Two Jacksonville City Council members are pushing to use roughly $2 million in city reserves to help residents struggling with higher JEA bills, with a public meeting scheduled Thursday, Oct. 8, to discuss the proposal.

Council Members Jimmy Peluso and Reggie Gaffney Jr. plan to hear from residents and JEA officials about rising utility costs and ways to expand financial assistance, First Coast News reported.

The meeting is open to Jacksonville residents, including those in Mandarin who have been affected by the recent rate increases.

Peluso, who represents District 7, wants to direct approximately $2 million from city reserves to United Way of Northeast Florida to expand existing utility assistance programs.

The legislation has not been filed, and no funding has been approved. Peluso said he hopes to build support among council members at Thursday's meeting before moving forward.

"I'm trying to get a couple million dollars out of the reserves, give it to United Way to provide to those other programs," Peluso said. "That way people can call 211, get on the program, and take advantage."

The proposal would provide financial assistance to eligible customers rather than lower JEA's utility rates.

Gaffney, who represents District 8, said he has received calls, emails and messages for weeks from residents struggling to afford their utility bills. Those complaints helped prompt the public meeting.

JEA rate increases took effect Oct. 1

JEA customers began paying higher electric, water and sewer rates Thursday, Oct. 1.

Electric rates increased 6.2%, while water and sewer rates rose 8%, according to News4Jax.

JEA estimated the changes would add approximately $8 per month to a typical residential customer's bill, although the actual increase depends on utility usage and services received.

The utility cited financial pressures, including a projected $107 million budget shortfall, in explaining the need for higher rates.

The increases have fueled frustration among Jacksonville residents already struggling with household expenses.

Jacksonville resident Jason Goodrich launched an online petition calling for lower JEA rates after receiving a $500 utility bill that he said reflected normal usage.

The petition had gathered more than 3,500 signatures as of Sept. 22, News4Jax reported.

Mayor Donna Deegan's office also addressed questions surrounding JEA's financial obligations to the city.

In a statement, the administration said JEA negotiated a one-time $40 million contribution to Jacksonville's budget, describing the arrangement as the utility's preferred alternative to larger annual increases in its contributions.

The City Council approved the agreement during the budget process, according to the mayor's office.

How residents can get help and attend Thursday's meeting

Jacksonville residents who need assistance paying utility bills can call 211 to connect with United Way of Northeast Florida and learn about available financial assistance programs.

The city also operates an Emergency Assistance Program through its Parks and Recreation Department's Social Services Division.

Residents can call (904) 255-2469 to request an appointment. The appointment line operates Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assistance is subject to eligibility requirements and available funding.

Thursday's public meeting begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Don Davis Room on the first floor of Jacksonville City Hall.

Residents will have an opportunity to hear about the proposed relief funding and the concerns surrounding JEA's higher rates.

No legislation has been filed to allocate the proposed $2 million, and the City Council would need to approve any funding before additional assistance could become available.

For now, residents facing immediate difficulty paying their utility bills can seek help through existing United Way and city assistance programs.