High Springs Moves Forward Short One Commissioner, Special Election to Be Scheduled for Empty Seat

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission will remain one commissioner short following a special commission meeting held Thursday, Jan. 4.  The Commission voted unanimously not to appoint a fifth commissioner and to continue with only four until a special election could be held in February or March to fill the empty seat.

The special City Commission meeting was scheduled after former Commissioner Steve Tapanes, who was elected in November 2023, resigned on Dec. 30.  Tapanes said he had issues with the State Commission on Ethics financial disclosure form referred to as Form 6, which was required to be filled out in order to continue in the position. 

In 2023 the Floria Legislature passed a law requiring mayors and elected city or town council members to file Form 6.  Prior to the new law, those elected officials were required to file Form 1.  Form 6 requires a more in-depth report of the filer's finances, including disclosure of net worth, information not required by Form 1.  Form 6 filers must also disclose assets over $1,000, while the Form 1 threshold is over $10,000.  Form 6 also requires filers to disclose clients that make up more than 10 percent of the filer's income.

The High Springs city attorney explained that the City Charter allows the commission to appoint someone to fill the position until an election could be held.  With Tapanes’ seat empty, the city charter mandates a special election to fill the seat.  The election must happen within 60 to 90 days of the vacancy, between Feb. 28 and March 29.  

Although Commissioners Tristan Grunder and Byran Williams both expressed concerns that a stalemate might occur with only four commissioners voting on matters, citizens overwhelmingly expressed a desire to elect the person who will fill Tapanes’ seat.

With the presidential primary election also falling within that window on March 19, it is making it difficult for Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton to schedule elections for the smaller municipalities facing election requirements.

High Springs City Clerk Angela Stone has contacted Barton for an election date for High Springs.  Although it would seem ideal to add High Springs’ election to the ballot for the presidential primary, Stone said the ballot for that election has already been set, dictating that the City election be held independent of the presidential primary.

Stone said she expects to confer with Barton and have a firm election date selected prior to the Jan. 11 regular city commission meeting.

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