High Springs Raises Taxes

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ City of High Springs residents can expect to pay more in taxes in the coming year. On Sept. 20, the High Springs City Commission set the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget at $23,387,923. The Commission also approved increasing to 5.99 mills, which is 8.875 percent increase from the current rolled-back rate of 5.5017 mills.

Bailey Estates Zoning Postponed

In other city business, a rezoning that has been tabled several times was tabled yet again – this time to Nov. 18. A zoning change request from J.H. Londono to rezone approximately 89.69 acres east of Bailey Estates from R-1A to R-3 has been fraught with issues surrounding the developer’s agreement with the city.

Initially, this request was heard and approved by the Planning and Zoning Board on Sept. 22, 2020. It was then presented at the Oct. 8 City Commission meeting at which time it was not adopted as the Commission requested the developer present an amended plan.

The ordinance was read and adopted at the Nov. 24, 2020 meeting, but it was continued at the Dec. 10 meeting and several times thereafter. Continuances have been given to finalize a development agreement with the applicant. “To date, there has not been much progress on the development agreement,” said City Manager Ashley Stathatos.

The stalemate stems from the developer’s proposal that all lots be 6,000 square feet minimum. A City staff analysis of all the lots in Bailey Phase I found that the majority of the lots are in the 8,000 – 9,000 sf range. The City will not agree to a development agreement with all the lots starting at a 6,000 sf minimum. The developer did not want to go up in lot size, therefore, “there was no further progress on the development agreement,” Stathatos said. She added that the development agreement continues to be “incompatible with surrounding land uses.”

The Commission voted to table the item once again to Nov. 18, with plans for the full Commission and the City’s planning consultant to be present.

Traffic Signal Operations

In other City business, Commissioners deferred a decision on an interlocal agreement for maintenance and operations of traffic signal and school beacons to allow time to research other options.

In the past, the City of Gainesville has been contracted to perform these services for the City, but has recently done away with the discount they provided to High Springs for their services. City Clerk Jenny Parham said it would now cost the City approximately $700 over the amount that the Florida Department of Transportation pays the City to maintain those services.

Presentations to Commission

In other business, Newberry Opioid Task Force Chairperson Joy Glanzer and other task force members encouraged High Springs to use $10,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help pay for a radKIDS program to help teach young kids how to deal with drugs.

The City of Newberry has set aside $15,000 for the program and would like to see each of the communities set aside some funds to help pay for training radKIDS instructors and other related program items. Commissioneers will consider the request when they discuss Rescue Plan funds.

Elder Adam Joy requested the use of one room in the old school building behind City Hall for the Head Start Program. He said he has a grant and the kids, but just needs a location. Commissioners were reluctant to allow the use of the building for a nine-month period of time and denied the request. Joy said he would contact the City of Alachua to see if they might have a location that could be used for the program.

Sharon Yeago, secretary for The Heart of High Springs, introduced the organization to the Commission and explained the group’s purpose. The organization is working on the Gateway Sign Project with a goal of installing new welcome signs at entrances to the city. “The existing entrance signs were installed more than 10 years ago,” Yeago said, “and they are in need of being replaced and upgraded.”

The Heart of High Springs has designed new welcome signs, which will be paid for by private funding. Six locations have been identified for their installation. Yeago said the group is asking the City to partner with them to maintain the signs after installation. The City will be drafting an agreement that would form a partnership between the organization, the City and the property owners at the sign locations.

The next High Springs City Commission meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com