The Alachua City Commission dais shuffled and reshuffled on Monday after staff swore in newly elected Commissioner Jackson Youmas and the commission voted Jennifer Ringersen as vice mayor.

In his first-ever campaign, Youmas defeated incumbent Dayna Williams and challenger Bill Menadier from Alachua’s Planning and Zoning Board after securing 52% of the votes for Seat 3 during the April 14 election. Youmas’s votes totaled 833, over Williams’ 463 votes and Menadier’s 310.

City officials, Alachua County Commissioners and community members at Monday’s meeting gave Williams a standing ovation as she stepped down from the dais.

City Manager Rodolfo Valladares presented Williams with an award recognizing her service on the commission since 2018, with two terms as vice mayor, before she gave departing remarks.

She congratulated and thanked Youmas for a gracious win and said she’d be available for any guidance if he needed. Williams recognized Commissioner Shirley Green Brown for her mentorship and echoed Mayor Walter Welch’s calls for unity.

She said she was grateful for Ringersen’s friendship and that even though she and Commissioner Jacob Fletcher probably didn’t see eye to eye on anything, she said their disagreements had led to new ideas.

As a “proud Alachuan,” Williams said she was a member of the community before she got elected and she would continue to be one after.

“Serving the city of Alachua for the past eight years has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said. “This role has come with responsibility, challenges and growth, and I am grateful for all of it. I truly believe that seasons in life have purpose, and I feel at peace knowing that mine has come to a close.”

During commissioner comment, Youmas thanked everyone who supported his campaign and said it was time to get down to business.

He said when people asked him to run, he prayed about it and decided to do it. Youmas said he aims to bring transparency to the city and that people could ask him anything at any time. Youmas has worked at CVS for over 20 years and said he will continue working in ministry as a commissioner.

“It’s time for business, and it’s time to be real and serious about what we do to take care of the people, whatever that means; fiscal responsibility, transparency and caring for each other,” he said. “We all say the same thing: We love this community. Words are one thing, but let’s show it. Let’s do it. Let’s do it together.”

The commission voted 3-2 to install Ringersen as vice mayor.

Green Brown made the nomination for Ringersen, which Youmas followed with a nomination for Fletcher. Fletcher and Youmas dissented against the nomination for Ringersen, who has served on the commission since 2021.