Support grows for possible cut to $247 million for Skyway conversion

[Steve]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/aug/27/jta-interim-ceo-everything-is-on-the-table-regarding-u2c-gas-tax-plans/

I still believe we need to look external at the leader here. That said, if this isn't just lip service, then it's a step in the right direction.

So this is interesting by the Daily Record:

When this story first came out, they used this image as the cover story:



Later this evening, they changed it to this image, which is a little more realistic:


Now in the story, they do have the current Ford Vans. With a Drivers Seat. And a Steering Wheel and Pedals. And an "operator" in the drivers seat of this autonomous hotel shuttle fan that is trained to use a steering wheel and pedals just like the average 16 year old. But.....it's autonomous.

Of note, my SUV is almost as autonomous as this thing is. Apparently I can run a transit agency. Generally outside the driver's seat, there are usually as many people in my SUV as these vans from what I see.

[jaxlongtimer]

The first test of Ferguson's credibility and if there really is a new day coming to JTA...

...Ferguson, who has experience working at both City Hall and JTA, said the the agency is ready to have talks with Mayor Donna Deegan and City Council about the list of gas tax projects.

"Everything is on the table in terms of the conversation," he said...

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2026/08/27/jta-names-cleveland-ferguson-as-interim-ceo/91487531007/

The public numbers suggest NAVI simply must go, if for no other reason, than to right the JTA financial ship.  JTA has full cover by blaming the reduced tax revenue so now is the perfect time to kill it.

[marcuscnelson]

^ Question there will be a matter of contracts, really. No telling if JTA agreed to ridiculous terms with Balfour Beatty/Beep that have to be waited out, or what the FTA will have to say in terms of having their BUILD grant refunded. Probably still a bullet worth trying to bite but we don't even know yet if we're allowed to bite it.

The LOGT legislation statutorily restricts those funds from being used on NAVI/BSIC, so a relevant order of business might be Council modifying that to allow for shutdown/repurposing expenses to come from there. Perhaps give ReadiRide/Connexion some nice digs.

Ultimately, there's a clear credibility problem in that Ferguson was right there next to Nat Ford as a top JTA executive for the entire decade this has all unfolded, and it's hard to believe that Ferguson is going to step into the top job (with Ford directly behind him for at least a month) and promptly dismantle his baby. If he's to be just a caretaker while a bigger search for genuinely new leadership with a distinct (but practical) vision for JTA and transit in Northeast Florida happens, that's fine, but the last thing the Board should consider doing is trying to hand one of the chief architects of the present circumstances the keys permanently just because the ship doesn't totally capsize over the next few months.

[Jax_Developer]

^ Question there will be a matter of contracts, really. No telling if JTA agreed to ridiculous terms with Balfour Beatty/Beep that have to be waited out, or what the FTA will have to say in terms of having their BUILD grant refunded. Probably still a bullet worth trying to bite but we don't even know yet if we're allowed to bite it.

I would be absolutely shocked if JTA does not have to pay massive penalties for ending these contracts. You have to consider all the software & experts that have 7-figure consulting agreements. Those don't end overnight & often involve penalties.

[CityLife]

It could be entirely unrelated, but Lisa Nisenson was WGI's lead consultant for the U2C project, as a sub/partner with Balfour Beatty. She just announced she was leaving her job last week without anything lined up.

It's possible that the U2C work for her dried up, or that it is such a mess that WGI knows they won't be able to get any future work related to it, or maybe something totally unrelated...but the timing is definitely curious.

[fsu813]

... and it's hard to believe that Ferguson is going to step into the top job (with Ford directly behind him for at least a month) and promptly dismantle his baby.

I believe he and everyone else knows which way the wind is blowing on this, otherwise Ford wouldn't have left in the first place. Managing the off ramp skillfully will be a priority, I suspect.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Question there will be a matter of contracts, really. No telling if JTA agreed to ridiculous terms with Balfour Beatty/Beep that have to be waited out, or what the FTA will have to say in terms of having their BUILD grant refunded. Probably still a bullet worth trying to bite but we don't even know yet if we're allowed to bite it.

I would be absolutely shocked if JTA does not have to pay massive penalties for ending these contracts. You have to consider all the software & experts that have 7-figure consulting agreements. Those don't end overnight & often involve penalties.

My experience with these contracts is they are pay as you go.  The customer can exit anytime with appropriate notice and no further expenses.  The hit for the customer is writing off all the prior "value" of the consulting already paid for.  But, better to cut bait than to pour in more dollars to be wasted.

These contracts may also call for certain benchmarks/deliverables from the consultants.  If they fail to hit them, that should be another penalty free exit available to the customer.  I can't imagine NAVI has hit any benchmarks originally envisioned when these contracts were likely signed.

No word recently from Holon?  Did they comment on their buddy's (Ford) departure?  Another piece to this crumbling puzzle.

Ferguson may have gone along with Ford to protect his job.  Now, with his own "coming out", we will see his true colors.  We will know soon enough.