March 27, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARCH 25, 2025 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.

Budget Inn and Scottish Inns

The County Commission is considering the naming of a pair of new housing complexes off Southwest 13th Street in Gainesville that will serve the homeless population.

For the former site of the Budget Inn motel, the commission preferred the name “Tumblin Creekside.” It will have 36 one-bedroom apartments. For the former Scottish Inns site, the name being considered is “Forest View.” It will have 31 efficiency units.

Staff will bring back a final recommendation at a future meeting for the commission to consider.

In 2021 and 2023, the county purchased the motels to renovate the properties into housing units. The sites will also include nearby shipping container homes. Renovations for the former motels are anticipated to be completed in September.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Daily World Masters Competition Updates

Day One of World Masters Athletics Sets Strong Tone

Day Two of World Masters Athletics Shows Combination of Speed and Strength

Day Three of World Masters Athletics Sees Four New Records

Day Four of World Masters Shows Ukrainian Strength During Record-Setting Day

FEATURE STORY - Shaping the Future: Balancing Growth, Sustainability and Community Needs

Read the full feature story.

Residents may not know it, but Alachua County’s Growth Management Department plays a crucial role in shaping the county’s future by encouraging sustainable development and orderly growth with meticulous planning and review.

With 48 employees, this multifaceted branch of county government is responsible for guiding development in a way that balances progress with environmental protection, improves transportation safety, assists residents with zoning, permitting questions and much more.

At the heart of the department’s mission is the development, amendment, and implementation of the county’s Comprehensive Plan -- a state-mandated document -- which determines whether new private developments and county infrastructure projects move forward.

“Our goal is to ensure everything we do is in line with our Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with our county’s overall goals,” said Growth Management Director Jeff Hays. “An important piece of that is making sure that any new development has the infrastructure to support it.”

2025 Alachua County Small Farmer Grant Available

Alachua County small farmers and ranchers have a grant opportunity starting in March 2025. The County Commission is funding another round of mini-grants to Alachua County-based farms and ranches that earn between $1,000 and $250,000 annually. Funding is for capital and equipment expenditures that will positively impact these operation’s income.

The total grant request must not exceed $5,000. Only one application per farm or ranch is permitted. This grant has a total funding available of approximately $100,000.

"We're proud to have supported 65 small farmers since this program began,” said Alachua County Economic Development Manager Sean McLendon. “Our 2024 analysis highlights our commitment to helping farmers and ranchers from all corners of the community."

Learn more about the small farmer grants.

Alachua County Emergency Management Expands its Spanish-Language Disaster Public Information Resources

To better reach our Spanish-speaking residents and visitors, Alachua County Emergency Management announces two new ways to receive real-time disaster information in Spanish.

Residents can now text ALACHUAESP to 888-777 to receive critical text message updates in Spanish during a disaster.

Additionally, it was important to address the confusion brought about by Facebook auto-translating Spanish language posts back into English. Individuals whose native language is English would often see the auto-translated post rather than the English version. To increase the clarity of information for both our English and Spanish-speaking residents, we have created Alachua County Ready en Español. This is a dedicated Spanish-language Facebook page that will be used to share the same critical disaster information you can find on our English-language page, Alachua County Emergency Management. Spanish translations will no longer be posted on our English page. Please note that the Spanish language page will only be used during emergencies.

Expansion of legal assistance program for landlord/tenant issues

Alachua County is expanding its free legal assistance program to better support tenants facing legal challenges.

Funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), this initiative provides no-cost legal aid to county residents dealing with evictions or legal barriers that threaten their housing stability. The program will be sunset in September 2025.

Previously, eligibility for assistance was limited to tenants within a specific area median income (AMI) threshold.

The program has been expanded to serve all tenants residing in Alachua County, regardless of income level, before its end in September.

"By broadening access to this resource for the duration of the program, we are ensuring that more residents in need receive critical legal support to help them remain housed," said Sarai Cabrera, director of the Division of Social Services.

2025 Survivors of Violence Art Exhibit Reception

Alachua County Community Support Services’ Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center invites the community to attend a reception for the 2025 Survivors of Violence Art Exhibit in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April). The reception is at the Harn Museum of Art (3259 Hull Road, Gainesville) on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. The reception is open to survivors, their families, and the community.

“The goal is to create a space where artists get to visually see the unique experience of others who have been impacted by interpersonal crime,” said Project Coordinator Cassandra Moore. “We want our community to know that they are not alone.”

Additionally, there is an aerial performance at the reception. With years of experience, Corey Chavel and Isabel Brazzel will showcase their incredible strength, agility and grace. This breathtaking performance will provide a stunning visual experience that complements the artistic works on display, showcasing the powerful blend of art, movement, and creativity in an unforgettable way.

The exhibit will be held at the Harn Museum of Art from April 1-30.

View the reception flyer.

County Screening Film at the Matheson Museum

In honor of Alachua County’s bicentennial, the county invites residents to attend the premier showing of a short, 30-minute film titled “Alachua County Looking Forward.” The film's goal is to help the county and community prepare for the next 200 years and features interviews with local residents. The film is built off a vulnerability analysis completed by the county in 2024.

The film premieres on April 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Matheson History Museum (513 East University Ave., Gainesville). Catering and refreshments are provided by Grace To Overcome. Following the film, a facilitator will lead a group discussion.

Find out more about the screening.