Former JTA Board Member Demands Criminal Probe After Agency Announces 150 Layoffs
Megan Hayward, a former Jacksonville Transportation Authority board member, has called for a criminal investigation into the agency’s financial mismanagement, alleging that Mayor Donna Deegan ignored her warnings about overspending on the NAVI autonomous vehicle program. Hayward claims the project’s costs ballooned by over $20 million beyond its initial $250 million projection, leading to the current crisis. While Deegan’s office maintains that the city was unaware of the dire financial situation until the board informed them, Hayward and City Council member Rory Diamond argue that officials knew of the problems for years. The controversy follows JTA’s announcement of 150 layoffs and a $39 million budget cut, with Hayward asserting that lower-tier employees are bearing the brunt of executive failures.
