High Springs City Commission finalizes charter amendment ballot questions, swaps 4 leased vehicles for 3 purchased vehicles

BY DAVID LIGHTMAN

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At their July 11 Regular Meeting, the High Springs City Commission took the final step toward placing four charter amendment questions on the November ballot, agreed to return four leased vehicles to the leasing company and replace them with three purchased vehicles, and heard a presentation from students performing a Wizard of Oz musical at the High Springs Community Playhouse.

Charter amendment ballot questions

City Attorney Scott Walker introduced a second reading of an ordinance to place four charter amendments on the November ballot. Mayor Katherine Weitz asked Walker, “I had one question about the ones that we held back for this year, with the intention of putting it on next year. Would it be appropriate to set a date for which to bring that back up?” Walker said, “I think that would be a very good idea.”

With no public comments and no further discussion, Commissioner Andrew Miller made a motion to approve the ordinance, and Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth seconded the motion. It passed 4-1 during a roll call vote, with Commissioner Tristan Grunder in dissent.

Commissioner Miller made a motion to discuss the four remaining ballot questions at the second meeting in January 2025. Commissioner Bloodsworth seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1, with Grunder in dissent.

The four questions that will be placed on the November ballot are listed here.

Returning leased vehicles

Mayor Weitz introduced the first item of new business: discuss, consider, and act on returning four leased City vehicles to the leasing company.

City Manager Jeremy Marshall explained, “One of the first things we looked at is – how can we reduce our recurring monthly expenses, and we had some vehicles that… [were] a little overkill for public sector vehicles. We had a couple AT4s and a couple Chevy Tahoes. We worked with Bancorp, and they are going to allow us to turn them in, penalty-free. And we’re going to eliminate those recurring monthly payments and help the general fund a little bit and get more appropriate vehicles for our staff.”

Bloodsworth asked when the leasing payments will stop, and Marshall said they can turn the vehicles in as soon as they are prepared to purchase replacement vehicles, which was the next agenda item.

During public comment, Linda Jones thanked Marshall for getting something done that former City Manager Ashley Stathatos was unable to do. Marshall explained that his success in being able to return the vehicles penalty-free was mostly due to Police Chief J. Antoine Sheppard and Finance Director Diane Wilson getting involved in the negotiations.

Commissioner Miller made a motion to return the four leased vehicles, and Commissioner Grunder seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Purchasing replacement vehicles

Mayor Weitz introduced the next item: discuss, consider, and act on the purchase of three new City vehicles.

Marshall explained, “We’re turning in four but we’re going to buy three. That will cut our net fleet down by one. That could be a temporary cut.” He said they will need a fourth vehicle if a plan to outsource some Code Enforcement duties doesn’t work out.

Marshall said the two Chevy Tahoes will be replaced with two 2023 Ram 1500 Tradesman 4×4 trucks, and they were able to secure a better price because these trucks were leftover new inventory. Once accessories and graphics are added, each Ram 1500 will cost approximately $53,700, he said, and the third vehicle, replacing an AT4, will be a Ford Ranger at a cost of approximately $34,300.

Responding to questions from Commissioners, Marshall said they expect to see an immediate monthly savings of approximately $6,000 when things like fuel economy and insurance and are factored in, since these are less expensive vehicles; he said the City may even be able to pay for them using ARPA funds. The vehicles will have standard new car warranties, Marshall said.

Comissioner Grunder made a motion to purchase the three new vehicles, and Commissioner Byran Williams seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

At the beginning of the meeting, Commissioners heard a presentation from students who will be performing “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” at the High Springs Community Playhouse. The director and two actors dressed as Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West spoke, holding the dog who will play Toto. They said the musical has a cast of 21 out of 60 who auditioned, ranging in age from 6 to 14, and they have been meeting four nights a week for the past six weeks to rehearse. They said it has been a learning experience for all of them, from acting and singing to set design and lighting.

The fifteen-year-old director said, “We have six or seven different scene changes. We start in Kansas and then we go to Munchkinland and the Haunted Forest and to Emerald City and back to Kansas… We’re super excited, and we hope to see you all there. July 25th is the day that we open. Our opening night has three tickets left, and our two Sunday matinees are sold out… We’re doing great so far.”

“The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” runs from July 25 to August 4, with 7 p.m. showings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. showings on Sundays. Tickets are available at https://www.highspringsplayhouse.com/ .

Priest Theater update

During final comments, City Manager Marshall said they are in the process of hiring an architect and an engineer to help with the restoration of the Priest Theater, and construction should be finished within six to eight months once it is started. Commissioner Miller said he would like to see the Priest Theater used as a Community Center instead of selling it.

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