Alachua County Commissioners Ken Cornell and Mary Alford were recently appointed to positions on the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) at its annual meeting.
Ken Cornell was re-appointed chair of the Community & Urban Affairs CUA) Policy Committee for the 2025–2026 term and Mary Alford was appointed as the District 9 Representative on the FAC Board of Directors.
The CUA Committee is tasked with developing and recommending an annual statewide legislative platform for counties based on the issue areas under their jurisdiction, according to the press release. The CUA committee will primarily consider and address issues including, but not limited to, the following:
- Growth Management
- Development, Planning and Zoning
- State and Regional Transportation
- Strategic Intermodal System Issues
- Affordable Housing
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to continue the work of this critical committee,” Cornell said in the release. “I have seen firsthand the importance of counties having a strong voice in Tallahassee as we advocate for home-rule protections and our residents.”
Alford will serve on the 46-member FAC Board of Directors where she will represent Florida Senate District 9, which includes Alachua, Levy and Marion counties. She will work with other county leaders to advocate for local priorities, shape statewide policy and provide strategic oversight for the association’s programs and operations.
“I’m honored to serve District 9 on the FAC Board of Directors,” said Alford in a press release. “This role provides a vital platform to elevate the needs of Alachua County while collaborating with leaders statewide to strengthen Florida’s counties. I look forward to continuing my work on issues that impact our communities.”
As an FAC Board member, Alford’s responsibilities will include:
- Policy Leadership & Legislative Advocacy: Helping to set FAC’s statewide legislative agenda and defending county home rule.
- Governance & Budget Oversight: Reviewing and approving the association’s annual budget, strategic initiatives, and service offerings.
- District Representation: Serving as a liaison for commissioners across District 9 and bringing regional concerns to the forefront of FAC’s work.
- Executive Collaboration: Participating in potential appointments to specialty task forces and executive committees focused on key statewide issues.
Also at the FAC conference, Alford was recognized for earning the Certificate of Accreditation as an Advanced County Commissioner Level 2, and she was reappointed to FAC’s Health, Safety & Justice Policy Committee, allowing her to continue her long-standing leadership on related issues, according to the release.