Newberry Includes Entire City in County Municipal Service Benefit Unit

NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission on Aug. 12, 2024, in 3-1 vote, approved the first reading of an ordinance to include the entire city in a non-ad valorem assessment for the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU). This MSBU, created by Alachua County, is designed to fund residential solid waste collection, disposal, and recycling services.

Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee introduced the proposal, assuring the Commission that fees for single-family and multi-family residential customers will remain steady at $25.27 annually. Non-universal residential customers will also maintain their current fee of $15.81 annually. The ordinance passed with a 3-1 roll call vote. Commissioner Tim Marden opposed the measure and Commissioner Rick Coleman was absent during the vote.

In other City business, the Commission also approved an agreement with the Florida Department of State Division Historical Resource for a matching grant for rehabilitation of the historical power plant structure. The City intends to match the of $350,000 grant with another $350,000 for a total of $700,000 to secure the structure. Lee indicated in his presentation that the roof has recently been replaced on the building. The $700,000 will be used to replace windows, construct a restroom and develop a parking lot.

The hope is that a business will want to use the building and will be willing to complete the repairs needed to the inside of the building. “It is expected to cost $1.5 – $2 million to finish the inside of the structure,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe in discussion

Also on Aug. 12, the Commission unanimously approved a resolution declaring a local State of Emergency due to Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 Hurricane. This resolution gave the City Manager authority to discharge the duties and exercise the powers necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community, among other actions necessary in an emergency situation.

Final Comments

The Planning and Zoning Board meeting, originally scheduled for Aug. 5, has been rescheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the new City Hall is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. The location is Under the Oaks behind City Hall.

The Commission reminded the public that they can purchase a brick for a veteran at Veterans Memorial Park located in the southwest corner of Lois Forte Park. A rendering of the memorial and access to make a donation or purchase a brick are available on the Newberry City Hall site.

Greta Moreau, the new Code Enforcement Officer for Newberry was introduced at the meeting. Moreau has been with the City since May 20, 2024.

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