Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has subpoenaed the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), opening a formal investigation into spending and contracts at the agency as it grapples with a $39 million deficit.

JTA confirmed the subpoena Tuesday, Sept. 29. The probe, led by Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution, seeks two years of documents covering Oct. 1, 2023, through Oct. 21, 2025, according to a memo interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson III sent to the JTA board.

Beaches-area City Council member Rory Diamond, who represents District 13 and serves as the council's JTA liaison, told First Coast News on Sept. 29 that taxpayers and laid-off workers deserve answers. "I think our taxpayers and all of the JTA employees who were fired last week deserve answers … Whether it comes from the state attorney general or the (JTA) board leading an investigation or City Council, we need to get to the bottom of what happened," Diamond said.

Diamond recommended the JTA board hire an outside firm rather than conduct a staff-led probe. At a board meeting Wednesday, Sept. 23, he said City Hall lacked the "appetite" for a council investigation during an election year. By Sept. 29, he told the Jacksonville Daily Record he would be open to one.

What the subpoena covers

The subpoena targets contracts between JTA and four firms: Dream Builders Consulting, Jones-Worley Designs, Jacobs Project Management Company and Mason Nye Murals, Action News Jax reported. An earlier Inspector General's report found JTA's 2024 contract with Mason Nye Murals included what the report called "exorbitant" travel and lodging expenses.

Prosecutors also requested records on wellness services including massages, tuition reimbursement policies and ridership numbers for JTA's autonomous shuttle service known as NAVI.

Ferguson's memo noted the subpoena seeks communications involving former CEO Nat Ford, his spouse and the owner of one organizational development firm. Because the request included Ferguson's own communications, he wrote that he asked JTA's internal auditor to handle the records collection.

JTA spokesperson Lynn Opperman said in a statement that the authority remains committed to transparency and will provide records as requested.

Deficit and layoffs

JTA announced Sept. 17 it would lay off up to 194 employees, more than one-fifth of its 846-person workforce. The authority plans to suspend Downtown Skyway service Nov. 2, saving $10 million, and halt NAVI shuttle service Jan. 1, 2027, saving $5.84 million.

Ford resigned from JTA on July 3 and was later hired by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. He continued drawing his $475,904 annual salary in an advisory role through Oct. 23, the Florida Times-Union reported.

Council oversight

Council President Nick Howland is forming a Financial Audit and Oversight Committee to examine how JTA reached a $39 million shortfall. Howland told the Jacksonville Daily Record the committee would not have the power to compel testimony, unlike the earlier Special Investigatory Committee that examined JEA.

The JTA board approved Sept. 23 a plan to redirect $30 million in Local Option Gas Tax funds to pay down a $25 million line of credit and cover other debts, with repayment due by 2037. City Council must approve Ordinance 2026-0780 before the transfer can proceed. No vote date has been set.