03/26/26 Update

• Mayor Davis and City Clerk Gill were reelected without opposition.
• Four candidates are running for district 1 council seat: Tommy Jefferson, Adam Collins, Robintina Reed, and Terry Richardson (dropped out of the race).
• Two candidates running for district 4: Matt Campbell and Robert Bradley Jr.
• Election Day is May 5th with early voting from April 27 to May 2 from 8:30 AM to 4:30PM. Last day to register is April 6th. If a runoff is needed it will be June9th with early voting from June 1 to the 6th.
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04/14/26 Council Meeting

• The Mayor presented a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 12 - 18th
• Councilman Jefferson proposed a discussion to freeze pay raises, cola and new hires, although at the same time stated the public works position has not bee filled which the city manager stated he has interviewed several candidates and has another interview this Friday. The discussion basically went no where.
• Councilman Campbell presented a discussion regarding a raise for the city manger stating small cities in the area are paying much more and if we want to keep good people we are going to have to pay them. Mr Jefferson brought up the budget and that it was set and changes should not be made at this time even though there is an excess in funds for salary. Ms Robinson also chimed in that she did not want to give a raise since she feels the city manager is not doing a good job although the only two people on the council that have completed his review due in January are Alford and Campbell (how about you do your job first) Mr. Alford made a motion to raise the city manager salary to $115K , Mr. Campbell gave the gavel to Mr. Jefferson so that he could second the motion which was voted for by: Alford, Owens , and Campbell
• Ms. Robinson questioned several of the items on last months agenda and their status which were replied to by Mr. Sessions, one item was an update on each district which Sessions relied he put a list in each members box, evidently they don't check their box or email very often.
• A discussion regarding hiring an outside attorney to deal with the fire department union took place and was eventually approved 5-0.
• A discussion took place regarding the Mott property lease which was approved 5-0 after a long discussion of how improvements would be reimbursable from the owner.
• I am sorry but it was already 8:00 PM and still three more pages of bids and land changes so I left but you can catch those discussions on the video when it comes out from the city.
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04/21/26 BOCC Meeting

• Time specific item for another cell tower was heard and approved (the BOCC has no choice but to approve towers per FCC)
• Virginia Smith, President of American Patriots announced that the organization was against the Water First North Florida Project and would be working on announcements and a petition to be sent to the state. 
• Consent agenda was approved 5-0 with some discussion on the purchasing policy which was clarification only.
• A new project manager was introduced to the board, he will focus on value engineering and grants for the county
• A new Emergency Management Director was announced , Sharon Hinson.
• Fire Chief Miller announced a burn ban in effect immediately until May5th which was approved 5-0
• County Attorney Morrison notified the board the following: Dismissal of law suit against Suwannee Iron Works, Damage created by elevator company to settle at $6K, Stop further payments to a tree removal company due to fire , All were approved 5-0
• Suwannee Fire Department will offer three scholarships for EMT to seniors  this year in hopes to give jobs to local youth and keep them here.
• May 5th meeting will be in City Hall

04/25/26 Update

• Click on NFWUA button for details
• Special called meeting May 7 @ 5:30 PM,   971 W. Duval Street, Lake City

04/20/26 Regular Meeting

• Finical report was given by Powell & Associates with a balance of $287,746.49 including funds from Columbia and Suwannee Counties of $520,648.36 (taxpayer money), including bills and vouchers of $110,414.16 for the month.
• Shannon presented the top 6 firms out of 13 for continuing engineering services, he explained the proposed contract will allow him to call upon a firm when the need arose. The motion was approved 5-0
• Shannon presented the two firms that replied to an RFQ for emergency services which sparked a discussion of what each firm would supply in the event of an emergency. Rocky Ford asked for more detail on cost from Shannon.
• An agreement was presented to execute for employee, help which Shannon requested to use to fill another position within the office. Citizen noted when using a employment agency you pay a huge premium for their services. Motion was passed 5-0
• A question was asked by a citizen how many employees, and vehicles the utility currently has .Shannon replied 4 employees and 5 vehicles and he needed another employee.
• At closing comments Mr. Ford noted that Columbia county has agreed to sell the Mega Site water and sewer plants to the City of Lake City which lead into a lengthily discussion if you want to call it that between Mr. Murphy and Ford. After the heated discussion ended Mr. Dicks said he thought the authority was started to run and eventually take over all utilities in the area and was concerned that the rate study which they paid over $130K included that plant and may effect the overall validity of the study. Finally the mood calmed and the meeting was adjourned.