The High Springs City Commission voted unanimously Aug. 28 to move forward with a lease negotiation that would let Swamp Bots Robotics expand from the Post Springs Room into the larger Santa Fe Room.

Swamp Bots founder Jason Sweatt told commissioners the youth robotics and STEM program has grown from about 25 participants in 2018 to roughly 130 this year and needs more permanent space. Sweatt said the program is funded by local businesses, donors and grants and offered $500 a month toward use of the Santa Fe Room to help offset building utilities and maintenance.

The commission and staff discussed other possible uses for the Santa Fe Room, including a county community outreach presence, and whether the city should prioritize revenue from rent. City staff noted the room has not been actively rented in the past year and that previous short-term leases for other rooms have sometimes been provided at little or no charge. Commissioners asked about equipment storage and whether the robotics group would also keep using the Post Springs Room; Sweatt said the teams currently use both rooms and need both to accommodate multiple practices and classes that run up to five days a week.

Commissioners and staff also explored short-term alternatives, including sharing space with the Boy Scouts, moving groups to the Canoe Outpost, or letting the county use the scout hut for outreach if that best served the broader community. Commissioners praised Swamp Bots' growth and regional competition participation and emphasized a desire to keep the program in High Springs.

The motion approved by the commission directed staff to negotiate a lease with Swamp Bots; the group said it would be open to either structuring a $500-per-month payment for Santa Fe or another arrangement that offsets the city's costs. The commission did not adopt specific lease terms at the meeting.

The city manager and staff will return the proposed lease for final approval after negotiating details, including term length, payment structure and any agreed repairs or painting the group offered to perform.

Swamp Bots said it plans regional events that bring thousands of visitors to the area; Sweatt noted the organization hosts a regional championship that previously attracted about 3,000 people and used Legacy Park for the event because High Springs lacks a single facility large enough.

The commission took public comment and then voted to authorize staff to negotiate the lease; the motion passed with all members voting in the affirmative.

Looking ahead, the commission and staff will reconcile competing space uses (county outreach, community groups, rentals) and bring a proposed lease back to the commission for final approval.