JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A rejected pay plan for Jacksonville Housing Authority CEO Cheron Corbett Waller could have paid her nearly $1 million from one affordable housing project alone, and now the JHA board chair is questioning the timing of a legal settlement with a board member ahead of the compensation vote.
Action News Jax first reported Monday that Corbett Waller sought compensation equal to 12% of developer fees generated by JHA projects plus a $30,000 bonus in addition to her $300,000 annual salary.
JHA Board Chair Daniel Blanchard said the board quickly rejected the proposal, which also called for setting aside 13% of developer fees for eligible senior staff.
“Those were big numbers. It was almost offensive, so we shot that down immediately,” Blanchard said to Action News Jax’s Ben Becker.
‘Not going to happen’
Now, Blanchard is wondering what the proposal could have meant for Franklin Arms, a major JHA redevelopment project.
JHA plans to demolish the crime-plagued former apartment complex and replace it with a 130-unit affordable housing development as part of a roughly $50 million project. Jacksonville City Council has approved $1 million toward the effort.
Documents obtained by Becker show the developer fee associated with the project is approximately $8.1 million.
If Corbett Waller’s proposal to get a 12 percent cut of developer fees had passed, she could have received approximately $972,626 from the Franklin Arms developer fee alone.
When Becker asked Blanchard about that figure, he laughed.
“That’s not going to happen, Ben. Not going to happen. Not on my watch,” Blanchard said.
Corbett Waller has said developer fees can range from 1% to 12%, and her proposal characterized the compensation as consistent with industry practices.
Board chair questions timing of settlement
Blanchard is also concerned about the timing of JHA’s settlement with board member and JHA tenant Harriet Brock.
The agreement was reached Friday, three days before the board considered Corbett Waller’s compensation package.
Brock sued JHA, including Corbett Waller, after losing her housing voucher. Under the settlement, Brock’s voucher is restored, but she is required to repay disputed housing assistance, and she must resign from the JHA board.
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Blanchard said Corbett Waller was involved in the settlement negotiations.
Brock had been expected to oppose Corbett Waller’s proposed pay increase.
“The optics are terrible,” Blanchard said.
Mayor’s reaction
Action News Jax also contacted Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s office. The mayor appoints JHA board members.
Becker asked whether Deegan knew the Brock settlement was being negotiated and whether she approved the agreement before it was finalized.
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The mayor’s office responded:
“Ms. Brock made a personal decision to accept the settlement, which was negotiated between her lawyer and the Office of General Counsel on behalf of JHA.”
The statement did not directly answer whether the mayor knew about or approved the agreement before it was finalized.
We reached out to JHA repeatedly to see if the agency or Corbett Waller had a response or comment. We did not hear back.
What’s next
Blanchard also acknowledged questions about how Corbett Waller views the board’s rejection of the compensation proposal.
When asked about his level of concern that the CEO may now be disgruntled, Blanchard responded:
“Well, I think that’s a question.”
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Blanchard said the board plans to evaluate Corbett Waller before considering any pay raise.
JHA does not post its board agendas or meeting packets online. Action News Jax is seeking information about when Corbett Waller’s evaluation and any potential compensation changes could come before the board.
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