JEA interim CEO promises transparency

As customers and employees worry about the potential sale of JEA, the utility's new interim CEO promises more transparency and stable rates.

On Monday, Action News Jax sat down with JEA interim CEO Aaron Zahn.

Zahn admitted privatization talks could have been handled differently.

“Do you think that the people of Jacksonville and the ratepayers are seeing transparency? Do you think that this conversation for privatization is really paused or stopped?” Action News Jax reporter Russell Colburn asked Zahn.

“Do I think that the conversation could’ve been held differently over the last three to four months? Absolutely,” Zahn replied.

Zahn said the public will see more transparency in part through revamped board meetings.

Before his surprising resignation amid privatization talks, now-former CEO Paul McElroy said customer rates wouldn’t increase for at least another year.

But with struggling revenues on the electric side for JEA, Action News Jax wanted to know how the utility could avoid it.

“I have been looking and reviewing the financial plans of the company,” Zahn said.  “I think (JEA chief operating officer and President) Melissa (Dykes) and I, as partners, have been looking at how to ensure that we provide the best rate stability for all of our customers going forward. That’s not to say that they won’t ever change.”

Zahn said people are turning to solar power at a rate of 75%, so Action News Jax had questions about JEA’s sustainability.

"The reality is: We do need to look at water supply. We do need to look at ways to do aquifer recharge.
We do need to think about what the future for this entire community is and, ultimately, that's going to be: How do we most efficiently use resources?" Zahn said.

Zahn said he is interested in pursuing the permanent CEO position.

Cox Media Group