Commissioners Postpone Affordable Housing Committee Selections

Kim Cole Sweazy

By: Shelia Mader

Jackson County commissioners spent considerable time Tuesday discussing appointments to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC), eventually tabling the matter after disagreement over whether applicants who attended the meeting should receive preference for the four open seats.

County Administrator Jim Dean told commissioners there were originally eight applicants for the four vacancies, but one applicant, Tim Bennett, withdrew his name before the meeting, leaving seven candidates under consideration. State law requires AHAC membership to represent specific categories connected to housing and community development.

Commissioner Paul Donofro initially recommended Charlene Trickey-Durham and Jennie Ann Dean, noting both had previously served on county committees and had expressed a willingness to serve again.

Questions quickly turned to whether the applicants represented all areas of Jackson County. Commissioner Dr. Willie Spires asked if the applicant pool reflected “a cross section of the entire county.”

County staff member Kim Cole Sweazy responded that applicants came from Marianna, Campbellton, Greenwood, and Grand Ridge, but confirmed no applications had been received from the Graceville area.

At the request of commissioners, several applicants who attended the meeting addressed the board directly.

Elizabeth Winskey, manager of Thomas Pines Apartments in Marianna and a representative of Volunteers of America, said she has worked in affordable housing for 15 years and is familiar with the area’s housing challenges. She also explained that Thomas Pines includes units designated for homeless veterans and low-income residents. County Administrator Dean questioned Winskey specifically about veteran housing units, referencing past county and city support funding tied to veteran housing initiatives.

Licensed realtor Kevin Surra told commissioners he moved to Jackson County from Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian and has 27 years of real estate experience, including service on similar boards in the Fort Myers and Cape Coral areas. Surra said he had witnessed homelessness and panhandling in Jackson County and believed “everybody deserves and needs a roof over their head.” He also spoke about a homeless veteran friend living in the area.

Commissioner Donofro used the opportunity to invite Surra to volunteer with Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity, where Donofro serves on the board. Surra said he had already spoken with Habitat representative Kevin Yoder through his church.

Danielle Newsome, a general contractor from Campbellton, told commissioners her family has worked in affordable housing construction for generations. She said her grandparents began building low-income homes in the 1940s, and she and her husband currently own Section 8 eligible rental properties in Malone.

Newsome said her long-term goal is to build affordable homes for low-income and elderly residents and help families transition from rental assistance into home ownership. “So kind of my goal to be on the committee is to give those people a hand up,” Newsome said.

Charlene Trickey-Durham, a small business owner and foster parent, spoke emotionally about the impact housing instability has on families and children.

She told commissioners inadequate housing often contributes to children being separated from their parents and said expanding affordable housing opportunities could help prevent family disruption.

“So, if there are more opportunities for affordable housing in our community, it would lead to children not being separated from their parents,” Trickey-Durham said.

After hearing from applicants, Donofro made the first formal motion of the discussion. He moved to appoint the four applicants who attended the meeting and spoke before the board, arguing they demonstrated commitment by taking time away from work and personal schedules to appear in person. Commissioner Edward Crutchfield seconded the motion.

That motion failed on a 2-3 vote, with Chairman Westbrook, Dr. Spires, and Commissioner Donnie Branch voting against it.

Chairman Westbrook then suggested delaying the decision until the next meeting so all applicants would have an equal opportunity to attend and speak before appointments were made.

Dr. Spires followed with a motion to table the matter until the next board meeting. Commissioner Branch seconded the motion. The motion to table passed 3-2, with Donofro and Crutchfield voting no.

The delay means commissioners will revisit the appointments at a future meeting before filling the four AHAC vacancies.