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HIGH SPRINGS – At the July 25, 2024, High Springs City Commission meeting, the Commission proposed a tentative millage rate of 6.99 mills, matching the current year's rate. However, Commissioners Tristan Grunder and Wayne Bloodsworth expressed a desire to lower the final rate. Grunder emphasized that he had agreed to the 6.99 mills rate last year under the assumption it was for only one year.

The rollback rate is 6.3802 mills, with the proposed rate representing a 9.56 percent increase over the rollback rate. The 6.99 mills rate would generate approximately $3,372,295 in revenue for the City. A millage rate is one-tenth of a percent, which equates to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in home value. Public hearings on the millage rate have been scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 23.

During discussions, it was revealed that the taxes on the city's solar array are estimated at around $500. The rezoning of this property from County to City had initially promised higher tax revenues. However, since the property remains zoned as Agricultural instead of Industrial, the tax rate is significantly lower. The City Attorney will consider a request to change the property's tax classification to reflect its industrial usage. The City Finance Director suggested this issue could be appealed to the Valuation Board.

The Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2024-J regarding the millage rate.

In related budget matters, the Commission approved the fire services rates for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, maintaining the current rate structure. Residential properties will continue to be assessed at $223, while non-residential property assessments will remain based on square footage, capped at 40,000 sq. ft. Commercial properties will be charged $0.09 per square foot, Industrial/Warehouse properties $0.02, and Institutional properties $0.16.

Finance Director Diane Wilson noted that an assessment fee for a study to determine the appropriate rates to meet the city's expenses is projected to cost between $8,000 and $10,000. This study will be conducted by a consultant.

Code Enforcement Services

Willdan Engineering, Orlando, was unanimously approved to provide Code Enforcement Services to the City for a one-year period. City Manager Jeremy Marhsall said he interviewed all three responders to the Request for Proposals (RFP) and believes Willdan to be the best fit for the City. The cost is $750 per week with an additional $250 charged to attend Code Enforcement Hearings.

Marshall also said he had an RFP out for a Special Magistrate and anticipated a response in the next two weeks. The Magistrate is necessary not only for Code Enforcement but also for appeals to the speed zone charges.

Inoperable Meters

The Commission unanimously approved to surplus water meters declared inoperable. Marshall said that someone came to him with a request to purchase the meters for $7,000. Currently, they were stockpiling those meters as they were not repairable.

Comments

The High Springs Police Department has received an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Grant of $18,000 for advanced technology and law enforcement equipment. The department also received a grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for additional ballistic vests for first responders. Each vest costs about $1,500 and requires replacement every five years.

The City of High Springs provides fire suppression and first response Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS services. The Department went though inspections recently and, according to Marshall, “passed with flying colors.”

The City is considering what to do with an old pumper that the Fire Department is currently unable to use. Marshall has agreed to prepare a listing for govdeals for the next meeting for Commission approval. If the pumper does not sell, the City is considering donating the pumper to the Lofton Center.

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ALACHUA ‒ When medical care is needed, it often isn’t expected. Alachua area residents now have another option for quick treatment of minor illnesses or mild conditions that don’t necessarily require an emergency room visit. MainStreet Family Care opened its doors on July 10, 2024, and held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23, 2024. The facility is located at 16314 N.W. U.S. Hwy 441, next to Santa Fe Ford.

The Alachua location is the company’s 63rd facility in the country, with operations in four states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. “We are happy to be here to serve all of Alachua’s medical needs,” said MainStreet Family Care Sr. Marketing Coordinator Erica Dunn. The facility will be staffed by six medical care professionals, three for each shift, plus an operations manager. Regional Marketing Coordinator Shelby Womack added, “We look forward to serving the Alachua community and neighborhoods.”

City of Alachua elected officials and staff, members of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, and local business owners attended the ceremony, which started at 9 a.m., followed by a facility tour and light refreshments. Individuals helping MainStreet Family Care staff cut the ceremonial ribbon included Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper and Alachua Chamber President Adam Boukari.

“We welcome MainStreet Family Care to Alachua and to the Alachua Chamber of Commerce,” said Boukari, noting that the business had already become a member of the Chamber. Mayor Coerper echoed Boukari’s comments, adding, “They will be providing a great resource for medical care to our community.”

MainStreet Family Care offers primary care, urgent care, vaccines, lab tests, and x-rays, as well as school and sports physicals. The facility is open seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are not required, and patients can register online. They accept most major insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, and also offer a self-pay option.

With the opening of this new facility, Alachua residents now have greater access to convenient and timely medical care, ensuring that minor health issues can be addressed quickly and efficiently without the need for emergency room visits.

