Fort White: After Two Years, the Town & the Collective Are Set to Bury the Hatchet. New Mayor Plays Important Part
December 16, 2024 7:15 am | 2 min read
FORT WHITE, FL – On the docket in Fort White tonight is a settlement agreement between the Collective and the Town of Fort White. If the Town Council agrees to the terms of the agreement, two years of friction between the Collective and the Town will go away, and the Town and the Collective will be on a clean slate.
Since 2022, the Collective Food Yard and Garden has been a fixture on US 27 in Fort White. It has become a gathering spot for many to eat and meet. The Fort White Town Council, individually and collectively, has supported the Collective. However, every time there seems to be progress and agreement between the Town and the Collective regarding compliance with the Town’s codes, there has been trouble and a falling out.
In
July 2024, the Collective filed suit against the Town,
claiming that the Town violated the Collective's due
process rights and equal protection rights, and that the
Town's ordinance regarding mobile food vendors
(Ordinance 2024-01) was “void and unenforceable” because
it was enacted without following procedures outlined in
the Florida statutes.
In August 2024, the Town and the Collective met after the Collective filed an application claiming the Collective had vested rights and was not obliged to follow the Town’s ordinance regarding food vendors.
The progress looking forward was short-lived. The Town and the Collective could not come to terms. The charges and counter-charges between the Town and the Collective continued. The Collective’s lawsuit against the Town was moving forward.
On November 5, 2024, during his campaign for Mayor, Mr.
Thomas (center) was on Facebook with his Collective
supporters and owners, Alex Veiga (left) and Rubin
Laureano (third from left).
It was clear during candidate Thomas's campaign that he was interested in there being a solution to the lingering Collective-Town issues.
On November 19, 2024, George Jacob Thomas was sworn in as the new Mayor of Fort White. See: Fort White: George Jacob Thomas Sworn In as Mayor – Encouraging Words and A Steep Learning Curve Ahead
During the November 19 meeting, Town Attorney Lindsey Lander opined that Mayor Thomas could negotiate with the Collective to try and come to a settlement agreement between the Town and the Collective.
The Town Council did not approve Mayor Thomas negotiating a settlement agreement. There is nothing in the Town rules that allows the Mayor to negotiate, regardless of whether or not the fruit of Mr. Thomas's negotiations needs final approval by the Council.
Nonetheless, Mayor Thomas's injection in the negotiations resulted in a proposed settlement agreement between the Collective and the Town. It seems like each side gave a little bit.
Tonight, the Council will have its chance to approve a settlement agreement in which the Collective's site plan is approved, and it agrees to abide by Town Ordinance 2024-01.
The Collective, upon passing of the settlement agreement, will dismiss its lawsuit against the Town.
Epilogue
While not exactly according to Hoyle, Mayor Thomas’s presence during the negotiations clearly led to the settlement agreement, which, if and when approved, will allow the Town to focus on other important issues.