Search by Keyword
Search by Department
All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesAt the installation and organization meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 22, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recognized the newly appointed and re-installed commissioners as well as the new chairman and vice chairman. Each November, the board holds a reorganization meeting during which the new chairman and vice chairman assume their roles. Watch a recording of the meeting on the Escambia County YouTube channel here.
During the meeting, District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler and District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender took the oath of office for their term through November 2026.
District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler was sworn in by The Honorable Kent Wetherell, II, and read the Commission by The Honorable Pam Childers, Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Commissioner Kohler said, "I cannot express the gratitude I have for the people of District 2 trusting me to be their next county commissioner. I am humbled and hope to bring a fresh outlook to the board from my many years of experience in leadership positions during my career in the Navy. Being a registered nurse for the last 31 years, I truly understand the importance of listening. The people of District 2 will have a commissioner that will listen and work diligently for what is fair and right. I intend to make every effort to work with my fellow board members to tackle the many issues facing District 2. The most pressing issues are the Gulf Beach Highway-Sorrento Road expansion, preserving NAS Pensacola and Corry Station from any mission degradation, a storm water drainage plan, ordinance reform and blight clean up, and finally, begin cleaning up both Bayou Chico and Bayou Grande, both of which have been neglected for many years. I ran on being caring, capable, and committed, but more importantly, assuring the board maintains integrity, honesty and transparency to our citizens is fundamental. General Norman Schwarzkopf once stated, 'The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.' I agree and plan on doing what I believe is right."
District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender was sworn in and read the Commission by The Honorable Jan Shackelford.
Commissioner Bender said, "I am excited and honored to serve Escambia County as the District 4 representative for another four years. I want to thank everyone who supported me, especially my family. I look forward to working hard for another four years as we complete the projects underway and start new ones."
In addition, the board reorganized with District 3 Commissioner Lumon May serving as chairman and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry serving as vice chairman for the coming year. Commissioner May accepted the gavel from former chairman District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. Commissioner May will serve as the commission chairman until November 2023.
Commissioner May said, "It remains my highest honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Escambia County. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues as we navigate the opportunities and challenges before us. My commitment to each of you is that I will always do my best to ensure our community is the best place to live, work and play."
Commissioner Bergosh said, "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as chairman of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners over the last year, and I want to thank the citizens for putting me here and my counterparts on the board for allowing me the honor of holding the chairmanship now for the second time. I am proud of the work the county has accomplished over this past year, working together with and for the citizens we serve. As I turn the gavel over on the 22nd, I remain enthusiastically optimistic about the continued upward trajectory of the county going forward. With a newly constituted board and fantastic leadership throughout the county, starting at the top with our Administrator Wes Moreno and the team he is assembling, I’d like our citizens to know they can expect progress, positive leadership and responsible resource stewardship from their county in the years to come."
Commissioner Kohler was joined by his wife, Shannon, for his swearing in by The Honorable Judge Kent Wetherell, II, and the reading of the Commission by The Honorable Pam Childers, Clerk of the Circuit Court
Commissioner Bender was joined by his wife, Amy, and children for his swearing in and reading of the Commission by The Honorable Jan Shackelford
Commissioner Bergosh passes the chairmanship gavel to Commissioner May
Commissioner May addresses the room as chairman
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
Under Florida law, IP addresses and both the content of emails and email addresses are public records. If you do not want your IP address and the content of your email or your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in person.