JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE TUESDAY MORNING: JEA's board unanimously votes to fire CEO Aaron Zahn with cause
ORIGINAL STORY:
JEA’s controversial CEO, Aaron Zahn, could be fired as early as Tuesday morning, sources tell First Coast News. The Office of General Counsel has concluded its investigation into the former CEO and his contract with the public utility and is expected to recommend the utility’s board fire Zahn with cause tomorrow, the sources say.
Zahn was put on paid administrative leave in mid-December as criticism mounted over the proposed sale, particularly how employees would be paid bonuses if the sale went through as planned. Zahn has been drawing a paycheck of about $2,000 a day since, according to JEA.
If Zahn is fired without cause, taxpayers would be on the hook for a severance package of $842,000. Under the proposed bonus plan, he would have received an additional $520,000 if JEA was sold.
To be fired with cause, the board would have to find Zahn grossly neglected his duties and obligations or engaged in willful misconduct.
City Councilman Matt Carlucci told First Coast News on Sunday he believes Zahn would be terminated with cause this week.
"It is my opinion that he should refund any and all compensation he has collected since he was put on administrative leave to the rate payers," said Carlucci.
On Monday, City Councilman Rory Diamond echoed Carlucci's sentiment.
"I strongly believe the JEA board has all the cause in the world to terminate Aaron Zahn and he shouldn't get another penny of taxpayer money," said Diamond. "I think the entire community would be shocked and outraged if the Board did anything less than terminate for cause."
The Mayor's Office told First Coast News they could not confirm nor comment on Zahn's situation.
The JEA Board will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday. First Coast News will be there to report on the developments.