Jacksonville City Council reappoints General Joe DiSalvo to JEA board after months-long freeze

The Jacksonville City Council voted Tuesday to reappoint General Joe DiSalvo to the JEA board, ending a months-long freeze on board appointments that had been tied to investigations into toxic workplace allegations at the utility.The council approved the reappointment 12-7.Council members had put a hold on all JEA board appointments while investigations into allegations of a hostile work environment at the utility played out. JEA is Jacksonville’s community-owned electric and water utility.Former JEA CEO Vickie Cavey had been accused of creating that hostile work environment. Cavey retired in September. Employee surveys conducted during the investigation showed the allegations were unfounded, according to the script.DiSalvo had been a vocal supporter of Cavey during her tenure.The vote was not without debate. Council Member Rory Diamond voted against the reappointment, citing concerns about utility rates.“I simply think that the board of JEA needs to stop raising rates,” Diamond said.