Ocala council approves settlement in Rojas v. City of Ocala, plaintiffs relinquish claim to attorneys’ fees

The Ocala City Council voted May 20, 2025, to approve a proposed settlement in Rojas v. City of Ocala, a long-running case arising from a 2014 prayer vigil. City Attorney Will Sexton presented the settlement to the council and recommended approval.

Sexton summarized the negotiated terms: in exchange for the city dropping its current appeal and agreeing not to appeal that decision in the future, the plaintiffs will waive any entitlement to an award of attorney’s fees. ‘‘Estimates for the potential liability associated with those fees, particularly if the case were to continue on appeal, have approached and even exceeded a million dollars,’’ Sexton said. He advised the council that, in his judgment and after prior attorney-client settlement discussions, the proposed settlement ‘‘is in the best interest of the City of Ocala.’’

Kenneth Gwynn, who identified himself as a former defendant in the case, asked whether the settlement would limit future city events that use religious language. Sexton responded that the settlement ‘‘does not contain any prohibitions against, obviously, any future lawful conduct by the city’’ and confirmed plaintiffs did not insist on a restriction that would bar religious proclamations.

After public comment and discussion, a motion to approve the settlement carried on a roll call vote. Council members recorded ayes and the motion passed; the settlement removes the risk of an eight‑ or nine‑figure legal-fee award associated with continued appeals, according to the city attorney.

City staff said the settlement requires no payment and imposes no admission of liability by the city. Sexton recommended the settlement as a pragmatic resolution to limit potential exposure and to close long-standing litigation.