August 14, 2024

These highlights will give residents a quick review of the commission meeting and provide video, agenda, and other useful links.

Sunrise Residence Inn

The County Commission approved the purchase of the 35-unit Sunrise Residence Inn complex, located at 2105 SW 14th St. in Gainesville.

In May, the commission entered an option contract with St. Francis House to purchase the complex to prevent the loss of dozens of federal housing vouchers for those living in these units. The property was initially slated to be purchased by a developer who wished to turn the complex into student housing.

The purchase price for the property is $1.95 million. The commission directed staff to look for state and federal dollars to assist in the renovation costs of the property.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Reporting damage to residences and businesses is crucial for State of Florida and FEMA reimbursements.

Alachua County encourages residents to report damage to homes and businesses on the Alachua County Damage Reporting Portal. The form in this portal is for information purposes only and will be used when submitting county-wide damage assessments to the State of Florida and FEMA.

Please complete the form to report storm or disaster-related damage to your home or business. Please provide as much detail as possible and include photos, if available. 

​In keeping with his many years of distinguished service to the people of Alachua County and the State of Florida, Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell was elected to the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Board of Directors at the association's annual conference. 

During his two-year term as an elected FAC Board of Directors member, Cornell will represent his community's local interests by overseeing the association's policy efforts and initiatives. 

"Commissioner Cornell's extensive knowledge and experience in local government make him an exceptional choice for the Board of Directors," shares FAC President and Okeechobee County Commissioner Terry Burroughs. "He has been carefully selected by fellow commissioners to take on this position, and I am confident he will excel and lead with expertise." 

"I am both humbled and energized by the trust placed in me by my colleagues," Cornell said. "I have seen firsthand the importance of counties having a strong voice in Tallahassee as we advocate for home-rule protections and our residents." 

Learn more about the appointments.

​​A new episode of Alachua County Talks, featuring an interview with Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Director Stephen Hofstetter, is now available. The interview focuses on Alachua County’s commitment and efforts in protecting our county’s natural resources.

The show is available to watch on YouTube now. It is also available on Alachua County’s AC TV app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

In speaking of the interview, Alachua County Talks host Mark Sexton said, “Mr. Hofstetter and his talented staff are the shepherds of our water protection, land conservation, and climate change activities. EPD has been protecting our residents, and those in other counties, since its formation in the 1980s.

Earlier today the UF Health Urgent Care - Eastside opened its doors.

Watch the video below to learn more about this state-of-the-art new facility.

Re-Opened Nature Preserves

​The Alachua County nature preserves sustained impacts from Hurricane Debby including flooding on many trails and trees uprooting on some trails. Staff has assessed trail conditions and re-opened some preserves to public access. For your safety, please respect preserve and trail closures and stay off of closed trail areas. 

The following county nature preserves have been re-opened:



• Barr Hammock Preserve- Levy Loop and Barr South Trailheads
• Turkey Creek Preserve
• Buck Bay Preserve
• Sweetwater Preserve
• Mill Creek Preserve
• Lake Alto Preserve
• Four Creeks Preserve
• Phifer Flatwoods Preserve

All other county preserves remain closed at this time, while staff address storm damage and safety concerns. 

Yard Trash Collection Delays

​​Cleanup from Hurricane Debby continues throughout the county. The county and our hauler, GFL, are working diligently to collect the large volume of yard trash created by the storm in a timely manner. It is our hope to be caught up by Sept. 1, 2024. Until that time, residents should not expect their yard trash to be collected on its regular schedule.

Please remember that any yard trash placed out for collection needs to comply with the regular specifications for yard trash placed curbside. GFL will not collect any material outside of those specifications.

Yard trash includes leaves, grass clippings, tree and shrub trimmings, and small tree limbs. It does not include boards, fencing, landscape timbers, lumber, dirt, rocks, brick or concrete.

The regular specifications for yard trash placed curbside are:



• No item longer than 5 feet in length
• No item wider than 8 inches in diameter
• No item heavier than 40 pounds
• All loose material must be placed in a paper yard waste bag or reusable container

Thank you for your patience as we do our best to be caught up in the next few weeks. 

