At a glance: Orange Park council votes — Nov. 4, 2025

The Orange Park Town Council took a series of formal votes in its Nov. 4 meeting. Key outcomes, motion text (where available), vote tallies and brief context are listed below.

• Consent agenda — Passed 5–0.

• Ordinance (1st reading) — An amendment to Ordinance 15‑25 (FY 2025–26 budget) was read for the first time by title during the consent portion; no final adoption vote recorded at this meeting.

• Contract extensions — Council approved final one‑year extensions for four professional services contracts (Haskell, JB Pro, Means and Prosser) and authorized the town attorney to revise end dates to reflect renewals. Vote: 5–0. This action was described as "cleaning up the paper trail" where renewals had been included in original solicitations.

• Wastewater valve replacement (single source to PBM Constructors) — Motion to approve a single‑source contract to PBM Constructors for installation of a 16‑inch check valve and replacement of pneumatic butterfly valves with electronic butterfly valves in the wastewater treatment system; total contract amount $52,506. Vote: 3–2 (passed). Tellers recorded the mayor and one councilmember opposing; three councilmembers voted in favor. Staff said PBM has long experience with the plant and offered standby service at no charge; some councilors questioned sole‑source justification and the lack of comparable bids.

• Public works vehicle purchase — Motion to purchase three Ford F‑150 crew cab trucks through the Beckford government fleet program with trade‑ins failed (vote 1–4). Council debated price comparisons, local procurement, and vendor availability; one councilmember reported alternate pricing but staff said lead times at that vendor would be 6–8 months.

• Concert on the Green MOU (Coco & Carols) — Council approved the MOU after attorney redline edits and a date clarification (reporting/settlement date changed to Dec. 19); vote 5–0. Town staff noted overtime costs are currently paid out of departmental overtime lines and the event had not been budgeted as a discrete line item; staff was directed to include the event in next year’s budget.

• Fall Festival vendor policy — Council referred vendor acceptance criteria and selection processes for the fall festival to the Culture & Recreation Committee to develop clearer guidance (motion passed 5–0).

• Acting Town Manager compensation — After debate over percentages and a proposed $6,000 sum, council adopted an amended motion to provide an 18% pay increase for the acting town manager for the temporary assignment period (Aug.–Nov. 2025). Vote: 5–0. Councilors discussed calculation methods, back pay, and plan for the incoming permanent town manager to complete performance review steps.

• Utilities moratorium — Council approved a 60‑day pause on water disconnections related to impacts from a federal government shutdown (suspension through Jan. 6 under code chapter 36‑27). Vote: 5–0. Staff was directed to administer the moratorium without waiving fees or penalties; charges will continue to accrue.

• Art Guild licensing agreement — Council modified the insurance language to remove the requirement that the town and council members be listed by name on the certificate and allowed the Art Guild to proceed with its current level of commercial general liability insurance (reported as $500,000 per occurrence) with the contract to be revisited as part of the two‑year license term. Vote: 5–0.

What to watch next: Staff will notify council when the Johnson Slough permit package is submitted to St. Johns River Water Management District and FDEP; the town manager was directed to ensure Concert on the Green is budgeted in next year’s calendar; the incoming town manager will complete outstanding personnel reviews.