JTA receives subpoena from Florida Attorney General on massages, murals, NAVI ridership, scholarships in criminal probe<\/a><\/p>\nCommittee takes a closer look at JTA<\/p>\n
Council President Nick Howland reconvened the Financial Audit and Oversight Committee on Wednesday to investigate JTA\u2019s finances \u2014 one day after the state attorney general subpoenaed the agency.<\/p>\n
The committee includes Council Vice President Joe Carlucci, Councilman Chris Miller, and Councilman Salem. News4JAX reached out to Carlucci and Miller for comment; neither had responded at the time of this report.<\/p>\n
Salem described the committee\u2019s goals as twofold: stabilize JTA in the short term and understand how the agency reached this point.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the intent is to try to determine exactly where we are with JTA and what happened and how we get JTA back in a good financial situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Salem pushing for outside audit alongside committee work<\/p>\n
Beyond the committee\u2019s work, Salem is calling for a separate, independent audit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere should be sort of two plans \u2014 one going forward: How do we get them stabilized? But number two, I\u2019m calling for an independent audit from an outside source to come into JTA and determine exactly what happened,\u201d Salem said. \u201cEducate the city council, their board, and the public on exactly how they got into this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salem also acknowledged the unusual level of scrutiny now surrounding the agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re $40 million in the hole, you\u2019ve used all your reserves, and it\u2019s a public entity, that\u2019s a problem,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need to figure all this out. But try to get the bus routes stabilized \u2014 the basic core services of JTA need to get back to business as quickly as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
A bill is expected before the council next week that would pull $30 million from the gas tax and direct it toward JTA operations. Salem said he plans to support it, noting the agency is currently borrowing money to pay its bills.<\/p>\n
Mayor Deegan responds<\/p>\n
Mayor Donna Deegan released a statement supporting the committee\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI support President Howland directing the Financial Audit and Oversight Select Committee to get more answers on how we got here and make recommendations that improve JTA\u2019s financial standing over the long term,\u201d Deegan said. \u201cMy administration stands ready to work with committee members on identifying constructive solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deegan also addressed the impact on riders and workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate that customers and employees are facing significant disruption right now,\u201d she said. \u201cEvery action we take must improve the lives of our citizens and the services they rely on every day, while delivering more transparency, accountability, and protection of taxpayer dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n
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