For over seven years, my family and I have called Jacksonville our home, and during this time, we have diligently managed our budget, carefully allocating the limited funds we receive from Social Security. Recently, however, we have been experiencing a crisis that is pushing us to the brink of homelessness: our electricity bill from JEA has suddenly doubled, with the utility company blaming it on the summer heat. Having lived through many scorching summers before, I find it unfathomable that this year should necessitate such an extraordinary rate increase.

Families like mine, who live on small, fixed incomes, simply cannot absorb an expense of this magnitude. The astronomical price hike in our electricity bills has brought our household to its knees, and I fear for the survival of not just my family, but many others who are in a similar predicament, struggling to make ends meet. This financial burden exacerbates our struggles with daily living expenses and necessary bills, an already daunting challenge given the minimal increases we see through COLA adjustments to Social Security.

Our plea is for the JEA board to urgently review and consider the dire consequences of their pricing decisions on vulnerable families. Electricity is not a luxury, but a necessity, especially in Florida's sweltering climate. While we understand the financial pressure utility providers face, solutions must include protections for those most at risk of losing their stability.

I urge JEA to introduce a tiered billing system where rates are adjusted based on income. By doing so, they can ensure that vulnerable families are not disproportionately burdened. Additionally, committing to transparency and providing clear, detailed justifications for rate increases is imperative to maintain trust and accountability.

This petition is not just about my family but about countless families in Jacksonville who are at risk of being forced from their homes due to untenable utility costs. By signing this petition, you are standing with us to demand a fair and just policy from JEA; one that safeguards the well-being of all community members and supports the dignity of living in one's own home without the constant fear of financial ruin.

Please join us in calling upon JEA to reassess their electricity pricing and provide tangible relief for families who are bearing the brunt of these exorbitant costs. Sign this petition today to urge for change, for fairness, and for a system that values people over profit.