High Springs Finalizes Millage At 6.99 Mills on A $17.5 M Budget, Denies Vape Shop Permit

HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs City Commission on Sept. 25 finalized the City’s new fiscal year budget as well as denying a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a vape shop.

The City’s budget was approved at $17,538,592 while the City’s millage rate was set at 6.99 mills, which is expected to provide $3,091,315 in revenues. “This amount will mean that homeowners will be charged $100 annually per $100,000 of their homes’ taxable value,” said Finance Director Diane Wilson.

Although some residents expressed concern about the millage rate hike, City officials say this is only the second time in the past 10 years that the millage rate has been increased.

Wilson said the High Springs Police Department has the largest percent of the General Fund at $2,769,547. Public Works came in at $900,145, IT at $404,622, Parks and Recreation at $395,864 and the City Manager’s Office at $382,079.

The Commission voted unanimously to retain their monthly salaries with no increase from last year’s budgeted amount. Those amounts are $927 per month for each City Commissioner and the Vice Mayor and $1,030 per month for the Mayor.

In other business, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for family-owned Vape Dimensions was denied based primarily on health and safety concerns and the intended location across a divided highway from a city park. The proposed location was 19358 N.W. U.S. Highway 441, formerly known as Alice’s Parkside Restaurant. Although Vape Dimensions owners expressed their willingness to modify their signage and landscaping to reduce the visual impact of the property to anyone at the park, it was not enough of a concession to assuage Commissioners’ concerns that the property would pose an attraction to children.

A second Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a tobacco and vape shop located at 18467 N.W. U.S. Highway 441 was tabled to the Oct. 26 City Commission meeting to allow time for the Planning and Zoning Board to hear this item and make a recommendation on their hearing.

In other City business, City Manager Ashley Stathatos said that Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) would be rolling out in October. AMI is part of the City’s effort to upgrade the city’s water distribution system with an electronic reading capability and to replace some 2,800 meters that have served beyond their estimated useful lives. The target meter population includes all commercial and residential meters. The estimated time of completion for the entire project is two months.

“Blossoming Butterfly, Inc., a non-profit cancer awareness organization, along with Deeper Purpose Church, will be holding a 3K walk at the High Springs Civic Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Oct. 7, said Parks and Recreation Director Elliot Harris. The purpose of the walk is to bring awareness to testing and the benefits of early cancer detection.

Blossoming Butterfly, Inc. and the City of High Springs will also sponsor what Harris said he hopes will be an annual event at Alachua’s Legacy Park. This is an alumni basketball tournament with a $500 cash prize to the winner. He said admission to watch the tournament is $5 and proceeds will go to Blossoming Butterfly.

Harris said the organization has told him they will split the proceeds between their organization and Harris’ family. Harris’ son has cancer and part of their mission’s purpose is helping with expenses related to cancer.

Commissioners praised efforts by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in paying for the new fall banners and hanging baskets in the downtown High Springs area.

The next City Commission meeting will be held on Oct. 12.

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