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HIGH SPRINGS –At its Feb. 13, 2025, meeting, the High Springs City Commission voted on several key issues, including proclaiming February as Black History Month, renaming a local park, placing five charter amendments on the November 2025 ballot, and discussing proposed rental fee increases for city-owned spaces.

Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month, honoring the contributions of Black Americans to the community and the nation.

The Commission also approved a mutual aid agreement between the High Springs Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. This agreement allows for operational assistance and voluntary cooperation between the two agencies.

Following a brief presentation, commissioners voted to rename “Pop-Up Shade Park” to “Ms. Tammy’s Shade Park” in honor of Tammy Webster Fleming. Fleming served as a teacher at the former High Springs Child Care Center for 42 years, teaching children manners, respect, and academics.

City Attorney Scott Walker introduced Ordinance 2025-02, which will place five proposed charter amendments on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot. The amendments address the following issues:

1. Updating Commission Seat Information – Removes the names of former commissioners and designates the end dates of current terms.
2. Commission Salaries – Allows commissioner salaries to continue at the same rate if no formal action is taken.
3. Mayor’s Term Limits – Limits the mayor’s term to one year and prevents consecutive terms unless approved by a majority of the commission (changed from a supermajority).
4. Special Meeting Notice Requirements – Requires at least three days’ notice for special meetings and clarifies the definition of special and emergency meetings.
5. City Manager and City Clerk Roles – Prevents a single person from holding both positions simultaneously.

Commissioner Katherine Weitz made a motion to approve the ordinance with one modification: changing “supermajority” to “majority” in Question 3. Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth, Jr. seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Ashley Mauldin, of the High Springs Parks & Recreation Department, presented a proposal to increase rental fees for recreation and park facilities. Mauldin noted that rates have not been raised since 2018, and current rental revenue does not cover maintenance costs. Annual maintenance costs are $25,493 with current rental revenue at $14,616. Projected revenue with proposed increased rates will be $21,924

City Manager Jeremy Marshall said rental rates will not increase until after renovations are completed on two indoor spaces. He also noted that the city can only raise rates incrementally to balance affordability with cost recovery.

In addition to public rentals, Mauldin highlighted that seven city-owned spaces are leased to local organizations for $10 per year, including High Springs Museum, Robotics Team (Poe Springs Room), Douglas Historical School Society, Inc., St. Madeleine Community Outreach, Boy Scouts, Garden Club and Chamber of Commerce

Marshall emphasized that these low-cost leases are a financial burden, stating, “This is what’s draining us.”

Mayor Tristan Grunder supported raising rental rates for the Civic Center and Douglass Center, and commissioners agreed to move forward with a resolution to adjust the fees.

The next step in the budget process will be a formal resolution to finalize rental fee adjustments.

The High Springs City Commission will continue discussions on rental rates and budget adjustments at a future meeting.

Commissioners also approved an amended budget reflecting American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds usage, the sale of a heavy rescue fire truck and acquisition of additional trucks.

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The Alachua County Commission continues its community input sessions for the Forward Focus initiative, designed to enhance quality of life, boost economic opportunities, and address community needs in Eastern Alachua County. Following productive meetings in Hawthorne and Waldo, the project team will hold two additional sessions this month.

“The feedback we’ve received so far has been incredibly valuable,” said Missy Daniels, assistant county manager and Forward Focus team lead. “We’re learning so much about the priorities and concerns of residents in Eastern Alachua County, and we encourage everyone to participate in these important conversations.”

The upcoming community input sessions are:

• Micanopy: Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. at Micanopy City Hall (706 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy)
• Monteocha Area: March meeting place and time to be announced soon

At each meeting, attendees will:

• Learn more about the Forward Focus project goals and timeline.
• Provide feedback that will help shape a community-wide survey.
• Network with neighbors and local leaders.

Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County is a three-year project designed to improve the quality of life, boost economic opportunities, and address community needs in the eastern part of the county. These community input sessions are crucial for developing a comprehensive plan that reflects the unique needs and aspirations of this region.

Learn more about the project and provide comments directly to the county.

For more information about Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County, please contact us at 352-374-5204 or ForwardFocus@alachuacounty.us.

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OCALA – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of a major expansion of Interstate 75, marking the start of construction on over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes between State Road 44 in Wildwood and State Road 326 in Ocala. The project, part of the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, is fully funded and launching 10 to 15 years ahead of schedule in an effort to alleviate growing traffic congestion in the region.

“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic,” DeSantis said. “We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion. This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”

With an estimated 114,000 vehicles traveling this corridor daily, the expansion aims to reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance mobility for both local commuters and travelers. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., emphasized the project's economic benefits, estimating a $2.3 billion impact on the region.

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule,” Perdue said.

The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, launched in 2023, is a $4 billion effort aimed at fast-tracking transportation projects statewide. FDOT identified high-priority road projects that were previously approved but lacked the necessary funding to begin construction. The initiative, funded through the state’s General Revenue Surplus, is designed to relieve traffic congestion, improve roadway safety, and enhance Florida’s supply chain infrastructure.

