The Jacksonville Housing Authority board convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday and voted to terminate CEO Cheron Corbett. The decision came after Corbett requested a sizable bonus tied to development fees—an ask that sparked intense public debate.
Bonus request and board reaction
Corbett, who earns a $300,000 salary, asked for a 12% cut of any development fees paid to the authority. The board members said the proposal could have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional compensation for the CEO.
Board Chairman Daniel Blanchard, newly elected to the position, called the authority’s finances a “mess” and described the bonus proposal as “horrific.” He noted that Corbett had been given an opportunity to resign before the meeting but refused, prompting the board to move forward with termination.
Policy context and Trump administration guidance
Corbett had been preparing to implement cuts suggested by the Trump administration, including a 40‑hour workweek requirement for participants in the housing aid program. While the rule was presented by the administration as mandatory, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) clarified that the requirement is optional.
Local observers pointed out that the authority’s effort to align with federal guidance reflects a broader push for fiscal responsibility and streamlined operations within Jacksonville’s public agencies.
Public comments and defender statements
The public comment period was unusually lively. Laura Anne Pray, a representative from the auditing firm Doeren Mayhew, praised recent financial improvements at the authority, saying, “It takes two to three years to get processes, training and people in place. Based on just the trend, we are seeing those improvements.”
Resident James Brooks, who lives in a Housing Authority property, urged the board to move beyond the bonus controversy. “I’m having a hard time understanding the emergency,” Brooks said. “I do think you should take a long time to think about your actions and what the results will be.”
Severance and legal response
According to News4Jax, the board terminated Corbett without cause, which entitles her to up to 22 weeks of severance—more than $100,000. Corbett’s attorney, Tad Delegal, argued that the board denied her a fair chance to defend herself. “We thought we were going to have an opportunity to respond to the allegations, but they had their minds made up before they walked in there,” Delegal said.
Delegal also highlighted that the authority’s Housing Choice Voucher program faced a multimillion‑dollar shortfall, yet voucher usage rose 18% in 2023, indicating increased housing access for residents.
Interim leadership and next steps
Roslyn Mixon‑Phillips, who previously served as interim CEO, will resume leadership while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement. The board’s decision underscores a growing emphasis on accountability and fiscal stewardship across Jacksonville’s independent agencies, which have recently faced scrutiny over salaries and project outcomes.
As the authority moves forward, city officials and community members will be watching closely to see how new leadership addresses both financial challenges and the implementation of federal guidance on housing program administration.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
