Ken Cornell elected chair, Anna Prizzi chosen vice chair in Alachua County reorganization meeting

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Ken Cornell as chair and Commissioner Anna Prizzi as vice chair during a special reorganization meeting on Nov. 6. Clerk Jess Irby opened the meeting and presented a plaque recognizing outgoing chair Commissioner Chestnut for his service to the county.

The nomination for Cornell was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; Prizzi was similarly nominated and confirmed as vice chair. After the vote the gavel was passed to Cornell, who then presided over the rest of the meeting. Commissioners used the opening remarks to thank Chestnut for his leadership and to outline priorities for the coming year.

The ceremony included an invocation by Minister Alan C. Norton and the Pledge of Allegiance. The board also used the reorganizational agenda to confirm a photo opportunity and extend staff introductions, including a brief introduction of new human resources director Susie Swain.

The reorganization vote was procedural and unanimous; there were no recorded roll-call dissenting votes during the voice votes. The board moved next to routine agenda business and public comment.

The commission will continue in its new leadership configuration through the board’s next regular sessions and as it addresses items on the fall agenda, including housing funding, the county’s climate action plan and land‑use updates.