August 12, 2026

Highlights from the August 11, 2026 County Commission Meeting

County Commission photo

These highlights will give residents a quick review of the most recent County Commission meeting, including video, the agenda and other useful links.


Immigration Enforcement Resolution


The commission adopted a resolution expressing support for community concerns about immigration enforcement practices and encouraged transparency in law enforcement identification practices.


The resolution doesn’t conflict with state laws and affirms compliance. It doesn’t direct county staff or law enforcement agencies to take any action that would violate statutory requirements.


The resolution expresses support for local law enforcement duties; a commitment to community safety and constitutional protections; an urgent concern regarding federal immigration enforcement facility siting; concerns about indiscriminate or destructive arrest practices; and support for the identification of all law enforcement personnel.


Read the resolution.


Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Transportation Capital Improvement Program Projects image

Alachua County FY26 3rd Quarter Roads Update: 42 Projects Completed, 44 Underway

​​​Alachua County continues to deliver on the County Commission’s historic $250 million investment in the 10-year Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP).


Since voters approved the Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax, 42 transportation projects, totaling $46 million, have been completed. This represents improvements to over 110 lane miles of roadway and nine new crosswalk/signal projects.



Learn more about the roads update.

children reading

Alachua County Reads Collaborative Literacy Initiative Takes Big Steps Forward

The Alachua County Reads (ACR) collaborative continues its countywide effort to improve literacy for residents of all ages. The Virtual Literacy Hub at www.alachuacountyreads.org launched on Aug. 1, 2026, and programming across community-based partners and the Alachua County Public Schools is expanding to meet intervention and instructional support priorities.


The ACR initiative traces back to April 2025, when the Alachua County Commission, the Children's Trust of Alachua County and Alachua County Public Schools released the Alachua County Comprehensive Literacy Needs Assessment (ACCLNA), completed by the Lastinger Center at the University of Florida.


Read more about Alachua County Reads.

Black Lake Preserve photo

Black Lake Preserve Ribbon Cutting

​Alachua County invites the public to visit Black Lake Preserve, a newly opened 287-acre nature preserve at 6197 NE 225th St. in Melrose.


The preserve’s opening will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, with remarks from Alachua County Commission Chair Ken Cornell and county staff. Parking is limited.


Located south of Lake Santa Fe, Black Lake Preserve was acquired by the Alachua County Forever program in 2020 for just under $2.3 million, using funds from the voter-approved Wild Spaces Public Places surtax.


Learn more about the Black Lake Preserve ribbon-cutting.

NACo logo

Alachua County Leaders Appointed to NACo Committees

Alachua County is proud to recognize five county leaders who will be serving in leadership and advisory roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), bringing their expertise to national discussions on human services, transportation, public safety, agriculture and other issues affecting communities across the country.

Florida’s 67 counties had 24 leadership appointments, seven of which were from Alachua County.


County Commissioner Mary Alford was appointed vice chair of the Resilient Counties Innovation Council, Healthy Counties Innovation Council and the Courts and Corrections Subcommittee of the Justice and Public Safety Policy Committee.


County Commission Chair Ken Cornell is continuing to serve on the Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee.


County Manager Michele Lieberman was appointed vice chair of the Agriculture and Food Safety Subcommittee of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering Committee.


Community Support Services Director Claudia Huggins-Tuck was appointed vice chair of the Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council and the Social Services Subcommittee of the Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee.


Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete was appointed vice chair of the Highway/Highway Safety Subcommittee of the Transportation Policy Steering Committee. He was also appointed as a member of the Advisory Council on Immigration and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Large Urban County Caucus and the Rural Action Caucus.


The appointments run through the 2026-27 fiscal year. Members will participate in committee activities throughout the year, including NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., in February 2027 and NACo’s Annual Conference in Chatham County, Georgia, in July 2027.


“These appointments recognize the experience and leadership our team brings to issues that are important not only to Alachua County residents, but to counties across the nation,” said Lieberman. “Our participation gives Alachua County an opportunity to contribute to national conversations, share the work being done in our community and learn from other county leaders.”


NACo committees bring together county officials and leaders from across the country to develop policy recommendations, share best practices and advocate for federal policies that support county governments and the communities they serve.

roundabout drone photo

Roundabout at County Road 235 and Newberry Lane Complete

​Alachua County Public Works and the City of Newberry are excited to announce the completion of the new roundabout at County Road 235 and Newberry Lane.

The intersection reopened Wednesday, July 22, 2026, approximately two weeks ahead of schedule.


Watch a video about the roundabout.


Find out more about the roundabout.

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County to Host Free Home and Yard Conservation Workshop

The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department invites residents to attend a free workshop focused on saving money, conserving natural resources and improving their homes and landscapes on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.


The workshop is free, open to the public and will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the main meeting room at the Hawthorne Branch Library (6640 SE 221st St., Hawthorne). 


Learn more about the workshop.

