Politics
Jacksonville council seeks answers from departing JTA chief over nearly $40 million gap
Nat Ford was served with a subpoena to testify to the City Council Finance Committee about the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s finances. Ford has agreed to cooperate, but a hearing date has not been set.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies served outgoing Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford with a subpoena Thursday, requiring him to testify before a City Council committee about the agency’s finances, Council President Nick Howland said.
Ford told council leaders he is willing to cooperate but cannot attend a special Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, Howland said. The council will arrange a later date for Ford to appear either in person or remotely. The Friday meeting is expected to be brief, with a committee member assigned to coordinate the testimony.
The Finance Committee voted Tuesday to subpoena Ford. City leaders have called for him to answer questions about a nearly $40 million JTA budget shortfall. The agency’s financial problems led to nearly 200 layoffs and major service cuts, according to prior reports on the agency’s response to the gap.
Ford is leaving JTA for a transportation position in Dallas. The authority’s board has agreed to conduct a national search for a new CEO and appoint an interim leader.
Ford’s testimony could give council members a chance to question the departing executive directly about the decisions and financial conditions behind the shortfall, as Jacksonville considers the consequences for the agency’s workforce and public transit service.