March 18, 2024

These highlights will give residents a quick review of the commission meeting and provide video, agenda, and other useful links.

​Medical Examiner’s Office

The County Commission authorized County Manager Michele Lieberman to negotiate a contract with District 6 Chief Medical Examiner Jon. R. Thogmartin to provide services for District 8 on an interim basis.

The move is a pivot from the January directive where the commission voted to create a new department that falls under Alachua County, which was done as part of a verbal agreement with current Medical Examiner Thomas Coyne to stay in his role.

Coyne, however, recently informed the county that he would be accepting another job outside the region.

Currently, the medical examiner’s office falls under the University of Florida’s College of Medicine Department of Pathology. The office conducts approximately 400 autopsies and certifies 900 deaths annually.

Over the coming months, the county will transition equipment and supplies from UF. State Attorney Brian Kramer, along with Thogmartin, will help with the recruitment of a permanent medical examiner, though the final appointment is made by the governor’s office.

Commission Chair Mary Alford will send a 30-day notice to terminate a three-party agreement between the county, University of Florida and Coyne. The county will then enter into a new interlocal agreement for medical examiner services with Baker, Bradford, Levy, Gilchrist, Union and Dixie counties.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

The Rembert family, a local family with six generations of history in Alachua and Gainesville, recently expanded their legacy of commitment to the area by partnering with Alachua County to better protect water quality in the Santa Fe River. Alachua County Forever, the county’s environmental land acquisition program, closed on purchasing a conservation easement on Jan. 18, 2024 from Davis Rembert and his family, protecting 614 acres of land.

The Rembert property is located in Alachua, within the Springs Priority Focus Area for Columbia, Hornsby and Treehouse Springs. This special property protects almost 3 miles of Bad Dog Branch, part of the creek system that feeds into Mill Creek Sink. Dye trace studies have confirmed the hydrologic connection between Mill Creek Sink and Hornsby Spring, a designated Outstanding Florida Spring on the Santa Fe River. Protection of the Santa Fe River is one of the highest priorities for the Alachua County Forever Program.

Read more about the conservation easement.

Alachua County Fire Rescue recently held a hose uncoupling ceremony to celebrate the opening of Station 80.

Watch the video.

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 9 a.m., the Alachua County Commission is holding a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the construction of the new Alachua County Fire Station #21 (16121 NW 173rd St, Alachua). The ceremony is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. 

Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman is the master of ceremonies. The event includes comments from Fire Chief Harold Theus, County Commission Chair Mary Alford, and County Public Works Director Ramon Gaverette.

"We have planned for the relocation of station 21 for many years and we are so happy to see it become a reality," Lieberman said.

Station 21 will be the second fire station of the new ACFR prototype design. The single-story concrete masonry facility features energy-efficient equipment and sustainable design features, with 100% backup generated power. It is an 11,500-square-foot state-of-the-art building that will last 50+ years. The Lunz Group, from Lakeland, provided architectural and engineering services for the project and the D.E. Scorpio Corporation is the construction management firm "At Risk."

This new fire station provides adequate space for the existing fire rescue crew and will enhance the service delivered to this growing area of unincorporated Alachua County. Building and opening this facility provides critical space for staff and equipment. 

Once the construction is complete, Station 21 will move from its current location at 15040 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua. 

Registration for summer camp at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center is now open. This year's theme is "EPIC Summer Adventure. Where campers will Explore, Play, Investigate, and Create!" Those registering for summer camps should visit the Camp Cuscowilla program page. 

Day camps will be offered for seven weeks from June 10 to July 26, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Children ages 7 to 12 can register for one week or the whole summer. Each week offers archery, swimming lessons and recreational swimming, outdoor skills, arts and crafts, kayaking and more. Campers will also attend field trips once a week to places in Alachua County, such as the Santa Fe Zoo, the Alachua County Sports Complex, Poe Springs, the Cade Museum and more.

Learn more about summer camp registration. 

Dogs Playing for Life Joins Alachua County Animal Resources

Beginning March 1, 2024, Dogs Playing for Life joins Alachua County Animal Resources to spend four days of intensive training to help socialize adoptable dogs in a fun and playful environment. The training runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alachua County Animal Shelter (3400 NE 53rd Ave.). Media is invited to attend and interview representatives from these organizations on-site about the unique event and partnership. 

Dogs Playing for Life created the unique playgroup shelter dog enrichment program operating with the simple philosophy of “Every Dog, Every Day, Let Them Play!” Their goal is to ensure shelter pets positively experience life at an animal shelter while providing shelter staff the information needed to help that pet find its new loving home. Dogs Playing for Life also trains shelter staff to assess dogs properly to enable them to run large dog playgroups as a regular part of shelter life. 

Find out more about Dogs Playing for Life.