Summer Camp group photo

Cuscowilla Concludes Successful 2026 Summer Camp Season

Alachua County's Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center has wrapped up its 2026 summer camp season after seven weeks of outdoor recreation, environmental education and hands-on learning for local youth.


The day camp welcomed an average of 70 children, ages 7 to 13, each week. Campers enjoyed a variety of activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, archery, kayaking and climbing. The Friends of Cuscowilla provided scholarships to help eligible families participate in the program.


Throughout the summer, campers explored nature and science through weekly educational sessions focused on topics such as entomology, tree identification and conservation. These experiences were made possible through partnerships with the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Harn Museum of Art, UF/IFAS Extension, the Alachua County Library District and Alachua Conservation Trust.


Campers also visited destinations across North Central Florida during weekly field trips, including Silver Springs State Park, Poe Springs Park, the Alachua County Sports and Events Center, the Cade Museum and the Discovery Center. Swim lessons were available for campers who wanted additional instruction.


A new addition to this year's program was radKIDS, a weeklong curriculum presented by the Alachua County Sheriff's Office that focused on personal safety, self-confidence and establishing healthy personal boundaries.


"We are so grateful to the volunteers and the sheriff's office for bringing this program to our campers," said Cuscowilla Camp Manager Jamie Bass. "It was an incredible week of learning, confidence-building and empowering our campers with skills they can carry with them."


In addition to the traditional day camp, Cuscowilla hosted four weeks of Teen Adventure Camp for students entering grades 6 through 8. The program featured two off-site field trips each week and included activities such as kayaking on the Silver River, climbing at The Knot, zip lining at Camp Kulaqua and archery tag at the Easton Newberry Archery Center.


Registration for next year’s summer camp season will open in early spring.

Scam alert

Alachua County Court Services Urges Residents to Beware of Bond Scam

Alachua County Court Services is warning residents about a phone scam targeting community members and family members of incarcerated individuals.


In the scam, a caller claims to be a government official who can arrange an incarcerated individual's release from custody in exchange for a fee, sometimes before the individual’s first appearance hearing.


Read more about the scam.

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Back to School Safety Tips

School Bus Safety Reminder


Bicycle Safety Tips

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State Implements New Septic System Requirements

​​New requirements for new and existing septic systems are now in effect in parts of Alachua County following updates to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) Basin Management Action Plans.


The goal is to improve water quality by reducing nitrogen pollution. 


“Traditional septic systems do not treat nitrogen from our waste,” said Stacie Greco, the county’s Water Resources program manager. “Nitrogen is the main pollutant harming our groundwater and springs and contributes to harmful algal outbreaks.” 


Read more about the new septic system requirements.

Advisory Board vacancies image

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.


Over 250 citizens serve on the advisory boards advising county government and local agencies on many topics. They include affordable housing, economic development, environmental protection, human rights, county finances, and many other issues. 


For example, the Veteran Services Advisory Board currently has eight vacancies. This board makes recommendations to the County Commission regarding the veteran community in Alachua County and assists and advises on future policies and directions concerning veterans.


Find out more about advisory board vacancies.

Americorps volunteer photo

Alachua County Awarded AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Grant

Alachua County Community Support Services is proud to announce that it has been awarded an AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to expand volunteer opportunities for older adults.


Receiving this grant is a significant achievement, as this year's national funding cycle was highly competitive. The award reflects AmeriCorps' confidence in Alachua County's commitment to expanding volunteer opportunities that strengthen communities and improve the lives of older adults.


Learn more about the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

photo of someone filling out an application

County Seeks Applications for Small Grant Initiative

The Alachua County Commission is now accepting applications for its Small Grant Initiative (SGI), which provides funding to eligible nonprofit grassroots organizations and emerging small businesses serving Alachua County residents.


Eligible emerging small businesses are defined as organizations with 25 or fewer permanent, full-time employees and a net worth of no more than $1 million. The initiative supports organizations that serve residents living at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.


Read more about the small grant initiative.

blood sugar monitor

August Extension Programs

Commercial Horticulture Program


Family Consumer Science Program

Legal Notices

Current Legal Notices

City of High Springs - Public Hearing - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HIGH SPRINGS, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF HIGH SPRINGS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FIRST READING


City of High Springs - Public Hearing - Notice of Hearing to Impose and Provide for Collection of Fire Services Special Assessments


City of High Springs - Election Qualifying


Invitation to Bid - ITB 26-605-LC Kate Barnes Boat Ramp Improvements


Public Hearing - Local Planning Agency and Planning Commission Z26-000010 Alachua County EcoLoop PD Amendment


Public Hearing - Local Planning Agency and Planning Commission Z26-000011 LaCrosse PWSF


Public Hearing - Development Review Committee Hearing


Neighborhood Workshop - West End Community Park - PD Amendment


Public Hearing - Tara Verde Phase 1 - Amend Resolution for Tara Verde Phase 1 Special Improvement District

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