JEA Bill

[Cheshire Cat]

Our JEA is well into the Black financially.  I think they may be able to give better rates to the public and at least cut back on the sizable deposits that are required of people.  Many of them well over $800.00, a burden that generally falls of the backs of the people who struggle to keep their bills current as well as the astronomical charges for service restarts for those who have fallen back on their bills.  It is a harmful and costly punitive that is damaging to many local families.  JEA could do much better with these issues.

[tufsu1]

if JEA cuts back on their rates, I'm sure they'd also cut back on the sizeable contribution they make annually to the City....which in turn would yield to higher property taxes....bottom line, no savings!

[Cheshire Cat]

if JEA cuts back on their rates, I'm sure they'd also cut back on the sizeable contribution they make annually to the City....which in turn would yield to higher property taxes....bottom line, no savings!

Perhaps, but adjusting their deposit requirements as well as reducing the reconnection fees for those who lose service will do nothing to impact their bottom line but would make a world of difference to customers.

[c34webb]

I came to this board to find answers as to how JEA can charge these prodigious rates for "Service Availability Charges"? I own a single family home and as a single resident I use very little water. The actual charges in consumption equate to $19.52 while my "Service Availability Charges" equals $97.25. My understanding is there is very little I can do to reduce this bill outside of terminating services. Anyone else in the same boat and found a solution for overall reduction of service fees?

[mellowman28]

I feel the same way, my wife and I just moved here from San Diego..where you would expect water and electric to be much more expensive (considering San Diego has been in a drought for forever now), yet for some reason both bills I have received from JEA have been more than twice the highest bill that I had in San Diego..and my house in San Diego was bigger! It's insane. And the fact that there isn't a petition in JAX for a competitive company to come in and force lower rates is absolutely mind blowing. Where are the politicians? They have a monopoly on electricity in my neighborhood.

[coredumped]

JEA charged people who didn't have any power during hurricane Mathew. Definitely something not right about that.
Meanwhile, the CEO who wasn't here during the storm is getting a 15% bonus, which is just $65,000 of his salary:
http://www.news4jax.com/top-stories/jea-board-to-discuss-possible-bonus-for-ceo_

Aren't monopolies great?

[vicupstate]

I feel the same way, my wife and I just moved here from San Diego..where you would expect water and electric to be much more expensive (considering San Diego has been in a drought for forever now), yet for some reason both bills I have received from JEA have been more than twice the highest bill that I had in San Diego..and my house in San Diego was bigger! It's insane. And the fact that there isn't a petition in JAX for a competitive company to come in and force lower rates is absolutely mind blowing. Where are the politicians? They have a monopoly on electricity in my neighborhood.

Don't ALL neighborhoods operate under a monopoly?

San Diego never gets below 60 and never above 80. Ergo, the heat/air never kick on.  That probably explains the difference.

[coredumped]

Don't ALL neighborhoods operate under a monopoly?

San Diego never gets below 60 and never above 80. Ergo, the heat/air never kick on.  That probably explains the difference.

Sadly, yes they do. In areas where legal monopolies were removed (like Chattanooga) the internet is the best in the country.

I always thought California had one of the highest costs of living in the country? Certainly you'd think water would cost more.

[DrQue]

JEA does not give "bonuses". This is incentive compensation per his employment agreement based on predetermined targets. Hopefully, the requirements are rigorous and the extra comp is well-earned. If not, we have our public appointed board (overhauled by Curry) to thank.

[coredumped]

news4jax says it IS a "bonus"

http://www.news4jax.com/top-stories/jea-board-to-discuss-possible-bonus-for-ceo_

Either way, call it what you will, I'm not sure if the "non-profit" deserves hand out bonuses.

[camarocane]

JEA charged people who didn't have any power during hurricane Mathew. Definitely something not right about that.
Meanwhile, the CEO who wasn't here during the storm is getting a 15% bonus, which is just $65,000 of his salary:
http://www.news4jax.com/top-stories/jea-board-to-discuss-possible-bonus-for-ceo_

Aren't monopolies great?

Just to clarify, because when it hit, I couldn't believe it myself. The CEO was at his daughters wedding and spent a good portion of his time on the phone with the home office. Take that how you will, but IMO I certainly wouldn't fault him for that, or even mention it. 

[Josh]

I feel the same way, my wife and I just moved here from San Diego..where you would expect water and electric to be much more expensive (considering San Diego has been in a drought for forever now), yet for some reason both bills I have received from JEA have been more than twice the highest bill that I had in San Diego..and my house in San Diego was bigger! It's insane. And the fact that there isn't a petition in JAX for a competitive company to come in and force lower rates is absolutely mind blowing. Where are the politicians? They have a monopoly on electricity in my neighborhood.

The cost per kWh is much higher in San Diego than here, so without any additional details provided, the simple solution is that you are using much more electricity here than back in San Diego.

[Tacachale]

I feel the same way, my wife and I just moved here from San Diego..where you would expect water and electric to be much more expensive (considering San Diego has been in a drought for forever now), yet for some reason both bills I have received from JEA have been more than twice the highest bill that I had in San Diego..and my house in San Diego was bigger! It's insane. And the fact that there isn't a petition in JAX for a competitive company to come in and force lower rates is absolutely mind blowing. Where are the politicians? They have a monopoly on electricity in my neighborhood.

The cost per kWh is much higher in San Diego than here, so without any additional details provided, the simple solution is that you are using much more electricity here than back in San Diego.

Which is likely, considering the need for AC here versus in the city known for having the mildest, most consistent weather in the country. The other factor is the fact that JEA is a publicly owned utility, so an outside competitor isn't really an option.