Jay Dickson has been named the new Planning and Development director for the city of Jacksonville Beach, bringing over 25 years experience in municipal planning and development to the role.
City Manager Mike Staffopoulos announced the appointment at the Jacksonville Beach City Council meeting on July 20. Dickson previously served as planning and zoning director for Baldwin County, Alabama. He is originally from Jacksonville.
Before joining Baldwin County, he served as the planning Director for the city of Gulf Shores, Alabama, gaining experience in municipal land-use planning, zoning administration and development review
“Jay has over 25 years’ experience spanning the private sector, municipal government as well as county government,” said Staffopoulos. “We would like to welcome Jay aboard.”
As Baldwin County's director, he oversaw the administration and enforcement of zoning and subdivision regulations, development review and permitting, long-range land-use planning, code enforcement and natural resource planning. He also provided staff support for the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission and Boards of Adjustment.
He also served as the county's stormwater program manager, coordinating planning-related environmental compliance efforts.
Former director Heather Ireland resigned June 1. She joined the city as a senior planner in August 2015 and was promoted to director of Planning and Development in March 2021.
Dickson’s official start date was Monday, June 20 with an annual salary of $166,000.
