"I appreciate the opportunity and job fulfillment my position has provided me. After much thoughtful contemplation, however, I have decided to retire from public service effective Friday, June 26th," Sheffield said. "Gainesville is a great place to be, and I will certainly miss the many relationships I have acquired over these past nine years."

City Manager Kip Padgett said part of Sheffield’s legacy will be the City Wellness Clinic that has already shown much success.

"Joan has been instrumental in assisting our employees in all aspects of Human Resources, but the City Clinic is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in containing rising health care costs. We are very thankful for her professionalism and expertise on this project and we will miss her," Padgett said.