News Summary
The Jacksonville City Council has confirmed Charles ‘Chuck’ Gibson as the new chief building inspector, succeeding Joshua Gideon who retired after two decades. Gibson’s appointment is backed by his prior experience in the city’s Building Inspection Division, where he served as the building inspection manager. His leadership is expected to ensure continued improvements in inspection processes during a critical transition period for the division.
Jacksonville – The Jacksonville City Council officially confirmed Charles “Chuck” Gibson as the new chief building inspector on June 10, 2025. The council voted unanimously, 18-0, with member Ju’Coby Pittman absent from the proceedings. Gibson’s appointment follows the retirement of Joshua Gideon, the previous chief building inspector, after two decades of service, with Gibson now set to lead the Building Inspection Division.
Mayor Donna Deegan appointed Gibson to this vital role, acknowledging his extensive experience within the city. Prior to his confirmation, Gibson had served as the building inspection manager and deputy building official, demonstrating his qualifications for overseeing the inspection division.
Gibson succeeds Gideon, who retired on April 26, 2025. Gideon had a distinguished career spanning over 20 years with the city, with more than five years spent in the chief building inspector role. After beginning his career as a field inspector, Gideon transitioned into various leadership roles, culminating in his position as chief.
Upon his retirement, Gideon took a position as building official for the administrative staff of the city of Atlantic Beach. His decision to retire was significantly influenced by a city policy that provides enhanced retirement benefits to employees over the age of 55 who have completed at least 20 years of service in the municipality.
During his time with the city, Gideon highlighted several successes, including the improvements made in the quality and speed of building permit processing. This enhancement was largely thanks to the planned rollout of the JAXEPICS online tool, slated for launch in January 2024, which aimed to streamline building permit management for the public.
Despite these advancements, Gideon’s tenure was not without its challenges. After submitting his resignation notice, he faced scrutiny from the City Council regarding delays in permit processing and customer service concerns related to the Building Inspection Division. Nevertheless, Gideon made efforts to ensure a seamless transition, actively working to give the city ample time to identify a successor before his departure.
Gibson’s recommendation as Gideon’s successor was noted in the retirement notice, affirming the confidence that city officials held in his abilities to manage the division effectively. As building inspections serve as a critical element of maintaining structural safety within the city of Jacksonville, the efficiency and compliance within the Building Inspection Division are of paramount importance. The transition in leadership comes at a key time, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the city to address and improve inspection processes.
Jacksonville has a significant history regarding structural safety, with a consistent focus on the importance of effective building inspections. Gibson’s leadership will be closely observed, especially in the context of implementing new technologies and processes aimed at enhancing service delivery to residents and stakeholders in the city.
As the Building Inspection Division moves forward, it is anticipated that under Gibson’s guidance, the progress seen during Gideon’s tenure will continue, paving the way for improvements in response times and overall efficiency in permit processing, which are essential for building projects throughout Jacksonville.
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HERE Resources
Jacksonville Building Inspection Leader Retires After 20 Years
Additional Resources
- JAX Daily Record: Charles “Chuck” Gibson Confirmed as City of Jacksonville’s Chief Building Inspector
- JAX Daily Record: Joshua Gideon Stepping Down as City of Jacksonville’s Chief of Building Inspections
- Jacksonville.com: Jacksonville City Council Members Blast Mayor Donna Deegan Hologram
- First Coast News: Fire Official Speaks After Partial Building Collapse Blocks Jacksonville Road
- News 4 JAX: High Winds May Have Contributed to Main Street Building Collapse
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Google Search: Jacksonville Building Inspections
- Google Scholar: Jacksonville Building Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Building Inspections
- Google News: Jacksonville Building Collapse
