HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE JANUARY 13, 2026 COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING | | |
These highlights will give residents a quick review of the most recent County Commission meeting and provide video, agenda, and other useful links.
Alachua County 4-H Members Experience Government in Action at Governor’s Cabinet Meeting
Communication Director Mark Sexton announced that on Dec. 17, 2025 three 4-H members, Extension Director Cindy Sanders, Extension Agent Mary Lee Sale and Assistant County Manager Gina Peebles traveled to Tallahassee to attend the governor’s cabinet meeting.
During the trip, the group witnessed the cabinet vote to remove a deed restriction on the county’s Weissman property, near the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station off Waldo Road, in northeast Gainesville. The restriction was instead moved to the county’s Equestrian Center in Newberry. The Weissman property is now under consideration as a potential site for the county’s planned animal shelter, which will be discussed at the next commission meeting on Jan. 27.
The group also met with Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, explored the Senate chamber and took part in a mock session and a motion to withdraw a constitutional amendment, which passed after a spirited debate.
| | Alachua County Forever Turns 25 - Feature Video | | Alachua County Forever is 25 years old, and the community recently gathered to celebrate the tax payer approved land conservation program at the Alachua Conservation Trust’s annual holiday mingle held at Prairie Creek Lodge. | | Alachua County Launches New Mobile App for Residents | |
Alachua County is excited to launch My Alachua County, a new mobile app that delivers timely notifications and information on county services straight to your phone, strengthening our commitment to finding new and effective ways to communicate with residents.
Available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, the free app provides mobile access to commonly used county resources anytime, anywhere.
The app will provide a centralized, easy-to-use platform to stay informed about county news, meetings, events, services, road projects, weather updates, adoptable animals, employment opportunities and much more.
Users are encouraged to create a profile by tapping the three lines found in the top left corner of the app. This is where residents will also find recent notifications.
“My Alachua County strengthens how we connect with residents by putting important information at their fingertips,” said County Manager Michele Lieberman. “The app supports our ongoing efforts to improve digital communication and ensure residents can easily stay informed and engaged.”
| | Cents & Sensibility Chapter 7 | | |
With all the discussion happening across Florida about local government budgets, Alachua County is joining the conversation through this series: Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters.
Chapter 7: The Total Budget – Much More Than Property Taxes
At its meeting on Sept. 23, 2025, the Alachua County Commission approved the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget, continuing its record of fiscal responsibility while investing in essential services and community priorities. Commissioners adopted a $947 million balanced budget covering public safety, essential services, capital infrastructure and much more.
The total budget amount can understandably raise questions, such as: "If the county has so much money, why are there still unmet needs?” And “Why can’t more money go to road repairs, deputies, or social services?"
In reality, the total budget does not equal a large pot of flexible money the county can spend any way it wants. This chapter will explain where the money comes from, what it can be used for, and why most of it is restricted by law, policy, or voter decision.
Read Ch. 7 in full.
| | County Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day | | |
Other than emergency services, all Alachua County government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy reminds us that progress is built through service, equity, and a shared commitment to justice,” said Alachua County Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “As we honor his life and work, we recommit ourselves to strengthening our community by treating one another with dignity, respect, and compassion.”
Due to the holiday, residential curbside collection services for solid waste, recycling, and yard trash will be delayed by one day for the entire week. The regular schedule for these services will resume the following week on Monday, Jan. 26.
Although Animal Resources will be closed, resource 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.
| | Community Remembrance Project to Host Remembrance Quilt Exhibit | | |
The Alachua County Community Remembrance Project will host the grand opening of the Remembrance Quilt Exhibition at the Matheson History Museum (513 E. University Ave., Gainesville) on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Overflow parking is available across University Avenue at the school district building.
The event invites community members and visitors to view the quilts and honor and remember the victims of lynchings in Alachua County.
Read more about the exhibit.
| | Writing to Heal Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence | | |
Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center is offering a 10-week, in-person writing-based support group. This group is open to women and nonbinary survivors of sexual violence.
The “Writing to Heal” support group is scheduled to begin in late February 2026 and will meet in person on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The group is free of charge, all skill levels are welcome, and all necessary supplies will be provided.
“Writing is a healing process, and we encourage participants to write in whatever form they find most healing, whether that be journaling, song writing, poetry, or anything beyond,” said Victim Advocate Counselor Kylee Field. "Prompts will be provided each week to allow survivors the opportunity to explore their journey of healing in a way that feels safe and authentic to them.”
