The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) received a subpoena from the Florida Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday, intensifying scrutiny of the agency’s $39 million budget gap. JTA spokesperson Lynn Opperman said the authority will fully cooperate, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Scope of the subpoena
According to documents obtained through a public‑records request, the subpoena seeks contracts with vendors—including a wellness and massage services provider—communications involving former CEO Nathaniel “Nat” Ford and his wife, and ridership data for the Downtown autonomous‑vehicle shuttle service, NAVI, that were reported to the American Public Transportation Association.
The state investigation focuses on records from Oct. 1, 2023 through Oct. 21, 2025. It also requests JTA’s tuition‑reimbursement policy, contracts with an organizational‑development firm extending into 2026, and emails and text messages linking the former CEO, his spouse, consulting firm founder Kenston Griffin, and JTA’s outside counsel.
Local response and ongoing investigations
Mayor Donna Deegan’s office reminded residents that JTA is a state‑run agency, with most board members appointed by the governor and its budget approved by the Jacksonville City Council. “We have always stood for transparency and appreciate JTA’s cooperation with any effort to get to the facts,” the mayor’s statement read.
City Council President Nick Howland announced a separate city‑led forensic financial audit and a select‑committee investigation to determine how the agency arrived at its current fiscal position. “We must stabilize JTA’s financial situation and ensure reliable transportation for Jacksonville residents,” Howland said.
Budget shortfall and service reductions
JTA has already announced a mass layoff of up to 194 employees, reduced bus route schedules, and the suspension of both the NAVI shuttle and the Skyway monorail. The agency is also seeking to renegotiate an interlocal agreement that would allow it to draw $30 million of local‑option gas‑tax revenue as a loan, repayable by Sept. 30, 2037.
Earlier projections of a $2 million shortfall for the 2025‑26 fiscal year have ballooned to nearly $31 million after the departure of former CEO Nat Ford Sr. and the appointment of interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson. The council’s audit and the state subpoena aim to uncover any mismanagement or misconduct that contributed to the rapid escalation.
Community impact
Residents rely on JTA for daily commutes, and the service cuts have raised concerns about access to work, school and medical appointments. City officials emphasized that the investigations, while thorough, should not delay essential services. “Attorney general investigations could go on for months, and people need to get to work now,” Howland noted.
The city council will also consider Ordinance 2026‑0780, which would formalize the loan of gas‑tax funds to JTA. The ordinance follows a 2021 gas‑tax increase that earmarked $247 million for the autonomous‑vehicle program and $132 million for the Emerald Trail, a 32‑mile multi‑use path.
Looking ahead
Both the state and city investigations are expected to produce reports in the coming months. Officials say the findings will guide decisions on how to restore fiscal stability while preserving essential transit services for Jacksonville’s families and workers.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