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HIGH SPRINGS – A 62-year-old High Springs man was arrested at approximately 4:56 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2024, after fleeing from High Springs Police Officers at a high rate of speed.

The first police officer responded to a call for a well-being check on a man who was slumped over inside a pickup truck. The officer tried to make contact with the driver, later identified as Howard Carl McLees, but instead of responding, McLees reportedly started the truck.

The officer reportedly told him multiple times that he could not leave, but McLees allegedly accelerated away at a high rate of speed and turned west from Southeast Douglass Street onto Northwest 180^th Avenue, a dead-end road.

The officer followed McLees in his patrol car. When McLees realized it was a dead-end street, he allegedly turned his truck around and accelerated at high speed toward the officer’s patrol vehicle and a second patrol vehicle that had arrived.

The first officer activated his emergency lights to signal McLees to stop, but McLees allegedly drove toward the patrol vehicles, forcing one of the officers to get out of his way to avoid a collision. McLees allegedly ran the stop sign, turned north on Douglass Street and encountered a third patrol vehicle.

The third officer reportedly had to get out of McLees’ path to avoid a collision. All three patrol vehicles pursued McLees’ truck, with lights and sirens activated.

McLees allegedly ran multiple stop signs while driving west on Northwest 184^th Road and crossed High Springs Main Street at a time of day when there is heavy traffic. His truck reportedly broke down as he was turning north on Northwest 237^th Street, and the officers ordered him out of the truck.

McLees allegedly refused to get out of the truck and had to be forcefully removed.

McLees has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence.

McLees has 16 felony convictions, three of which were violent, and nine misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent, and has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2020.

In March, Judge James Colaw sentenced him to five years in prison for stealing $500 in steaks from Hitchcock’s Markets, with the condition that the sentence would be suspended if he successfully completed five years of probation. An affidavit of violation of probation was filed in June after McLees reportedly failed a urine test and was found to have cocaine in his system.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst did not set bail initially because McLees was hospitalized at that time. However, bail was later set at $150,000.

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NEWBERRY – The City of Newberry has announced the appointment of Rod Clark as its new Parks and Recreation Director, effective immediately. Clark, who brings a wealth of experience in athletics and recreation, will oversee the city's municipal recreation program, aiming to enhance its quality and safety.

Clark previously served as the Associate Director of Athletics at Santa Fe College and as the Recreational Supervisor in Athletics for the City of Gainesville. His extensive background includes managing youth and adult sports programs, overseeing budgets and staff, and handling grant-funded initiatives.

With an M.B.A. in Sports Business and an M.S. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (in progress), Clark is well-equipped to lead Newberry's Parks and Recreation Department. His expertise in athletic performance training, injury prevention, and wellness practices aligns with the city's goals of maintaining a top-rated and secure recreational program.

In addition to his management roles, Clark has hands-on experience in sports information, game day operations, and coaching at the youth and high school levels. A former Division I athlete, he holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as certifications in Functional Movement Screen Level 1 and Corrective Exercise Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is also CPR and AED certified with the American Heart Association.

Clark’s notable achievements include awards such as the Teen Midnight Basketball Program Award, Emerging Leader Program recognition, and an Award for Excellence in Program Delivery from his tenure at the City of Gainesville. He was also honored as Personal Trainer of the Year at a health and fitness center.

“I feel extremely blessed and honored to be able to help provide this service to the Newberry community,” said Clark. His appointment is expected to bring a renewed focus on youth programs and overall community engagement through sports and recreation.

City officials are confident that Clark's extensive experience and passion for athletics will greatly benefit Newberry’s recreational programs and contribute to the community's well-being.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Like a long-lost relative making a welcome return, the beloved Canoe Outpost in High Springs is once again open to the public. This time, the community hopes the iconic spot is here to stay. The City of High Springs purchased the property in August 2021 from Jim and Sally Wood, who had run the business for over 30 years, transforming it into a favorite launch site for river trips among locals and tourists.

Following the purchase, the city contracted Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures (AOA) to manage day-to-day operations. However, the arrangement ended when it was discovered that AOA was primarily launching their vessels from other locations. In May 2023, then City Manager Ashley Stathatos announced the Canoe Outpost would transition to a city park open to the public.

At a June 2023 Commission meeting, issues surrounding the recreation area, which provides access to the Santa Fe River, were discussed. Commissioner Tristan Grunder suggested the City consider selling the facility, a sentiment echoed by then Commissioner and current Mayor Katherine Weitz. Stathatos highlighted the escalating costs of replacing the dock and the wooden walking path to the river, including a significant rise in insurance costs. City staff recommended pausing the project while seeking additional funding and exploring other options.

