Columbia County Commission: Veteran Engineer Challenges Incumbent
Chris Dicks, a Florida Department of Transportation engineer, faces incumbent Everett Phillips in next week's general election for Seat 4.
By Jasmine Carter ·
Columbia County voters will select a new leader for Commission Seat 4 in next week's general election. The contest pits longtime resident Chris Dicks against incumbent Commissioner Everett Phillips, marking a direct challenge to the current officeholder.
Phillips argues that his tenure has laid the groundwork for future financial stability. He stated that he seeks re-election to complete projects initiated during his first term, allowing the county to begin collecting revenue from those developments. His platform focuses on job creation, road maintenance, and ensuring a steady flow of tax revenue into the county budget.
"I’m running for re-election because I feel like there’s a few more things that I have started in this county and would like to see them all get better and get in the position they need to be in so we can collect revenue off of those," Phillips said.
Dicks, a lifelong county resident and licensed engineer, centers his campaign on long-term community stability. He emphasized his personal connection to the area, noting that his children will grow up in the community. He aims to influence decisions that will benefit residents five, ten, and twenty years from now.
The challenger proposes a specific focus on workforce readiness. He intends to promote vocational programs designed to equip local youth with skills for high-paying careers that do not require a university degree. This approach seeks to diversify the local talent pool and support economic growth through practical training.
Dicks brings two decades of infrastructure experience to the race. He has worked with the Florida Department of Transportation for 25 years, specializing in road and bridge construction. He believes his professional background offers distinct value to the county's infrastructure program.
"Well, as an engineer, I’ve been a licensed engineer in the state of Florida for twenty-five years and so I’ve done road and bridge construction my entire career. I feel like that I bring something to the table to the county’s infrastructure program," Dicks said.
