January 29, 2026

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE JANUARY 27, 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.

Animal shelter location

The commission selected a location for a new animal shelter, choosing a 12-acre site on University of Florida property along Archer Road. It will be in close proximity to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, which includes the Small Animal Hospital and other emergency vet services. The county will lease the property from UF for 30 years at a cost of $1 million.

Proposed ancillary services include an animal café, a pet pantry and low-cost spay/neuter services. Existing bus routes will make it easier for our residents, students and faculty to access the site and increase volunteer, foster and adoption opportunities.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Cents & Sensibility Chapter 8

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 8: Looking Forward

Over the past seven chapters of Cents and Sensibility, Alachua County has explored the many facets and complexities of its budgeting process.

This series helps residents understand how county revenues are generated and spent; examines the enormous number of programs, facilities, and services counties must fund; and looks at the hundreds of unfunded mandates handed down by the Florida Legislature over the last 50-plus years.

This final chapter looks ahead, focusing on how the County Commission’s priorities and mandates align with prudent and sound budgeting practices. To inform its budget decisions, the county relies on long-range planning tools, including master plans and department-specific studies for areas including Fire Rescue, Parks, and Public Works/Transportation.

The county’s two primary frameworks for future planning are the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Guide, adopted by the Alachua County Commission effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Read Ch. 8 in full.

Alachua County Talks - 200 Years of History

As Alachua County’s yearlong Bicentennial celebration ends, a new episode of Alachua County Talks is now available, featuring Alachua County Historical Commission members Trey Asner and Ashley Wood.

In the episode, Asner and Wood explore Alachua County’s rich history, from the Indigenous tribes who first populated the area to the arts, nature, and culture that shape the community today.

Jimmy Carnes Invitational Indoor Track Meet

The 2026 indoor track season got underway this month with the Jimmy Carnes Invitational at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center.

Now through March, the center will host events almost every weekend, bringing thousands of visitors to Alachua County.

Watch this feature video to learn more about the event and what’s ahead this track season.

Call to Artists for Fire Rescue–Themed Art Installation

The Alachua County Arts Council has issued a call to artists for an outdoor, Fire Rescue–themed, public art installation at the new Alachua County Fire Rescue Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center (1125 NE 8th Ave., Gainesville).

The selected artwork will be a permanent installation that reflects and honors Alachua County Fire Rescue’s mission, which says “Public servants dedicated to enhancing and caring for the lives of those in our community through preparedness and an immediate response to any and all of life's emergencies.”

Questions must be submitted by Feb. 8 at 12:01 a.m. Artists must review and submit by Feb. 18, 2026, at 2 p.m.

County Accepting Art Submissions for Survivors of Violence Art Exhibit

The Alachua County Community Support Services’ Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center invite survivors of violence to submit original artwork for the upcoming 2026 Survivors of Violence Art Exhibit.

The submission deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, as the exhibit is in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.

Survivors of all forms of interpersonal violence are encouraged to participate. Submissions may include visual artwork and performance pieces to be presented during the exhibit reception.

The exhibition will be held during Arts After Dark at the Harn Museum of Art (3259 Hull Road, Gainesville), on Thursday, April 23, 2026. A public reception will take place the same evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Learn more about the submitting art.

Alachua County Warns of Scam Targeting Public Hearing Applicants

Alachua County is warning applicants for projects requiring a public hearing about a phishing scam in which individuals pose as representatives of the county’s Growth Management Department.

Scammers are contacting applicants by email, requesting payment via wire transfer of additional fees to move projects forward to a public hearing and include a fraudulent invoice. Alachua County DOES NOT charge any additional fees to proceed to a public hearing beyond the application fee paid at the time of submission.

Alachua County DOES NOT request wire transfers. All payments to Alachua County can ONLY be made in person at county offices, online through the county’s secure permitting portal, or by mailing a check to county offices.

Find out more about the scam warning.