City of Gainesville’s Director of Sustainable Development has resigned in lieu of termination for substance use
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Forrest Eddleton, the City of Gainesville’s former Director of Sustainable Development, resigned in lieu of termination in May after the City determined that he was using drugs or alcohol at work.
Eddleton was hired by the City in May 2015 as a Planning Technician. In December 2016, he was promoted to Planner, and the position was renamed to Planner I in April 2017. He was promoted to Planner IV in July 2021, and in September 2022, former City Manager Cynthia Curry named him Acting Director of the Department of Sustainable Development. According to Eddleton’s LinkedIn profile, he became the permanent Director of Sustainable Development later that month, and he still lists that job as his current position on his profile.
On May 19, 2026, an Employee Notice was filed, reporting that Eddleton had violated the City’s Drug Free Workplace policy because he was sent to a medical office “due to reasonable suspicions of drugs and alcohol. Mr. Eddleton’s results were positive.” The form does not state which substance was found. The form states that termination is the required next step for a violation of that policy, and Eddleton was recommended for termination. The form noted that he had not been previously warned about drug or alcohol use.
On May 4, 2026, Eddleton sent an email to Interim Chief Operating Officer Brian Singleton, stating that he was submitting his resignation, effective May 1, “as discussed.”
Alachua Chronicle reached out to Eddleton for comment, but he had not responded at the time of publication. If he responds, his comment will be added to this article.
You would have to be on dope to take the mother of all ‘greenwashing’ positions called Director of Sustainable Development.
He claims no one told him about using drugs or alcohol at work, but the employee policy is very clear. And every employee must sign and acknowledge the policy.
https://www.gainesvillefl.gov/Government-Pages/Government/Departments/Human-Resources/Employment-Policies
“gee, I thought I could do that.”
What’s the salary? There’s several unemployed vagrants needing a job in the downtown areas. They should have firsthand experience with sustainability.
On second thought, they may not be able to make it through the workday without using drugs or alcohol either.
Anything associated with UN can go.
For those that want to just pounce on people whenever an opportunity arises:
Forrest is a good man. Born and raised in Gainesville. He has been working for the city for 9 years. He has a sincere passion for his home town. I don’t know what the details are but i do know people make mistakes. Even in Gainesville, I don’t think you could rise to the status of a department as far ranging as the building department if you were a drug addict or incompetent at the job and been around for that long. Perhaps he just made a mistake or maybe he does need some help.
I think this sad situation is more a reflection on the city manager, who has to be the one that let him go. Normally, in drug free environments there are opportunities to seek help, especially if you have not been counciled first. If Forrest desires, I think he should be given a second chance. The city doesn’t mind taking care of people that don’t live here or contribute to our city. I think this looks bad for the city manager and the city commission. Probably doesn’t send a warm and fuzzy feeling to our ” community builders” either.
High on cac.
C’mon in NO job is it OK to use alcohol or drugs on the job !!
It will also get you fired if you come into work drunk or high.
It sounds like this guy has an issue and needs rehab.
I’d bet that if he admitted that he had a problem and went to rehab, he’d still have his job. Instead it sounds like he denied it and agreed to quit rather than be fired.