Welcome to Historic Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is a close-knit community of hard-working, friendly people who enjoy the good life that thorough historical preservation, beautiful wildlife, and easy water access allow. Each day in our fair city begins with a brilliant sunrise reflecting off the Apalachicola Bay and ends with a red-hued sunset over miles of wildlands. Small town restaurants, shops, and bars offer an array of delights for citizens and visitors alike. A fascinating history and maritime culture, bountiful natural resources, fresh local seafood, and hardy loyal citizens create an unparalleled quality of life here in the Florida panhandle.
Apalachicola's Grant Horizon-Your Projects, Your Future, Our Focus
Apalachicola's Grant Horizon-Your Projects, Your Future, Our Focus Part 2
WARNING!
The "Hacking" campaign continues. All residents should exercise caution if you receive any unusual invoicing from any individual or entity claiming to be the City of Apalachicola. Reach out to the City Offices in the event you receive anything unusual by email, anything that is requesting you to remit money that you are unfamiliar with.
City News
The City of Apalachicola is proud to announce the official hiring of Sergeant Chase Richards as the next Chief of Police for the City of Apalachicola. This promotion will be effective June 28, 2026, following the retirement of Chief Bobby Varnes. Sergeant Richards brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication to public service to this esteemed role, having started with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 and the City of Apalachicola Police Department in 2014. Sergeant Richard’s has built a distinguished career spanning patrol operations, investigations, administration, and executive leadership, while continually focusing on community-oriented policing. This has been his foundation in building a strong relationship with the City’s residents and business owners. While serving in various roles over the last 12 years, Sergeant Richards implemented numerous programs enhancing the functionality and inner workings of the police department.
Complimenting his professional achievements, Sergeant Richard’s continues to show a deep commitment to serving the community. He volunteers and works all types of events and previously provided training to the public in firearms safety and fraud prevention classes. He was also the lead in establishing the Fred Babb Jr. Memorial Recreational Complex, which provides citizens with a safe environment to practice and become efficient with firearms. When notified of his selection, Sergeant Richards shared his gratitude, stating, “I am extremely honored for the opportunity to assume such a historic position. This is a very special place in my heart, and I can honestly say, I love the people of this community. I have continually made positive strides in my training, personal development, and community involvement, in hopes of this day becoming a reality. Generations of my family have paved the way down these same streets I patrol, surviving along these waterways, building boats, houses, and legacies. I am here today because of the love that has filled my veins for this area. Thank you for this incredible opportunity.”
The recruitment and hiring process began in January on the heels of Chief Varnes’ announced retirement. The City’s hiring and selection included a resume and application package analysis and hiring panel interview and assessment consisting of three senior City staff members. “Sergeant Richard’s demonstrated a clear vision for the department and has a deep commitment to this community,” said City Manager Chuck Anderson. “He is widely respected by our officers, staff, and community partners, and his calm demeanor, and genuine approach to community relationships resonated throughout the hiring process.” The City of Apalachicola looks forward to Sergeant Richard’s leadership as he guides the Apalachicola Police Department with a focus on safety, accountability, efficiency, and community engagement.
Members of the public may participate remotely only during the PUBLIC COMMENT section, by clicking on the link provided below and registering as a speaker. You must provide your name, address or place of residence, and topic you wish to comment on prior to commenting. Refusal to provide information may cause you to be removed from virtual waiting room.
Meeting Body: City Commission
Date: 4/7/26
Time: 6 pm
Meeting Location: 74 6th Street, Apalachicola, Fl. 32320
Click here for the CC Regular Meeting live
Click here for Remote Participation Access (PUBLIC COMMENT ONLY)
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing in-person attendance at the noticed location and remote participation only for the PUBLIC COMMENT section of the meeting, through the City’s designated electronic platform, Vimeo.
- 4.3.26 Weekly Water Report
- 3.27.26 Weekly Water Report
- 3.20.26 Weekly Water Report
- 3.13.26 Weekly Water Report
- 3.6.26 Weekly Water Report
- 2.28.26 Weekly Water Report
- 2.20.26 Weekly Water Report
- 2.7.26 Weekly Water Report
- 1.30.26 Weekly Water Report
- 1.23.26 Weekly Water Report
- 1.16.26 Weekly Water Report
- 1.9.26 Weekly Water Report
- 1.2.26 Weekly Water Report
- 12.19.25 Weekly Water Report
- 12.12.25 Weekly Water Report
- 12.5.25 Weekly Water Report
- 11.21.25 Weekly Water Report
- 11.14.25 Weekly Water Report
- 11.7.25 Weekly Water Report
- 10.30.25 Weekly Water Report
- 10.24.25 Weekly Water Report
- 10.17.25 Weekly Water Report
- 10.3.25 Weekly Water Report
- 9.26.25 Weekly Water Report
- 9.18.25 Weekly Water Report
- 9.8.25 Weekly Water Report
- 9.3.25 Weekly Water Report
- 8.21.25 Weekly Water Update
- 8.13.25 Weekly Water Update
- 8.8.25 Dewberry Update
- 8.8.25 Water Update
- 8.6.25 Weekly Water Update
- 7.28.25 Weekly Water Update
- 7.22.25 Weekly Water Update
- 6.30.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- DOH Health Evaluation City of Apalachicola Public Water System
- 6.28.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- Precautionary Boil Water Notice is Rescinded
- 6.27.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.27.25 Morning Update: Apalachicola residents, the water main lines flushing process is complete. Chlorine residuals are stable. You should be seeing clear water with minimal sulfur odor, if not please flush your individual water lines for 5 minutes. Bac-T sampling has been taken and will be sent to the lab this morning. Please note that the precautionary boil water notice continues until ‘acceptable’ Bac-T sample results have been received from the lab.
