2025_11_12_Regular_Meeting_Minutes

Minutes – Regular Meeting – November 12, 2025 P a g e | 1 of 4 VILLAGE OF HIGHLAND PARK 1650 Highland Park Drive North Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 6:00 pm. The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Highland Park, Florida, met in regular session at the Village of Highland Park Administration Office, 1650 North Highland Park Drive, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. with the following Commission members and staff persons present. The meeting date change from the 4th Wednesday had been approved by the Commission at the previous meeting due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. • Derek Camann, Commissioner (Seat 1) • Brandon McWhorter, Mayor-Commissioner (Seat 2) • Amanda Updike, Commissioner (Seat 3) • Ric Busbee, City Manager • Blair Updike, Village Clerk • Mary Bradley, Village Treasurer • Lita O’Neill, Assistant to the Clerk • Abigayl Osborne-Liborio, City Attorney with Shepherd, Smith, Hand, and Brackins (via telephone) CALL TO ORDER Mayor-Commissioner Brandon McWhorter called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Brandon McWhorter led the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioner Derek Camann, Mayor-Commissioner Brandon McWhorter, and Commissioner Amanda Updike were present. A quorum was present. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the consent agenda included the Adoption of Previous Meeting Minutes for September 24, 2025 (Regular Meeting and Final TRIM/FY2025-2026 Budget Hearing) and Adoption of Work Session and Special Meeting Minutes for October 22, 2025. Commissioner Camann made a motion to approve items on the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Updike seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Minutes – Regular Meeting – November 12, 2025 P a g e | 2 of 4 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT The Mayor asked the City Manager if there were any items to report to the Village Commission. The City Manager reported that a few mailboxes had been replaced. TREASURER’S REPORT The Village Treasurer stated that she had provided a schedule of transfers that need to occur between the general fund and the enterprise fund to allocate costs. PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor opened the floor for public comment for items not on the regular agenda. Being none, the Mayor closed the floor to public comments. AGENDA – NEW BUSINESS Mayor McWhorter introduced Item 1, Resolution No. 2025-07, Budget Amendment for FY 2024- 2025, and asked staff to report. The Treasurer explained the changes from the adopted budget and the amended budget. The City Manager explained that in the past the Commission has discussed a 70%-30% allocation for administrative costs with 70% from the General Fund and 30% from the Enterprise Fund; however, the allocation made for the FY24-25 administrative costs was 50%-50% from the General Fund and Enterprise Fund, as has been the practice. The only line item that exceeded the budgeted amount was fire protection so funds were moved from garbage disposal to fire protection, so the budget is now balanced. Mayor McWhorter opened the floor for public comment. Being none, the floor was closed. The Mayor then opened the floor for discussion among the Commissioners present. Being none, the floor was closed. Mayor McWhorter read the Resolution title into the record and then made a motion to adopt resolution 2025-07. Commissioner Camann seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: • Commissioner Camann – yes • Commissioner Updike – yes • Mayor McWhorter – yes The motion passed unanimously.

Minutes – Regular Meeting – November 12, 2025 P a g e | 3 of 4 Mayor McWhorter introduced Item 2, Role of the City Manager, and asked the City Manager to provide background information. Ric Busbee explained that he has submitted his resignation, which will become effective December 31, 2025. The City Manager stated that he had identified a qualified replacement for the position who has expressed willingness to take on the role. Mayor McWhorter opened the floor for discussion from the public. Being none, the floor was closed, and the Mayor opened the floor for discussion among the Commission. The City Attorney commented that it is within the Commission’s discretion to identify a replacement. She stated that appointing Paul O’Neill as an interim City Manager would also be an option. Commissioner Camann stated that he thinks Paul is a great candidate, but questioned whether the position should be opened up to other potential candidates. Mayor McWhorter commented about the timing of the hiring process. Commissioner Camann stated that his concerns are allayed due to the quality of the candidate. Commissioner Camann made a motion to approve Paul O’Neill as the City Manager effective January 1, 2026. Mayor McWhorter seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: • Commissioner Updike – No • Commissioner Camann – Yes • Mayor McWhorter - Yes The motion passed. City Manager Busbee stated that he will be around and will be able to respond to questions as needed. Mayor McWhorter introduced Item 3, Ben-Tech Contract for the Water Utility. Staff summarized information that was provided at the October 22, 2025 work session. Commissioners discussed the costs associated with the scope of work for sampling, monitoring, and emergency response. Mayor McWhorter asked the Clerk’s Assistant for her thoughts given that she is responsible for the water billing. The Treasurer stated that the Enterprise Fund had a total of $104,316 in expenditures and $90,576 in revenues. The City Manager stated that because the administrative costs were split 50%-50% instead of 70%-30% as was discussed in the past. Commissioner Camann asked for clarification about what costs will be assigned and covered through the City Manager role. Discussion ensued about the daily responsibilities of the City Manager, which included hours worked and compensation. Additional comments and questions were made regarding

Minutes – Regular Meeting – November 12, 2025 P a g e | 4 of 4 the Ben-Tech scope of work and how the City Manager role would work with the company to accomplish tasks. The City Attorney stated that the contract provided by Ben-Tech does not include the language that is required by Florida statutes. Mayor McWhorter made a motion to authorize the City Manager, Ric Busbee, and the City Attorneys to finalize an agreement between the Village of Highland Park and Ben-Tech regarding water operations and emergency responses, which will include an addendum reviewed by the City Attorney and will become effective January 1, 2026. Commissioner Camann seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: • Commissioner Updike – yes • Commissioner Camann – yes • Mayor McWhorter – yes The motion passed unanimously. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no additional questions, comments, or announcements. Mayor McWhorter asked the Village Commission whether the December work session would be necessary, and the Commissioners stated that there would be no need for that. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Mayor McWhorter adjourned the meeting at 6:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Blair Updike Village Clerk Approved: Minutes of Village Commission meetings may be obtained from the Village Clerk’s Office. The minutes are recorded, but not transcribed verbatim. Persons requiring a verbatim transcript may make arrangements with the Clerk to duplicate the recording. The cost of duplication will be the expense of the requesting party. In accordance with Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact the Village Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting at 863-455- 6518, or via email at clerk@highlandpark-fl.org.