Candidate: Ronald Darrell Smith

Fellow Citizens,

It has been an honor to represent you as one of your County Commissioners over the last several years.  I have strived to listen and help solve your problems since being elected in 2020.  Working together, as a board, County staff, and Constitutional Officers, I believe we have accomplished numerous things during this time. Successes include reducing the overall tax mileage and MSTU rate significantly to help minimize your tax increases, seeking and receiving over $11 million from the State to help repave or pave our roads, building a new Jail, and increasing our employees pay. In addition to support for these projects, we have worked with Representative Clemmons, Senator Bradley, Governor DeSantis, and others to receive over $4.2 million in state funding this year to build a new County Extension Building, a new Trenton Fire/EMS Station, a new Emergency Communications System, and support for our Sheriff’s office.  Finally, thanks to our dedicated county staff and our Constitutional Officers the County is in as strong of a financial position as ever. 

Even with these successes, we realize there are still services we can improve.  We will continue to seek to listen to your issues and ideas, and work to improve the services we provide to our residents.  Please call (352-646-6046) or email me directly (DSmith@Gilchrist.FL.US) if you have question, issues, and/or ideas.

Who I am

I am thankful to have lived most of my life (60 years) in Gilchrist County.  I believe our county is a great place to live, raise a family, work, relax, and retire.  Our county is still strong in conservative values like Faith, Family, Freedom, Country, and Community Service.  One of the reasons I am seeking re-election for the district three County Commission seat is to help keep our county this way for future generations. 

My Background

I am thankful to my parents Ronnie and Vivian Smith, who taught my sister Michelle and I the important things in life, including our conservative values.   I graduated from Bell High School, Lake City Community College, and the University of Florida.   I was fortunate to marry my High School sweetheart Faye Shepherd (Jimmie and Nina Sue Shepherd), and to have two beautiful children that have started their own families.  Josh (Jasmin), and Jess (Harrison), along with four grandchildren. 

My Experience

Over my working career I have served as a 4H Extension Agent, and in various environmental related positions with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  I finished my career with the Department as the Assistant Director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy.  In 2015 I took a similar position with the Suwannee River Water Management District before retiring as the Assistant Executive Director in 2019.  I believe these experiences have helped prepare me to serve you as a commissioner.  In these positions I was responsible for managing multimillion-dollar budgets, helping lead and manage staff and programs, and I had the opportunity to serve the public in various ways.  

Community Service and Leadership

Community service has always been important to me having the honor to serve and help lead in Church, as a 4H volunteer, Suwannee River Fair Board Director, Gilchrist County Education Foundation Director, and as a Gilchrist County Recreational Authority Director among others.  I was also honored to be a participate in the University of Florida Wedgworth Leadership Institute program.

Sincerely,

Darrell