Annexations and Solid Waste Assessment Gain Newberry Approval

NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission on Aug. 11, 2025, approved budget amendments, annexations, a solid waste assessment agreement, a roadway connection, a plat approval delegation, and a tolling agreement, while also advancing several land transactions.

Budget Amendments Adopted

Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee presented proposed changes to the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget. Lee reported that as of June 30, city departments were 75 percent through their budgets — in line with projections — and that all departments were operating within or below their allocated amounts. The commission unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-35.

Solid Waste MSBU

Commissioners held a legislative hearing on first reading of Ordinance 2025-67, granting consent for the entire city to be included in Alachua County’s Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) for solid waste management.

The MSBU rate for residential customers in Fiscal Year 2025-26 will remain at $25.27. The ordinance also provides multi-year consent, provided annual rate increases do not exceed 10 percent. If they do, the commission would have to reauthorize participation.

The county’s solid waste assessments fund waste collection, recycling programs, household hazardous waste disposal, and monitoring of solid waste facilities, along with rural collection centers — including a planned facility in Newberry. The measure passed unanimously.

Annexations Approved

The commission gave final approval to 13 voluntary annexations, bringing 14 parcels — totaling about 196.17 acres — into city limits from unincorporated Alachua County. The annexations, down from an initial 203 acres after two applications were withdrawn, will help eliminate enclaves.

Roadway Connection

Commissioners authorized acquisition of about 0.33 acres to connect Southwest 254^th Street to Southwest 253^rd Terrace in the southwest quadrant along Seaboard Drive. The city will replace the landowner’s fence and provide a $1,000 deposit. The connection is intended to improve traffic flow.

Platting Authority Delegated

In line with a new state statute, the commission approved a resolution delegating administrative platting and re-platting authority to the city manager or designee. Plat approvals will appear on consent agendas, with commissioners able to pull them for discussion.

Tolling Agreement

The commission approved a tolling agreement with Gaston in a dispute over a stop-work order. The agreement pauses litigation while the Alachua County Property Appraiser determines whether the property in question qualifies for agricultural use.

Other Business

City Manager Jordan Marlowe noted Fire Department assistance with first-day-of-school traffic control. Commissioner Mark Clark condemned the theft of flags from the Veterans’ Memorial, offering a $1,000 reward for information. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25.

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