Personnel committee nominates Colleen Hamsey as chief of research; approves title change for legislative services manager

Colleen Hamsey, a research assistant in the council's research division, was nominated by the Jacksonville City Council personnel committee to become chief of the research division effective March 8, 2025. The committee also approved a title change to appoint Jessica Denson as assistant chief of Legislative Services.

The committee moved to fill the chief's role after Jeff Clemens, the division's chief of research, said he will retire after 35 1/2 years, with a last day of March 7. Yvonne Mitchell, Chief of Administrative Services, presented Hamsey as the candidate, saying the recommendation seeks "to support continuity of services" and "preserve organizational knowledge." Mitchell identified Hamsey as a research assistant with eight years in the division and said she has staffed standing and special committees and supervised interns.

Jeff Clemens, the outgoing chief of research, recommended Hamsey to the committee. "She does the bill summary. She does the research. She does the posting of the things to the public notice system. Very efficient. I would highly recommend her as, your potential candidate," Clemens said.

Several council members offered public support before the committee voted. Council members and other supporters described Hamsey as experienced and steady. Council member Pittman said Hamsey is a "quiet storm" whose work "does speak for her," and added that institutional knowledge is important to retain. Council member Nick Allen and others also voiced support during the meeting.

The committee moved that the Office of General Counsel file a resolution on behalf of the personnel committee seeking a one-cycle emergency confirmation by full city council. The motion to appoint Hamsey was moved by Dr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Hallin; the committee recorded the motion as passing unanimously.

The committee separately approved a title change for Jessica Denson in Legislative Services to assistant chief, noting Denson has performed the duties of the assistant chief since August and that the title change carries no salary change. Mary Anne Lemieux, Chief of Legislative Services, explained the change is to formally recognize work Denson has already been performing and asked the committee to schedule legislation and an appointment by resolution on the committee's calendar.

Committee members asked whether the open chief position must be publicly posted. A member identified as Miss Nelson told the committee that under "section 116909" positions that require confirmation by city council or appointment by a board or commission may be filled by current employees without posting. The committee recorded that the research assistant vacancy will be filled; Mitchell said the city is "actively in pursuit of filling the research assistant position."

Public comment at the meeting included a statement from John Newney, who had unrelated personnel concerns; the chair redirected the comments to matters relevant to the committee.

The committee took no action on a city secretary position during the meeting. Documents distributed to the committee list the proposed salary for the chief of research under a logistics item labeled "B," which the committee chair said is on the record; the specific salary amount was not read into the record during the discussion.

The personnel committee's actions now move to the Office of General Counsel and then to city council for confirmation under the requested one-cycle emergency schedule.