Alachua Commission Ends Longtime City Attorney Contract

ALACHUA – On Aug. 11, 2025, the Alachua City Commission voted 3–2 at the end of its regular meeting to terminate its contract for legal services with Robert A. Rush P.A., closing a chapter of more than two decades of service from City Attorney Marian B. Rush.

Rush, the sister of firm founder Robert A. Rush, has served as the City of Alachua’s attorney for over 20 years. Under the current contract, she is paid approximately $138,000 annually, plus $200 per hour for work outside the scope of the agreement.

The commission’s majority — Commissioners Jennifer Ringersen, Dayna Williams, and Vice-Mayor Shirley Green Brown — are the three most senior members of the board. Collectively, they have spent years observing the interactions between the city attorney, city managers, and other staff. All three said the city’s growth, along with a desire to have the city look ahead, has convinced them it is time for a change.

When the City constructed its new city hall in 2007 — nearly 20 years ago — it included an unfinished office space intended for a future in-house attorney and legal assistant. Despite that foresight, no steps had been taken to fill those positions until now.

“This city has grown enough to warrant an in-house city attorney, to have a city attorney whose sole focus is on the City of Alachua not necessarily to take away anything from our current city attorney,” said Commissioner Dayne Williams.

Rush indicated during the meeting that she might be interested in applying for the position if it were created.

The motion to terminate was introduced by Ringersen after the commission unanimously voted to waive its rules and procedures, allowing the matter to be brought before the commission. Mayor Walter Welch and Commissioner Jacob Fletcher — both of whom have served fewer years on the commission — voted against the motion, citing the lack of notice to city staff, fellow commissioners, or the public.

“I feel blindsided by this,” Fletcher said, adding that the abrupt timing allowed just 30 days to advertise, hire, and bring a new attorney up to speed on pending litigation and local code.

Welch said he also had no prior knowledge of the proposal and voted no “because I’m confused right now.”

Public comment on the motion was minimal, with one resident describing the scene as “disturbing.”

The commission’s vote starts a 30-day clock to formally end the current legal services agreement. During that period, the city is expected to advertise for a full-time, in-house city attorney — a position that, if created, would mark a significant shift in how Alachua handles its legal affairs.

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