Heather Obora’s frank testimony before Jacksonville’s Financial Audit and Oversight Committee sharpened the questions surrounding JTA’s financial crisis. At the November 2 hearing, the former finance chief described inheriting troubled finances and trying to bring the budget into line. News4Jax reported that the nearly three-hour meeting included testimony from Obora and former CFO Greg Hayes, while another former CFO, Raj Srinath, did not appear.

The hearing makes timely testimony from former CEO Nat Ford that much more important. Jacksonville Today reports that Councilman Rory Diamond expects Ford to appear in January 2027, with no specific date announced. The subpoena permits a virtual appearance. That leaves a reasonable question: if Ford does not have to travel to Jacksonville, what prevents an earlier hearing? As an attorney that prides himself on being a contrary vote of 'no' on most city council initiatives it's interesting to see how soft Diamond is regarding these matters.

Heather Obora’s Testimony Identifies Missing Costs and Depleted Cash

According to Jacksonville Today’s account, Obora described JTA’s finances on returning to the CFO role in July 2025 as “a disaster.” She identified more than $20 million in depleted reserves, nearly $7 million in underbudgeted wages and benefits, and approximately $3 million in omitted NAVI maintenance-facility operating costs. She also described delayed grant billing and Connexion Plus costs exceeding supporting revenue.

Obora said the capital-projects fund held only $11,000, with some upgrades halted because JTA could not pay vendors. She reported NAVI construction costs rising from about $44 million to $67.5 million and a $14.2 million budget amendment brought to the board in February 2026.

The Warning That Requires a Timeline

Obora also said that during 2025, while she worked in procurement, Srinath told her: “We’re going to be broke.”

That account demands a precise timeline. When was the warning given? Did it reach Ford, other executives or the board in writing, and what corrective action followed? Srinath’s account and response remains essential although he chose not to attend yesterday's meeting.

News4Jax reported that committee members discussed a subpoena for Srinath but allowed additional time for a voluntary appearance. Chairman Chris Miller said he wanted to hear from him this month. His testimony could help test the accounts already presented rather than leave the committee relying on descriptions of his tenure by others. Curious though that the former CFO's testimonies are sought this month, but Diamond's negotiations with Ford suggest a January testimony for the CEO.

Hayes’ Departure Adds Another Question for Ford

Hayes told the committee that JTA had a surplus when he was asked to leave in September 2023. Interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson confirmed that the Ford directed Hayes’ termination. Ferguson declined to explain the reason, citing concerns about disclosing exempt personnel information. Was it due to his knowledge of the financial situation?

Ferguson's testimony identifies a leadership decision requiring explanation. Ford should explain the financial circumstances surrounding the change and how he assessed the finance function afterward. Personnel confidentiality should not prevent the committee from examining budgets, cash reports and management oversight.

Ferguson Has Also Pointed to Ford’s Decisions

Obora’s account follows Ferguson’s own public criticism of Ford. Addressing the JTA board on October 28, Ferguson said Ford repeatedly overrode executive advice about financial limits while pursuing policy goals. According to the Jacksonville Daily Record, Ferguson also attributed accelerated NAVI development to an imposed timetable and said the Skyway operated three years longer than leadership thought it should.

Ferguson sought to distinguish responsibility for his interim tenure from the decisions made under Ford. His position as Ford’s former second-in-command also warrants questions about what he knew, how he raised concerns and whether the board received those warnings.

Taken together, Obora’s November 2 testimony and Ferguson’s October 28 statements make Ford’s response more urgent. The public now has accounts identifying both financial shortcomings and alleged decisions to proceed despite executive concerns. A prompt hearing would give Ford the opportunity to answer those claims, correct inaccuracies and identify documents supporting his account.

Why Wait Until January for Nat Ford’s Testimony?

The argument for urgency predates this hearing. In October, the Finance Committee voted 7–1 to subpoena Ford, initially setting testimony for October 23 while expressing willingness to accommodate his availability. Diamond argued then that Ford’s impending departure for Dallas made securing his testimony pressing.

Obora’s account now gives the committee specific issues to put before him. An initial appearance could establish what he knew, when he knew it and which records support his explanation. Further testimony could follow if additional documents or witnesses identify unresolved questions. A virtual appearance removes the need for a trip back to Jacksonville. The public deserves an explanation of why Ford is delaying answering for the financial problems at JTA that he as CEO was responsible for.

Ford and Diamond Should Explain the Timetable

Is Ford deliberately avoiding testimony? It looks that way. What specific obstacle requires waiting roughly two months instead of arranging a remote appearance promptly? Document review, coordination with counsel or a decision to hear other witnesses first could explain some preparation time, but none has been established here as the reason for the January timetable. Ford and Diamond should explain whether the timing reflects Ford’s availability, the committee’s investigative sequence or another constraint and why an earlier initial appearance cannot be arranged. He's too busy isn't good enough.

Ford should identify his earliest workable availability, and Diamond should explain what remains to be resolved in arranging the appearance. If the committee prefers to hear from Srinath first, it should state that sequencing decision and give the public a timetable. Obora has put concrete financial shortcomings into the public record and attributed knowledge of them by the former CFO. Jacksonville should not have to wait without explanation for its former chief executive’s account.

Sources

1. News4Jax: Jacksonville committee continues to seek answers on $40 million transit authority deficit — Published November 2, 2026.

2. Jacksonville Today: Former JTA CEO Nat Ford to testify before City Council in January — November 2, 2026.

3. Jacksonville Daily Record reporting via News4Jax: Former JTA CEO Nat Ford to testify before City Council committee regarding the agency’s finances — October 20, updated October 21, 2026.

4. Jacksonville Daily Record: Nat Ford blamed for JTA’s ‘fiscal cliff’ — October 28, 2026.

JTA at a Crossroads Series