JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry will file legislation with the Jacksonville City Council on Wednesday to appoint seven business and community leaders to the JEA Board of Directors.
The seven appointees are:
- John D. Baker, II, executive chairman & CEO, FRP Holdings, Inc.
- Joseph P. DiSalvo, lieutenant general, U.S. Army (ret.)
- Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., president & CEO, Edward Waters College
- Dr. Leon L. Haley, Jr., CEO, UF Health Jacksonville
- Marty Lanahan, executive vice president & regional president, Iberia Bank
- Robert “Bobby” L. Stein, president, The Regency Group
- Tom VanOsdol, senior vice president, Ascension Healthcare & ministry market executive, Ascension Florida
The appointment legislation will be introduced at the Feb. 25 meeting of City Council. JEA board members are appointed by the mayor and must be confirmed by City Council.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, some council members told Action News Jax they were not consulted about the mayor’s picks.
Just last week, Curry told Action News Jax he’d support letting the council and voters have more of a say when it comes to the utility.
The mayor appointed the last JEA Board, which was smeared with controversy and allegations.
“I was disappointed that he did not communicate with the council members before they were announced,” Councilman Matt Carlucci said. “I found out like I normally do, through a news outlet.”
Nikki Kimbleton, the Spokeswoman for the Mayor and City of Jacksonville, told Action News Jax Courtney Cole Curry’s announcement doesn’t mean he wouldn’t still be open to a change in the board selection process.
Cole spoke to two city council members who told her they’ll take a hard look at the list of nominees.
"I look very much forward to interviewing each and every one of these candidates. And understanding some of their opinions, the thought processes, how they might manage JEA and how they might allow— or not allow— JEA to consider other business opportunities,” Councilman Becton told Action News Jax.
PREVIOUS STORIES: City Council Committee marks start of JEA investigation with 84 record requests | Jax City Council calls for more oversight of JEA Board ahead of former CEO’s termination discussion Tuesday | JEA board votes to terminate former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn | JEA CEO terminated with cause, Board members to leave at end of February | Councilman: For months, JEA ignored auditors questioning PUP’s legality | Emails: City lawyers appear frustrated, confused about JEA bonus plan | Ousted JEA CEO Aaron Zahn fires back over accusations that got him fired | New Jacksonville watchdog group sent JEA board recommendations to Mayor Lenny Curry | Fired JEA CEO’s testimony revealed: Aaron Zahn questioned over bonus plan | Councilman grills JEA top lawyer for alleged deception in new audio recordings | Former JEA Board Chair appalled at lack of transparency, integrity in failed sale process | Mayor supports voters deciding JEA board appointments process
Some council members have argued they should be allowed to select some of the board, and the mayor’s move Tuesday was a surprise.
“Do you worry about how that looks as you guys are on the journey of honesty, transparency and change?," Cole asked.
“That’s why I reached out to the mayor, to offer my assistance and my guidance and my observations of these nominees that he selected—and I did it on several occasions,” Becton said.
Becton told Cole city council still plays an important role in approving each of the board members.
A role he said he hopes each of his colleagues take, seriously.
“I can assure you, this time around, that I think with the eyes of Jacksonville on the seven selections, the council will absolutely do the job of confirming these individuals— or weighing in if they feel uncomfortable with any one or more,” Becton said.
When Cole tried to catch up with Mayor Curry at city hill, he was not available.
Curry released the following statement:
“These past few weeks I have held numerous conversations with local business & community leaders, elected officials, and City Council members about our municipal utility and the JEA Board of Directors,” Mayor Curry said. “I am grateful for these seven well-respected and community-minded leaders who have answered the call to serve the people of our city on the JEA board. I am confident that they are up to the task of rebuilding public trust and strengthening the future of this vital and valued community asset. My team and I look forward to working with City Council throughout the appointment process.”
“The seven were carefully considered and Mayor Curry received input from city council members as well as other individuals in this selection process,” Kimbleton said.
The city told Cole each of the new board members will be serving the unexpired terms of the previous board members. Since the board members were appointed at different times, new board members could potentially serve anywhere between months and the next two to three years.
Curry’s choices were revealed hours before Councilman Garrett Dennis introduced an emergency resolution requiring the mayor to give the council three of his choices.
That resolution failed.
“I think it was on purpose, absolutely,” Dennis said. “From my understanding, my colleagues were not engaged. No one reached out to me to talk to me about these candidates, so I think it was a preemptive measure to try to sack my bill.”
Dennis still has a proposed ordinance- first introduced Tuesday- which would change the way the JEA board is appointed. Three picks would come from the mayor, three from council and the seventh- a JEA employee- would be chosen by the unions.
If passed, that decision would be left to voters on the November ballot.
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