Rebecca Bays is the lifelong conservative leader in Citrus County you can trust,
and she has the record to prove it.

Commissioner Rebecca Bays’ current term with the Board of County Commissioners began November 22, 2022.
 

 

About Rebecca

Hard work and faith in God come naturally to Rebecca Bays. Born in the Midwest to timber farmers, Rebecca learned the value of work at age 7, when she began helping her parents with daily farm chores – on weekends and before and after school.  When her family was not working and the church doors were open, that’s where you would find her. Following in her parent’s footsteps, Rebecca currently owns Freedom Hill Farm, a landscape tree nursery south of Inverness.

Rebecca worked her way through the corporate ranks serving as the Vice President of the largest trust and financial service providers nationally. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, she opened and owned her own insurance agency, Insurance Resources and Risk Management, which she recently sold to make more time to serve her community. 

Rebecca and her husband, Mike (a longtime State Farm agent and local business owner) enjoy fishing, bow hunting and are outdoor enthusiasts.  They can often be seen out in the community attending fundraising events or volunteering for local organizations.


Experience & Philanthropy

In 2010 Bays was elected and served her first term as a Citrus County Commissioner, joining the Board during one of the most difficult economic downturns the County has ever seen. More than 600 jobs were lost when the nuclear power plant was shut down. During her time in office, Rebecca used her business acumen to help lead Citrus out of the crisis. She also helped protect Three Sisters Springs from condo development, prioritizing the environment and protecting our way of life, which she is committed to do again as Citrus County Commissioner.

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Appointments during her first term as a Citrus County Commissioner (2010-2014)
 

• Chair of Citrus County Tourist Development Council (TDC)

• Secretary of TBARTA and Chair of Legislative Committees

• Vice Chair of Hernando/Citrus MPO

• Vice Chair of Florida Association of Counties Legislative Policy Committee for Growth Management, Agricultural, Environmental and Transportation

• Board member of Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority

• Board member of Florida Medical Examiner, District 5

• Board member of the BP Oil Spill Gulf Consortium

• Event Fundraising for The United Way of Citrus County

 

Current Florida Association of Counties appointments include:

• Small County coalition

• Health, safety, and justice

• Finance, tax & administration

• Community and urban affairs

• Water and environmental sustainability

• Agricultural and rural affairs

 

 

 

Respected in civic circles around Citrus County, Rebecca has volunteered for various non-profit organizations including:
 

• Current Chair of the Duval Preservation Trust

• Governor Appointee to I-75 Task Force

• Citrus Operating Board of the American Cancer Society

• Board of Directors for the Florida Wildlife Corridor

• Citrus Leadership Council for Big Brothers and Big Sisters

• Board of Directors for the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce

• Member of the Coastal Conservation Association

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