Category: Government

Historic City News reported on June 22nd that Christine Chapman, as chairwoman of the failed First America Foundation, Inc., turned over to the City of St. Augustine a partial refund of $150,000.

Assistant City Manager Tim Burchfield cautioned St. Augustine commissioners last night as Historic City News reporters observed a two-to-two tie vote stymie his recommended millage rate increase from 7.5 mills to 8.146 mills.

During tonight’s St. Augustine City Commission meeting, a proposal from local architect Jerry Dixon for the replacement of the commissioner’s table, or, the construction of a stage and re-orientation of the audience seating, piddled out before it gained any traction.

Historic City News reporters will be watching Monday night as a tentative city millage rate of 8.146 — an increase of 0.646 over the current 7.5 mills — goes before the City Commission Monday for approval.

As the City of St. Augustine prepares to announce a budget increase for the coming year, some Historic City News readers are asking themselves if the City has done everything they can to contain costs as they look at spending $8,500 for a table.

After St. Augustine city commissioners approved a second floor hotel addition across St. George Street from the city gates, as well as an adjacent hotel development, Historic City News watched as Robert M. Hall suggested that “the true function of the city gates seems to have been forgotten”.

Federal commissioners appointed to the board that is shepherding the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration have elected Jay I. Kislak, a member of the Board of Trustees for the National Park Foundation, as their chairman during inaugural meeting activities attended by Historic City News.