DeSantis Appoints New Members to South Florida Water Management District

Governor Ron DeSantis has made several appointments to key positions in Florida, including the Alachua County School Board and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Janine Plavac has been appointed to fill the vacant District 5 seat on the Alachua County School Board, bringing her experience as the Director of the Health Sciences Institute at St. Francis Catholic High School. In the SFWMD, DeSantis appointed Thomas Hurley and Robert Spottswood Jr., both regional developers, and reappointed Charlette Roman, while not reappointing Cheryl Meads. The SFWMD is responsible for water supply and Everglades restoration projects across 16 counties. These appointments are pending confirmation from the Florida Senate, which has previously seen controversial decisions regarding board memberships. Additionally, the resignation of Scott Yenor from the University of West Florida Board of Trustees highlights ongoing tensions surrounding recent appointments by DeSantis, particularly due to his controversial past statements.