Council auditor flags JTA budget overrun and large variances in quarterly summary
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Summary
The Council Auditor’s Office presented its quarterly summary (Report 899), noting an unaudited general fund favorable variance but warning of recurring costs masked by one‑time reserves; JTA exceeded spending authority by about $19 million and will likely need a budget amendment.
Tommy Carter of the Jacksonville Council Auditor’s Office presented the quarterly summary for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2025, to the Taxation Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures Commission on Jan. 8 and urged caution because the figures are unaudited and the city’s trial balance had not yet been closed.
Carter said the general fund shows a favorable variance of $92,138,977 in the report, but that after accounting for budgeted uses of fund balance and carryforwards the stronger picture narrows to roughly $44.8 million. He emphasized those numbers are tentative: “the numbers in this report, they’re unaudited,” and the city’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR), expected in April or May, will produce final figures.
The auditor listed independent authorities’ results: JAXPORT (port authority) ended the year with an approximately $8.1 million surplus after unexpected crane‑demolition costs; JEA reported surpluses on its electric and water/wastewater operations; JAA reported roughly a $78 million surplus largely driven by investment income and lower debt costs.
By contrast, JTA exceeded its overall spending authority by about $19 million—about $9 million in the bus division tied to the NABI/vehicle system and roughly $10 million in paratransit/connection services where contracted services were underbudgeted. Carter warned that using reserves to plug recurring shortfalls is not sustainable and that JTA will likely need to seek a legislative budget amendment.
Commissioners asked Carter to invite a JTA representative to explain the NABI and connection program costs and to return with more detail on several items, including the mayor’s office $65,812 overage that resulted from additional part‑time hours. Carter said he would follow up and provide requested information and that he expected the city to close its trial balance later that month.
The commission asked staff to research how often JTA has required budget amendments historically and asked that independent authorities be scheduled to present during the coming year.
