December 11, 2024

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

Mill Creek

The commission heard an update on the City of Alachua’s Mill Creek.

At its Oct. 1 meeting, the commission made a 14-point motion that included county staff meeting with the City of Alachua and making recommendations on how to address proposed developments that may impact the Mill Creek sink and watershed.

The county’s Environmental Protection Department is continuing to work with the City of Alachua and any applicants for projects planned around the Mill Creek area to ensure water quality and sensitive resources are protected.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Alachua County Bicentennial Proclamation and Celebration Kick Off

As Alachua County prepares to mark its 200th anniversary, the County Commission has officially declared 2025 as "Discover 200 Year." The proclamation, to be presented at today's meeting, celebrates the county's rich history and its two centuries of growth and progress.

Starting with the county's founding on Dec. 29, 1824, "Discover 200" will honor the events, people, and places that have shaped Alachua County into the community it is today.

A Year of Celebration Begins

The county is thrilled to kick off the milestone with "Discover 200 – A Bicentennial Celebration" on Jan. 11, 2025, at Depot Park and Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville. This free, family-friendly event goes from 1 to 10 p.m. and promises a full day of live music, food, entertainment and activities for all ages.

"The Alachua County bicentennial anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reflect on our shared history and celebrate the community we've built together," said County Manager Michele Lieberman. "We encourage everyone to join us for this special kickoff event as we honor our past and look forward to the future."

Learn more about the bicentennial.

Watch the video.

Recently, Alachua County officially unveiled a brand new playground at Veteran's Memorial Park. This new playground was designed from the ground up to be accessible to kids of all ages and abilities.

Watch the video.

Alachua County celebrated Veterans Day 2024 with a celebration at Veterans Memorial Park (7400 SW 41st Place, Gainesville) honoring the service and sacrifice of American veterans.

The celebration was hosted by Alachua County Veteran Services, in collaboration with the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, the Alachua County Veterans Memorial Committee, and other veteran and nonprofit organizations.

Watch the video.

In collaboration with community faith-based organizations, Alachua County Community Support Services recently held an “Honoring the Departed” ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.

“Honoring the Departed” is a ceremony to memorialize indigent individuals who were unclaimed, abandoned, or unknown. The ceremony consists of inspirational readings and songs to honor those who passed away in the past year.

Watch the video.

Alachua County hosts the first Safe Streets and Roads for All Community Workshop to hear input from residents on how to make streets safer for travelers.

Vegetative Debris Drop-Off Site Closing

​​​The two residential drop-off sites for vegetative debris from Hurricane Helene will close at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2024. For any residents wishing to use these sites before they are closed, please remember to bring proof of residence, such as a utility bill and a driver’s license with a matching address. The residential drop-off sites are located at:

• NW Landfill – 15530 NW 173rd St., Alachua
• SW Landfill – State Road 24, 2.2 miles southwest of US 27, Archer (just past Archer Rural Collection Center site)

Alachua County Awarded $880K for Road Safety Projects

Alachua County, in collaboration with The City of Gainesville, has secured an $880,000 federal grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, with a $220,000 local match, to fund advanced planning and demonstration projects aimed at improving road safety. Gainesville ranks 9th in Florida for traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries and 8th for crashes involving vulnerable road users, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

“Ensuring roadway safety is a top priority for Alachua County,” said Commission Chair Charles Chestnut IV. “This grant allows us to address critical concerns and implement solutions that will save lives.” 

Find out more about the grant.

Resurfacing 20th Avenue Underway

​The Alachua County Public Works Department announced today that the resurfacing of Southwest 20th Avenue is well underway. The $1.74-million project began at the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and extends west approximately 1.25 miles to Hog Town Creek. Funding for this project is being provided by the infrastructure surtax, which was approved by the Alachua County voters in 2022.

To reduce daytime congestion, county engineers specified that the work had to be done at night between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The existing asphalt surface is being milled down 1.5 inches and resurfaced with 1.5 inches of asphalt to provide a new driving surface.

Local paving contractor Preferred Materials, Inc. was awarded the contract and is expected to complete the project in early 2025. Although most of the work is scheduled at night, please expect some delays while traveling on this road during the next few months.

North Central Florida Homeless Continuum of Care to host three town hall meetings

​​On behalf of the North Central Florida Homeless Continuum of Care (Keys to Home CoC), the Task Force Fore Ending Homelessness is hosting three upcoming town hall meetings to discuss homelessness in the region.

Feedback gathered from the meetings will assist with improvements to and direction for the CoC’s strategy and action plan covering Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Putnam counties.

The meeting dates are:

• Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, from 9 to 10 a.m. at 103 N. State Road 19, Palatka
• Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Alachua County Community Support Services auditorium (218 SE 24th St., Gainesville)
• Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Freedom Community Center (7340 NW 41st Lane, Gainesville)

In October, the Alachua County Commission voted to have staff help facilitate joint meetings with the other four counties covered by the CoC and for the county to help facilitate an engagement workshop with affordable housing providers not already engaged with the COC, emergency service providers and others impacted or facing challenges.

The Taskforce Fore Ending Homeless is a nonprofit organization and lead agency for Keys to Home CoC, a coalition of homeless service providers that includes Alachua County.

Community members are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled meetings.

Members of the public who desire to share feedback but are unable to attend can send an email to info@keystohome.org.

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. The Alachua County Commission seeks citizen volunteers to serve on several advisory boards.

The Economic Development Advisory Committee has an at-large citizen vacancy. The committee advises the County Commission on issues related to economic development. Members serve four-year terms. It develops and provides policy recommendations to the County Commission related to promoting sustainable economic development activities within Alachua County.

Read more about Advisory Board vacancies.

Deadline Extended for the Call to Artists for Sculpture

​​Alachua County is excited to announce a call for artists to help design a unique outdoor sculpture that embodies the theme of justice for the new courthouse complex, slated for completion in early 2026.

Inspired by the iconic Contemplation of Justice statue and the Authority of Law statue at the U.S. Supreme Court, this project seeks an original, figurative artwork that reflects the spirit of justice without replicating these existing pieces.

Learn more about the Call to Artists.

Container Gardening is the December Plantings of the Month

​​The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce that the “Plantings of the Month” for December is container gardening.

Container gardening is an excellent way to enjoy the beauty of plants, even if you have limited space. Patios, balconies, and even indoor rooms can easily become plant havens with the right plants and placement. Container gardening also allows you to move plants to optimize sunlight and shade, manage soil quality easily, and create visually appealing arrangements.

Check the Planting of the Month website for information on planting, harvesting, and more. Listen to the Extension Cord Podcast for further insights on the Plantings of the Month.

The Plantings of the Month program is a collaborative effort between the Alachua County Commission, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Alachua County Master Gardener Volunteers, Alachua County Public Library, Grow Hub, and Working Food.

County Seeks Applicants for RTS Board

Alachua County is seeking volunteers to fill three Regional Transit System Advisory Board vacancies.

The duties of the Regional Transit System Advisory Board are to advise on all matters relating to public transit development in the City of Gainesville and Alachua County, including developing and analyzing policies concerning the operation of the regional transit system; developing approaches for financing the RTS on a long-term basis; reviewing ridership, routes, rates and other related matters; and to consider questions referred to it by the city and/or county commissions.

Find out more about the RTS Board.