High Springs Honors Teacher of The Year, Seeks New Finance Director

HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission opened its Feb. 12, 2026, meeting by recognizing two standout public servants — one from the classroom and one from city government.

Commissioners honored Alachua County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Barbara Brock, an eighth-grade science teacher at High Springs Community School. Commissioner Katherine Weitz presented Brock with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the commission.

School Principal Jenni Roberson also spoke about Brock’s impact, highlighting what she has brought to her students and the school community.

The commission also recognized the city’s Employee of the Year, Public Works Director Jason Kytle, presenting him with a plaque commemorating the achievement.

Along with the celebrations, city leaders noted staffing challenges ahead. City Manager Jeremy Marshall said the city is seeking both a new finance director and a new public works director.

Marshall told commissioners the city has received applications for the finance director position but may need to re-advertise.

“Our auditors tell us that what we need in a Finance Director is a CPA-level person without the CPA-level salary,” Marshall said, adding that the city cannot afford that level of pay.

Fire Chief Joseph Peters also addressed commissioners with a request to amend the city’s Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual to adjust paid time off accrual for Fire Department personnel.

Peters explained that current PTO calculations are based on the standard 2,080-hour work year used for general employees, but that system does not match the schedule worked by firefighters.

“Fire personnel operate on a 2,912-hour annual schedule, which equates to approximately 1.4 times the hours worked by general employees each year,” Peters said.

The current system, he added, “has caused inconsistencies in how accrued leave translates into actual time off for those working a 2,912-hour schedule.”

Marshall said the change would also benefit the city financially.

“The change in this method will save the City some money,” Marshall said.

Commissioners unanimously approved the adjustment.

The remainder of the meeting focused largely on city engineering services. Commissioners approved three resolutions authorizing agreements with qualified engineering firms, all passing unanimously in roll-call votes:

• Resolution No. 2026-B, an agreement with Woodard & Curran Engineering
• Resolution No. 2026-C, an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc.
• Resolution No. 2026-D, an agreement with CPH Consulting LLC

Marshall noted the city has worked previously with Mittauer and Associates, now operating as CPH Consulting, which is owned by Conklin, Porter & Holmes.

Before adjourning, commissioners asked Marshall to schedule a workshop ahead of their next regular meeting Feb. 26. The session will focus on certified recovery residences, which typically are structured sober-living homes that meet state-recognized standards and are designed to support individuals transitioning from addiction treatment back into the community.

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