JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Housing Authority board voted Tuesday to fire CEO Cheron Corbett Waller, effective immediately, and named former JHA CEO Roslyn Phillips as acting CEO.
The board voted unanimously to dismiss Corbett Waller without cause during an emergency meeting.
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The decision comes after Action News Jax broke the story last week about Corbett Waller asking for a 12% cut of any development fees JHA receives.
Before moving to oust the CEO, commissioners laid out their reasons for wanting Corbett Waller’s removal, including her development fee proposal.
If Corbett Waller’s proposal was approved, it would have resulted in her netting close to $1 million from projects like the redevelopment of Franklin Arms—such a payout being well beyond her $300,000 base salary.
Daniel Blanchard, JHA Commission Chair, described further problems within JHA.
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“Within the organization, I think there’s operational issues, I think there’s cultural issues, there’s financial issues, the books are a mess, the million-dollar bonus concept I think was horrific,” Blanchard said.
Corbett Waller’s attorney, Tad Delegal, called the situation disappointing.
“I think it’s very unfortunate that they would not permit an opportunity for a response or to defend oneself, especially since she’s done such a good job with this authority,” Delegal said.
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Delegal said it appears the board will pay Corbett Waller her severance, which is 22 weeks of pay.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan issued the following statement:
“The JHA board acted decisively to deliver thoughtful accountability, addressing conduct that was unsuitable for a public agency. This is an example of what we should expect from all our city boards: asking questions, demanding answers, and making decisions that preserve the public’s trust. It’s the type of leadership we are encouraging with the executive order that I recently signed and that our citizens expect and deserve. Chair Blanchard and his fellow board members have my gratitude, and I am confident they will select a CEO that continues to address housing affordability in our city.”
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