Levy County Commission Urges Governor to Move Forward with New Commissioner, Property Appraiser Taking Office

By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

Two elected offices in Levy County government have been vacant for more than a year and Levy County Commissioners are saying that’s long enough. They are asking the governor to allow two newly elected county officials to be sworn in and take office as soon as possible.

The late District 3 County Commissioner Mike Joyner and the late Property Appraiser Osborne passed away in August of 2021, forcing the county commission to operate with four instead of five members and leaving the property appraiser’s office without an elected leader in charge.

Property Appraiser-elect Jason Whistler would normally be sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2023, and District 3 County Commissioner-elect Desiree Jerrels Mills would take office on Nov. 22 this year, but the county would need Gov. Ron DeSantis’ permission to allow them to begin serving earlier.

Commissioner Matt Brooks won support for his motion at the Jan. 6 board meeting to move forward with both officials taking office as soon as possible. Two letters have been sent to DeSantis asking him to make that possible through his powers as the state’s top elected official.

Brooks pointed out that DeSantis had the option of appointing interim replacements for Joyner and Barker after they passed away but chose instead to allow Levy County voters to make their choices through the election process. Levy County voters selected Mills and Whistler in the August primary this year.

“We’ve been long enough without a property appraiser and a county commissioner in District 3,” Brooks said. “Levy County voters have spoken. We request the governor to go ahead and make this confirmation.”

The board passed Brooks’ motion 4-0. Two letters were sent to the governor asking for permission to seat Mills and Whistler during the current terms of office for Joyner and Barker due to the positions being vacant for an extended period of time and resulting in a hardship on county government.

After the motion was passed, Whistler came forward to personally thank interim Property Appraiser Randy Rutter for shouldering the enormous responsibility of operating the appraiser’s office following his boss’ passing.

“Randy Rutter has been the interim property appraiser and has done an excellent, phenomenal job — the whole staff as well as the board – you’ve been short a member as well,” Whistler said. “Business had kept on going for the county and I commend you and I commend my staff at the property appraiser’s office for a phenomenal job and I thank the board for continuing to work with us when we’ve been shorthanded. We’ve been taking good care of the citizens. I want to thank Randy for all he has done and continues to do for our office.”

Rutter was second in command when Barker was the property appraiser and carries a wealth of institutional knowledge. He is working with Whistler, who has 22 years of experience as a deputy appraiser, as Whistler prepares to take the top job. Rutter chose not to run for property appraiser. He is at retirement age. He promised to work with whoever won the office to ensure a smooth transition.

Mills said she looks forward to taking office as a commissioner.

“I’m excited to serve as your next commissioner. I look forward to working with this board and everyone else. I thank you all for your support,” she said.

Commissioner-elect Tim Hodge, who will be taking the seat of District 4 County Commissioner Lilly Rooks when she retires in November, said he too was looking forward to working with the board after he assumes office.

Commissioner John Meeks commented on what it’s like to get sworn into office as an elected official.

“You get sworn in on one day and sworn at the next,” Meeks said drawing laughter.

“There’s a lot of truth in what you just said,” Commission Chairman Rock Meeks responded.