aJune 25, 2025

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 update

The commission heard an update from the manager on the siting of a new animal shelter. Plan A continues to be the site on the University of Florida campus. The county property, known as the Weisman tract along Waldo Road, has been identified as Plan B.

A recommendation for the new location will be brought back to the commission for consideration in September.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

County Manager Shares 2025 Annual Report and FY26 Budget Message

Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting presented the 2025 Annual Report. The 28-minute video highlights the many accomplishments and milestones achieved by county departments over the past year, as well as future goals.

We invite all residents to see the progress made and learn more about how the county is working for the community.

Watch the 2025 Annual Report.

Lieberman also presented her FY26 Budget Message.

Budget message recommendations include:

• Responsible budgeting in uncertain financial times
• A focus on core services
• A reduced millage rate for the ninth consecutive year.
• $239 million invested in public safety (law enforcement and fire rescue).
• $104 million to improve and maintain county roads and bridges.
• Addressing the county’s critical building needs (including building a new animal shelter, civil courthouse, and moving Fire Rescue and Emergency Operations).

“The FY26 tentative budget upholds our long-standing standards of fiscal discipline by delivering a balanced budget with a lowered tax burden,” Lieberman said. “It is a blueprint for responsible governance that meets today’s realities while safeguarding tomorrow’s promise.”

See the manager’s FY26 Budget Message.

​​​Alachua County is proud to share that Emergency Management Director Jennifer Grice was recently honored with the Emergency Management Program of the Year Award.

The award was given out by the Florida Division of Emergency Management at its second annual Florida Training for Emergency Management Conference, held in Orlando on June 11, 2025.

This prestigious award recognizes a local emergency management program that has demonstrated exceptional performance in responding to an emergency or disaster. It highlights programs that deliver timely, effective, and impactful responses to ensure affected communities can recover quickly and return to normalcy.

“Director Grice’s leadership exemplifies the highest standards of public service,” said Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman. “This award reflects not only her dedication, but also the collaborative spirit she fosters across agencies and the community to ensure Alachua County is always prepared to respond and recover.”

Director Grice thanks the county’s Emergency Operations team, nonprofit partners, community groups, local businesses, and Alachua County residents for their continued support and commitment to strengthening the county’s preparedness and response efforts

Alachua County Tax Collector John Power is pleased to announce the launch of a new convenient service for residents: self-service vehicle registration renewal kiosks are now available at two Publix supermarket locations.

These easy-to-use kiosks enable customers to renew their vehicle registration in just a few minutes, without an appointment, and without waiting in line. With just your renewal notice, license plate number, and a form of payment, residents can walk out with your new decal in hand.

The locations are at:

• Publix at The Exchange (3720 NW 13th St., Gainesville).
• Publix in Jonesville (14130 W. Newberry Road, Newberry).

“Our goal is always to make services more accessible and convenient for Alachua County residents,” said Tax Collector John Power. “These new kiosks provide a fast, secure, and user-friendly way to complete a common transaction while doing your grocery shopping.”

The kiosks are available during regular Publix store hours and support credit/debit card payments. This new option is part of the tax collector’s ongoing efforts to improve service delivery through innovation and community partnerships. The kiosks are operated by a third-party vendor and additional fees apply.

Call for Entries: Alachua County Disability-Friendly Employer Award

Alachua County is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Disability-Friendly Employer Award, recognizing local employers who demonstrate a commitment to hiring, supporting, and advancing individuals with disabilities.

To qualify, employers must be located within Alachua County. The competition is open to private, non-profit, and public entities, excluding Alachua County and the City of Gainesville government agencies.

Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2025. Applications will be evaluated by the Alachua County Citizens Disability Advisory Committee and the county’s Equal Opportunity office staff.

Read more about the award.

Independence Day Schedules and Waste Collection

​​Other than emergency services, all Alachua County government offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

This includes the five Alachua County Rural Collection Centers, the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station, the Hazardous Waste Collection Center and the Office of Waste Collection. Residential curbside collection will not be affected by the holiday.

These sites will reopen on Saturday for their normal hours. The Office of Waste Collection will resume normal hours on Monday, July 7.

For more information, contact Alachua County Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Director Gus Olmos at 352-338-3233.

Alachua County Animal Resources will also be closed for the Independence Day holiday and will reopen on Saturday, July 5.

Animal Resources 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 on Sundays, holidays, and between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. nightly.

For more information, contact Alachua County Animal Resources at 352-264-6870.

July Commercial Horticulture Program

The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the following Commercial Horticulture program for July 2025. This program is being offered by Commercial Horticulture Agent Tatiana Sanchez-Jones.

Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) Training – July 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Putnam County Extension Office (111 Yelvington Road, Suite 1, East Palatka) with Horticulture Extension Agent Julio Perez, of UF/IFAS Putnam County Extension.

Florida law requires all commercial fertilizer applicators to hold a certificate issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). To get this certificate, each commercial applicator must be trained in the Green Industries Best Management Practices and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Learn more about the program.

Current Legal Notices

Evaluation Committee Meeting - RFP 26-83 Annual Security Services for the ACLD Headquarters Branch

Neighborhood Workshop - Gainesville Preserve Maronda Homes Rezoning

Evaluation Committee Meeting - RFP 26-77 Annual Janitorial Services for Millhopper and Tower Branch Libraries

Evaluation Committee Meeting - RFP 26-77 Annual Janitorial Services for Millhopper and Tower Branch Libraries

City of Newberry - Planning and Zoning Board Public Hearings for July 7th, 2025

Public Hearing - Adopt a non-ad valorem assessment for chip seal of Quail Street

Invitation to Bid - ITB 25-540-LC: Construction of New Boardwalk and Platform at Turkey Creek Preserve

Invitation to Bid - ITB 25-540-LC: Construction of New Boardwalk and Platform at Turkey Creek Preserve

Invitation to Bid - ITB 25-544-LC State Attorney's Office Reception Counter Renovation

Invitation to Bid - ITB 25-544-LC State Attorney's Office Reception Counter Renovation

IRequest For Application - RFA 26-201-PM: Annual Community Health Offering Innovative Care and Educational Services (CHOICES)

View all of the current legal notices.