High Springs resident raises conflict-of-interest concern over Walker Folds’ role in nearby tower project

A local resident told the High Springs City Commission on Oct. 9 that Walker Folds (attorney firm) had both signed a letter as an "affected party" in litigation over tower developments and also represents the City of High Springs — a situation he described as a conflict of interest.

Brian Fisher, who has been following the Cross County Fracture and tower proposals he said affect Mill Creek Sink, told commissioners that the National Speleological Society had submitted a letter to the City of Alachua asserting that prior planning approvals are void because of improper public notice. Fisher said Alachua had hired Walker Folds — but that the firm had previously represented High Springs and had signed the affected-party letter. "That is a problem," he said, citing what he identified as a Florida statute on conflicts of interest.

Fisher asked the High Springs commission to place Alachua on notice that Walker Folds should not weigh in on the tower matter because the firm had signed the affected-party letter while also serving as High Springs’ counsel.

Vice Mayor Miller responded that the City of Alachua has already identified an alternative land-use attorney, David Thiryak, to handle planning matters in the event of a conflict. "There is conflict counsel, and David Thiryak will be handling the land planning for Alachua in the event that there is a conflict between the interest of High Springs and Alachua in that matter," Miller said.

Why it matters: Fisher argued the dual representation could leave High Springs without independent representation if the matter becomes contested. The commission did not vote on any formal notice to Alachua during the meeting; Miller’s statement identified the alternate counsel Alachua would use if a conflict arises.

Evidence in the meeting: Fisher described the developer’s push to obtain administrative approvals for Terra Forest West and said the National Speleological Society had written to the City of Alachua about notice deficiencies. Fisher cited a Florida statute as the legal basis for the conflict claim. The commission recorded Miller’s response identifying David Thiryak as conflict counsel for the City of Alachua.

Ending: Commissioners directed no immediate formal action on the record; staff and the commission acknowledged the issue and noted Alachua’s contingency plan for land-use counsel.