Jacksonville… we have a short memory sometimes.

But I don’t.

And if you lived through the last JEA disaster, you shouldn’t either.

We already watched what happens when a divided, undisciplined board ignores its own governance policies. We already saw how quickly things can spiral when politics creeps into a citizen-owned utility.

One former board member went to jail over the shenanigans tied to that era.

Jail.

And during that time, Eye on Jacksonville reminded the Board — repeatedly — to follow its own Policy Manual. I even wrote an open letter when the Board bypassed its established process for selecting a new CEO after one stepped down. The manual clearly outlined how that search should be handled.

They didn’t use it. They thought they knew better.

And look where that got us.  Now here we are again.

I Helped Write Those Policies

Years ago, I served as a consultant to help draft these governance policies. I sat in those rooms. I watched the debate. I saw each word questioned to make sure it was the right word.  It was a grueling process and the Board and the CEO at the time should be proud of the product they left behind.  It was well done and should be used and not put on a shelf.

The framework was simple:

• The Board governs through written policy.
• The CEO runs operations.
• The Board evaluates only the CEO.
• Individual board members have zero authority outside a public vote.

It’s not complicated. But it only works if people respect it.

So What’s Happening Now?

This week we learned:

• A board member allegedly asked CEO Vickie Cavey to step down.
• The Chief of Staff position was eliminated after raising concerns.
• City Council President Kevin Carrico says he’s fielded calls about a “toxic corporate culture.”
• He’s now talking with “community leaders” as he prepares to appoint a new board member.

Okay.

If there are real issues inside JEA — racism, retaliation, toxic management — they absolutely need to be addressed.

But here’s the key:

They must be addressed the right way.

Not through whispers. Not through pressure. Not through political positioning.
Not through “community leader conversations.”

We already know how that story ends.

Let’s Talk About Process (Because It Matters)

The Policy Manual spells this out clearly.

If there are concerns about culture, the Board’s role is not to run HR.

The Board’s job is to determine one thing:

Has the CEO violated Board policy?

Specifically, the Executive Limitation regarding Treatment of Staff.

That’s it.

And the proper way to handle that is:

1️⃣ Call a properly noticed public meeting.
2️⃣ Identify the specific policy in question.
3️⃣ Vote to initiate monitoring of CEO compliance.
4️⃣ If necessary, hire an independent third-party investigator.
5️⃣ Review the findings publicly.
6️⃣ Determine compliance or non-compliance.

That’s governance and that protects everyone — employees, the CEO, and the public.

“Community Leaders” Aren’t a Governance Tool

When I hear a council president say he’s talking to “community leaders” about how to fix JEA’s culture, I am stunned.

That’s not how this works.

JEA doesn’t operate by advisory group. It doesn’t operate by political influence.  It operates by a written governance structure.

And when that same council president was just called out by Eye for allegedly using his influence to position his own boss on the JEA Board, it’s fair to ask:

Is this about culture…or control?

Is this about integrity…or leverage?

Those are uncomfortable questions — but something isn’t right here and we all know it.

Please. Learn From the Past.

We have already seen what happens when the Board bypasses its manual. We have already seen what happens when process is ignored. We have already seen the headlines.  We live through the investigations and our city was embarrassed on the national stage.  And then…the criminal charges came.

And during that mess, we warned them:

Follow your own policies.

So I’m saying it again — with respect, but firmly:

Don’t do this again.

If there is a problem, investigate it properly. If there’s a violation, act decisively. If there isn’t, say so clearly.

But do it in the sunshine. Do it collectively. Do it according to the manual.

Because JEA is not a political playground.

It belongs to the citizens of Jacksonville and we fought for it once before and we will do it again.

Leave our utility alone.  Run it right.  Keep politics out of it. 

NOTE: If the Board needs a copy of their Board Governance Manual I am sure HR can supply it. Maybe they need a refresher and the City Council President should attend that training session too.