ALACHUA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT VIDEO, BUDGET MESSAGE AND BUDGET BOOK | |
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You can invest a short time in watching the 2023 Alachua County Video Annual Report and come away with a comprehensive understanding of the accomplishments, goals, and challenges of your County Government.
Watch the video.
In her introduction to the FY24 Budget Message presentation, Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman said, "The presentation of the FY24 Tentative Budget and Budget Message is my honor and one of my essential and fundamental duties. As Florida law mandates, I am presenting a balanced budget.
I am pleased to report that the state of Alachua County government is strong, our finances are in order, and my talented staff is up to the opportunities and challenges of the coming year. Our many years of responsible financial planning have built the strong foundation that allows us to deliver the high-quality services our residents have come to expect."
Read the FY24 Budget Message.
Read the FY24 Budget Book.
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Statewide Mega Adoption Event | |
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Alachua County Animal Resources is joining with Petco Love, a national non-profit working to lead and inspire change for animals, BOBS from Skechers™, and animal welfare groups across the state of Florida to find homes for 5,000 sheltered dogs and cats. The Petco Love Florida Mega Adoption Event, is on June 23, 24, and 25 in Petco Pet Care Centers and local animal shelters.
This event is the first of its kind for Florida, with participation from 50 organizations across 31 counties. Thousands of pets will be available for adoption. All pets will be spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. All adoption fees are waived; some exclusions may apply.
Learn more about the adoption event.
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Malabar Spinach is the June Plant of the Month | |
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The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce that the June “Plant of the Month” is Malabar spinach.
Malabar spinach has over three times more vitamin C than spinach and over 1.5 times more vitamin A than kale. In addition, the leaves are good sources of vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and iron, with many other vitamins and minerals in lower quantities.
“Malabar is not a true spinach, but its leaves resemble spinach and are used similarly,” said Alachua County Commissioner Mary Alford. “One benefit of adding Malabar spinach to your garden is that it is a climbing vine. It can be trained to grow on trellises or other supports, which helps maximize vertical space in gardens and increase overall productivity.”
June is a good time to grow Malabar spinach in North Central Florida. Check the Plant of the Month website for information on planting, harvesting, recipes, and more. Listen to the Extension Cord Podcast for further insights on the Plant of the Month.
The Plant 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, and Working Food.
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Arts Tag Mini Grants Available | |
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Alachua County artists, artist collaborators, and not-for-profit organizations can apply for an Arts Tag Mini Grant (the maximum award is $2,500). Grants provide funding for visual art supplies, music supplies, advertising, studio time, printing, costumes, equipment, and other project-related expenses. To apply for grants, visit the Alachua County Arts Council website, and download the application form from the Art Tag Grant section. Completed applications must be uploaded by midnight on July 31, 2023.
The impetus for the grants came in May of 2020, when, in adopting the Alachua County Public Arts Ordinance, the Alachua County Commission declared that "Art shall be an integral part of Alachua County" and also declared that "The mission of the County public arts program is to enhance the quality of the visual environment in Alachua County, thereby adding to the quality of life and the level of citizen awareness of the importance of aesthetic experiences in their everyday lives.
Find out more about the mini grants.
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Alachua County Amateur Radio Emergency Services Field Day | |
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Members of the Alachua County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES(R)) will participate in the national “Amateur Radio Field Day” exercise from Saturday, June 24, through Sunday, June 25, 2023.
The Field Day exercise will occur at the Alachua County Veterans Memorial (218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville). This event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Special educational opportunities will be provided for both children and adults on both days, including videos, displays, a chance to actually get on short-wave radio, and an opportunity to send a "radio email" that will be sent out from Alachua County without using the Internet, and should be received within minutes by friends or family -- or even back to the visitor's own email account!
Read more about the field day.
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Public Works Completes Flood Mitigation Wall and Makes a Friend | |
Alachua County Public Works announced today that they have completed construction of a flood mitigation wall at the intersection of NW 98 Street and NW 23 Avenue. They made a friend in the process.
