Newberry Commission Tackles State’s Disclosure Requirements

NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission on Jan. 8, 2024, received an in-depth briefing about a controversial Florida Commission on Ethics form that has caused some elected officials to resign.

City attorney Danielle Adams of Folds Walker law firm reviewed the Florida Commission on Ethics Form 6 Financial Disclosure that is required for mayors and elected members of governing bodies of municipalities. The disclosure form has led to a number of resignations by elected officials in Florida, including some individuals in Alachua County.

Adams said that those officials serving as of Dec. 31, 2023 must file Form 6 in 2024. Controversy among public officials stems from the public nature of the document and some individuals find the disclosure of private information to be over reaching.

Adams said financial disclosure forms will be filed electronically in 2024 via the Commission on Ethics Electronic Financial Disclosure Management System (EFDMS) and that all disclosures filed in EFDMS will be published on the Commission on Ethics website.

Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe questioned why the City Attorney and City Clerk were specifically not able to help filers with questions, to which Adams said she did not know. However, filers may use their own attorney or accountant to aid them in completion of the form.

In other City business, the Commission unanimously approved on first reading a Comprehensive Plan Amendment changing the future land use classification on 161 +/- acres voluntarily annexed to the City from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture.

The property owned by Whitehurst Cattle Company is located east of County Road 337/Southwest 282^nd Street and south of 67^th Avenue. This is a like-for-like change that allows less than or equal to one dwelling unit per five acres.

Following approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, the Commission approved on first reading a request to rezone Alachua County’s “Agriculture” classification to City of Newberry “Agriculture” zoning on the same 161 +/- acres.

The Commission also unanimously approved on first reading a Comprehensive Plan Amendment submitted by Herbert A. Marlowe, Jr., owner of 29 +/- acres of land located along County Road 337/Southwest 282^nd Street.

The amendment changes the future land use classification from Alachua County Rural/Agriculture to City of Newberry Agriculture on 29 +/- acres voluntarily annexed to the City. This is a like-for-like change that allows less than or equal to one dwelling unit per five acres.

Following approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, the Commission approved on first reading a request to rezone Alachua County’s “Agriculture” classification to City of Newberry “Agriculture” zoning on the same 29 +/- acres.

In other City business, Mellina Parker was appointed by the Commission to both the Planning and Zoning and Historic Architectural Review Boards to fill out the remainder of the term. This action comes following the resignation of board member Jordan Fairfield, who is moving to another city.

Seats on both boards come up for appointment in 2025. At that time, the City will advertise for applicants for those board seats.

Looking ahead, City Hall will be closed on Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and waste pickup will be adjusted accordingly. Participants walking in the Martin Luther King, Jr. march are to meet at the Martin Luther King Community Center on Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. and will walk to the city’s Municipal Building for a presentation.

This week the Florida Public Utilities Corporation is beginning construction on natural gas facilities in the city. They will start working on Northwest 3^rd going over to their office on State Road 45. Connections are planned in subsequent phases for Newberry Oaks and New Town 1895.

On Feb. 15 the City will hold a State of the City event with a Taste of Newberry event to be held first. With four new restaurants in town, it is expected that they will want to participate in this event.

City Manager Mike New distributed handouts to the Commission on items as part of the 2024 State Legislative Session. New recommended that Commissioners monitor several matters that involve agri-tourism and municipal water and sewer rates.

On May 13 at 7 p.m., a joint City/County Commission meeting has been scheduled.

The next Newberry City Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com