Janice P. Gilley
| Janice P. Gilley | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Escambia County Commissioner for District 5, May 10th 2002 - Nov 15th 2020, Escambia County Administrator April 29, 2019 - June 17th 2020, |
| Religion | Sounthern Baptist |
Janice P. Gilley was the chief administrative officer of the county, the county administrator is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Escambia County Board of Commissioners. It is the administrator's responsibility to implement the day-to-day operations of the county government. The county's 18 departments work under the county administrator to provide services to the residents of Escambia County as directed by the policies, procedures, and programs established by the commission. The county administrator is responsible for recommending an annual county operating and capital improvement budget to the board and coordinating the commissioners' meetings, agendas, and workshops. In addition, this position must work closely to develop and cultivate resilient relationships with our state, federal, county, municipal, for-profit and nonprofit community partners.
Gilley served on the Escambia County School District board in 1999 and was pulled further into Escambia County politics in the aftermath of another major scandal. She was appointed to the Escambia County Commission by then-Governor Jeb Bush in 2002 after he removed four commissioners from the board over a corruption scandal involving land purchased for a proposed soccer complex. She served until 2004.
Gilley has also served as a board member on the Santa Rosa Island Authority.
Before joining UWF in 2009, Gilley worked in various positions in Tallahassee, including at the governor's office, the Florida House of Representatives, and the Republican Party of Florida.
On May 10th, 2019 the Escambia County Commissioners unanimously selected Gilley on Monday after interviewing her and four other candidates. Gilley was the associate vice president of external affairs at the University of West Florida.
In June 2021, in a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Doug Underhill in decent Janice was fired by the BOCC. Commissioner Steven Barry sought the decision, saying that Gilley was not working out as county administrator. Barry made the request to put Gilley's contract up for debate as he came under increasing public scrutiny over a plan to seek back pay for commissioners and senior-level officials who he said weren't informed of a lucrative county retirement plan. Commissioner Jeff Bergosh seconded Barry's motion to remove Gilley.
Commissioner Underhill had this to say on the day Gilley was fired "You are the single greatest threat to the way we've done business in Escambia County, and for that I applaud you,". After being fired Gilley had this to say "While there are many stories and memories, I will never forget asking for live munitions to scuttle a barge headed for the I-10 bridge during Hurricane Sally or the joy experienced at each celebration for the summer youth program, to see the hope for the future in those young people; I look forward to watching that progress, As I have stated many times before, this is my home, and I love it and only want what is best for everyone here".
