I hope that you will join me in our first Town Hall via Zoom to be held on Tuesday September 15 @ 8 AM to 9:30 AM. To receive a Zoom invitation, please send an email to elect@rossambrose.com or sign up at RossAmbrose.com.

QUESTION/ISSUE:

What is a City Commissioner’s job? How is the City organized to support its residents? How is our city managed? What City decisions are impacted by State and County laws and which ones are managed locally?

LET’S START THE DISCUSSION HERE:

Earlier this year, as I was talking to folks in town about running for city commission, the number one questions was, “what does a City Commissioner do?”

So, this is a good starting point for this Town Hall series. Today, we will focus on the job of governance and who is involved and expand on the discussion at the Town Hall on September 15^th.

The City Commission is made up of five members, each serving three-year terms.  The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are voted on by the commissioners during the first meeting after the election is certified.  Mayors serve one-year terms and are typically senior commissioners.

High Springs utilizes a “City Manager” form of government.  This means that the City Manager is accountable to the Commission but responsible for the day to day operation of the city, oversight of department heads, employees and our budget.  The City Manager has the ultimate authority to hire and fire City Staff. The City Commission appoints the City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney, also called Charter Officers.

City Manager forms of government became essential when Florida enacted the Government in the Sunshine law that require the activities of any city or county elected or appointed official to be public, which means they can’t direct city staff outside of the public view. 

As a citizen, volunteer, and now candidate for the City of High Springs, I’ve always had access to city staff and been able to talk with them about concerns and issues. 

Should I be elected, however, Florida law requires I avoid any appearance of influencing or directing city staff.  My job becomes one of policy and direction without direct control.

The community elects their City Commissioners. The Commissioner’s job requires them to listen to the community and reflect their priorities in the budget while holding the Charter Officers (City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney) accountable for the results in every department.  Individual commissioners are ears to the community and only have a voice when they are with the other four commissioners, at a publicly noticed meeting.  

I hope I’ve answered the question and you are learning about the issues you are concerned about, or maybe just wondered about. 

As you look to vote to fill Seat #1 on the High Springs City Commission, I hope you select the candidate that can listen, understands the important job of governance and who will make choices for our community that keep High Springs a place where people want to live, visit, work and invest. My experience as an involved citizen for almost two decades has prepared me to serve you. I will work with our other commissioners to define priorities reflected in the many voices in our community. 

Please join me at the Town Halls to learn more about me and to ask your questions. If you can’t make this zoom meeting there are three more coming and we will have recordings available afterwards for you to review.

Most importantly, THANK YOU for your interest and participation in our local government and community.