City Attorney Prince resigns, exit package on Nov. 17 commission agenda

FERNANDINA BEACH - City Attorney Teresa Prince has submitted her resignation, with the terms of her departure, including a $73,551 separation package, scheduled for City Commission approval at its Nov. 17 meeting.

Prince is a charter officer who reports directly to the five-member City Commission, not the city manager. The city attorney serves as the municipality's chief legal adviser, oversees litigation and provides legal guidance to commissioners, the city manager and municipal departments.

The proposed agreement would waive the full notice period and amend her contract to authorize the severance payments. In return, Prince would release the city from potential employment-related legal claims and assist in transferring pending legal matters to an interim attorney or outside counsel.

The City Commission appointed Prince on May 15, 2025, by a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter opposed. Commissioners approved her employment contract June 17, establishing an initial annual salary of $180,000. Minshew and Poynter favored employing an outside law firm to handle the city's legal matters.

In her resignation letter, Prince thanked commissioners for their support.

Prince said she would continue performing her duties until Jan. 2 and assist in transferring pending legal matters to an attorney pro tem selected by commissioners or approved outside counsel. She would remain available to answer questions concerning the City Attorney's Office through March 27.

One of the most consequential legal matters during Prince's tenure has been the city's dispute with RYAM over its proposed bioethanol production facility at the company's Gum Street pulp mill.

The dispute has involved state and federal litigation, along with a claim under Florida's Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act, which provides a potential avenue for compensation when certain government actions unfairly burden private property rights.

Court-ordered mediation in April and May 2026 failed to produce a settlement. The mediator reported an impasse May 20, and the city subsequently announced that litigation would resume.

Prince also has been involved in other legal disputes and policy questions confronting the city, most notably downtown paid parking, airport operations and the limits of municipal authority under state law.

The city has also been confronting complaints about flight-school traffic at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. At a Nov. 4 workshop, commissioners heard legal arguments supporting a proposed $12 landing fee for visiting aircraft, while city officials questioned the financial justification. Commissioners did not authorize a fee and instead directed staff to pursue additional information about noise-abatement measures.

Under Prince's original employment contract, the City Commission could dismiss her without cause by a four-vote supermajority, triggering 20 weeks of severance pay and benefits. A dismissal for cause would require three votes and would not provide severance.

The city's payment schedule lists $44,923.87 in severance salary, $14,974.62 in accrued paid time off and $13,653.11 in employer costs, including retirement contributions, payroll taxes and health insurance. Payments would begin Jan. 22, 2027, and continue through April 2.

Prince would have seven days after signing to revoke her acceptance.

The proposed resolution authorizes Mayor Genece Minshew and City Clerk Caroline Best to execute the agreement after review by outside labor counsel J. Ray Poole.