JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville city councilman says the outgoing CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority should not leave town without answering questions about the agency’s $40 million budget shortfall, even if it takes a subpoena.
JTA CEO Nat Ford’s official last day is Wednesday. His departure comes as the agency is under an investigative review by the Jacksonville City Council’s financial oversight review board.
Councilman Rory Diamond said Ford should explain what happened at the agency before leaving Jacksonville.
“Nat Ford was the CEO while all this was happening,” Diamond said. “He made millions of dollars off the people of Jacksonville. We have a right to ask him questions about what happened.”
Ford began his tenure as CEO in 2012. During his time leading JTA, the agency developed express busways and launched a self-driving shuttle service.
His tenure is ending as the agency deals with a $40 million budget shortfall that has led to route reductions, service cuts and widespread layoffs.
There is also a separate criminal probe launched by Florida’s attorney general. Investigators are looking at spending under Ford, including expenses related to massages, murals, hotel stays and the authority’s tuition reimbursement policy.
Diamond also questioned how JTA continued moving forward with the NAVI system while the agency was already facing debt tied to normal operations.
“How could you keep going with the NAVI system if you knew that you were seriously and already in debt just with normal operations?” Diamond said. “That seems criminal.”
Last week, the oversight committee learned JTA board members were largely left in the dark about financial projections for years.
Diamond said he believes the council needs to hear from Ford directly.
“I don’t see how we don’t get [answers] unless we get Nat Ford up here,” Diamond said.
Diamond is inviting Ford to voluntarily appear before the oversight committee, but said the council will use its subpoena power if needed.
Ford is set to begin his new role as CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit next week, but Diamond said that would not stop the city from trying to get answers.
“Whether he’s in Texas, if he’s in Florida, it doesn’t matter,” Diamond said. “A subpoena from the Jacksonville City Council can be enforced in circuit court, and we’ll go to Texas if we have to.”
In accordance with Ford’s contract, he will continue receiving his salary and benefits through Wednesday.
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