QuoteCarrico text suggests 'big favor' driving push to replace JEA board member with boss
By Ben Becker, Action News Jax
February 16, 2026 at 6:08 pm EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A text message is raising questions about how one of Jacksonville's most powerful public boards is chosen.
Action News Jax's Ben Becker has obtained a text exchange between Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico and current JEA board member Arthur Adams that appears to show Carrico removing the sitting board member to repay what Carrico called a "big favor" to his boss.
'I owed a big favor'
Five days before introducing legislation on February 10 to replace Adams with Paul Martinez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, where Carrico serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Carrico sent a text to Adams on February 5 informing him his term would not be renewed.
In that exchange, Carrico wrote:
"What's up bro... hey I owed a big favor to a friend and opted to put him on the JEA board as your term is expiring... Not sure if you wanted to stay but I needed to do this for my guy."
...
Questions of conflict
The text exchange also surfaces amid broader scrutiny of Carrico's dual roles.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida receives more than $12 million annually in city grant funding through Kids Hope Alliance. As Council President, Carrico plays a key role in shaping the city's budget.
State financial disclosures show Carrico's salary from the nonprofit increased from $111,500 in 2021 to $149,000 last year -- more than a 33% rise over four years, including a $32,500 jump in 2023 alone. He also earns $60,000 annually as a council member.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/carrico-text-suggests-big-favor-driving-push-replace-jea-board-member-with-boss/33SIBSFN2BFPZMLCASZPN3254Y/
Corruption? By a MAGA member of City Council? Tell me it ain't so! I am shocked! Shocked I say, to find there is gambling at Ric's corruption there!