In an unusual twist, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown will speak with the two finalists for JEA's top executive position before the  JEA board votes Tuesday on its choice to fill that post.

Mayors historically have not previously engaged in interviewing candidates  for executive positions at the city's independent authorities. Mayors appoint  board members who then have hiring and firing power over the chief  executives.

Mayoral spokesman David DeCamp said Brown will give his perspective on the hiring decision if asked by the JEA board. But Brown's  meetings with the finalists are aimed at getting to know the two finalists since  one of them will lead the city-owned utility.

"His main interest is literally the vision for JEA in the 21st century,"  DeCamp said.

JEA Chairman Ashton Hudson said he does not expect Brown, who requested the  meetings, will subsequently recommend one candidate over the other.

"From my conversation with the mayor, it was not communicated or implied he  was going to make a recommendation to the board," Hudson said. "I think the  mayor recognizes the independence of the JEA board and appreciates the amount of  diligence that has gone into ensuring we have the most qualified candidate  possible leading the organization forward."

He said it's important for the finalists to "understand the mayor's  perspective" on what he wants to see JEA do in the future.