JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The JEA Board of Directors is meeting Friday to discuss the Jacksonville City Council’s JEA Employee Survey into Workplace-Environment Concerns and the findings of the utility’s external investigation.
The meeting comes as an interim CEO, Jody Brooks, has taken the reins at JEA after embattled CEO Vickie Cavey took an extended leave of absence.
Cavey’s leave came as JEA has been facing intense scrutiny from a Jacksonville City Council special investigative committee examining allegations of a toxic workplace, claims of racism and millions of dollars in disputed capacity fees.
JEA’s assistant general counsel told the committee the utility has opened two internal investigations into employee complaints. The committee also addressed disputed capacity fees — one-time charges billed to new customers based on projected water and electric usage.
JEA says it has identified about $25 million in owed capacity fees dating to 2003. Some accounts may not have been adjusted after businesses expanded beyond their initial projections.
Former Council President Kevin Carrico formed the special investigative committee to examine the culture complaints and capacity fee concerns.
Employee survey results raise concerns
The committee opted to conduct its own employee survey, saying JEA’s internal survey might not provide enough detail to address the toxic workplace allegations. The committee said its survey will more directly assess concerns about workplace culture and allegations involving senior leadership.
The results of that City Council survey are what the Board is discussing on Friday.
JEA previously released the results of its own survey, with the utility reporting that 59% of employees — 1,362 out of 2,314 — participated. Respondents also submitted 4,124 written comments. JEA says its overall results are benchmarked against comparable electric and water utility companies.
Several results stood out:
- 47% of employees said they feel well-informed about important decisions at JEA — 18% below comparable utilities.
- 49% said they have confidence in JEA’s chiefs — 23% below comparable utilities.
- 46% said directors, vice presidents and chiefs understand what is really happening at JEA — 19% below comparable utilities.