June 26, 2024

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

​​Immigrant and language services

The County Commission adopted a language access policy to better serve those who are limited in English proficiency across county government services, programs and activities.

The policy establishes better access to translation and interpretation services for residents, including live over-the-phone interpretations, prioritization of translating or interpreting critical documents and emergency notices and creating language access working groups.

Outside of English, the top five languages spoken in Alachua County are Spanish, Haitian Creole, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese and Farsi.

Over the coming months, the county will translate more of its most critical documents, launch a language access pilot site, expand over-the-phone interpretations and host training workshops for staff.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

​​The Alachua County Community Remembrance Project committee (ACCRP), the Alachua County Commission and the UF Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, with support from the Rothman Fund, recently unveiled the “Soil Collection Jar Exhibit Honoring Victims of Lynching.”

Watch a video of the Soil Collection Jar Exhibit Unveiling.

The County Commission has dedicated space on the ground floor of the County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville) for this poignant exhibit on racial violence. Each jar contains soil collected at known sites where lynching took place.

“This is about telling the story of what happened to African Americans, and telling that story is a part of American history,” said County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV. “It’s about knowing the true history so that we can move forward and grow stronger as a community.”

This exhibit is part of the ongoing effort to confront and understand the history of racial violence in Florida, a state with the highest rate of lynchings per capita between 1882 and 1930. The Soil Collection Jar Exhibit highlights this painful history and addresses the legacy of racial inequity that persists today.

Read the “Alachua County’s Journey to Truth and Reconciliation” feature story.

​​​​​​​​​A new episode of Alachua County Talks featuring an interview with Emmy award-winning film producer Dr. Steve Robitaille is now available. The interview focuses on Robitaille’s latest film, “Ocklawaha: Tales My Father Told”. The film is inspired by and features the symphonic poem of the same title composed by John Gottsch, as well as the cinematography of Ocala-based filmmaker Mark Emery, and narration by the renowned actor Peter Coyote.

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. It premieres on Community12 TV on Cox Cable on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

In speaking of the interview and film, Alachua County Talks host Mark Sexton said, “Dr. Robitaille’s latest film is a stunning work, that seamlessly interweaves symphonic beauty, breathtaking cinematography and moving storytelling. For those who care about the Ocklawaha and our waterways, it is essential viewing.”

For more information visit the film’s website.

Alachua County's Public Works Department has begun work on Northwest 23rd Avenue in Gainesville, Florida. The $9.4-million project includes milling 1.5 to 3.5 inches of the existing road, complete resurfacing, and adding essential stormwater drainage systems.

Watch a short video about the project.

​​Alachua County is advertising a call to artists for an outdoor mural at the Alachua County Fire Training Facility. The art site is located at 5827 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville.

Artists must submit five to 10 high-quality (at least 600 x 900 pixels) digital photos of their existing or similar work. The photos should be of the same artwork, both close-up and distant, showing details, height and varying views of the work. Submittals will be accepted through OpenGov from June 26 to 2 p.m. on July 24, 2024. The budget is $8,000.

Artists need to create a free account in OpenGov to apply. Artists can also submit questions in the “Questions and Answers” tab on the project page before the July 14 question-and-answer deadline. Emailed and oral responses will not be authoritative.

The Alachua County Arts Council and Alachua County Fire Rescue staff will rank submittals. The top three artists will be paid $150 to sketch the proposed artwork, which will be due within 30 days of notification. The three sketches will be presented to the Alachua County Commission for final selection.

A Juneteenth message from Alachua County Commissioner Charles Chestnut IV

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. This date in 1865 marks when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved people were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth holds profound importance as a symbol of freedom and the end of slavery. It recognizes the delayed liberation of enslaved individuals and the resilience of African Americans who continued to strive for equality. The day serves as a reminder of the systemic injustices and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice. It provides an opportunity to honor the contributions and culture of African Americans, reflecting on their history and achievements in this country.

The celebration of Juneteenth fosters education and awareness about the dark chapters of American history while promoting unity and healing. It underscores the significance of freedom and equality, encouraging dialogue about racial issues and inspiring collective efforts toward a more inclusive society. By acknowledging Juneteenth, Americans affirm their commitment to justice and the continuous journey toward true equality for all.

July Extension Programs

4-H Program

Commercial Horticulture Programs