June 13, 2024

At the June 11 County Commission meeting, Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman presented the 2024 Annual Report. The video presentation highlights the county's accomplishments over the past year and looks ahead to its goals and challenges.

“This year, as I reviewed the excellent work of our departments, two words kept recurring: services and support – as in the essential services we provide every county resident, and the tremendous support we give our cities, constitutional officers, public schools, the University of Florida, the state, and non-profits," Lieberman said.

“It is easy to be confused about which services are provided by the county, and which by other governments," she continued. “Our population lives in both cities and the unincorporated area, but all are residents of Alachua County – and we serve everyone."

Watch the Annual Report video. 

FY 2025 tentative budget proposal

Next, Lieberman presented her budget message and delivered her FY25 tentative budget to the County Commission. She presented a balanced budget and recommended lowering the general fund property tax millage rate for the eighth consecutive year.

"This budget includes $44 million for roads, funding for constructing a new civil courthouse, a new animal shelter and a significantly remodeled fire rescue facility," said Commission Chair Mary Alford. "These are major initiatives. For many counties, any one of those things would be a big deal."

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The manager also highlighted the critical challenge of retaining and attracting employees, recommending a 6% raise and increasing the minimum wage from $17 to $18.

“This budget emphasizes the importance of operating a healthy, sustainable workplace with realistic and reasonable expectations of our employees," Lieberman said. “Workforce retention is essential to our organization and our goal of achieving the commission's strategic priorities."

The commission will now begin its deliberations in anticipation of finalizing the budget in September.

Read the budget message.

Watch the presentation.

See the entire county manager's FY25 proposed budget.

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

​2024 Annual Report and FY 25 Budget Message

Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman presented the 2024 Annual Report. The video presentation highlights the county’s accomplishments over the past year and looks ahead to its goals and challenges (see story above).

At-large districts on November ballot

The County Commission voted to add a referendum to the 2024 November ballot that will ask residents if they want to elect commissioners at-large, meaning you can vote for all five commission members.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Other than essential services, all Alachua County offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in observance of Juneteenth.

The holiday will not affect residential curbside collection services for solid waste, recycling and yard trash.

The Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station and the Hazardous Waste Collection Center will remain open during regularly scheduled hours on Wednesday.

The five Alachua County Rural Collection Centers and the Office of Waste Collection will be closed on Wednesday and ​resume their regular schedules (the Rural Collection Centers will be closed and the Office of Waste Collection will be open) ​on Thursday, June 20.

Alachua County Animal Resources will close on Wednesday and will reopen on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Animal Resources officers respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, to matters affecting public safety and animals in immediate danger. Citizens should dial 911 to report such emergencies on Sundays, holidays, and between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. nightly.

During regular hours (Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays), Animal Resources can be reached at 352-264-6870.

​​Alachua County is pleased to announce that the long-anticipated $9.4 million renovation project on Northwest 23rd Avenue has officially commenced. This crucial 1.7-mile stretch, located on the east side of Interstate 75, extends from Northwest 58th Boulevard to Northwest 83rd Street.

“This is just one of the many major road projects residents will see taking place over the coming months around Alachua County,” said Tom Strom, the county’s transportation engineering manager. “Thanks to several funding sources, including the voter-approved Wild Spaces Public Places surtax, Alachua County can now address many roadways needing repair.”

Read more about the project.

​Alachua County is proud to announce that it will receive $13.1 million from the state of Florida to help complete the final connection of the Archer Braid Trail.

Thanks to this grant, the soon-to-be-completed trail will stretch nearly 10 miles long and run from Southwest 91st Street to UF Health Shands Hospital.

The 1.67-mile Kanapaha addition – from Veteran’s Memorial Park to Celebration Pointe – will connect the two previously completed portions of the trail. It also offers a connection to the Archer Road Corridor, which extends an extra 6 miles into the city of Archer.

“This is a big deal,” said County Commission Chair Mary Alford. “It means so much to be able to sign the paperwork to secure this critical funding that will allow people to access this great trail both for recreation and to commute from southwest Alachua County to the UF campus more safely.”

Learn more about the Archer Braid Trail.

County Awarded National Endowment for the Arts Grant

​​Alachua County is pleased to announce that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded it a $30,000 grant. This grant will provide additional financial support to Alachua County artists and our eight small cities for various public art programming, events, and projects.

"Thanks to this NEA grant, a $10,000 contribution from Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL, and State of the Arts license plate sales, our Art Tag Grant can award a record $44,000 this funding cycle," stated Arts Council Chair Stephanie Silberman.

Find out more about the award.

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 Environmental Protection Advisory Committee provides an opportunity for citizen involvement on environmental issues and concerns affecting residents. It advises the County Commission on appropriate measures to safeguard air and water resources and on responsible management of public lands and resources.

Read more about advisory board vacancies.

Citizens Needed for Citizen Climate Advisory Committee

​​The Joint Water and Climate Policy Board is seeking applications to fill five openings in the Citizen Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC). The CCAC currently meets in person on the third Monday of each month in the Grace Knight Conference Room on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville). The deadline to apply is July 12, 2024.

The Joint Water and Climate Policy Board is tentatively scheduled to select new CCAC members at its next meeting at 1 p.m. on August 5, 2024. The meeting agenda and backup materials, including information on candidates up for selection, will be available online at Advisory Boards. During the public comment portion of the August 5 meeting, members of the public will have the opportunity to provide their input on candidates.

Learn more about the Citizen Climate Advisory Committee.

Chayote Squash is the June Plant of the Month

​​The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce that the June "Plant of the Month" is chayote squash.

Chayote squash is native to Mexico and Central America, though the squash is grown in the United States in Florida, California and Louisiana. Chayote is very high in dietary fiber, folate and magnesium. It is also an excellent source of Vitamin C and a good source of potassium, niacin (B3), and beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A. All parts of the chayote squash -- the skin, flesh and stone -- can be eaten when cooked.

"Chayote squash is a remarkable vegetable, known for its crisp texture, mild flavor, and versatility in dishes from salads to stir-fries. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it’s a nutritious addition to any meal," said County Commission Chair Mary Alford.

June is a good time to grow chayote squash 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 for 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.