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Commission approves budget amendment, several ordinances and Highland Park construction plans
Summary
At its April 28 meeting the City of Newberry commission approved a fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendment, advanced multiple ordinance readings and passed a construction-plan resolution for the Highland Park development. The body also confirmed planning and zoning appointments and authorized a CDBG application.
The City of Newberry commission approved several measures Tuesday night, including a budget amendment, planning and zoning appointments, a resolution authorizing submission of a Community Development Block Grant application and construction plans for the Highland Park residential development.
The commission voted unanimously to adopt a resolution (Res. 2025-12) that amends the city's fiscal year 2024'25 budget, citing revenues from right-of-way sale proceeds and donations for the Veterans Memorial and recognizing interest earnings for capital and enterprise funds. Amanda, acting director of finance, told commissioners the city was about 58% through the fiscal year and remained in compliance with the adopted budget.
The commission also approved a slate of appointments to the planning and zoning board and extended terms for several incumbents. The body passed a resolution appointing current and new members and filled two vacancies; Commissioner Clark moved the initial extension of two members and Commissioner Long seconded.
Commissioners authorized the city manager to file an application for Florida'administered Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for neighborhood revitalization (Res. 2025-16). City grant manager Jane Sullivan said the application requested funding to pave dirt streets, add sidewalks and make sewer-line improvements in a low- and moderate-income service area; the application amount presented at the meeting included $1,000,532 and $532,617 as components of the proposed application.
The commission approved first readings on two updated code items: a vacant-property and mortgagee registration ordinance and an updated abandoned-vehicle removal ordinance; both were advanced on first reading. The commission also advanced the proposed land-development text change addressing large-scale retail (LDR 2025-01) on first reading.
A separate resolution (Res. 2025-14) approving construction plans for phases 1'3 of the Highland Park subdivision (the former Newberry Plaza site) and authorizing the city manager to execute related utility/developer agreements passed by unanimous vote. Community development staff said the construction-plan approval covers engineering drawings for the first three residential phases and places limits on final-plat reviews to stagger construction.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval (amendments added): Passed; motion by Commissioner Maison, second Commissioner Clark; unanimous on the dais. - Consent agenda (various routine items): Passed unanimously. - Res. 2025-12 (FY24'25 budget amendments): Motion by Commissioner Long, second by Commissioner Clark; passed (ayes; Commissioner Maison absent for roll call). - Res. 2025-05 (Planning & Zoning appointments, terms through 4/30/2026 and 4/30/2027): Motion and seconds recorded in minutes; passed unanimously on votes shown. - Res. 2025-16 (Authorize CDBG application for neighborhood revitalization): Motion by Commissioner Clark, second Commissioner Coleman; unanimous. - Ordinance 2025-07 first reading (vacant property / mortgagee registration): Passed on first reading (motion/second recorded; unanimous). - Ordinance 2025-06 first reading (abandoned vehicle update): Passed on first reading (motion/second recorded; unanimous). - LDR 2025-01 (large-scale retail text amendment) first reading: Motion by Commissioner Farnsworth, second by Commissioner Coleman; passed on first reading (unanimous). - Res. 2025-14 (Highland Park construction plans, phases 1'3) and authorization for city manager to sign developer wastewater capacity agreement: Motion by Commissioner Clark, second Commissioner Maison; passed unanimously. - Planning & Zoning reappointments/extensions for two incumbents to 4/30/2026: Motion Commissioner Coleman, second Commissioner Clark; passed unanimously. - Extensions for two PZB members to 4/30/2027: Motion Commissioner Clark, second Commissioner Long; passed 4'1 (Commissioner Farnsworth dissent noted in record).
Why it matters: The budget amendment adjusts city accounts for recent revenues and donations; the CDBG application seeks state grant money to pave dirt roads and add sewer and sidewalks in a lower-income neighborhood; the Highland Park action clears construction drawings that will allow homebuilding and related infrastructure to proceed. Several code changes advanced will shape how the city registers vacant/foreclosed properties, removes abandoned vehicles and reviews large retail projects.
What happens next: Several items were advanced on first reading and return for final votes at later meetings. The CDBG application and Highland Park construction plans will move into grant and permitting tracks; staff will return with any required follow-up materials or second readings.