Bicycle Safety Tips

As the new school year begins, the Alachua County Public Works Department would like to share some tips for parents, guardians, and kids on bicycle safety.

Bicycles on the roadway are considered vehicles, and bicyclists are the drivers with the same rights and responsibilities as motorists to follow the rules of the road.

Read more about bicycle safety.

Farmland Conservation Strategy Public Workshop Rescheduled

Due to storm impacts, Alachua County is rescheduling the Farmland Conservation Strategy Public Workshop, originally set for Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. The workshop will now be held on Monday, Aug. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Northside Park Senior Recreation Center (5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville). The public is encouraged to provide input on the strategy during the workshop.

Alachua County and the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) are hosting the public workshop to share information about a proposed strategy to expand farmland conservation throughout the county. Staff will be available to explain the details of the strategy and answer questions. A brief presentation on the strategy goals, process and how it will be implemented will be given around 5:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. It has been postponed to allow participants to focus on storm cleanup and recovery.

Two or more Alachua County Rural Concerns Advisory Committee members may attend this event. Two or more Alachua County Land Conservation Board members may attend this event.

For more information or to RSVP (appreciated but not required), call 352-264-6868 or email landconservation@alachuacounty.us.

County Seeks Advisory Board Volunteers

​​Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that allows you to give back to your community and participate in your county's decision-making process? Serving on an Alachua County advisory. board offers you this chance. The County Commission relies on input from these boards to make informed decisions and set policies.

For example, the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Advisory Council provides an opportunity for citizen involvement on ways to improve services for crime victims and raise awareness about abuse and crime as to positively impact the community. This advisory council has six vacancies. 

Find out more about advisory boards.

Beets are the August Plant of the Month

The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce that the August “Plant of the Month” is beets.

All parts of the beet are edible from the root to the stem and leaves. Beets are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. They do not have much fat but do naturally contain some sodium. The health properties found in beets may support the health of your brain, heart and digestive system.

"Beets are a powerhouse of nutrients and antioxidants, crucial for promoting overall health and vitality,” said County Commission Chair Mary Alford.

August is a good time to grow beets in North Central Florida. Check the Plant of the Month website for information on planting, harvesting, recipes and more. Listen to the Extension Cord Podcast to get further insights on the Plant of the Month.

The Plant of the Month program is a collaborative effort between Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Alachua County Master Gardener volunteers, Alachua County Public Library and Working Food. 

Public Works Installs New Statue Honoring Alachua County Firefighters

​​When heavy lifting is involved, the other county departments depend on the Road & Bridge Division of the Alachua County Public Works Department to get the job done. The Road and Bridge Division took delivery and installed a new statute this week at the recently completed Fire Rescue Station 80 (10180 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville). Steven Whyte of Carmel, California, created the bronze statue of the young female firefighter ready for duty. The challenge was to install the heavy new statue without damaging the statue or the newly constructed sidewalks.

Public Works Director Ramon D. Gavarrete, P.E, managed the design and construction of the new station and was proud that his department’s Traffic Maintenance Unit could put the finishing touches on the project by installing the new statue honoring Alachua County Firefighters and the County’s commitment to diversity. 

County Encourages Residents to Embrace Weeds for Bees

​The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department is on a mission to help residents document unique plants that support pollinators around their homes and gardens using the iNaturalist app.

In Florida, there are several hundred species of butterflies and bees that call the state home. From the graceful Monarch to the buzzing bumblebee, these creatures add beauty to landscapes while also pollinating flowers and food crops. Biodiversity, or variety, of plants allow pollinators to thrive. 

Read more about Weeds for Bees.

Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grant Application Available

The Alachua County Commission is seeking applications for the Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grant Program supporting arts, nature and cultural events and activities between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB), 33 North Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. There is $1,600,000 budgeted for the grant program this year.

To support and enhance Alachua County as a culturally interesting and vibrant destination, the Alachua County Commission has allocated a portion of the Tourist Development Tax revenue to aid in the operations and promotions of arts, culture, and nature events that have, as one of their main purposes, the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the event to tourists. 

Find out more about Culture Destination Enhancement Grants.