[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6306044,"mediaKeyId","2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6","parentId",2442512,"title","Commission approves three‑year employment agreement for City Manager Jeremy Marshall amid mixed public comments","audioSeconds",1510,"startMs",2265000,"endMs",3775000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6&start=2265&end=3775","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306044/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/Commission-approves-threeyear-employment-agreement-for-City-Manager-Jeremy-Marshall-amid-mixed-public-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306044-d6ebb85287f9e5197c4e9118267dd3b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198904&Signature=Gn6YBey60FgFKhbwCucR~f-c~nEAatzo5sGPEL4oXkmwt9uf66u2MlAL-13VmHMXWn0ATVpH2OG1HDA6cb99u-eT27aZIMb5NVmibtwh5IupomA5EQqf4HXZW4XpvFWKDYNrloBid47B1cPEgwh5OUbEZ8qVyAEzpIN1OboC0oki1EUw4O40RD3L0RD-BFQKnAKUuIeBJgxNzr3rMYQiT0YIcueEi8n6RuXfammi92tRKSAkeo4tkSBSHBe4QSTZaD2L8pFvbQhuOTJbOX1jl5mNedzzyHN~Sa1xEvRmaglDDgmlB60yhkqD3nyKLiDR8nLjg25BQ4lXxPJzBAl1sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of High Springs, FL","date","2025-02-27T23:27:39Z","article","The High Springs City Commission approved a three-year employment agreement with City Manager Jeremy Marshall, including a base salary the city presented and standard benefits and severance terms.

The commission discussed the proposed contract — described in the meeting as a three‑year agreement with a $122,500 base salary, cost‑of‑living and merit increases as applicable, participation in ICMA retirement, health insurance for the manager and a modest automobile allowance — before voting to approve the contract by voice vote.

Public comment on the item was extensive and mixed. Several city employees and community members — including Police Chief Antoine Shepherd, the chair of the Mayor’s Youth Council, and multiple department staffers — spoke in strong support of Marshall, saying he had improved morale, prioritized fiscal responsibility and advanced city priorities. Supporters credited Marshall with early actions on debt reduction, transparent budgeting, and personnel decisions that supporters said stabilized city services.

Other speakers raised concerns. One resident who attended a meeting with Marshall described an incident in which Marshall became visibly angry, banged his fists on a desk, and later said they had filed a complaint with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office; that resident asked the commission to initiate a formal investigation and said they would submit a written complaint. The record shows that the resident reported filing a complaint with law enforcement; the commission did not open a formal investigation during the meeting but accepted the comment for the record.

Commissioners who participated in the hiring process and those who have worked closely with Marshall described his performance as stabilizing and praised his engagement with staff and community groups. Several speakers — including Marshall’s spouse and department heads — described his background, leadership style and work in the first year, and urged the commission to retain him.

Staff summarized contract administrative terms reported in the discussion: three‑year term, base salary reported as $122,500, ICMA retirement participation, health insurance with dependents at employee expense, a termination/severance provision capped at 20 weeks in accordance with Florida law, paid time off accrual with an annual cap, and a modest automobile allowance. The contract was presented as consistent with prior city manager agreements used by the city.

A motion to approve the employment agreement was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Marshall addressed the commission after the vote, thanked staff and said he would continue focusing on staff development and city operations.

The commission did not vote to open an investigation into the complaint raised during public comment; any further action on that complaint would require a separate, formal request or referral.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 27, 2025 High Springs City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The High Springs City Commission approved a three‑year employment agreement for City Manager Jeremy Marshall that includes a reported $122,500 base salary and standard benefits and severance provisions.","taxTitle","High Springs, Alachua County, Florida","taxId",54325,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6306048,"Commission accepts FDEP grant to extend wastewater to County Road 236; impact-fee questions remain",388,1063000,1451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6&start=1063&end=1451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6/thumbnail_1063000.jpg","/articles/6306048/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/Commission-accepts-FDEP-grant-to-extend-wastewater-to-County-Road-236-impact-fee-questions-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306048-f2ab032eecc86e4cc3c3ed4038652c99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198904&Signature=I72ClYyORYuGRVtlS0bpnruTQleTXMyC3AXkfUyKQ~luKIVCe9KHCHb799a5jEMaIgS9LNeh0Ikl9UfW0UYrSTXL8CG8B6dj4mzIaYPGCurbuMS4nTBuDZOmo9vYFAWxYRIF5DfkQFNvNbUcmh96IbUtBRg4jlIKdXLLn9DKBMlMic5BU96H~qLr0O-oDGOV~dJiXTMSGFxKBW5ZXJZideMGucIZQ-xmN1MRhzK4DXUCvh4jLh30LavVwRrxk1a0irbxKIiHwA3wZyqVIf9QifG7tqtbSes6t8gjEGoVvEClEyT8qIkBBar69wdAv4GI5dHzqR8sWJHJNONM~u~2nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The High Springs City Commission voted to accept a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant and authorize construction to extend sewer service to homes along County Road 236.

