by Joe Potter
The Zephyrhills City Council hummed with expectancy on a sunlit evening as Andrew Bray stepped into the room. A senior at Zephyrhills High School, Bray hadn’t walked into a gym for a match that night; he walked into history. The agenda item was ceremonial, but the sweep of the moment felt stadium-wide: a proclamation honoring a student-athlete whose pursuit of excellence had shaped a town.
The proclamation spoke softly but with weight: the City of Zephyrhills takes pride in recognizing student-athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and achievements bring distinction to our schools and community. It went on to mark Bray’s final curtain call as a high school wrestler, framing the season as a turning point not just for a senior, but for a program. Bray closed out his senior year with a striking 51-3 record. Yet the numbers carried more resonance than their digits suggested.
He finished his Zephyrhills High School career with 131 takedowns, rewriting the school’s record book and setting a standard for the next generation of Bulldogs. The heart of the proclamation lay in a milestone that echoed beyond the mat: Bray’s state championship. In the 175-pound division at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, he captured the 2026 FHSAA Class 2A title, ending a 23-year drought for Zephyrhills Wrestling. It was a moment that felt both monumental and inevitable, as if the program’s long arc of effort, practice, and perseverance had finally found its peak.
“Through hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence, Andrew Bray has represented Zephyrhills High School and the City of Zephyrhills with pride, sportsmanship, and Bulldog spirit.” The closing lines carried the weight of communal pride—an acknowledgment not just of a winner, but of a leader who had carried a program on his shoulders.
The council unanimously approved moving water and sewer bill payments to Tyler Utility Access, replacing Paymentus and WaterSmart. City Manager Poe was first authorized at the April 27 meeting to finalize the agreements, with the change expected to take effect later this year. If customers pay by credit card, they’ll face either a $2.50 minimum fee or 3.65% of the bill. The plan projects that about 80% of the city’s water and sewer customers will use e-checks under the new process, and Zephyrhills will keep a 75-cent fee for ACH payments.
On other business, the council approved on first reading an ordinance to align advisory boards with the new four-year council and mayor terms while preserving proper staggering and continuity. The boards affected are the Airport Authority, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, and Historic Preservation Board. The second reading and possible adoption are scheduled for the June 8 meeting; no May 25 meeting held due to Memorial Day.
City Manager Poe also provided an update on tree and debris issues at Silverado Golf Course and Country Club. Poe and Code Enforcement Officer Joel Bacon met with Assistant County Attorney Jessica Rodriguez, who agreed to forward the affidavit required to show cause. Bacon will complete the affidavit and file it with the court. A judge would then determine if there is enough evidence to proceed, with a hearing anticipated in June or July. The owners would need legal representation, and the hearing would address only the tree-related issues.♥
