Category: Government

Mayor Tracy Upchurch and city attorney Isabelle C. Lopez were placed on notice this month that should the city attempt to impose weekly minimum rental requirements on short-term rentals, they will go afoul of state law and open the city to the cost of otherwise avoidable litigation.

Historic City News will be reporting on three separate resolutions that come before the St Augustine City Commission on Monday evening.  Two marine issues will be discussed; a resolution to fund Salt Run dredging and another authorizing a plan for derelict vessel removal.  Also on the table, community shareholders and the developer of Flagler Crossing…

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During the first meeting of the new year, Historic City News reporters will be watching Monday evening when St Augustine city commissioners consider five new ordinances on first reading.  If approved, the ordinances will advance to public hearing and final action at a later time, typically at the following meeting.

Historic City News was informed that effective February 1, 2020, Assistant County Administrator Darrell Locklear has resigned; the second high-profile replacement in county management since the termination of former administrator, Michael Wanchick.

Today, Historic City News learned that Senator Travis Hutson has filed a bill that he says will better prepare high school students to evaluate the viability of their potential career paths.  The bill, SB-1578, directs the Department of Education to provide “career landscape” information about various jobs through local high school guidance counselors.

At last night’s meeting of the St Augustine Beach City Commission, the City Attorney swore in Margaret England to serve as Mayor and Maggie Kostka to serve as Vice Mayor, according to a report received by Historic City News from Communications Coordinator, Cindy Walker, this morning.

All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, St. Johns County libraries, the Pet Center, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the Tax Collector’s Office, and the Supervisor of Elections’ Office will be closed Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.

St Johns County commissioners currently are paid $76,094 each year plus benefits, more than most of the constituents that they represent.  Historic City News editor Michael Gold has been told many times that if a county commissioner really does their job, they are probably underpaid.  After all, the commission just approved a $195,000 salary for…

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