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Jacksonville housing authority CEO ousted amid scrutiny of proposed development-fee bonuses
The Jacksonville Housing Authority board voted unanimously to fire Cheron Corbett without cause, citing concerns about agency operations, finances and a proposed share of developer fees. Roslyn Phillips was named acting CEO as the board reviews Corbett’s contract and outstanding payments.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority board voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate CEO Cheron Corbett, effective immediately, after she declined an offer to resign. The board acted without cause at a special meeting, where members raised concerns about the agency’s operations, finances and leadership.
Corbett’s contract could entitle her to 22 weeks of salary—more than $100,000—following the termination. The board authorized an HR committee to help manage the transition and review her employment agreement, including outstanding payments. Corbett’s attorney said during the meeting that a $30,000 bonus had not been paid.
The decision followed a proposal Corbett made last week for herself and senior leaders to receive 12% of developer fees on new housing authority projects. On one project, that share could have reached $1 million. Corbett’s annual salary is $300,000.
Board Chairman Daniel Blanchard cited what he described as operational, cultural and financial problems, saying the agency’s books were “a mess.” He also criticized the proposed bonus arrangement and raised concerns about the forced resignation of Commissioner Brock in exchange for a financial settlement and housing.
One board member said they had difficulty trusting that agency leadership was moving the organization in the right direction, citing a lack of “honest, complete” answers. Another said the board and Corbett had different visions and that they saw no path forward.
The board selected Roslyn Phillips as acting CEO and authorized her to assume the position’s duties and powers. A speaker who supported Corbett questioned the need for an emergency meeting, describing her as visible and down to earth and warning that the move could destabilize the authority.
Jacksonville City Councilman Michael Boylan, the council’s liaison to the authority, said Corbett had accomplished some positive work but called the compensation proposal inappropriate and damaging to the agency’s public image. He questioned whether leadership’s focus was on securing development deals to generate compensation or on the authority’s day-to-day work.
Mayor Donna Deegan’s office said the authority’s board is empowered to oversee leadership and has a fiduciary responsibility to conduct due diligence. The office also said Deegan’s Executive Order 2026-03 gave independent authority board members tools for financial oversight.
The leadership change leaves the authority under interim direction while the board reviews Corbett’s contract and the agency’s transition.