Legislators meet with county leaders
By: Shelia Mader
Senator Jay Trumbull and Representative Shane Abbott visited Marianna as part of their district tour, meeting with local leaders, educators, and students to outline Jackson County’s priorities for the coming year. Both lawmakers were thanked repeatedly for steady support of rural communities and the practical wins that support has brought to Jackson County. Representative Abbott opened by stressing that funding is the backbone of small, fiscally constrained counties like Jackson and said it is rewarding to serve communities that recognize and appreciate investments in education, first responders, and public safety. Abbott said, “All parts of what make a community run require funding.”
Chipola College President Dr. Sarah Clemmons welcomed the delegation and thanked them for backing chemistry lab renovations, “By the spring we will have new chemistry labs.” She asked for $900,000 to launch an advanced manufacturing program and expand welding to meet workforce demand, keeping more homegrown talent in the region.
Jackson County School Superintendent Hunter Nolen brought students to speak directly. Cottondale High School’s Randy Oyouki asked for funding to establish a JROTC program that builds leadership and career readiness. Marianna High School senior Murphy Mitchell asked for school vans so teams and clubs are not sidelined by bus and driver shortages. The district is seeking $200,000 for JROTC and $500,000 for eight 11-passenger vans.
Endeavor Academy’s Jim King described how legislative support has helped young adults with autism move into jobs and independent living, punctuated by the opening of new student apartments. King said, “We’re changing lives.” Student Jasmine Pina thanked the delegation and shared her excitement about moving into her own place.
Healthcare leaders also underscored the gains. Jackson Hospital CEO Brooke Donaldson said state support has allowed the hospital to recruit specialists, purchase a $2.5 million da Vinci surgical robot, and renovate space to attract providers, which lets patients stay close to home for advanced care. She said, “In a time when rural hospitals are closing their doors, we have been able to grow our services.”
Sheriff’s Office representative Wes Burch asked the lawmakers to back a statewide tuition waiver for deputies and staff in degree programs, a Florida Sheriffs Association priority that would help small counties retain talent. Sneads City Manager Bill Rentz thanked the delegation for a new fire truck and upcoming road work, and requested $500,000 for ball field lights to support youth sports.
Jackson County Administrator Jim Dean added a countywide perspective. He thanked the delegation for the Rural Infrastructure Fund and support for fiscally constrained counties, noting that Jackson County’s $126 million budget includes about $43 million in grants that help keep basic services running. He asked the legislators to keep an eye on the looming property tax issue, which he said could hit Jackson County by roughly $18 million and Marianna by about $1 million. Dean also outlined infrastructure needs along Interstate 10 at the State Road 71 and U.S. 231 interchanges, where county water capacity has not been expanded since the 1990s. He said the county will seek help for a new well, an elevated storage tank, and hardening key buildings for hurricanes, citing lessons from Hurricane Michael.
Marianna City Manager William Long thanked the delegation for last year’s appropriation advancing the city’s new fire and police station, a project he said is about eight months from completion. Looking ahead, he asked for help to purchase and demolish the long-vacant Jackson Square retail site and partner with a developer to bring it back to life. Long said, “We will be coming to you for help to return Jackson Square to a vibrant retail center.” He also requested assistance to replace an aging fire truck that spends too much time in the shop and urged the state to fix delays with advance payments on awarded grants so small communities can manage cash flow during construction.
Grand Ridge City Councilwoman Kim Applewhite, who also serves as Marianna’s city clerk, thanked the lawmakers for past appropriations that will bring sewer to the interstate at Grand Ridge. She said the town received a grant four to five years ago to build a new fire station after flooding damaged the old one, but inflation has forced deep cuts to the original plan. She asked for additional funding to restore those cuts and complete the station, noting the town’s volunteers maintain a strong ISO rating of 4 and deserve a facility that matches their service.
Across every speaker, the message was consistent. Senator Trumbull and Representative Abbott have delivered meaningful results for Jackson County, and the community is asking for continued partnership on practical projects that strengthen education, healthcare, public safety, and local infrastructure.