Fast forward to Monday, July 29, 2024, and the Canoe Outpost is once again up and running and welcoming to the public. And, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department has already made several improvements to the facility and will be housed in the Canoe Outpost building.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Jennifer Applebee shared her enthusiasm for what is now an area with limited access to the river as well as future plans for a picturesque launching pad to the Santa Fe River.

Currently river access is available for fishing or paddling and kayak launches. The old boardwalk has been removed, but river access can be made along a path on land. The public is cautioned to watch for Cypress Knees and use extreme caution when accessing the water and wear a lifejacket.

Applebee says they can already accommodate kayak launches for individuals who bring their own kayaks, and they will be making ongoing upgrades to the facility to include a boardwalk, handicap accessible bathrooms, a dock with a boat launch, and picnic tables.

And while not all planned amenities are currently in place, it will be a work in progress to make all the required repairs and upgrades. “Wild Spaces and Public Places funds are being used to make repairs to the Canoe Outpost facility,” said Applebee.

Applebee encourages the public to visit the Canoe Outpost, which is free, and check out the City of High Springs’ Facebook page for updates on facilities and programs.

The City’s Canoe Outpost is located at 21410 U.S. Highway 441, High Springs, FL 32643 and is open to the public seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. for fishing, swimming and paddling. The Recreation Department administrative office will be open on-site Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The Canoe Outpost is the gateway to not just the river, but also to all the beautiful springs in our area,” said Applebee.”

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NEWBERRY - The Newberry City Commission on July 22, 2024, finalized annexation of three property parcels totaling in 44.61 acres. All three annexations were voluntarily requested by the owners and all three properties were located contiguous to the City of Newberry boundaries. The City Commission unanimously approved all three annexations on second and final reading.

City Ordinance 2024-16, a petition by Jamie and Steve Nelson, provided for the voluntary annexation of a parcel of land of 4.76 acres and is located at 1318 S.W. 226^th Street, Newberry.

City Ordinance 2024-17, a petition by Daniel Shore, provided for the voluntary annexation of a parcel of land consisting of 9.85 acres and is located at 17406 S.W. 46^th Avenue, Archer.

City Ordinance 2024-19, a petition by Paul and Pamela Smith, provided for the voluntary annexation of a parcel of land consisting of 30 acres and is located at 3201 N.W. 202^nd Street, Newberry.

Any future development of the smaller two land parcels will fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Newberry However, the 30-acre parcel is located in the Alachua County Growth Management District, and falls under Alachua County’s development jurisdiction.

In other City business, the City Commission set the 2023-24 preliminary millage rate at 6.0 mills, which would be an increase of $20 per year to properties worth $200,000. Setting the millage rate at 6.0 mills at this time gives flexibility to the Commission to reduce the millage rate when setting the final rate. When Alachua County sends out Truth in Millage information to Newberry’s property owners, it will be at the 6.0 millage rate. The previous year’s millage rate was set at 5.9 mills. A millage rate is one-tenth of a percent, which equates to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in home value.

The Commission stated the possibility of a future assessment, which will include an amount for paving City roads, including the paving of Southwest 46^th Road. If the proposed assessment moves forward, the measure would be put before the electorate to vote on at the next city-wide election, which will be held in April 2025.

Turning to other matters, the Commission voted unanimously to approve an Interlocal Agreement between Alachua County and the City for Emergency Addressing Services. The agreement formalizes the switch from paper to electronic processing of address requests. The City is currently utilizing the electronic address request portal hosted by E-911 Addressing.

This Interlocal Agreement replaces an existing agreement between the City and E-911 Addressing from 1999. The agreement does not create additional responsibilities or fiscal impact for the City, but it does update the method of addressing. Approval by the City sends the agreement back to Alachua County for to finalize the agreement.

Looking toward upcoming business in August, Commissioner Tony Mazon has been named as the 2024 Florida League of Cities voting delegate to act on the City’s behalf during the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference to be held in Hollywood, Florida Aug. 15-17. “The City Budget for 2024 includes funding for elected officials to attend this conference,” said City Manager Mike New. Election of League leadership and adoption of resolutions are undertaken during the business meeting portion of the conference.

The City will hold another budget workshop on Aug. 6, 2024. City Manager New reported that Newberry will receive a $350,000 matching grant to upgrade the old electric plant. The grant matches the $350,000 previously set aside by the City for renovations on the facility. New said whoever rents the building will be responsible for making sure the equipment works inside.

New also discussed a recent downtown strategies meeting in which the City mostly listened to community input. He indicated the meeting began with a walking tour of the downtown area. “We expect a report on the workshop in seven to eight weeks,” New said.

New also said the City will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony for City Hall in August or September of this year.

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