High Springs approves special magistrate contract to handle civil code and red-light-camera appeals

The City Commission of High Springs adopted a resolution approving an agreement with the Gilchrist Law Firm PA to provide special magistrate services for municipal civil processes, including a small backlog of pending civil cases related to codes and automated-enforcement citations.

The resolution (read as Resolution No. 2025E) authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement and directs the firm to provide magistrate services. City staff said the magistrate arrangement will allow the city to hear and resolve approximately seven to nine pending civil cases; uniform traffic citations that are criminal in nature will continue to be heard in county court.

City Attorney Danielle Pryor and city staff negotiated the agreement and presented it to the commission. Commissioners discussed how magistrate services would affect red-light or automated-enforcement appeals and how the magistrate would be funded. City staff said funding for the magistrate is included in the general fund within planning and codes; the chief of police and staff also indicated the possibility of future ordinance adjustments to accommodate court-fee structures tied to automated enforcement revenue.

A commissioner moved to accept the contract; the motion was seconded. The commission conducted a roll-call vote for the resolution; Mayor Tristan Grunder and commissioners on the dais voted in favor and the resolution passed.

Staff and the police chief encouraged residents with concerns about specific automated-enforcement citations to contact Chief Shepherd directly; the commission noted municipal staff would assist citizens with information about payment and appeals procedures.