Alachua County commissioners move toward aides, support staff restructure

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to boost support staff with the addition of two commissioner aides and also backed County Manager Michele Lieberman’s proposed reorganization of departments. 

The votes came during a special meeting on Tuesday that covered organizational alignment following two key vacancies. 

First, long-time County Commission Executive Manager Latoya Gainey died in April after 21 years with Alachua County.  

Second, Chief of Staff and Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles left her position effective July 3. Her vacancy followed a whistleblower investigation into Alachua County Animal Resources (ACAR) that Peebles oversaw, resulting in targeted public messages toward her. 

That investigation finished last week and commended Peebles and the current ACAR staff for their work with animals.  

Lieberman said personnel changes represent an opportunity to review and rearrange organizational structure. The commissioner aides fit into the discussion as well. Lieberman said whether to have the aides is a BOCC decision that will impact other support staff.  

Commissioner Anna Prizzia has long advocated for aides to help commissioners research policy, engage with constituents and coordinate events. She also said Gainey carried a load much greater than her title suggested and recommended that her duties be separated.  

“[Gainey] was able to do it because she was an amazingly unique human being, and she had this heart and this way about her, this magnanimous thoughtfulness that just sort of like radiated,” Prizzia said. “She was willing to go above and beyond, but I think in general, in a typical situation, administrative duties and constituent service duties should really be two separate things.” 

Lieberman presented three options for BOCC support staff.  

First, the commissioners could continue without aides—a proposal supported by Chair Ken Cornell and Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler at the meeting. Lieberman said if the BOCC heads down this path, she recommends one additional support staff, along with Gainey’s vacant position and the executive staff assistant. 

Lieberman said the BOCC used to have three support staffers under the previous county manager, but after a resignation, one of the positions was cut. These staff handle public-facing reception; coordinate shared calendars, board meetings, joint meetings, boardroom usage and agenda-related materials like proclamations; track communication to the entire BOCC; and maintain supplies and records. 

Lieberman said the three staffers would be the minimum central support option.  

Second, the five commissioners could each have an aide. Each aide would cost around $75,000 after benefits and travel. Under this option, Lieberman recommended still having the two current support staffers for board-wide functions but not adding another position. 

Third, a hybrid option would split aides between commissioners while keeping at least the two current support staffers. In this model, the aides would fall under the assistant to the BOCC to clarify responsibilities and the scope of work. 

Prizzia and Commissioner Mary Alford both supported the hybrid approach. Commissioner Chuck Chestnut also leaned in that direction.  

He said that as Alachua County grows, the responsibilities for the BOCC support staff will grow. He supported aides for commissioners who want research and constituent assistance while also increasing the BOCC office support staff to three employees.  

Wheeler questioned where the gaps were that the aides would fill. She said she could get to the places that needed her presence and focus on the big issues when they come. She said the BOCC has also had UF interns to research policy issues.  

Cornell said it was the wrong time with a lot of uncertainty on funding.  

“For me, this year is the wrong year to move to a hybrid model,” Cornell said. “It’s not to say that I wouldn’t be open to it, but I really want to get through November.” 

But Prizzia made the motion and received support from Chestnut and Alford to pass.  

The other organizational changes fall under Lieberman’s authority to change, but she presented the reasons at Tuesday’s meeting and asked for a 30-day period where commissioners could raise concerns. If no concerns were raised to bring back at a meeting, then the changes would be permanent.  

Lieberman said the position filled by Peebles would best be split into two roles. 

Peebles performed chief of staff duties—like agenda review, board direction tracking, coordination with municipalities and constitutional officers—while also overseeing  Animal Resources, Information & Telecom Services, Parks and Open Space, UF/IFAS – Alachua County and Tourism & Economic Development. 

The chief of staff would also oversee the County Manager’s Office.  

The change would keep four assistant county managers reporting to Lieberman, along with the chief of staff, communications director, environmental protection director, and executive liaison for public safety and community relations. 

The Alachua County Fire Rescue chief would move from directly reporting to Lieberman to the assistant county manager for public safety and community operations—vacant after Peebles’ resignation. 

Other small changes include renaming Court Services to Justice Support Services and the assistant county manager/chief transformation officer to the assistant county manager for organizational excellence and internal services.  

The BOCC backed Lieberman’s changes without issue. Commissioners will have 30 days to raise concerns before the official switch.