The grant-funded construction and connection work will proceed under the proposal from Mid Tower and Associates, with the contractor reportedly honoring an earlier bid. Commissioners also asked staff to research whether impact fees for future plant expansion remain chargeable to new customers served by the project.

City staff said the contractor agreed to honor a prior bid of about $1,655,000 and that additional budget lines include a construction contingency of $167,400 and $87,000 for project management during construction. Staff summarized the total grant value at $1,910,390.37 and said the grant will cover the connection fees included in the project proposal.

Commission discussion centered on whether residents will owe impact fees and whether the city has been consistent in past projects. One commissioner said past expansions that used partial grant funding required residents to pay some costs, including impact fees and payment plans; another asked whether hookup fees had been waived previously. City staff and the city attorney said they had not found a statutory exemption from charging impact fees and would continue researching whether an exemption or consistent policy applies.

Commissioners asked staff to provide full-size engineering drawings for review and to follow up on a consistency review before implementing fee policy for the neighborhood. After discussion, a motion to accept the FDEP grant and move forward with the extension was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The matter was presented as unfinished business and moved to a formal motion and voice vote; commissioners did not request further delay.

The commission did not specify a change in the city’s impact-fee schedule at the meeting; staff committed to return with additional legal and policy research on whether and when impact or hookup fees can or should be waived.

Notes from the meeting record show residents in the affected neighborhood were contacted and at least some homeowners expressed support for installation of the system.

The commission’s action authorizes acceptance of the grant and construction to proceed under the terms presented, subject to any additional follow-up on fees and final contract documents.","The High Springs City Commission voted to accept a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant and authorize construction of a wastewater extension to serve homes on County Road 236.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6306034,"High Springs Garden Club asks city for help after hurricane damage leaves historic meeting hall condemned",271,1505000,1776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6&start=1505&end=1776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6/thumbnail_1505000.jpg","/articles/6306034/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/High-Springs-Garden-Club-asks-city-for-help-after-hurricane-damage-leaves-historic-meeting-hall-condemned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306034-c74e08bdb54abcde1f3cefe02125aae7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198904&Signature=hyfX~flS72OOke4dbjclUmbV1vE2ieFjPtBCr56-jUMT4CbkNKxCpPu61kGleuKMzdAHUPyOMsdNDThil1enEnmSMQebjcsWjPeT64JCwq7wVCunTIeH-AgdRHAyroCKrmhI1H1~cnsqcYkXWWeUZOFuouytKm5T7QBGUHcwFppMhwa68BRMM6YU4qUKW2NfqH3cOTN-NOdwZzkzxmPIPKXCmxsCfo51ASrM3p5RNePDqcDAB6LvyYd5Q~9fCCexR8ZtOaKFJtY8HUfrr3r7HGo5RdxZS7m2J7VXSMYXVIhRG0jmheQH5Y3Fz2t9ry1whOyn-ezXt63ukC5FydoPBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The High Springs Garden Club asked the City Commission to help find funding and a temporary home after the club’s 1949 meeting hall was condemned following storm damage.

Claudia Wolfson, president of the High Springs Garden Club, told the commission that a large pine tree fell on the building during the last hurricane, causing the roof to cave in and structural damage to foundation and walls. Wolfson said the building serves about 32 club members and is also home to the Boy Scouts and an AANA group; the facility contains a working stove, refrigerator, sink, restroom and storage.

Wolfson said the club has filed a claim with FMIT (Florida Municipal Insurance Trust) and that an engineer will review structural repairs. She told the commission FMIT indicated it would send an engineer to evaluate the walls and a plan for repair. Wolfson also described a $250 Trevant grant awarded in July 2024 used to improve the grounds, and said volunteers had cleared debris and installed a pathway and solar lights prior to the storm damage.

