NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission wrapped up its final meeting of the year on Dec. 8, 2025, moving through a concise agenda that advanced a series of administrative updates and approved more than 200 acres of voluntary annexations. Commissioners Rick Coleman and Tony Mazon were absent.
Commissioners unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, including an amendment to City Manager Jordan Marlowe’s employment contract. The contract changes —initially approved Nov. 10— set a five-year term from Dec. 1, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2030, and establish an annual base salary of $123,600. Marlowe will be eligible for merit increases following annual evaluations and will receive cost-of-living adjustments in line with other city staff. The city will continue contributing 5% of his base salary to a 457 deferred compensation plan. All other contract provisions remain unchanged.
Community Weatherization Coalition presentation
Helen Ward of the Community Weatherization Coalition (CWC) briefed commissioners on the nonprofit’s ongoing work to assist Alachua County residents facing high utility costs. The grassroots coalition — made up of citizens, faith leaders and nonprofit partners — offers home energy tune-ups aimed at reducing water and energy usage. The group can be reached at 352-450-4965 or info@communityweatherization.org.
Annexation approvals
Commissioners unanimously approved Voluntary Annexation No. 40 on first reading, a package representing 11 requests from seven applicants and totaling roughly 227 acres.
“The total number of acres voluntarily annexed into the City in the past year (including these acres) is 430,” Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus said.
Commissioners advanced the following ordinances on first reading:
- Ordinance 2025-76: Saltzgiver, Philip G. and Helen L., Parcel 02696-010-005
- Ordinance 2025-77: Pitts, Ory and Shelley, Parcel 01925-003-000
- Ordinance 2025-78: Wilson, Phillip Charles and Jamie Lee, Parcel 04269-001-000
- Ordinance 2025-79: Keeney, Susan B., Life Estate, Parcel 04399-004-002
- Ordinance 2025-81: Barkley, Philip and Jennifer, Parcels 01833-004-000 and 01833-003-001
- Ordinance 2025-82: Loncala LLC, Wesley Carter / HLT Gilchrist LLC, Parcels 01765-001-000, 01770-000-000, 01772-000-000 and 01772-001-000
- Ordinance 2025-83: Wood, Charles “Eddie,” Parcel 00491-002-000
Announcements and Updates
City Manager Marlowe announced that trash and recycling collection will run one day later during Christmas and New Year’s weeks.
He also reported significant state funding wins, including a $2.9 million grant for septic-to-sewer projects, a $240,000 grant to relocate a lift station for the upcoming two-way-pair traffic configuration and a $5.6 million jobs growth grant.
Marlowe noted that the city launched its new TextMyGov communication platform earlier that day. “It is a tool that allows us to talk to all of our residents at one time or narrow down to one household to let them know they have a boil water notice,” Marlowe said. “We can send out surveys, narrow down to those folks we have to talk to and gather all kinds of information.”
Phase I enables the city to send messages to residents, while Phase II will allow residents to text the city with questions.
The next Newberry City Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.
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Email cwalker@
alachuatoday.com
NEWBERRY – The Newberry City Commission wrapped up its final meeting of the year on Dec. 8, 2025, moving through a concise agenda that advanced a series of administrative updates and approved more than 200 acres of voluntary annexations. Commissioners Rick Coleman and Tony Mazon were absent.
Commissioners unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, including an amendment to City Manager Jordan Marlowe’s employment contract. The contract changes —initially approved Nov. 10— set a five-year term from Dec. 1, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2030, and establish an annual base salary of $123,600. Marlowe will be eligible for merit increases following annual evaluations and will receive cost-of-living adjustments in line with other city staff. The city will continue contributing 5% of his base salary to a 457 deferred compensation plan. All other contract provisions remain unchanged.
Community Weatherization Coalition presentation
Helen Ward of the Community Weatherization Coalition (CWC) briefed commissioners on the nonprofit’s ongoing work to assist Alachua County residents facing high utility costs. The grassroots coalition — made up of citizens, faith leaders and nonprofit partners — offers home energy tune-ups aimed at reducing water and energy usage. The group can be reached at 352-450-4965 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Annexation approvals
Commissioners unanimously approved Voluntary Annexation No. 40 on first reading, a package representing 11 requests from seven applicants and totaling roughly 227 acres.
“The total number of acres voluntarily annexed into the City in the past year (including these acres) is 430,” Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus said.
Commissioners advanced the following ordinances on first reading:
- Ordinance 2025-76: Saltzgiver, Philip G. and Helen L., Parcel 02696-010-005
- Ordinance 2025-77: Pitts, Ory and Shelley, Parcel 01925-003-000
- Ordinance 2025-78: Wilson, Phillip Charles and Jamie Lee, Parcel 04269-001-000
- Ordinance 2025-79: Keeney, Susan B., Life Estate, Parcel 04399-004-002
- Ordinance 2025-81: Barkley, Philip and Jennifer, Parcels 01833-004-000 and 01833-003-001
- Ordinance 2025-82: Loncala LLC, Wesley Carter / HLT Gilchrist LLC, Parcels 01765-001-000, 01770-000-000, 01772-000-000 and 01772-001-000
- Ordinance 2025-83: Wood, Charles “Eddie,” Parcel 00491-002-000
Announcements and Updates
City Manager Marlowe announced that trash and recycling collection will run one day later during Christmas and New Year’s weeks.
He also reported significant state funding wins, including a $2.9 million grant for septic-to-sewer projects, a $240,000 grant to relocate a lift station for the upcoming two-way-pair traffic configuration and a $5.6 million jobs growth grant.
Marlowe noted that the city launched its new TextMyGov communication platform earlier that day. “It is a tool that allows us to talk to all of our residents at one time or narrow down to one household to let them know they have a boil water notice,” Marlowe said. “We can send out surveys, narrow down to those folks we have to talk to and gather all kinds of information.”
Phase I enables the city to send messages to residents, while Phase II will allow residents to text the city with questions.
The next Newberry City Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.
# # #
Email cwalker@
alachuatoday.com