January 31, 2022
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF ALACHUA COUNTY IN DISPUTE WITH SHERIFF DARNELL
On January 27, 2022, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously ruled for the County in the Alachua County vs. Sherriff Sadie Darnell case that has worked its way through the court system beginning in 2017. 

The Court ruled that the County’s initial position was correct and that the Sheriff must request authority to move money between object levels. This means that any significant change in the budget at the object level or above must return to the Alachua County Commission for Commission approval in the same way that any part of the County Budget would do so. 
Call-to-Artists for Sankofa Statue
Alachua County is advertising a Call-to-Artists for a Sankofa statue in honor of the late Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn on an existing 12x12 concrete slab on the West Lawn of the County Administration Building (12 S.E. 1st Street, Gainesville). Artists must submit three to six high-quality (at least 600 x 900 pixels) digital photos of an existing outdoor sculpture you have created made of durable, vandal-resistant materials with an estimated life expectancy of 100 or more years. The photos should be of the same sculpture, both close up and distant, showing details, height, and 360 views of the work. 
An Update on the Distemper Outbreak at Animal Resources & Care
The following is a statement from Alachua County Animal Resources and Care Director Ed Williams to update the public on the canine distemper virus outbreak at the shelter:

Animal Resources & Care (formerly Animal Services) has now documented a total of five dogs infected with the canine distemper virus. In accordance with current industry best practices, we quarantined the dogs with direct exposure as soon as we learned of the first confirmed case. We tested those dogs in order to determine if, and how far, the virus had spread. And we have been careful to keep the dogs without direct exposure separate and monitor them for symptoms.

We have attempted to reduce the number of incoming dogs, and we’ve kept those that must be admitted separated by a “clean break” from the rest of the population. Different staff are dedicated to providing care for the dogs in each area to prevent cross-contamination.

As a precaution, shelter staff have also contacted everyone that adopted, reclaimed, or transferred a dog from Animal Resources & Care during the month of December to ascertain whether their adoptee was symptomatic and to offer drive-by testing in the shelter parking lot. To date, no additional cases of infection have been found in those dogs.

To date, the department has issued two press releases and conducted several media interviews to both inform and educate the public about the importance of routine vaccination against this and other infectious diseases. We have reached out to the local veterinary community, our Placement Partners, and our volunteers via email & social media. And we’ve sent multiple emails and have held meetings to inform & educate our staff.

Through careful management of this exposure to the canine distemper virus the Animal Resources & Care team have truly maximized lifesaving and minimized further spread of the virus. We wish to thank our dedicated staff and volunteers without whom this would not have been possible.

Animal Resources & Care is hopeful, barring the discovery of any new cases, we will be able to resume adopting shelter dogs on February 1, 2022. Stay tuned for confirmation and to learn about the exciting adoption events we have planned for February.
February’s Plant of the Month is Potato
The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce that the February “Plant of the Month” is the potato.

February is a good time to grow potatoes in North Central Florida. Check the Plant of the Month website for information on planting, harvesting, recipes, and more on this nutritional vegetable.

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. 

“Potatoes are generous and forgiving plants,” said Alachua County Commissioner Mary Alford. “They are so easy to grow and produce prolific harvests. All you need is full sun, loose and fertile soil, and one inch of water per week. Want to feel like a master gardener? Plant these wonderful root vegetables and prepare for a harvest time thrill!”
Utility Advisory Board Vacancy
The Alachua County Commission is seeking applicants to fill a non-voting member vacancy on the City of Gainesville’s Utility Advisory Board (UAB), subject to the approval of the City Commission. Non-voting members have the same rights and privileges as voting members, except non-voting members cannot make motions or vote on motions under consideration. The term is for four years (through March 2, 2026). The application deadline is February 18, 2022. 

The UAB meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., the fourth Tuesday of each month for a workshop at 5:30 p.m., quarterly with the City Commission, and as needed for other special meetings.
CareerSource North Central Florida Awarded the 'WIOA Get There Faster' Grant
CareerSource North Central Florida is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the 'WIOA Get There Faster' Grant by the Department of Economic Opportunity. They have received a total of $893,833.00 to serve participants from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2023.

“This was a competitive grant and is one of a few awarded,” said CareerSource North Central Florida Chief Executive Officer Ms. Phyllis Marty. "It is in times of low unemployment (like now) that at-risk individuals can achieve employment in career positions to support growing our business community. Winning this competitive grant will add fresh resources to our CareerSource NCFL programs to benefit both our workforce and business customers."
February Extension Programs