High Springs city engineer resigns following budget cuts

Editor's note:  This story will be updated as new information is available from meetings on Sept. 6 and 7.  Please check back for the latest information.

[Sept. 6 3:59 p.m.]

Recently hired City Engineer John B. Morrison, Jr. turned in a letter of resignation, effective noon on Wednesday, Sept. 5, following a budget meeting on Tuesday in which his salary was completely eliminated from the proposed 2012/13 fiscal year budget.

Approximately $45,000 in salary and benefits were slashed by commissioners as part of their attempt to eliminate approximately $500,000 from their initial budget.

Morrison was hired by the City on April 23, 2012 to oversee the city’s engineering needs following the commission’s elimination of the city planner position.

As part of their action, commissioners set aside $10,000 for engineering contractual services, thereby eliminating a total of $35,000 from their bottom line.

Commissioners were back at again with a meeting at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 6 and 7 to discuss further budget cuts.