The city of Jacksonville has a new chief building inspector, and his former boss has moved to a similar position for the city of Atlantic Beach.
On April 28, Mayor Donna Deegan’s office confirmed that Charles “Chuck” Gibson was serving as acting director of the city Building Inspection Division pending Council confirmation of his appointment as chief. Gibson comes to the position after serving as building inspections manager and deputy building official.
In a related move, former Jacksonville chief building inspector Joshua Gideon has joined the administrative staff of the city of Atlantic Beach as the municipal government's Building Official.
In an email, Atlantic Beach deputy city manager Kevin Hogencamp said Gideon began work on April 29 at a salary of $103,834.
Gideon had signaled the move earlier with an update of his work experience on his LinkedIn account.
Gideon submitted his retirement notice Feb. 19 as the chief of the city of Jacksonville’s Building Inspection Division after 20 years of service with the city.
During an interview following his retirement, Gideon said he was leaving to pursue a new opportunity within another local government.
He said his decision also was based on a city policy that allows employees age 55 and older with 20 years of experience to receive a stepped-up level of retirement benefits.
Gideon’s retirement from the city was effective April 26, after he turned 55.
His notice came on the same day he faced questions and criticism from some members of the City Council Land Use and Zoning Committee on legislation, Ordinance 2025-0026, aimed at providing a local historic landmark designation to a 145-year-old Henry C. Arpen Farmhouse in Mandarin. The owner of the house, Michael Danhour, said he tried unsuccessfully to obtain permits from the city to move it in an effort to save it.
Gideon told the committee that an applicant for one of two needed permits filled out information but failed to submit it online, leaving the inspection division with no permit to review.
He said the Council meeting was not a factor in his decision to retire from the city of Jacksonville, saying he had already begun talking to personnel officials about his retirement benefits with a goal of giving the city “plenty of time to find the right candidate to replace me.”
In his resignation notice, Gideon recommended Gibson as his successor.
Melissa Ross, director of strategic initiatives and press liaison for Deegan, said in an email that Gibson’s salary is $144,899.04.
Editor's note: This story was updated with confirmation from the city of Atlantic Beach about Gideon's employment, his salary and start date.