The Ernie Padgett Board Room

Family members join the board members at the dedication ceremony for Ernie Padgett.
Photo by Willie Mack.

Ernest “Ernie” Padgett had a distinguished career in public service across several Florida counties, including Jackson, Santa Rosa, Manatee, and Okaloosa. He was in public service for 31 years, with four years as a county commissioner in Jackson County. Padgett began his public service career in Jackson County, where he was elected as a county commissioner in 1980 – the youngest commissioner to be elected at that time. He became the county’s first appointed County Administrator in 1987 and served in that position until January 1, 1990. After serving in other counties, he returned to Jackson County and was actively involved in local economic development efforts. In 2008, he joined the Jackson County Development Council to advocate for keeping a Bealls department store open in Marianna, demonstrating his commitment to the community’s economic well-being.

In 2017, while once again serving as Jackson County Administrator, Padgett opposed a proposal by Waste Management to drill a deep injection well for leachate disposal at Springhill Landfill. He expressed concerns about potential groundwater contamination and the lack of transparency in the permitting process, emphasizing the risks to the county’s aquifers.

From 1990 to 1995, Padgett served as the County Administrator for Santa Rosa County. During his tenure, the county experienced significant growth, particularly in its southern regions. Padgett noted that while areas like Gulf Breeze saw rapid development, the northern parts of the county remained largely rural, reflecting a diverse set of challenges and opportunities.

Following his service in Santa Rosa County, Padgett became the County Administrator for Manatee County. While specific details of his tenure there are limited in the available sources, his role would have involved overseeing county operations and implementing policies set by the Board of County Commissioners.

In 2013, Padgett was offered the position of County Administrator for Okaloosa County. This offer came after his extensive experience in county administration, highlighting his reputation as a seasoned public servant capable of managing complex governmental operations.

Throughout his career, Ernie Padgett demonstrated a commitment to public service, focusing on economic development, environmental protection, and effective governance across multiple Florida counties. He showed this in his everyday life, his continued involvement in the communities where he lived. None of those communities meant more to Padgett than Jackson County where he could be seen throughout the county making a difference, inquiring of the citizens of Jackson County what did they see as a need for the county. Long after he left his service as county administrator, he remained an integral part of every aspect of government in Jackson County.