Gainesville Hires Development Services Advocate

New role aims to assist residents, small businesses, and developers with permitting and planning processes.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The City of Gainesville has hired Ralph Hilliard as its new development services advocate, a position designed to help residents, small business owners, and developers navigate the city's permitting, planning, and zoning processes. Hilliard previously worked for the city in various planning roles from the mid-1980s to 2017.

Why it matters

The creation of this new advocate role reflects the city's focus on building a strong and resilient local economy, as outlined in its strategic plan. By providing a dedicated resource to assist with development-related processes, the city aims to help streamline permitting, resolve service bottlenecks, and support economic growth.

The details

Hilliard will work part-time in the new position, which was established at the direction of the Gainesville City Commission following a presentation last May by Special Advisor George Burgess. Previously, the work of resolving service issues and project delays was managed across several city divisions.

  • Hilliard began in the new role on February 16, 2026.
  • The development services advocate position was created in May 2025 based on a presentation by Special Advisor George Burgess.

The players

Ralph Hilliard

The new development services advocate for the City of Gainesville, who previously worked for the city in various planning roles from the mid-1980s to 2017.

Brian Singleton

The Special Advisor and Interim Chief Operating Officer for the City of Gainesville, who stated that Hilliard is a "great addition" to the city staff and an "essential resource" for the community.

George Burgess

The Special Advisor to the Gainesville City Commission who presented strategies last May to advance the commission's economic development priorities, leading to the creation of the development services advocate position.

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What they’re saying

“With the knowledge and experience he brings to the role, he is a great addition to our staff and an essential resource for our community.”

— Brian Singleton, Special Advisor and Interim Chief Operating Officer (alachuachronicle.com)

“I am looking forward to being able to help the community navigate the process. I've been doing this as a commercial realtor, so it's a really good fit.”

— Ralph Hilliard (alachuachronicle.com)

What’s next

The city will work to promote the new development services advocate role and raise awareness among residents, small businesses, and developers about the resources and assistance available.

The takeaway

Gainesville's creation of a dedicated development services advocate position demonstrates the city's commitment to supporting economic growth and streamlining bureaucratic processes, which can be critical for attracting and retaining businesses in the community.