At least 20 major interstate and roadway projects have been expedited under Moving Florida Forward, including:

• I-4 Expansion in Polk and Osceola Counties – Addition of express lanes to reduce congestion and streamline travel into Orlando.
• I-275 Expansion in Pinellas County – New regular and express lanes projected to cut travel delays by 85%, improving a key hurricane evacuation route.
• Golden Glades Interchange Redesign in Miami-Dade County – Improved connectivity between I-95 and major road corridors in the region.
• Fruitville Interchange Reconstruction in Sarasota County – Conversion to a Diverging Diamond Interchange, increasing capacity by 40,000 vehicles and reducing conflict points.
• S. 98 Widening in Bay County – A project aimed at enhancing access to local businesses and increasing capacity in Panama City Beach.
• S. 301 Realignment in Sumter County – A redesign projected to reduce peak-hour delays by up to 94%, improving access to Florida’s Turnpike.

The I-75 expansion in Ocala is one of many efforts underway to modernize Florida’s transportation network and accommodate rapid population growth and increased tourism. By fast-tracking these projects, Florida aims to reduce traffic bottlenecks, support economic development, and ensure safer, more efficient roadways for years to come.

With construction now officially underway, Ocala-area residents and travelers can expect major improvements along I-75.

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GAINESVILLE - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Wednesday, Feb. 19-Saturday, Feb. 22. The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31. 

The anticipated temperatures will lead to the extended activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F. The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.

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ALACHUA COUNTY - Spring is on the way, which means wildflowers are starting to bloom on the county’s road right of way thanks to the Wildflower Program maintained by the Alachua County Public Works Department. The county’s wildflower program is a collaborative effort with the Florida Wildflower Foundation, the Florida Department of Transportation District 2, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, and the Gainesville Garden Club.

 Almost 300 acres of the county’s right of ways are included in the Wildflower Program. On these roads, only the first ten feet from the edge of the pavement will be mowed between Valentine’s Day (February 14) and Memorial Day (May 26). The safety strip provides a safe place to pull off the road in an emergency.

Information about Florida wildflowers:

 Roadside wildflowers support Florida farms. 40% of Florida’s crop plants benefit from the same pollinators that are supported by roadside wildflowers.

• Coreopsis, a whole genus of wildflowers, was adopted as the Florida State Wildflower in 1991.
• Coreopsis, commonly called “Tick-Seed,” came from a Greek-derived botanical name that translates to “bug view.”
• There are 15 species of Coreopsis occurring in Florida, 12 of which are considered native.
• Of the five species of Coreopsis found here in Alachua County, four are considered native.
• January and February are peak seasons for native violets (Viola sp.) and Innocence (Houstonia procumbens).
• Whenever we have a rain event, it is common to see our native rain lilies (Zephyranthes sp.) emerge with blooms.

 The Alachua County Wildflower Program is under the supervision of Public Works Horticulturist Neil Greishaw.

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NEWBERRY – During the Feb. 10 City Commission meeting, commissioners agreed that Mayor Jordan Marlowe will step into the city manager’s position.

This, despite the fact that at the last meeting, Marlowe was tasked with contacting the former Director of Parks & Recreation Travis Parker to see if he might be willing to come back to Newberry as the next city manager.  

Marlowe did so and reported that he “had three or four meetings with Parker and it turns out that this is not the right time for his family to embark on a new endeavor.”  

In light of Parker’s response, Commissioner Rick Coleman proposed that Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Clark negotiate and execute a contract with Mayor Jordan Marlowe to take over the City Manager position when current City Manager Mike New leaves his post effective Feb. 24.

As part two of Coleman’s motion, he said that he thought the Commission should empower Marlowe to negotiate and execute an employment agreement with Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Dallas Lee to serve as Interim City Manager.  Coleman’s two-part motion was seconded by Commissioner Tony Mazon.

In response, Marlowe commented that “Newberry is on a fantastic trajectory…I don’t want that to change.  I want to keep us moving in the direction that Mr. New created.  So I am willing to enter into those negotiations.”  

He mentioned two caveats:  First, he said he needed to be able to complete the school year.  “I have to get my kids ready for four or five different college-level exams.”  Due to concerns over budgetary challenges, he said he would be willing to do the job for a lot less than Coleman suggested in his motion.  

Questioned whether he would also run for mayor, he said, “The Charter doesn’t allow this any longer.  I would not run for mayor.”

During discussion, commissioners indicated that they would prefer not to take on an expensive search for a new city manager, which could cost upwards of $150,000 between advertising and interviewing candidates from out of town.  Newberry Commissioners said they would prefer someone local who understands the City’s ongoing projects and funding needs.  

Opening the motion up for public comment, some speakers indicated they thought Marlowe would be an excellent choice for city manager, but most thought the process should be transparent.  

Travis Adair called the action of the commission “another scheme the commissioners decided behind closed doors.”  He thought the process should be transparent and called the commission action “anti democratic and disgusting.”

Former City Commissioner Joy Glanzer spoke on behalf of the action and indicated her support for Marlowe as the next city manager.  Another former commissioner Jason McGehee agreed with Adair that the process should be open and transparent.  He also indicated he thought Marlowe would be a good choice.

Naim Erched also suggested that although Marlowe is “extremely knowledgeable” and said that Marlowe’s “experience and qualifications are evident,” he too thought the process should be transparent.  Rob Baker pointed to the “mess” created at the school board in not selecting a leader in a public forum.

Marlowe pointed out that if the city didn’t follow the same process as they did when they decided Travis Parker was the man they wanted, it would make this a political process.

As the mayor and city manager positions cannot be combined according to the Charter, Marlowe would have to step down from the mayoral seat to permit him serving as the city manager.  

Following discussion and citizen comments, the commission voted unanimously to approve Coleman’s motion.

The City’s election is coming up on April 8, 2025, and the mayor’s seat is one of the positions that will need to be filled.  

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