Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Transportation, Energy & Utilities (TEU) Committee of the Jacksonville City Council convened at 9:00 AM and adjourned at 9:45 AM. Chair Ken Amaro presided. Present were Council Members Raul Arias, Reggie Gaffney Jr., Jimmy Peluso, and Mone' Holder; Matt Carlucci was excused and Ju'Coby Pittman was absent. Council Member Michael Boylan attended as a visitor for his sponsored ordinance. The committee approved electric bicycle regulations and a JEA bond authorization, deferred two items, and heard public comments on council attendance and rising JEA rates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carnell Oliver criticized the Council's attendance record and urged members to fulfill their duties. He referenced proposed Council Rule changes (Item 2026-0709) regarding committee quorums and argued that the Council does not show up for work.
• Roshanda Jackson expressed distress over the continual increase in her JEA bill. She stated that many Jacksonville residents are feeling the financial strain and asked the committee to take action.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Electric Bicycle Regulations (2026-0570): Council Member Boylan presented the NCSPHS substitute. Key provisions include: a maximum speed of 15 MPH on sidewalks and shared-use paths, a helmet requirement for operators under 16, prohibition of careless/unsafe operation (enforceable without proof of exact speed), removal of a minimum age at JSO's request, authorization for the City to post speed limit signs, and a requirement that the Transportation Planning Division develop educational signage for brick-and-mortar electric bicycle retailers by December 1, 2026. Boylan noted that state statute allows local governments to set speed limits up to 15 MPH on sidewalks. The 15 MPH limit does not apply to roadways. Council Member Arias questioned why electric scooters were not included; Boylan responded that he wanted to focus on e-bikes first but could expand later. Arias also asked about safety gear and aftermarket upgrades; Boylan confirmed helmets are required and aftermarket retailers could be addressed in the future. Arias, Gaffney, and Holder asked to be added as co-sponsors. Discussion also covered funding for signs: Boylan noted each Council Member has a $45,000 Safe Streets allocation (collectively over $500,000) and asked OGC whether those funds could be used for speed limit signs. Nina Sickler of Public Works estimated individual signs cost $800–$1,000 and the total for 26–27 signs needed at main arteries would be $10,000–$15,000. She said Public Works does not have that budgeted but can work with Council Members and administration to find funding.
• Item 2 – JEA Debt Authorization (2026-0634): JEA Treasurer A.J. Souto explained the ordinance increases the not-to-exceed debt outstanding limits for JEA's systems: electric system from $1.9 billion to $3.9 billion, water and sewer system from $2.5 billion to $3.7 billion, and district energy system unchanged at $150 million. These amounts are inclusive of current debt and cover borrowing needs for 3–4 years. Souto provided context: JEA's previous peak debt was $4.3 billion in 2009 (over 90% debt-to-asset ratio); the new limits would result in ratios in the mid-to-high 50% range for electric and low 60% for water/sewer. He cited drivers: the new combined cycle natural gas plant (replacing a 1977 unit) accounts for $1.57 billion of the electric increase; and on the water/sewer side, a decade of underinvestment plus compliance with Senate Bill 64 (eliminating discharge of treated wastewater into surface waters) are driving capital needs. Souto stated JEA aims to gradually reduce the debt-to-asset ratio to a target of 50% over a five-year window. Chair Amaro confirmed the increase is necessary for utility sustainability. Council Member Arias asked about future projects; Souto noted that after the gas plant comes online in 2031, attention will shift to expiring power purchase agreements, and water reclamation/purification expansions (e.g., a 1 million gallon per day facility in Deerwood and potential expansions to 14–15 million gallons per day at Arlington East and Cedar Bay). Council Member Peluso asked about PPA escalators; Souto did not know but promised to follow up.
• JEA Rate Increase Concerns: Following public comments, Council Members Arias, Peluso, and Holder discussed rising JEA utility bills. Arias reported many constituent emails and meetings, noting commercial increases are even steeper. Peluso stated that the low rates of the past resulted from underinvestment and the current situation requires catch-up investment. He proposed a TEU workshop to address the issue. Holder agreed and requested both a committee workshop and a separate noticed meeting at a different time of day to allow public participation. Chair Amaro committed to coordinating with Legislative Services and OGC to set up such engagements. He noted that affordability is a major concern for all.
• Items 3 & 4 – Deferred: Item 2026-0644 (renaming Cedar Point Preserve to “Middlebrook Preserve”) and Item 2026-0662 (establishing Deep Creek Community Development District) were deferred due to historic preservation review and noticing requirements, respectively.
• Items 5–8 – Read 2nd & Rereferred: All remaining items were read a second time and referred to the appropriate committees without further discussion.
  • Item 2026-0702: Honorary street designation for “The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine.”
  • Item 2026-0704: Collective bargaining agreement between JEA and LiUNA Local 630.
  • Item 2026-0709: Amendment to Council Rule 2.210, defining a quorum as a majority of committee members.
  • Item 2026-0720: Intergovernmental management agreement with St. Johns River Water Management District for Pablo Creek Conservation Area.

Key Outcomes

• Electric Bicycle Ordinance (2026-0570): The NCSPHS substitute was approved unanimously (5-0). The bill now advances to the full Council.
• JEA Bond Authorization (2026-0634): Approved unanimously (5-0). The ordinance authorizes JEA to issue bonds up to the new limits without further Council action.
• Deferrals: Items 3 and 4 were deferred.
• Rereferrals: Items 5 through 8 were read a second time and rereferred to the respective committees; public hearings are scheduled for September 22, 2026, and October 6/13, 2026 as noted in the agenda.
• Future Meeting on JEA Rates: Chair Amaro announced the committee will coordinate with Legislative Services and OGC to schedule a workshop and/or a public noticed meeting to discuss JEA rate increases and provide transparency to residents.
• Next TEU Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and will include a presentation from the Aviation Authority on emergency preparedness.