JEA CEO Vickie Cavey has resigned from the city-owned utility that serves every Mandarin household, effective Friday, Sept. 25.

Cavey sent her resignation letter to JEA Board Chair MG Orender, writing, "It is with a heavy heart that I am submitting my resignation," Action News Jax reported on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The letter said she is retiring.

Cavey had been on medical leave since late July. Her leave followed a Jacksonville City Council investigation into accusations of toxic work culture and racism at JEA.

An employee survey completed roughly two weeks before the resignation did not support the racism and toxicity claims. It did find Cavey was difficult to work with. The JEA Board had asked her to undergo executive counseling. Council President Nick Howland said the results of two recent independent employee surveys indicated "Vickie Cavey will be deeply missed."

Interim CEO Jody Brooks will continue leading the utility. JEA said a special meeting will be held to determine next steps, though no date has been announced.

How the investigation unfolded

The City Council's Special Investigatory Committee on JEA, created by then-Council President Kevin Carrico, began its work earlier this year. At a Finance Committee meeting on May 19, Legislative Counsel Jason Teal outlined the committee's scope: uncollected capacity fees, workplace toxicity and racism allegations, and financial risks tied to a planned combined cycle power plant. Subpoenas were issued for Cavey, Brooks and former JEA legal counsel Regina Ross.

Cavey testified under oath before the committee on June 22. She said she was nominated for the permanent CEO position by former JEA Board member Bobby Stein.

The hearings drew criticism from within the council itself. Council member Matt Carlucci said at the committee's June 8 hearing, "We're treating (JEA) like prosecutors up here," calling the proceedings "disturbing and toxic and directionless," as The Florida Trib reported.

Uncollected fees and a $1.57 billion plant

The leadership change comes as JEA faces major financial decisions. Council Auditor Brian Parks told the FAO Select Committee on July 27 that uncollected capacity fees on large meters since 2003 could total as much as $75 million. JEA's own estimate was $25 million. Brooks told the Finance Committee on Aug. 21 that a new collection procedure is being drafted for the JEA Board to consider in November.

The utility's board approved a $1.57 billion, 675-megawatt natural gas plant on Aug. 26, 2025, with deployment expected in 2031 or 2032, according to Utility Dive.

JEA also raised water and electric rates earlier this year. Jacksonville Today reported the average customer's combined bill would rise about $8 per month.

City leaders react

Mayor Donna Deegan said Jacksonville "owes Vickie a debt of gratitude for her many decades of exemplary service."

Howland said he hopes JEA's next CEO will focus on "providing Jacksonville families and businesses with reliable, high-quality water, sewer, and electric services at the lowest possible rates."

Council member Rory Diamond wrote on X:

@RoryDiamond: "I hear new leadership is in store for @NewsfromJEA. Wish Ms. Cavey well in the future. JEA is a critical service for our residents, and I hope future leadership will do everything they can to stabilize or reduce rates."

The FAO Select Committee's 60-day report on JEA capacity fees is due Sept. 18, with the Finance Committee expected to take over the issue after that date.