Parks and recreation staff and the parks director (Jennifer Appleby, as referenced in the discussion) said they were working with the club to identify possible short‑term solutions and that staff planned a meeting with the club to go over potential options. Commissioners and the mayor acknowledged the club’s longtime role in community services, including planting downtown planters and flag displays for holidays.

Wolfson asked the commission to research “every avenue” to find funds for repair and to identify temporary meeting space while the building is repaired. The city agreed to schedule follow-up meetings with parks staff and club representatives.

No formal city funding commitment was made at the meeting; staff described ongoing coordination with the club and an insurance claim process with FMIT.","The High Springs Garden Club told commissioners its 1949 building suffered structural damage during a recent hurricane and has been condemned; the group asked the city to research funding and temporary meeting space.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6306039,"Commission approves fire-medical standby for Pioneer Days; Chamber allowed to pay over three months",1178,4028000,5206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6&start=4028&end=5206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442512-9d1ec6dd6bf842454b7e097c7854b2f6/thumbnail_4028000.jpg","/articles/6306039/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/Commission-approves-fire-medical-standby-for-Pioneer-Days-Chamber-allowed-to-pay-over-three-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306039-01aabcfa750ea5893a989aaa18f6fcd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198904&Signature=QgJpjERXL25fr~ZwlNaRPglzk4s~uEvRS0ZzBvnNUvU6nvXp3EHm2KWFfp3stCmos1SzJelGVjfRZoRDAeIwizu49CXisbg0m63-kTAMEZs7hEQQuYpeJBABKPh2uJWTJNS-EDDiqqRlCGqzHJRkrlfEz-CmTlCcFEHQEHaSNXs5EZxNEgBsvgcD6WiP9HibB3FGW-NYY~Xd0LwYfYbBoJbFq4CExUxf1TlSjiWNlrTgrQaukeyEWd-fk8m8dAkfZNHK-8hD~6Yk3Vd-YyQY8C4jNisXnlp5M0~XZaC5h~NlMaG9LNTbB3vtis7NpRSXjEUrtikvXEU9qt68Zz-UOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The High Springs City Commission approved staffing public-safety personnel to provide dedicated fire and medical standby at the Pioneer Days festival and allowed the High Springs Chamber of Commerce to spread payment for that staffing over a three‑month period this year.

City staff and the fire chief argued dedicated staffing is necessary because the festival draws thousands of visitors and the department cannot guarantee crews will be available at the station during the event. Staff characterized Pioneer Days as one of the city’s larger events, with an attendance estimate of 2,000 to 5,000 people.

At staff’s request the commission discussed prior practice: some past years relied on volunteer medical providers or opted not to staff the event, while other years documented a formal cost for dedicated firefighter/EMS coverage. Staff said the present proposal calls for two firefighters on site for the festival, with overtime pay and benefits included in the computation; the meeting packet included a prior-year line item describing two firefighters at $60 per hour for one 7-hour day and one 6-hour day, to be paid by the chamber.

Commissioners and community members debated consistency and fairness. Several commissioners expressed concern about changing past practice or setting a precedent for fee waivers; others acknowledged the chamber’s limited short‑term cash flow and supported a one‑time payment plan to allow the event to proceed with formal, staffed medical coverage. The chamber representative said the organization had used volunteer medical coverage in recent years and asked for leniency this year.

After discussion a motion to staff the event per the fire chief’s recommendation and to allow the chamber to pay the staffing charge over three months was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff said the fee could be waived, reduced or structured differently by commission action in future years and recommended the city keep consistency in applying the policy going forward. The commission asked staff to work with the chamber on budgeting for future events.","High Springs commissioners voted to require dedicated fire/EMS staffing for the Pioneer Days festival and to allow the High Springs Chamber of Commerce to pay the staffing fee over three months this year. Commissioners discussed prior practice, estimated attendance and fairness of fee waivers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves three‑year employment agreement for City Manager Jeremy Marshall amid mixed public comments

Commission accepts FDEP grant to extend wastewater to County Road 236; impact-fee questions remain

High Springs Garden Club asks city for help after hurricane damage leaves historic meeting hall condemned

Commission approves fire-medical standby for Pioneer Days; Chamber allowed to pay over three months