BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
LAKE BUTLER— Union County has a new county commissioner, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Ryan Perez a few weeks ago. It’s all official now, with Donna Jackson being sworn in by Union County Judge, the Honorable Mitchell Bishop, in the commission meeting room on Dec. 21, 2023.
Jackson, recovering from COVID, said that when Perez resigned, he recommended her to the governor’s office. She said she prayed about it, discussed it with her husband, Donnie, and decided that she would like to serve. She said several members of the community also recommended her for the post. She received her appointment on Dec. 15, 2023.
Jackson has a long history with the county. In 1995, she was hired by Clerk of Court Regina Parrish and served there for 18 years as finance director, leaving five months after current Clerk of Court and Comptroller Kellie Rhoades was elected. After leaving the clerk’s office, she continued as a part-time financial officer with the New River Public Library Cooperative until she retired in 2017. Now, she is working part-time as the office manager for New River Developers/NAPA.
Jackson was born in Orlando and moved to Bradford County with her family when she was a year old. She married Donnie when she was 18 and moved with him to his native Union County. She has lived here for 38 years.
After graduating from Bradford High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, with a specialty in management, from St. Leo University. Her first 10 years of employment were with the Bradford County School District (1985-95), during which time she finished her degree and then went to work for Parrish. She plans to continue her job at NAPA while serving as a commissioner.
Jackson will serve for one year, finishing Perez’s term, and then must run for re-election.
Jackson said she loves the outdoors and nature and enjoys spending time outside, hunting, fishing, and just spending time with her family (Donnie, the couple’s two Goddaughters, and several grandchildren). She said she is excited about serving the county as a commissioner.
“I look forward to serving the people of my district and want to be a positive influence on the board,” Jackson said. “One thing everyone needs is some unity right now. I also plan to work hard to keep the people informed of what is going on with the commission so they will not be surprised by county decisions. I want what the people want and plan to do my best to represent them.”
