A special Jacksonville City Council committee investigating city owned utility JEA will seek information from current and former JEA employees plus a member of the city’s Office of General Counsel, the committee chair said.
In its first meeting, Chair Ron Salem said March 17 the committee would survey 147 JEA employees whose names were provided by JEA leadership about allegations of racism and a toxic work environment made against the utility’s CEO and managing director, Vickie Cavey. Salem also announced an intention to speak with former JEA attorney, Regina Ross, about potentially uncharged capacity fees.
Salem said he hoped the survey would be distributed in 30 to 60 days. He said the committee would survey former employees with a separate inquiry. Salem previously said he planned to use a third-party company to conduct the surveys.
Council President Kevin Carrico, Council member Ju’Coby Pittman, former JEA Chief of Staff Kurt Wilson and JEA board member Rick Morales III have said they heard concerns about Cavey’s leadership from employees.
Cavey has denied the allegations.
Before the Feb. 24 JEA board meeting, Wilson told The Florida Times-Union that he was fired after he raised concerns about Cavey’s leadership style to board chair Joseph DiSalvo. Wilson is scheduled to appear before the Council committee on March 23, Salem said.
Salem said Cavey and other JEA employees were welcome to testify before the committee.
Committee members also are seeking information from Ross, who recently was replaced in her position as JEA’s chief legal counsel. Under the utility’s structure, its lead attorney is a member of the city general counsel’s staff who is assigned to JEA.
Ross could provide information regarding capacity fees that were not charged by JEA.
According to Daily Record news partner News4Jax, JEA attorneys argued in October 2025 that Mayo Clinic in Florida owes more than $12 million in additional capacity fees because its water and sewer usage increased dramatically over time. News4Jax reported that Mayo Clinic attorneys argued the organization is not required to pay those charges, citing a 1986 agreement with the city of Jacksonville.
JEA charges capacity fees and associated fees on a one-time basis to customers connecting to the utility’s water, wastewater and reclamation system. JEA, a not-for-profit organization, says it imposes the fees to cover the costs of infrastructure expansion, replacement and refurbishment.
“It’s clear to me that (Council) auditors cannot move forward with this audit without significant discussions with Ms. Ross to get some questions answered,” Salem said.
Ross would not necessarily have to appear in front of the committee, Salem said, but should at least sit with Council auditors to give them information regarding JEA’s collection of capacity fees.
Council member: Committee investigating with ‘slant’
Carrico announced March 11 he was forming the committee following a request from city Inspector General Matthew Lascell, who sought Council assistance in determining if the city-owned utility had adequately collected capacity fees from several of its commercial customers, according to a memo from Lascell to Carrico.
That announcement came after Carrico came under review from the state attorney’s office after nominating Paul Martinez, the president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, to the JEA board in February. Martinez withdrew his name for consideration after texts between Carrico and JEA board member Arthur Adams emerged, in which Carrico said he nominated Martinez as a favor for a friend. Adams was set to be the board member replaced by Martinez.
The Council committee’s actions, and its assignment, have drawn pushback from city officials.
Council member Matt Carlucci, who is not a member of the committee, expressed concerns committee members had their minds made up regarding the accusations at JEA before hearing more information.
“There seems to be a slant to this committee,” Carlucci said. “I’m upset because an investigation has got to be fair and square, and I just feel like we were tilting the scales of justice here in this investigation. And I hope that you can do a job where everybody feels treated fairly.”
“I’m sure some (employees) will answer that it’s a great place to work, and Vickie Cavey is terrific,” Salem said about the survey after the meeting. “That’s fine. That’s what we want to know.”
Mayor Donna Deegan has defended Cavey against allegations of poor leadership, saying she was a victim of a smear campaign by former Mayor Lenny Curry, lobbying firm Ballard Partners and their allies.
Deegan said allegations against Cavey were retribution for her failure to renew a lobbying contract with Ballard Partners, which employs Curry and his former chief of staff, Jordan Elsbury.
Both Curry and Elsbury have denied the allegations,
Salem told reporters that the committee would not investigate allegations surrounding Ballard Partners, as that was not part of the committee’s assignments from Carrico. Those assignments are examining the capacity fees; ensuring JEA and the city are in compliance with bond commitments and reporting requirements; conducting the independet review of the allegations against Cavey; evaluation of JEA compliance with whistleblower protection laws and policies; and proposing legislation, if needed, on the committee’s findings.