Updates to the Landscape Irrigation Design and Maintenance Standards code took effect on June 12, 2023. Commercial properties within Alachua County with permanent irrigation systems are now required to register their system and submit an annual irrigation system maintenance report detailing water conservation activities to repair leaks, correct overspray, adjust scheduling, and address other issues that reduce efficiency and wastewater.  

“Annual maintenance has been required for all permanent irrigation systems since the code was adopted in 2016,” said Eliana Bardi, a water conservation coordinator with the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department. “The addition of the annual reporting requirement for commercial systems aims to curb unnecessary water waste that results from damaged systems and changing site conditions that may go unaddressed. We often find that the person paying the water bill has never seen the site and does not realize the bill is high due to leaks.”

Rebates are currently offered through the irrigation level-up rebate program to assist property owners with repairs and upgrades. Eligible commercial properties may qualify for a 50% rebate up to $8,000 per property for repairs and upgrades that curb water use and improve efficiency. 

Learn more about the annual maintenance reporting requirement.

Learn more about the Irrigation Level Up rebate program.

Third Annual Artists Conference

The Alachua County Arts Council is pleased to announce the third annual Artists Conference on Friday, May 3, 2024. The conference will feature nine presentations on various topics of interest to local artists (see attached schedule). Those interested in attending this free conference should complete and return a registration form by April 26, 2024. 

Conference organizers are still looking for two break sponsors and a SWAG sponsor for the conference. Those who want to be a sponsor should complete and return the sponsor form.

The Alachua County 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.

“The Arts Council is pleased to host our third annual Artists Conference, bringing relevant information and education to our artists,” said Arts Council Chair Chelsea Carnes.

The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Project (JMHCP) is seeking individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice or behavioral health care systems to apply for its subcommittee of the Public Safety Coordinating Council. 

JMHCP is a grant program that supports innovative cross-system collaboration to divert individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who come into contact with the justice system. Its Public Safety Coordinating Council subcommittee provides executive-level oversight of the grant program and its activities. Some of the current activities of the JMHCP include the implementation, funding, and monitoring of the law enforcement and behavioral health co-responder teams. Additionally, the subcommittee hears reports and offers feedback on research activities related to jail length of stay and the diversion of individuals with mental illness from the criminal justice system.

Read more about the Justice Mental Health Collaborative Project.

Extension Alachua County Ag Tour

The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is conducting the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Ag Tour on April 11, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services/Waccasassa Forestry Center (5353 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville). Participants should arrive by 8:15 a.m.

Alachua County has a large agricultural industry ranging from horticulture, beef cattle, nurseries, row crops, and much more. Participants will visit blueberry and vegetable farms, an event venue, the Division of Forestry, and a local winery on this tour. In addition, there will be topics on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and 4-H Youth Development.

The registration fee of $75.00 (plus $6.88 Eventbrite fee) includes lunch and the bus fee. Participants must register online. Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-paid registrants. There are no refunds for registration fees.

Veteran's Resource Fair and Homeless Veteran Stand Down

Alachua County Veteran Services, in collaboration with multiple area agencies and organizations, is hosting the "Veteran's Resource Fair and Homeless Veteran Stand Down" on Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center (1028 NE 14th Street, Gainesville).

This event provides veterans with employment assistance, housing resources, VA medical enrollment, medical screenings and education, veteran benefits assistance, clothing resources, legal services, food stamp information and applications, social services, and more.

"We strive to bring together as many resources and services in one location for our veterans to access so they may utilize them or know where to go if they need them,” said Alachua County Veteran Services Director Kim Davis.

2024 Vietnam Veterans Tribute

Alachua County Veteran Services is hosting the 2024 Vietnam Veterans Tribute on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11 a.m., in the Freedom Center at the Veterans Memorial (7400 S.W. 41st Place, Gainesville). This free event includes displays and special guest Veteran speakers and will conclude with refreshments and comradery. Veterans of all eras are welcome to attend. 

Alachua County Veteran Services Director Kim Davis said, “It is our privilege to honor our Vietnam Veterans for all that they have done for our country and for the impact that was made to better the future of American Veterans.” 

Are you looking for the ideal way to get involved and make a difference in our community? Joining a County Advisory Board is the perfect way to discover your ideal volunteer role tailored to your passions and interests! Are you an avid animal lover? Dive into the rewarding world of the Animal Welfare Board, where you can make a tangible difference in the lives of our furry friends. Perhaps you're captivated by the rich tapestry of local history - in that case, the Historical Commission awaits your expertise and enthusiasm. With a myriad of board openings available, residents across the county are invited to explore and uncover the perfect match for their skills and passions. Join us in shaping a brighter future for our community - one volunteer opportunity at a time.

The County Commission relies on input from these boards to make informed decisions and set policies. Over 250 citizens serve on the advisory boards, advising county government and local agencies on many topics. 

Find out more about Advisory Board openings.