City Council Committees, Boards, and Commissions

Special Committee for Special Investigatory Committee on JEA Matters

Background:

In a request dated March 10, 2026, Inspector General Matthew Lascell asked the City Council to assist in determining whether JEA failed to properly collect capacity fees from certain commercial customers over multiple years and to assess the potential financial impacts on the City, JEA, and ratepayers. Additionally, allegations of a toxic employee atmosphere and racist incidents were raised to the JEA Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and remain uninvestigated. In response, on March 11, 2026, I formed a Special Investigatory Committee (“SIC”) to investigate the extent to which capacity fees may not have been appropriately collected and potentially adverse impacts on JEA’s bond commitments and to investigate allegations presented to the JEA Board regarding racism and a toxic workplace culture under the current leadership of JEA Chief Executive Office Vickie Cavey.

As a result of the SIC’s work thus far, it has uncovered additional matters that are separate, yet related, to the SIC’s original charges which warrant additional investigation. Therefore, I am hereby expanding the SIC’s charge to include not only the original charge, but to also include, first, an investigation into the financial and regulatory aspects of the proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant and second, the potential impact of JEA’s failure to appropriately collect capacity fees and JEA’s expenditures on the proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant on both JEA’s annual contribution amount to the City and JEA’s financial stability and outlook causing the need to increase utility rates for JEA customers.

Charge:

As a result of the SIC’s work thus far, it has uncovered additional matters that are separate, yet related, to the SIC’s original charges which warrant additional investigation. Therefore, I am hereby expanding the SIC’s charge to include not only the original charge, but to also include, first, an investigation into the financial and regulatory aspects of the proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant and second, the potential impact of JEA’s failure to appropriately collect capacity fees and JEA’s expenditures on the proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant on both JEA’s annual contribution amount to the City and JEA’s financial stability and outlook causing the need to increase utility rates for JEA customers.

The amended and expanded SIC is hereby charged with doing the following:

1. Working with the Council Auditor to determine the extent to which capacity fees may not have been collected in recent years and identifying any amounts owed to the City or JEA.

2. Reviewing and verifying JEA’s and the City’s compliance with all bond commitments and reporting requirements, including any potential instances of providing services without charge in violation of those commitments.

3. Conducting an independent examination of recent employee allegations regarding racism and a toxic workplace culture under the current Chief Executive Officer.

4. Assessing JEA’s compliance with applicable whistleblower protection laws and policies.

5. Investigate the financial and regulatory aspects of the potential construction and operation of JEA’s proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant.

6. Investigate the potential impact of JEA’s failure to appropriately collect capacity fees and JEA’s expenditures on the proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant on both JEA’s annual contribution amount to the City and JEA’s financial stability and outlook causing the need to increase utility rates for JEA customers.

7. Recommending legislation as appropriate based on the Committee’s findings.

The Special Committee may consult both public and private subject matter experts and should promote strong public participation throughout its work.

As Council President, I plan to participate in the Special Committee meetings as needed. All Council Members are invited to attend the Special Committee meetings to observe the proceedings and participate at the discretion of the chair.

Deadline:

The Special Committee on JEA is directed to report its findings and recommendations on or before June 30, 2026. I am hopeful that the next City Council President will extend the Committee’s charge beyond that date if it is warranted.