JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has put his signature on a resolution expressing strong opposition to a Florida bill some city leaders fear could pave the way for the privatization of JEA.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The legislation moving in the State Capitol would cap how much money publicly owned utilities can transfer to the local governments that own and operate them.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
The potential impact here in Jacksonville and fears the bill could lead to a sale of JEA sparked City Council to unanimously approve the resolution earlier this week.
After declining to weigh in Wednesday, Mayor Lenny Curry told Action News Jax on Friday morning he has signed that resolution.
Read: JEA sets opening date for new headquarters customer center
“The chairman of the delegation put a statement out that in my understanding he said if the bill do certain things, include certain protections that he won’t support it. So, I trust the chair, I trust the delegation,” Curry said.
But Curry dismissed fears expressed by other city leaders the bill could lead to a sale of JEA.
“That’s a ridiculous assertion. People are just making that up,” Curry said.
According to JEA, the utility estimates the bill could reduce its annual contribution to the city’s coffers by $100 million a year.
The would equate to a nearly six percent hit to the city’s $1.7 billion budget.
Councilmember Matt Carlucci (R-Group 4 At-Large) argued by devaluing JEA’s ability to contribute to the city, privatization could become an easier idea to sell.
“Even though we don’t want to. That’s my concern,” Carlucci said.
Related Story: Investigates: ‘Backdoor’ powerplay to sell JEA, says city councilwoman
And Carlucci said privatization aside, the potential impact to the budget alone - which funds everything from police to parks - is cause for serious concern.
“I mean, that would be crippling, and our constituents would not be happy at all,” Carlucci said.
The bill has already cleared its first of two House committees.
On Thursday, the Senate version was placed on the agenda for its first hearing.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
That committee is scheduled for Tuesday, Apr. 4.