NEWBERRY – Newberry’s next municipal election is scheduled for April 14, 2026, with three City Commission seats set to appear on the ballot, city officials announced during the Newberry City Commission meeting held Feb. 9, 2026.
The seats currently held by Commissioners Rick Coleman, Mark Clark and Monty Farnsworth will be up for election. The qualifying period for candidates begins Monday, Feb. 23 at noon and runs through Thursday, Feb. 26 at noon.
Those interested in running for office are asked to contact City Clerk Randa Paul at 352-472-2446 or by email at CityClerk@NewberryFL.gov to schedule an appointment and receive additional information.
Election preparations come as commissioners continue work on several major initiatives, including the long-planned Wastewater Treatment Plant project, which remains one of the city’s largest capital investments.
During the Feb. 9 meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a construction contract and other required documents, including change orders, for the wastewater treatment plant at a maximum cost of $75 million.
Assistant City Manager and Director of Utilities and Public Works Jamie Jones told commissioners the expected duration for construction is about 30 months to reach substantial completion, with an additional six months anticipated for final completion.
Jones also outlined the city’s funding strategy, noting Newberry has secured nearly $40 million in grants or other funding and has continued to pursue additional opportunities. He said the city’s ability to pay for the plant depends on maintaining average growth of 3.75 percent, adding that Newberry has recently grown at a rate of 5 to 7 percent.
The city received two construction bids on Jan. 8 that came in higher than anticipated. Dugan & Meyers Industrial LLC submitted a bid of $79.4 million, while Webber LLC’s bid totaled $90.9 million.
“Staff and the engineer of record have worked with the apparent low bidder to reduce the project cost to approximately $70,800,000,” Jones said.
In other business Monday, commissioners held a legislative public hearing on a future land use amendment tied to a proposed townhome development, a decision that drew divided votes.
Commissioners approved Ordinance 2025-84, a small-scale amendment changing the future land use designation from Residential Low Density to Residential High Density on a 0.72-acre parcel at the intersection of Northwest Third Avenue and Northwest 251st Street. The project is referred to as Newberry Townhomes.
The ordinance passed on a 3-2 roll call vote following discussion. Commissioners Farnsworth and Coleman cast the dissenting votes.
After approving the land use change, commissioners held a quasi-judicial hearing on a related rezoning request. Ordinance 2025-85, changing the zoning district from single-family to multiple-family residential, was approved 4-1, with Commissioner Farnsworth voting against the measure.
Commissioners also revisited the city’s accessory dwelling unit regulations after staff was asked to compare Newberry’s standards with those of Alachua County. City staff reported that some residents had expressed concerns that Newberry’s stricter ADU rules could discourage annexation.
Proposed updates include increasing the maximum allowable ADU size from 1,000 square feet to 1,700 square feet, making technical revisions such as updates to state agency names, and allowing detached accessory dwelling units on properties of 10 acres or more to connect to the primary residence’s septic system.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously Dec. 1, 2025, to recommend approval of the ordinance. The City Commission approved the changes unanimously at its Jan. 12 meeting, and the amendments received final approval on second reading at the Feb. 9 meeting.
Newberry is also continuing efforts to improve Southwest 30th Avenue, a roadway project the commission first advanced in 2023. Jones said staff has been authorized to move forward with acquisition of rights-of-way needed for future improvements along the 2.6-mile segment between U.S. Highway 27/41 and Southwest 202nd Street as funding becomes available.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-07, authorizing the city manager or his designee to execute documents necessary to facilitate right-of-way acquisition moving forward.
The meeting also included recognition of the city’s financial reporting. Newberry received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the seventh consecutive year for its audit ending Sept. 30, 2024. The award, presented by the Government Finance Officers Association, was given to Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee at the beginning of the Feb. 9 meeting by Mayor Tim Marden.
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Email cwalker@
alachuatoday.com
NEWBERRY – Newberry’s next municipal election is scheduled for April 14, 2026, with three City Commission seats set to appear on the ballot, city officials announced during the Newberry City Commission meeting held Feb. 9, 2026.
The seats currently held by Commissioners Rick Coleman, Mark Clark and Monty Farnsworth will be up for election. The qualifying period for candidates begins Monday, Feb. 23 at noon and runs through Thursday, Feb. 26 at noon.
Those interested in running for office are asked to contact City Clerk Randa Paul at 352-472-2446 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule an appointment and receive additional information.
Election preparations come as commissioners continue work on several major initiatives, including the long-planned Wastewater Treatment Plant project, which remains one of the city’s largest capital investments.
During the Feb. 9 meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a construction contract and other required documents, including change orders, for the wastewater treatment plant at a maximum cost of $75 million.
Assistant City Manager and Director of Utilities and Public Works Jamie Jones told commissioners the expected duration for construction is about 30 months to reach substantial completion, with an additional six months anticipated for final completion.
Jones also outlined the city’s funding strategy, noting Newberry has secured nearly $40 million in grants or other funding and has continued to pursue additional opportunities. He said the city’s ability to pay for the plant depends on maintaining average growth of 3.75 percent, adding that Newberry has recently grown at a rate of 5 to 7 percent.
The city received two construction bids on Jan. 8 that came in higher than anticipated. Dugan & Meyers Industrial LLC submitted a bid of $79.4 million, while Webber LLC’s bid totaled $90.9 million.
“Staff and the engineer of record have worked with the apparent low bidder to reduce the project cost to approximately $70,800,000,” Jones said.
In other business Monday, commissioners held a legislative public hearing on a future land use amendment tied to a proposed townhome development, a decision that drew divided votes.
Commissioners approved Ordinance 2025-84, a small-scale amendment changing the future land use designation from Residential Low Density to Residential High Density on a 0.72-acre parcel at the intersection of Northwest Third Avenue and Northwest 251st Street. The project is referred to as Newberry Townhomes.
The ordinance passed on a 3-2 roll call vote following discussion. Commissioners Farnsworth and Coleman cast the dissenting votes.
After approving the land use change, commissioners held a quasi-judicial hearing on a related rezoning request. Ordinance 2025-85, changing the zoning district from single-family to multiple-family residential, was approved 4-1, with Commissioner Farnsworth voting against the measure.
Commissioners also revisited the city’s accessory dwelling unit regulations after staff was asked to compare Newberry’s standards with those of Alachua County. City staff reported that some residents had expressed concerns that Newberry’s stricter ADU rules could discourage annexation.
Proposed updates include increasing the maximum allowable ADU size from 1,000 square feet to 1,700 square feet, making technical revisions such as updates to state agency names, and allowing detached accessory dwelling units on properties of 10 acres or more to connect to the primary residence’s septic system.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously Dec. 1, 2025, to recommend approval of the ordinance. The City Commission approved the changes unanimously at its Jan. 12 meeting, and the amendments received final approval on second reading at the Feb. 9 meeting.
Newberry is also continuing efforts to improve Southwest 30th Avenue, a roadway project the commission first advanced in 2023. Jones said staff has been authorized to move forward with acquisition of rights-of-way needed for future improvements along the 2.6-mile segment between U.S. Highway 27/41 and Southwest 202nd Street as funding becomes available.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-07, authorizing the city manager or his designee to execute documents necessary to facilitate right-of-way acquisition moving forward.
The meeting also included recognition of the city’s financial reporting. Newberry received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the seventh consecutive year for its audit ending Sept. 30, 2024. The award, presented by the Government Finance Officers Association, was given to Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee at the beginning of the Feb. 9 meeting by Mayor Tim Marden.
# # #
Email cwalker@
alachuatoday.com