Meeting location will be disclosed to participants. To participate, call or text Kylee Field at 352-681-2428 and complete an intake.
| | Free Veteran Services Available to Residents | | |
The Alachua County Veteran Service Office is continuing its commitment in 2026 to support veterans, surviving spouses, caregivers, and military families by providing free, accredited assistance with veterans’ benefits and claims.
The office offers no-cost representation for a wide range of services, including VA service-connected disability compensation, non-service-connected pensions, Aid and Attendance benefits, VA health care enrollment, discharge upgrade requests, burial pre-need eligibility and benefits, and claims reviews and appeals. Assistance is also available for surviving spouses and dependents seeking survivors’ pensions, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, education benefits, and health care coverage.
Learn more about the free veteran services.
| | Erosion and Sedimentation Training and Certification | | |
The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) is offering the Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training and Certification Program on Feb. 3-4, 2026, at Gainesville Regional Utilities (4747 N. Main St., Gainesville). The training is free, but participants must register online by Jan. 30, 2026.
Participants will learn the importance of preventing construction site sedimentation from polluting local water bodies and will become familiar with techniques to minimize erosion and keep construction sites in compliance.
This certification program, developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, will be taught in teams by a group of local industry professionals. The class is co-sponsored by the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership.
Qualifying participants may earn eight Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for their contractor’s license and/or eight Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for their Florida Professional Engineer license.
| | Road Closure on Southwest 24th Avenue for Sinkhole Repairs | | |
Alachua County Public Works Department will temporarily close a portion of Southwest 24th Avenue, between Southwest 91st Street and 87th Way, to repair a sinkhole beneath the pedestrian path on the south side of the roadway.
The closure will begin Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
A detour will direct traffic around the closure. Residents of the Shannon Woods subdivision exiting via Southwest 88th Street will only be able to travel east on Southwest 24th Avenue.
Drivers are advised to use caution, stay alert, follow posted detour signs, and maintain safe speeds and following distances while traveling through the area. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to plan accordingly.
| | Local Artists Invited to Display Work at County Building | |
Alachua County is inviting local artists to submit original artwork for consideration as part of the new “Arts in the County Administration Building Program,” an initiative established by the County Commission to showcase local creative talent in county government spaces.
The program allows artists to temporarily loan artwork for public display in prominent areas of the county’s administration building, located at 12 SE 1st St. in Gainesville. Selected pieces may be displayed for approximately three months.
Artists working in a variety of media are encouraged to apply, including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital art, mixed media and other visual art forms. Artwork selected for display may be photographed and reproduced in county publications and promotional materials related to the program. It may be displayed in televised County Commission meetings when shown in public meeting spaces.
Find out more about displaying art in the building.
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Alachua County invites the public to a tree-filled celebration for Florida Arbor Day 2026. This year’s celebration will be held at E.P. Powers Park on Newnan’s Lake (5910 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville) on Jan. 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The celebration offers multiple opportunities to learn about and celebrate trees. Guest speakers and local tree experts will discuss tree care topics such as lightning protection, palm diseases and the importance of trees to butterflies and bees. Participants will help plant trees, learn about caring for trees and take a young tree home.
Read more about the Arbor Day event.
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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.
Learn more about Advisory Board openings.
| | Arts Council Seeks Presenters & Sponsors for Conference | |
The Alachua County Arts Council is pleased to announce the fifth annual Artists Conference, which will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026.
The conference committee is now accepting applications from those wishing to present. Sessions should interest the arts community and should be between 30 to 60 minutes, including time for questions and answers. The council is also looking for conference sponsors.
The presentation and sponsor fillable forms are under “Artists Conference” on the Arts Council’s website. Those interests should complete and submit the relevant form by Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
The Arts Council’s mission is to “improve the quality of life of Alachua County residents by increasing exposure to the arts, expanding opportunities for creative expression by local artists, and increasing community resources for the arts.”
| | January Family Consumer Science Program | | |
The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Family Consumer Science Program for January 2026. This program is being offered by Northeast District extension agents.
Super Bowl Snacking –– Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Alachua County Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry).
Topics include:
- Learn simple swaps for healthier snacking
- Make lighter versions of favorite dishes
- Taste-test delicious creations
- Bring home recipes your whole team will love
Find out more about the program.
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