The next step in a possible sale of Jacksonville’s city-owned utility is on hold until the end of January.
WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record reports the JEA board tabled a decision Dec. 17 on how to proceed with its ongoing invitation to negotiate.
The board instructed JEA interim CEO Melissa Dykes to do a review of the utility’s yearlong strategic planning process and complete JEA staff’s research on the five scenarios being considered to restructure the utility.
Related: JEA Board Ousts CEO Aaron Zahn
The move was characterized by board members as an attempt to restore public trust in the process that JEA ratepayers and the City Council have criticized for a lack of transparency.
In her opening statement at a news conference after the board meeting, board Chair April Green apologized to JEA employees and the public.
“Transparency is key for us going forward,” Green said. “We will try to expedite the transparency with the current strategic process and we’ll continue to push for that. But it looks like the end is near and everything will be revealed.”
An expanded version of this story is at JaxDailyRecord.com.
