Suwannee commissioners send letter to governor on Commissioner Maurice Perkins’s death; attorney outlines vacancy process

The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners voted Dec. 2 to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis notifying his office of the death of Commissioner Maurice Perkins and requesting that the governor execute an executive order recognizing the death and proceed to fill the vacancy under applicable Florida law.

The chair read the letter to the governor and cited statutory language for the governor’s role in acknowledging the passing and filling the seat. "Dear Governor DeSantis: it is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the death of Maurice Perkins, Suwannee County commissioner representing District 2," the chair read.

The county attorney clarified the legal process for the public: a governor’s executive order is required to make the seat legally vacant and to trigger appointment procedures; whether the governor appoints someone or a special election is required depends on how much time remains in the term. The attorney said if an election would fall within a statutory cutoff (discussed generically in the meeting), the governor typically makes an appointment; the transcript notes there is no statutory timeline requiring the governor to fill the vacancy within a fixed number of days.

Resident Hancock urged the board to recommend Clyde Fleming to the governor as a prospective appointee; the chair said the board would take that suggestion under advisement and consult with the attorney about how recommendations may be transmitted.

Commissioners also offered tributes and memorial-service details for Perkins, saying a memorial service for staff and family would be held at the Coliseum at 3 p.m. Friday and a celebration of life at noon Sunday.

The board approved sending the letter to the governor by voice vote, 4-0.