Member-only story
Jacksonville’s Independent Authorities and the Major Boards and Commissions. 2024–2026
Decisions and Impact, October 2024 to October 2026
Oct 5, 2026 · @Stephen Dare
The short version
Five of the seven Tier 1 boards changed chief executives in the past two years, and City Council moved to investigate or limit five of them: JEA, JTA, the Downtown Investment Authority, the Aviation Authority and Kids Hope Alliance.
Two are in real trouble. JTA faces a $39 million gap that the Council Auditor traces mainly to falling tax revenue and under-budgeted paratransit and benefit costs. It is suspending the Skyway, pausing its autonomous shuttle, cutting up to 194 jobs, and has been subpoenaed by the Attorney General. JEA raised rates three times in 18 months, committed to a $1.57 billion gas plant, and then lost its CEO after seven months of fighting between its own board, Council leadership and the Mayor’s Office. Both are boards where the Mayor holds three of seven seats.
Three spent the period with their authority under challenge. Council rewrote the DIA’s powers and has turned against the cash grants its biggest recommendations depend on. Council amended the Aviation Authority’s budget, the authority came within days of suing the City, and the…
