News Summary
The Jacksonville Housing Authority is seeking $90,000 for a public records request linked to vendor payment delays. This stems from an investigation revealing issues with timely payments to vendors, including a temporary staffing agency owed over $32,000. JHA claims it requires 2,450 hours to process the requests due to the high volume of invoices. Meanwhile, the agency navigates leadership changes and past controversies, focusing on enhancing operational integrity.
Jacksonville – The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is seeking nearly $90,000 to fulfill a public records request initiated by local news. This request is a significant part of an ongoing investigation focusing on delayed payments to vendors, raising concerns about the Authority’s financial management practices.
Ben Becker, a reporter for local news, made the records request over a month ago after discovering that multiple companies working with JHA were not receiving timely payments. One key example highlights a local temporary staffing agency, I-Tech Resources, which is owed more than $32,000 for invoices dating back to February. Internal communications obtained during the investigation confirmed the outstanding balance owed to the agency.
The JHA has indicated that pinpointing the specific invoices needed for the records request is not a simple task. The agency cited its processing of approximately 49,000 invoices since January 1, 2024, making it difficult to isolate the required documents accurately. JHA now estimates that it will require around 2,450 hours of labor to locate, review, redact, and archive the relevant invoices to comply with the request. This labor is projected to cost approximately $89,425, calculated at a clerical rate of $36.50 per hour.
For context, a full year of work for a single employee typically amounts to 2,080 hours, given a standard 40-hour work week across 52 weeks. This fact underscores the extensive labor efforts JHA claims are necessary to fulfill the request.
Action News Jax has been closely examining issues within the Jacksonville Housing Authority for over 18 months. Back in June, it was revealed that JHA had enlisted the services of Nan McKay & Associates to manage its Housing Choice Voucher program. This company has a controversial history, notably a $3.7 million fine imposed by the Department of Justice in the past.
Over the past year, the Jacksonville Housing Authority has been embroiled in various controversies. One significant incident involved the arrest of the former comptroller in August on charges related to the fraudulent use of a credit card. This misconduct pertained to the misuse of prepaid cards that were intended for low-income residents.
To address leadership instability, JHA has appointed Corbett Waller as its new CEO. Waller negotiated an annual salary of $300,000 after initially seeking $310,000. With experience as the head of two other housing authorities and roles at the Chicago Housing Authority and Bank of America, she aims to promote affordable housing initiatives in Jacksonville. Waller will also be eligible for performance bonuses of up to 10% of her salary, adding further financial incentives linked to her leadership.
The selection process for the new CEO was noted for its transparency, characterized by public negotiations that illuminated Florida’s open meeting laws. This approach contrasts with prior leadership challenges at the Authority, marked by a series of interim CEOs since the resignation of former CEO Dwayne Alexander.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority is currently under review to enhance its policies in response to prior internal investigations, especially those conducted by the Inspector General. These investigations highlighted issues of sexual misconduct under former leadership. Specifically, investigations found that previous CEO Fred McKinnies was engaged in multiple sexual relationships with subordinate employees, a situation that presented conflicts of interest. Although these relationships were deemed consensual, the Inspector General flagged the ambiguity in JHA’s existing policies concerning supervisor-subordinate interactions.
In conclusion, the Jacksonville Housing Authority is attempting to manage a challenging landscape characterized by vendor payment delays, leadership changes, and internal controversies. The requested funds for public records processing underscore the complexities currently facing the agency as it strives to maintain operational integrity and address ongoing issues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Active Real Estate Market in Jacksonville Beach and St. Johns County
Jacksonville’s Block N7 Development Project Receives Attention
JaxPort Invests $4.5 Million in New Warehouse Facility
JEA Begins Sale Process for Downtown Jacksonville Headquarters
Two Proposals Submitted for JEA Tower in Jacksonville
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Opens New Office in Jacksonville
Nan McKay & Associates Fined $3.7 Million Over Cybersecurity Issues
JHA Outsources Housing Choice Voucher Program Amid Scandal
Sysco Acquires Site in Jacksonville for Project Moana
Decline in Homelessness in Los Angeles County Marks Second Year
Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: JHA Seeks $90K for Records Request
- First Coast News: JHA CEO Finalist Contract
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Jacksonville.com: JHA Board Fires CEO Fred McKinnies
- News 4 Jax: Investigation of JHA Chief
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
