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Former JTA CEO Testimony Subpoena

At a glance

  • What: the Finance Committee's 2026-10-20 vote to issue a subpoena for testimony from former Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) CEO Nat Ford, on an emergency basis (less than the usual 7 days), for a special committee meeting on Friday, 2026-10-23.
  • Where it stands: approved on a voice vote with one no (Dr. Johnson). The special meeting is noticed for 11:15 a.m. on 2026-10-23, after the FAO Select Committee's 9:30 a.m. meeting (see Finance Committee Meeting - October 23, 2026 and FAO Select Committee Meeting - October 23, 2026).
  • Why now: Ford's last day at JTA was 2026-10-21 and he starts a new job as CEO of the Dallas transit agency the next Monday. Sponsor Diamond called it a "friendly" preemptive subpoena meant to get him to appear voluntarily.
  • What's next: Diamond is the single point of contact with Ford and can release him from the subpoena or reschedule if he agrees to appear. If he does not appear, the committee and then the full council would decide whether to enforce it. The subpoena will list the three issues from the council auditor's report first.
  • 2026-10-23 update (official minutes): at the special Finance Committee meeting Ford did not appear. Diamond said the subpoena was served on time and an alternative time is being negotiated. Johnson moved, White seconded, to remove the subpoena; it failed 1-6 with Johnson alone in favor. General Counsel Fackler said the subpoena need not be reissued for a new date. See 2026-10-23 - Finance.
  • Official minutes (2026-10-20): the motion was made by Diamond and seconded by Gay, and approved 7-1 with Johnson opposed (the captions describe a voice vote). The subpoena waives the 7-day service requirement and covers items including but not limited to the issues in the Auditor's Report.

What the official minutes record

At the 2026-10-23 special meeting (2026-10-23 - Finance), Staffopoulos of the Office of General Counsel cited the penalties for ignoring a lawful council order: Charter Section 5.09 (misdemeanor, fine up to 1,000 dollars or up to 60 days in jail, or both), Ordinance Code Section 134.105 (contempt of the Council, a class D offense) and Charter Section 18.01 (misdemeanor, fine up to 1,000 dollars or up to 90 days, or both). Howland called the subpoena "friendly"; Salem wanted testimony from past chief financial officers before Ford's. The minutes set no new testimony date.

The 2026-10-20 vote that issued the subpoena was a voice vote in the video; the Finance Committee minutes of that date should be read alongside 2026-10-20 - Finance.

Arguments

  • For: Howland and Diamond said the board and auditors relied on projections prepared by JTA leadership, so the council needs testimony on how they were built, and a subpoena is stronger while Ford is still employed and in Jacksonville. Boylan asked that the subpoena point Ford to the auditor's three critical issues.
  • Against or cautious: Dr. Salem said the council should first identify and question the CFOs and have the auditors prepare questions for Ford, and noted Ford already faces state subpoenas. Dr. Johnson said the board made the final decisions, that the board chair and CFO should be heard too, and that moving from a request to a subpoena within hours was unfair.
  • Timing: the call and email to Ford came the morning of the vote. Counsel noted the Sunshine Law requires at least 24 hours of notice for any change in the meeting time.

Sources

Discussion time

About 42 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting Minutes
2026-10-20 - Finance 42

Log

2026-10-23 - Finance

Ford did not appear; Johnson's motion to remove the subpoena failed 1-6; counsel described the penalties for non-compliance and said no reissue is needed for a new date.

2026-10-20 - Finance

Diamond moved the subpoena; after debate over speed and sequencing, it passed on a voice vote with Dr. Johnson opposed, and the special meeting was set for Friday at 11:15 a.m.

Minutes: motion Diamond/Gay approved 7-1, Johnson opposed; the subpoena waives the 7-day service period and sets testimony for October 23 at 11:15 a.m.