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JTA officials tell committee FY25 overspend driven by paratransit and benefits; committee approves reconciliation

Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee · April 9, 2026

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Summary

Jacksonville Transportation Authority representatives told the TEU Committee that FY25 actuals exceeded budget by roughly $19.8 million, driven by Connection Plus expenditures, higher fringe benefits and Navi startup costs; the committee approved the JTA reconciliation ordinance 20260146 6–0.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority officials briefed the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee on a fiscal year 2025 budget "true up" and accepted committee approval of ordinance 20260146 to reconcile the prior year budget.

Jessica Shepler, senior vice president of public affairs at JTA, said the true-up reflects actual FY25 outcomes and the board's prior approval of the reconciliation. Heather O'Borah, JTA's chief financial officer, told the committee that JTA's transit operations fund carries approximately $31,000,000 and total fund balances about $43,000,000, but that FY25 had an actual expenditure variance of roughly $19,800,000 over the adopted budget. She identified three primary drivers: approximately $99,500,000 in Connection Plus expenditures (recorded as budget transfers), about $6,000,000 in increased fringe-benefit costs tied to collective-bargaining health-care changes, and roughly $5,100,000 in Navi service costs that began in July 2025 and were not anticipated when the budget was compiled.

"For this 2025 year, we had a $19,800,000 actual expenditures over budget," O'Borah said, and she described timing differences and higher-than-anticipated health-care costs as key contributors. Committee members asked follow-up questions about reserve levels and whether federal funds supported Navi operations; O'Borah said operating and maintenance for Navi were locally funded at this time.

After questions, the committee opened the ballot, recorded 6 yays and 0 nays, and passed ordinance 20260146. JTA told the committee it expects to introduce the next budget amendment this month and noted it has taken internal measures, including layoffs, to move toward a balanced budget.