- 6.26.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.25.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- Hydrogen Sulfide Fact Sheet
- 6.24.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.24.25 Public Announcement – City of Apalachicola Emergency Services Update
- 6.23.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.22.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.21.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.20.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.19.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- Public Announcement: City of Apalachicola Emergency Services Update
- 6.18.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- Boil Water Guidelines
- 6.17.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- 6.16.25 Apalachicola Team Water Meeting – Daily Summary
- Press Release: Local State of Emergency Amid Water Crisis
- DEP Drinking Water Samples Reports
- 6.11.25 Well Sampling Results
- Click here to view the 2024 annual CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) regarding the City’s Water Quality
- Click here to view the Dewberry Engineers Status Update
- Click here to view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Water Quality and System Updates
Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.30.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.28.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.27.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.26.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.25.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.23.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.22.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.21.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.20.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
- 6.19.25 Water Plant Daily Rounds Sheet
The Utility Billing Dept will be closed to the public on Tuesday, April 7th for software updates and training. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience however, payments can still be made online and via the drop box per usual. We will re-open Wednesday April 8th. We appreciate your understanding.
Stay Informed
Receive notices and alerts in your inbox!
City Meetings & Events
Report Civil Rights Violations
Equal Employment Opportunity - Lee Mathes
(850) 653-9319
lmathes@cityofapalachicola.com
504/ADA - Sheneidra Cummings
(850) 653-9319
scummings@cityofapalachicola.com
Fair Housing Coordinator - Leslie Glaze
(850) 653-9319
lglaze@cityofapalachicola.com
City of Apalachicola Fair Housing Rights Statement:
The City of Apalachicola is committed to providing a vibrant and inclusive community for everyone. As part of this commitment, we want to remind you of your rights under the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing including rentals, sales, and lending-based on: Race, Color, Religion, Sex (including Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation), National Origin, Familial Status (families with children under 18), and Disability. This means no one can legally be denied housing or face different rules because of who they are. View a Fair Housing Public Service Announcement Video
Section 3 Business and Employment Notice
City of Apalachicola Board of Supervisors are preparing to carry out construction projects through the use of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR funds. The City of Apalachicola encourages all Section 3 qualified workers to apply for the jobs listed below.
M0016-Wells Rehabilitation Project, M0016-Avenues Stormwater Repair Project, M0033-Hill Community Revitalization Project, and M0034-Riverfront Revitalization Project.
In the implementation of these projects the following types of job may be available:
Painter, Laborer (Common or General), Laborer (Pipelayer), Operator (Backhoe/Excavator), Operator (Bulldozer), Operator (Loader), Truck Driver (Includes 4 axel, Distributor, Dump, Lowboy and Tandem Trucks), Welders, Ironworker, Carpenter, Cement Mason/Concrete Finisher.
All job openings will be posted in the Human Resources Department at the City of Apalachicola City Hall, 1 Bay Avenue, Apalachicola, Fl 32320 and at the primary construction site.
Additionally, to the greatest extent feasible, construction contracts and sub-contracts may be awarded to businesses located in and owned by people residing in Franklin County. All procurements will be made on a competitive basis. The names of businesses and job seekers who respond to this notice will be given to the prime contractor for utilization in subcontractor solicitation and job offerings.
In order to be included on procurement and employment/training lists for this CDBG-DR project, interested persons and firms should register by contacting Leslie Glaze, Apalachicola City Planner, lglaze@cityofapalachicola.com.
April is National Fair Housing Month
Fair Housing Basic Rights in Florida - You Have the Right to Fair Housing
Welcome to Apalachicola!
Our beautiful city is one of the oldest port cities in the state of Florida. Established in 1831, Apalachicola boosts a rich and unique past. Glimpses of that by-gone era can still be viewed today through our charming shops, inviting parks, historic museums and acclaimed restaurants serving fresh locally-caught seafood. Additional maritime life is evident through picturesque Scipio Creek which flows into a vast ecosystem where the vital Apalachicola River meets the Apalachicola Bay, creating a natural and pristine estuary that eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
This special place I call home is truly a gem and I am honored to serve as its first female mayor, a position I do not take lightly. As mayor, I am tasked with serving my fellow residents, working alongside my friends, and being an ambassador for our visitors. These are roles I eagerly embrace for I am proud to be a representative of such a remarkable city.
The name “Apalachicola” is said to mean . . . “land of friendly people.” Living and working together with my fellow Apalachicolians, I can completely vouch for the accuracy of that label and as our city continues to grow and prosper, it is my desire that the same inviting charm that intrigued you to live, work, play and visit here, will seep into your spirit and keep you here.
Again, welcome to our historic city.
Humbly,
