Armed with a newly delivered report saying it would be more cost-effective for JEA to borrow funding to replace aging parts of its infrastructure and equipment than fix them piecemeal style with an expanded workforce, the city-owned utility’s leadership is working on a plan to optimize staff efficiency and invest in its systems.
K3 Strategies LLC of Sarasota, which JEA hired to review its operations and capital expenditures plan, presented its report to the board of the city-owned utility May 27.
The consultants found that JEA’s spending on replacement and renewal of equipment lagged depreciation in recent years, particularly on water and sewer service. In tandem, the utility increased its spending in operations and maintenance 40% over the past two years, with the bulk of that outlay funding personnel.