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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ City Manager Joel DeCoursey, Jr. has tendered his resignation effective Nov. 30.

In his letter of resignation, he said, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work in this position for the last year. I have truly been blessed and I thoroughly enjoyed working here, as well as, serving the citizens of this great community. I enjoyed the many opportunities you have given me. This is a wonderful team to work with. However, I have committed to one year of service and I have fulfilled my obligation. It is time for a new set of eyes to lead the city into the future.”

DeCoursey was sworn in as interim city manager on Aug. 29, 2019, to replace outgoing City Manager Ed Booth. Contract negotiations between the city attorney and DeCoursey began and the employment agreement was approved during the Sept. 12, 2019, City Commission meeting.

DeCoursey previously served as the Chief of Police for the City of High Springs for nearly four years. He served two separate stints with the City of Alachua prior to that. He served as a police officer for Alachua from December 1988 – August 1990. In early 2008, while employed by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO), he was assigned to the position of Interim Chief of Police. He eventually resigned his position with ASO to become Chief of Police with the City of Alachua on July 31, 2008. He served in that capacity until he resigned on June 25, 2015.

Commissioners and the city attorney thanked DeCoursey for his service to the City, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and wished him well in his new endeavors.

Commissioners subsequently approved an advertisement for a new city manager at the Aug. 27 meeting. The first advertisement is scheduled to appear in a Florida League of Cities publication. The requirements for the position are the same as previously advertised when Booth left the position.

Applications may be obtained online at highsprings.us. Applications, a cover letter and resume’ must be returned to City Clerk Jenny Parham at 23718 W. US Highway 27, High Springs, FL 32643 or emailed to jparham@highsprings.us by 4:30 p.m., Oct. 8.

Commissioner Scott Jamison commented that the Commission needs to consider how to handle the fact that a new City Manager would likely not want to start until the first of the year, thereby leaving the City without a manager for two months. “This isn’t something we need to discuss tonight, but it is something we should consider in the near future,” he said.

Briefly, applicant requirements include a Bachelor’s Degree with five years of municipal government experience with an educational emphasis in public administration. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Professional managerial or governmental financial experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the education and experience requirements.

The starting salary is $90,000 - $100,000 annually with benefits, which include a vehicle allowance and retirement benefits through the Florida Retirement System, insurance coverage and relocation costs of up to $4,000. The successful applicant must ultimately reside in the City of High Springs.

Application screening will begin on Oct. 12. The top five finalists will be selected on Oct. 22 and interviews will be conducted via Zoom on Oct. 27.

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Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ City Manager Joel DeCoursey, Jr. has tendered his resignation effective Nov. 30.

In his letter of resignation, he said, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work in this position for the last year. I have truly been blessed and I thoroughly enjoyed working here, as well as, serving the citizens of this great community. I enjoyed the many opportunities you have given me. This is a wonderful team to work with. However, I have committed to one year of service and I have fulfilled my obligation. It is time for a new set of eyes to lead the city into the future.”

DeCoursey was sworn in as interim city manager on Aug. 29, 2019, to replace outgoing City Manager Ed Booth. Contract negotiations between the city attorney and DeCoursey began and the employment agreement was approved during the Sept. 12, 2019, City Commission meeting.

DeCoursey previously served as the Chief of Police for the City of High Springs for nearly four years. He served two separate stints with the City of Alachua prior to that. He served as a police officer for Alachua from December 1988 – August 1990. In early 2008, while employed by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO), he was assigned to the position of Interim Chief of Police. He eventually resigned his position with ASO to become Chief of Police with the City of Alachua on July 31, 2008. He served in that capacity until he resigned on June 25, 2015.

Commissioners and the city attorney thanked DeCoursey for his service to the City, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and wished him well in his new endeavors.

Commissioners subsequently approved an advertisement for a new city manager at the Aug. 27 meeting. The first advertisement is scheduled to appear in a Florida League of Cities publication. The requirements for the position are the same as previously advertised when Booth left the position.

Applications may be obtained online at highsprings.us. Applications, a cover letter and resume’ must be returned to City Clerk Jenny Parham at 23718 W. US Highway 27, High Springs, FL 32643 or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 4:30 p.m., Oct. 8.

Commissioner Scott Jamison commented that the Commission needs to consider how to handle the fact that a new City Manager would likely not want to start until the first of the year, thereby leaving the City without a manager for two months. “This isn’t something we need to discuss tonight, but it is something we should consider in the near future,” he said.

Briefly, applicant requirements include a Bachelor’s Degree with five years of municipal government experience with an educational emphasis in public administration. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Professional managerial or governmental financial experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the education and experience requirements.

The starting salary is $90,000 - $100,000 annually with benefits, which include a vehicle allowance and retirement benefits through the Florida Retirement System, insurance coverage and relocation costs of up to $4,000. The successful applicant must ultimately reside in the City of High Springs.

Application screening will begin on Oct. 12. The top five finalists will be selected on Oct. 22 and interviews will be conducted via Zoom on Oct. 27.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com