is the subject, we do not know who is the subject of this, so this is an extremely sensitive area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Council tensions boil over<\/p>\n
Tensions rose on the dais during the hearing. Councilman Matt Carlucci and Councilman Rory Diamond clashed, and the committee chair repeatedly called for decorum. Carlucci later apologized for an earlier outburst, criticizing what he described as a politically motivated tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy frustrations got the best of me,\u201d Carlucci said.<\/p>\n
He later called the City Council\u2019s work culture \u201ctoxic,\u201d saying some members were using the investigation for political purposes.<\/p>\n
Councilwoman Ju\u2019Coby Pittman said Cavey\u2019s repeated \u201cI don\u2019t recall\u201d responses \u2014 Pittman said Cavey answered that way to more than a dozen questions \u2014 left her frustrated.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd for you to ask some of these questions, I felt like I didn\u2019t want to ask anymore from what I heard today,\u201d Pittman said.<\/p>\n
Internal investigations opened, capacity fees disputed<\/p>\n
JEA\u2019s assistant general counsel told the committee the utility has opened two internal investigations into employee complaints. The committee also addressed disputed capacity fees \u2014 one-time charges billed to new customers based on projected water and electric usage.<\/p>\n
JEA says it has identified about $25 million in owed capacity fees dating to 2003. Some accounts may not have been adjusted after businesses expanded beyond their initial projections.<\/p>\n
Council President Kevin Carrico formed the special investigative committee to examine the culture complaints and capacity fee concerns. Most recently, the committee heard testimony from Brooks \u2014 prior to her interim appointment \u2014 and Regina Ross, the utility\u2019s former legal counsel.<\/p>\n
Incoming Council President Nick Howland said he will make an announcement about the future of the special investigative committee.<\/p>\n
Employee survey results raise concerns<\/p>\n
The committee opted to conduct its own employee survey, saying JEA\u2019s internal survey might not provide enough detail to address the toxic workplace allegations. The committee said its survey will more directly assess concerns about workplace culture and allegations involving senior leadership.<\/p>\n
JEA released the results of its own survey, with the utility reporting that 59% of employees \u2014 1,362 out of 2,314 \u2014 participated. Respondents also submitted 4,124 written comments. JEA says its overall results are benchmarked against comparable electric and water utility companies.<\/p>\n
Several results stood out:<\/p>\n
47%\u00a0of employees said they feel well-informed about important decisions at JEA \u2014\u00a018% below\u00a0comparable utilities.<\/p>\n
49%\u00a0said they have confidence in JEA\u2019s chiefs \u2014\u00a023% below\u00a0comparable utilities.<\/p>\n
46%\u00a0said directors, vice presidents and chiefs understand what is really happening at JEA \u2014\u00a019% below\u00a0comparable utilities.<\/p>\n
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