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

Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2026 7:56 pm

By Mike Lednovich

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, who began serving as the city's full-time attorney Aug. 4, 2025, would leave Jan. 2, 2027, under the proposed agreement, according to city documents. Her departure would come less than 17 months after taking office and while the city continues to confront major legal issues, including litigation over Rayonier Advanced Materials' proposed bioethanol plant.

The agreement calls for 12 weeks of severance pay, compensation for unused paid time off and continued employer-paid benefits. The total estimated cost to the city is $73,551.60.

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.

Prince's resignation is contingent upon commission approval of the separation agreement. Her existing employment contract requires 90 days' notice for a voluntary resignation and does not provide severance pay when the attorney resigns.

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 agreement does not disclose why Prince is resigning or why commissioners are being asked to approve severance benefits that her current contract does not provide for a voluntary departure.

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.

Prince succeeded Tammi Bach, whom commissioners terminated in January 2025. Bach's departure came as the city was already facing legal challenges involving RYAM's proposed bioethanol facility and other municipal disputes.

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

"Serving the City as the City Attorney has been an honor," she wrote. "My commitment to the community has not changed and I look forward to serving the community in other ways and with the same integrity I brought to the City."

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.

The commission has not identified a replacement.

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.

RYAM has challenged the city's refusal to allow the project, arguing that municipal officials improperly applied land-use restrictions and denied the company the ability to develop its property. The city has maintained that the proposed operation conflicts with its Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.

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.

In November 2025, Prince presented commissioners with 11 possible responses to RYAM's Bert Harris claim. Commissioners voted unanimously to maintain the city's position against the proposed facility, leaving RYAM free to pursue its additional legal claim.

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.

The RYAM dispute is among the pending legal matters that will require continued representation after Prince's departure.

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.

During the dispute over paid parking, Prince advised commissioners on legal challenges to the city's parking program and the subsequent voter-approved referendum requirement. In October 2026, she explained a proposed ordinance intended to incorporate the citizen initiative into the city code and clarify how future parking referendums would operate.

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.

Prince's office has also advised commissioners on changes in state law affecting local government authority, financial reporting requirements and public records obligations. In August, she briefed commissioners on legislation affecting municipal finances and discussed Sunshine Law training for incoming commissioners.

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.

Her negotiated resignation instead provides 12 weeks of 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.

The proposed agreement contains a mutual release of legal claims. Prince would waive potential claims arising from her employment and departure, including claims under federal and state employment laws. The city would also release potential claims against Prince. The agreement specifies that neither party admits wrongdoing.

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

City Manager Sarah Campbell recommends approval. The agenda materials say the money is available in the City Attorney's departmental budget, although a future budget amendment could be necessary to pay an interim attorney or outside law firm.

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.

Comments

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Prof____H

I am confused. If someone resigns, I understand they would get their unpaid vacation time, but why would they get more? It seems she was asked by someone to resign.

Yesterday at 6:32 AM Report this
rswarner

Fernandina Beach is too much a ripe plum for all attacking interests from individuals to mega corporations to adequately met by one City Attorney. Time to look at alternatives - given loser pays incentive structure now embedded in present Florida takings law.

Yesterday at 7:10 AM Report this
SandyKerry

Terms of the agreement and timing are very disturbing, especially without any explanation. Why this is occurring just days before the city’s organizational meeting and a new commissioner coming on board deserves answers.

Yesterday at 8:44 AM Report this
Martbrut

This is right on the heels of the City Commission talking about all the cuts and projects that the City will no longer be able to afford. A week later the City attorney resigns and we learn she’s getting a $73K severance package after 1.5 years on the job. Who is negotiating these employment agreements? This looks like a sweetheart agreement. If City Commissioners are so concerned about spending they should reject this package. If not then they are not serious about trying to rein in spending. Another example of poor decision making by our City Commissioners.

Yesterday at 10:09 AM Report this