JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville’s Office of General Counsel said Thursday JEA does not intend to negotiate with area counties to sell any of its assets.

The embattled utility contends once it stopped seeking bidders, those talks were terminated, per their agreements with Nassau and St. Johns counties.

St. Johns commissioners want to discuss purchasing water and sewage services for the 70,000 customers in the county who rely on JEA.

Per newly released documents obtained by Action News Jax, this could be headed to court.

Those letters to St. Johns and Nassau Counties stated, “JEA does not intend to continue any discussions with the County.”

St. Johns fired back with a letter Thursday discussing “dispute resolution procedures” and “other remedies as may be available.”

“I’m a little puzzled why JEA would not want to go forward with negotiations,” said St. Johns Commissioner Henry Dean. “Nothing forces them to reach a deal. If we reach a deal we do, and if we don’t, we don’t.”

Action News Jax has obtained documents indicating JEA gave permission for St. Johns to buy the water and sewer system without saying it hinged on a sale.

In an October letter to JEA from then-St. Johns County administrator, Michael Wanchick, he said “JEA remains in noncompliance” with the terms of the agreement that allows the county the right to make the purchase.

He added JEA artificially inflated the estimated purchase price.

“There were some numbers that were discussed that seemed high, but I want to make sure we’re basing our decision on facts,” said St. Johns Commissioner Jeremiah Blocker.

Both commissioners said they would not vote for a purchase if they couldn’t guarantee rates and service would be consistent for current customers.

“I would prefer to have lower rates for water,” Vicky Lobo said. “I would be open to [a purchase], for sure.”

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