The 730 ft concrete wall was built to help mitigate the flooding of homes in the Hills of Santa Fe Subdivision during extreme rain events. Last September, homeowners in the subdivision brought it to the County’s attention that water had flowed through the subdivision, damaging their homes. County engineers determined that the most cost-effective solution was building a concrete wall to keep the water from entering the subdivision. The wall, which varies in height from 1 to 3 ft, was constructed by the Road and Bridge staff and took approximately 193 cubic yards of concrete to construct.
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Seeking Applicants for the Children's Trust of Alachua County | |
Alachua County is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving on the Children's Trust of Alachua County. There is one appointment coming available. Applications must be received by Friday, June 23, 2023, to be considered at the July 11 County Commission meeting for possible recommendations to the Governor's Office.
The Children's Trust of Alachua County is an Independent Special District whose mission is to fund and support a coordinated system of community services that allows all youth and their families to thrive.
Learn more about the Children's Trust of Alachua County.
The Children's Trust is governed by a ten-member board of which the Governor appoints five members. The Governor makes appointments from a list of names recommended by the Alachua County Board of Commissioners. The Governor's Appointments Office has requested three additional names for consideration.
Applications are available online. Applicants should fill out the application in its entirety, save it, and email it to [email protected].
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12th Annual Gainesville-Alachua County Employment Law Seminar | |
Alachua County invites private and public employers to the 12th Annual Gainesville-Alachua County Employment Law Seminar on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a free virtual seminar via Zoom. Attendees must register online. The Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office and the City of Gainesville Office of Equity and Inclusion sponsor this webinar.
This year’s topics include:
- Recent Developments in Labor and Employment Law
- Family Medical Leave Act and the PUMP Act
- Sexual Harassment, Best Practices to Prevent/Respond to Complaints
“The annual Employment Law Seminar is a joint outreach effort by the County and the City to provide high quality/low-cost employment law training for local employers,” said Alachua County Equal Opportunity Manager Jacqueline Chung. “The training has been approved by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Florida Bar for continuing education credit. We greatly appreciate the community participation and support over the past 11 years and the positive feedback from attendees.”
View the 12th Annual Employment Law Seminar flyer.
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Consumer Protection Advisory | |
Alachua County residents are advised that there has been no authorized Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program in Alachua County since August 13, 2021.
The County has been made aware of solicitations received by residents that offer to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, or wind resistance improvements to a property (such as energy-efficient heating or cooling systems, solar energy systems, or a new roof) to be collected as an assessment on the property tax bill.
The Alachua County Commission has determined that PACE providers do not provide adequate consumer protections.
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Hurricane Season has Begun | |
Alachua County Emergency Management reminds residents that it is important to take the steps needed to stay alert, prepared, and informed.
“Residents and visitors of Alachua County need to take a small amount of time now to make sure that they are prepared and ready for whatever may come our way,” said Alachua County Emergency Management Director Jen Grice. “From natural to man-made events, year-round preparedness is key. Knowing where to get true, timely, and trusted information can significantly increase your ability to keep you, your family, and your community safe and informed.”
An excellent way to stay informed during emergencies is by receiving Alachua County emergency text alerts. To sign up, text “ALACHUA” to 888777.
Below are several links to help prepare in case disaster strikes. Bookmark these links to have them at your fingertips.
For the latest in local disaster information, go to AlachuaCountyReady.com. This is your best site for all local information related to Alachua County.
An emergency supply kit is essential. Residents should gather essential emergency supplies such as water, food, medication, a cell phone charger, and a backup battery. Learn more about what should be included in your emergency supply kit.
There are many different preparations to consider in an emergency, including what to bring to a shelter, evacuation plans, and others. Learn more about emergency preparedness.
For the latest weather information, bookmark the following sites:
Those with special needs can sign up for the Special Needs Program. People with certain physical or medical conditions or limitations and need daily assistance from a provider for personal care, medication administration, or treatment for stable conditions are qualified for admission into a special needs shelter. For more detailed information about the program and to sign up, visit SpecialNeeds.AlachuaCounty.us.
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