High Springs City Commission approves preliminary property tax and fire assessment rates, hires code enforcement contractor

BY DAVID LIGHTMAN

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At their July 25 Regular Meeting, High Springs City Commissioners set preliminary fire assessment and property tax millage rates, selected a contractor to provide code enforcement services, and agreed to sell some old electric meters as surplus. The candidates who have qualified for the upcoming City Commission election and the reopening of the Canoe Outpost were announced.

No change to fire assessment fees

Acting City Attorney Allison Folds introduced a resolution to set the fire assessment fees for the 2025 fiscal year. Responding to a question from Mayor Katherine Weitz, Fire Chief Joseph Peters said, “The assessment is actually the same as it was last year. So, no change.”

City Manager Jeremy Marshall explained that during the few months he has been working for the City, he hasn’t had time to conduct a study to determine the need to change the fire assessment fees, but he plans to do so over the next year. Commissioner Andrew Miller asked what the cost for the study would be, and Finance Director Diane Wilson said it would be $8,000 for one year. Marshall said they plan to pay for only one year and not renew the contract with the consultant. 

Weitz said, “I like the idea of having an independent third party doing something like that.”

Commisssioner Miller made a motion to approve the resolution, and Commissioner Tristan Grunder seconded the motion. It passed unanimously during a roll call vote.

Property tax millage rate

Finance Director Wilson introduced a resolution to set the maximum property tax millage rate for the 2025 fiscal year. She said they would like to keep it at the current rate of 6.9900 mills.

Wilson said the rolled-back rate was calculated at 6.3802 mills, so keeping the rate the same will result in a revenue increase of 9.56% over the rolled-back rate.

Wilson reminded everyone that the final budget and property tax hearings will take place at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on September 12 and September 23.

Commissioner Grunder said, “I won’t vote to keep the millage rate at 6.9900. I said last year when we raised it to 6.9900, it would be a one-year thing…. It’s got to come down some.”

Mayor Weitz reminded him that they were setting the maximum millage rate, which they could choose to lower. Grunder said, “I know, but I’m saying I want that out on record early, that way everybody knows where I stand.”

Miller said, “I’m with Commissioner Tristan. I think that we’ve got to put it down some.”

Miller made a motion to approve the resolution, and Commissioner Byran Williams seconded the motion. It passed unanimously during a roll call vote.

Outsourcing code enforcement to a contractor

City Manager Marshall said he and his staff have been doing “out of the box thinking” and looking for ways to cut costs, and they decided to do a Request for Proposals (RFP) to have an outside company do some of their code enforcement work. 

Marshall said they have a number of code enforcement complaints stacking up, and they could use outside help. He said they received three responses to the RFP, and, after conducting interviews, he and his staff thought Willdan Engineering of Orlando would be the best alternative. Willdan offered to provide 10 hours of service each week for $750, and the City would not need to provide them with a vehicle, which would definitely save money, he said. Responding to a question from Weitz, Marshall said, “We will do a one-year contract.” And, he said, there will be no other hidden costs such as mileage reimbursement, but they can choose to add additional hours at the rate of $75 per hour.

Marshall said the total cost will be about $39,000 for the year, and Weitz said, “It would cost us three times that much to hire an employee with benefits.”

Grunder said, “I love thinking outside the box. I like it.”

Speaking from the podium during public comment, Finance Director Diane Wilson asked if the City has a special magistrate for code enforcement hearings. Marshall explained that there is an RFP to find a special magistrate that expires in two weeks, and they will have one in the near future. Marshall added that they will also need a special magistrate for their speed enforcement cameras in school zones.

Janet Evans commended everyone on their transparency and said, “It’s a real pleasure to just sit here in the audience and see this kind of teamwork.”

Responding to Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth, Marshall said, “All three candidates would do an adequate job. They would all do a good job.”

Commissioner Bloodsworth made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation and award the RFP for code enforcement services to Willdan Engineering. Commissioner Grunder seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Surplus electric meters

City Manager Marshall said that since the electric meters in High Springs have been replaced with smart meters, they have many old-style meters that are essentially worthless. He said a gentleman had offered to pay $7,000 for all of their old meters. 

Commissioner Grunder made a motion to declare the inoperable meters as surplus, and Commissioner Miller seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Canoe Outpost

During the City Manager Update, Marshall said, “Monday, the Canoe Outpost will be open. We’re doing a soft opening, and it’ll be open for fishing and swimming and paddling seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. And as I said during the budget workshop, that’s going to be the priority for Wild Spaces money. If you get a chance to go down there, Jennifer [Applebee] and her crew have transformed that area. It looks great.”

Upcoming City Commission election

Marshall said qualifying for the next City Commission election had just ended. He said, “For Seat 5, we have three candidates: Zachary Walter, Katherine Weitz, and Sue Weller. For Seat 4, we have Chad Howell and Julie Tapia-Ruano.”

Backpack giveaway on August 11

During Commission Comment, Miller announced, “The Chamber, in partnership with Spirit of Excellence, is hosting a back-to-school giveaway on Sunday, August 11th, at 4:00 p.m. at the High Springs Museum. We’re going to do free backpacks, supplies, and free haircuts. The event is sponsored by the Alachua County Children’s Trust.”

Weitz said, “I want to say good luck to the High Springs Playhouse. The curtain went up not too long ago for their opening night of their [Wizard of Oz musical]. I’m looking forward to seeing them next week, and I’m sure it’s going to be phenomenal.”

Turning to Commissioner Byran Williams, Weitz said, “Not hearing your name for Seat number 4 is a new day… You’ve been an integral part of this governing body for a long time… Thank you.”

Community Redevelopment Agency meeting

Commissioners held a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board meeting prior to the Regular Meeting. CRA Manager Amy Bohanon gave a short presentation, and she suggested making City Manager Jeremy Marshall the Executive Director of the CRA. Marshall said he is prepared to take five classes, lasting approximately one day each, to attain the title of Redevelopment Administrator, which will help him to work better alongside Bohanon, who already has the certification.

Grunder made a motion to appoint Marshall as Executive Director of the CRA, and Weitz seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.