High Springs Postpones Bridlewood Workshop

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission on June 13, 2024, approved extending the date for a workshop on the Bridlewood development project. Initially scheduled for June 18, the workshop will be rescheduled to accommodate the developer's staff availability. The new date will be advertised once confirmed.

In other business, the Commission set the 2024 City Commission election date for Seat #4 and Seat #5 for Nov. 5, 2024. The qualifying period for candidates is July 22 at 7:30 a.m. to July 25 at 6 p.m. Interested parties should contact the City Clerk for more information.

High Springs residents will likely not be seeing an increase in the Fire Services Assessment in the coming year. The City Commission unanimously approved the preliminary resolution for the Fire Services Assessment for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2024 at $781,894. Residential properties will be charged $223. Non-residential property use categories will be assessed by the square foot (capped at 40,000 square feet). Commercial rates are assessed at $0.09 sq. ft., Industrial/Warehouse rates are assessed at $0.02 sq. ft. and Institutional properties are charged at $0.16 sq. ft. The resolution establishing the final assessment will be heard at the July 25, 2024, meeting at 6:30 p.m.

In other business, the Commission approved a request by Josh Highlander of Rise Construction Services to begin pouring concrete earlier than usual for the Life Spring Church project. Highlander requested that concrete trucks begin arriving on the property at 4 a.m. as it will take 10 – 15 truckloads of concrete for the Life Spring Church project. Given the location’s distance from neighboring properties, early morning deliveries are not expected to cause disturbances.

The Commission also approved the sale of a rarely used fire department boat and an inoperable sewer department vacuum truck, with proceeds returning to their respective budgets. Commissioners authorized the two items to be surplused so they could be sold. The first item was a boat the Fire Department purchased for water rescue. The Fire Chief said there is only seven hours on the motor so it hasn’t been used much. The boat will be sold as is. Funds from the sale of the boat will be returned to the Fire Department budget. The second item surplused was a vacuum truck owned by the sewer department. The item was purchased in July 2022 from Lake City for $8,000. The equipment has not been operable since the purchase and repairs are not cost effective. Funds from the sale of the truck will be returned to the Sewer Department’s budget.

In other matters, following a presentation by the Alachua County Fire Marshal, the Commission unanimously approved a site plan for Air Liquide to replace a building damaged in the April 4, 2023 explosion that injured multiple workers. The global manufacturer of industrial gas will replace the destroyed building with two new structures at 17526 High Springs Main Street. The item was reviewed on May 20 by the Plan Board, which recommended approval in a 5 – 0 vote.

The Commission also approved a lease agreement allowing Boy Scout Troop #69 to hold meetings at 19460 N.W. U.S. Highway 441 for $10 per year. The lease will automatically renew annually unless terminated with 30 days’ notice.

Turning to the status of the Priest Theater, City Manager Jeremy Marshall proposed that a committee be formed to oversee repairs to the structure. Committee members will include Marshall, Public Works Director Allan Alligood and Commissioner Andrew Miller.

In light of upcoming holidays that may conflict with previously scheduled meeting dates, the Commission has adjusted several meeting dates to Sept. 12 and 23, Nov. 14 and 21, and Dec. 12

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