High Springs considers city manager position, waits for new commissioner

The High Springs City Commission discussed how to move forward with its city manager position on Thursday until a new permanent manager can be selected. The city also voted to send a purchase offer for the Priest Theatre.  

City Manager Ashley Stathatos and Commissioner Steve Tapanes resigned in November and December, respectively. While the commission has already opened for applications, and received at least 12, Commissioner Byran Williams said the city should wait for the special election to fill Tapanes’ seat before a final decision on the next city manager. 

“I just don’t feel it’s fair to the person who is going to be sitting there,” Williams said. “They didn’t have a part in the process.” 

The commissioners learned on Thursday that the special election is tentatively scheduled for March 26. As of the meeting, the timing remained uncertain because the Supervisor of Elections Office must already host the presidential primary election the prior week—March 19.  

Commissioner Tristan Grunder said the commissioners were put into their seats to make hard decisions, and he noted that most city commissioners enter the role and begin to direct a city manager hired by a previous commission.  

Stathatos will work for the city until the end of February, but she also has scheduled time away when she will be traveling to deal with family medical issues. At Thursday’s meeting, she said she was willing to keep helping the city as needed before the next manager enters. She said it was up to the commission to decide the best interim solution. 

Commissioners discussed appointing an interim city manager who could help as Stathatos readies to leave. An interim could also allow the city to delay a final decision on the city manager until the fifth commissioner is elected and can vote on the person.  

The commissioners also considered having three top employees—Thomas Henry, Antoine Sheppard and Allen Alligood—split the responsibilities instead of hiring an interim.  

Mayor Katherine Weitz said she understood both sides, waiting for the final commissioner or moving ahead. The decision will be up to the commissioners in the next couple of meetings.  

Also on Thursday, the commissioners voted unanimously to place an offer on the Priest Theatre. The motion directs staff to offer up to $350,000 including closing costs, screens and projectors.  

The city received a $1,040,000 grant to renovate the theatre, and a renovation plan done by a consultant shows around $700,000 will be needed to repair and open the building, leaving the remaining funds to be used for the purchase.