JEA, Jacksonville's municipal utility, has faced mounting scrutiny this year over allegations of a toxic workplace culture, sparking a city council investigation and public debate over the leadership of CEO Vickie Cavey.
The allegations first surfaced in March when then-Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico said he had received complaints from employees alleging a workplace environment marked by toxicity and racism since Cavey took over as CEO in 2024. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has rejected the claims, describing them as a "smear campaign" against Cavey.
The CEO of Jacksonville's utility company denies a local elected official's allegations of a toxic workplace environment.
Carrico's push for further review led to the creation of the Jacksonville City Council Special Investigatory Committee on JEA Matters. However, his involvement in the issue has also drawn scrutiny. Carrico became the subject of an investigation by the local state attorney's office after telling a JEA board member he would not be reappointed because Carrico "owed a big favor to a friend." Carrico later nominated his workplace supervisor, Paul Martinez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, for the board seat. Martinez later withdrew his name, leaving the appointment unresolved.
As the investigation unfolded, JEA released the results of its latest employee survey, offering a mixed picture of workplace sentiment. Forty-nine percent of respondents expressed confidence in JEA's leadership, while employees gave significantly higher ratings to their day-to-day work experience. Eighty percent said they were very satisfied with their jobs, and 83% said their managers cared about their concerns. More than half of respondents (55%) said they believed JEA was moving in the right direction.
Cavey appeared before the city council committee in late June, where she disputed the allegations against her leadership. During questioning, she said she did not recall several of the specific incidents raised by committee members. At press time, Cavey was taking a temporary leave of absence and JEA Chief Administrative Officer Jody Brooks was serving as interim CEO.
The future of the investigation remains tied to broader city council oversight efforts. Current Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland has combined the JEA committee with the city's "Duval DOGE" committee to continue the council's examination of JEA's workplace culture and leadership. — By Vanessa Caceres