Highlights from the Nov. 10, 2026 County Commission Meeting | | |
These highlights will give residents a quick review of the most recent County Commission meeting, including video, the agenda and other useful links.
Recognitions
During commission comments, Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler was honored to celebrate her time on the board. Staff and the commission shared their favorite memories and thanked her for her service and leadership. She was presented with a plaque by the commission. Wheeler served two terms, first winning her District 2 seat in 2018.
Read the complete highlights for this meeting.
| | FY26 Fourth-Quarter Roads Update: 50 projects completed, totaling $56.9M | | |
Alachua County continues to deliver on the County Commission’s historic $250 million investment in the 10-year Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP).
Since voters approved the Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax, 50 transportation projects, totaling $56.9 million, have been completed. This represents improvements to over 120 lane miles of roadway and nine new crosswalk/signal projects.
Find out more about the updates.
| | Pothole Repair Update Nov 2 - 8 | | |
Alachua County is providing its weekly update on pothole repairs and roadway resurfacing throughout the county. Public Works crews continue to use reports submitted through the online Pothole Portal to identify areas needing repairs and prioritize work.
Since the previous update, during the week of Nov. 2-8, Public Works crews:
- Repaired 1,146 potholes, using 49.55 tons of material.
- Strip-milled and resurfaced 7,967 linear feet of roadway, using 303.15 tons of material.
Alachua County will continue to provide weekly reports to keep residents informed about progress. Updates will also be posted on the county’s website, social media channels and in the My Alachua County App.
Residents are encouraged to use the Pothole Portal to:
- Pinpoint the location of a pothole or other roadway issue on an interactive map.
- Submit a report with or without creating an account.
- Track pothole information through the county’s digital system.
Report a pothole or another roadway issue.
| | Northwest 83rd Street Project Kickoff | | |
Watch a video of the kickoff event that Alachua County and Santa Fe College recently held for the Northwest 83rd Street project.
The county has budgeted $4 million for improvements along Northwest 83rd Street as part of its 10-year, $250 million Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP). The roadway is a major thoroughfare for travelers, carrying approximately 12,000 vehicle trips daily.
| | County to Hold Meeting on Northwest 43rd Street Safety Improvements | | |
Alachua County Public Works will host a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to discuss planned intersection safety improvements on Northwest 43rd Street, north of Northwest 23rd Avenue.
The meeting will be held in Room B at the Alachua County Public Library’s Millhopper Branch (3145 NW 43rd St., Gainesville).
The open-house-style meeting will give residents an opportunity to learn about the project, review the proposed improvements and provide feedback. There will be no formal presentation.
The project is currently in the design phase and will add a traffic separator on Northwest 43rd Street, extending from the intersection north to the existing median at Northwest 25th Place. The separator will restrict left turns to and from minor access points along Northwest 43rd Street.
The improvements are intended to reduce the frequency and severity of angle and left-turn crashes along this section of Northwest 43rd Street.
| | Alachua County to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Civil Courthouse | | |
The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the construction site (220 S. Main St., Gainesville). Parking is available in the grass lot just south of the project along Southwest Fourth Ave., as well as in the nearby southwest downtown parking garage and surrounding on-street spaces.
The ceremony will feature remarks from County Manager Michele Lieberman, County Commissioner Anna Prizzia, Chief Judge William E. Davis and Alachua County Facilities Director Travis Parker.
The $62.8 million courthouse will replace the existing civil courthouse and is part of Alachua County’s long-term effort to modernize judicial facilities and address growing space and operational needs.
Learn more about the groundbreaking.
| | County Reminds Residents to Check Irrigation Timers as Clocks Fall Back | | |
As daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department reminds residents and businesses that an Extreme Water Shortage declaration remains in effect for our region and that landscape irrigation continues to be limited to one day per week, as follows:
-
Odd-numbered residential addresses: Saturday
-
Even-numbered residential addresses: Sunday
-
Nonresidential and commercial properties, including subdivision common areas: Tuesday
Watering restrictions apply regardless of whether water comes from a private well, public or private utility, or surface water source.
Since plants need less water in winter, Alachua County recommends turning off automatic irrigation systems and only watering as needed. Residents are also reminded to inspect irrigation systems for leaks and ensure rain sensors are functioning properly to avoid watering during or immediately after rainfall.
Although recent rainfall has provided some relief, groundwater levels and local waterways continue to be affected by extended drought conditions. Reducing unnecessary irrigation and eliminating water waste helps conserve the groundwater supply that supports our drinking water, springs, rivers and lakes.
Learn more about current watering restrictions and water shortage updates, or report wasteful watering.
| | County Veteran Services Director Olajuwon White Receives 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award | |
The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce has recognized Olajuwon White, director of the Alachua County Veteran Services Office, with its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award during the chamber’s 2026 Veterans Appreciation Luncheon.
In addition to receiving this distinguished recognition, White served as the luncheon’s keynote speaker, sharing his personal journey as a veteran, his professional career, and the purpose behind his nearly 20-year commitment to serving veterans and their families.
Olajuwon’s commitment to serving the veteran community began following his military service, when he focused on helping veterans navigate employment opportunities, access workforce training and prepare for successful transitions into the civilian workforce. His early work included providing instruction, employment guidance and career development support to veterans seeking to establish themselves beyond military service.
Read more about the award.
| | Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Vigil | |
The Alachua County Crisis Center invites residents to the Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Vigil on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Judy Broward Survivors of Suicide Loss Memory Garden at Cofrin Nature Park (4810 NW 8th Ave., Gainesville).
This event is free and open to the community. Those wishing to attend are asked to park at the University City Church of Christ parking lot (4626 NW 8th Ave.) east of Cofrin Nature Park. Parking is available at the park for those with a disabled parking placard.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is designated as a day when the friends and family of those who have died by suicide can join together for healing and support.
Find out more about the vigil.
| | Volunteers Needed for Advisory Boards | |
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that allows you to give back to your community and participate in your county's decision-making process? Serving on an Alachua County advisory board offers you this chance. The Couny Commission relies on input from these boards to make informed decisions and set policies.
Over 250 citizens serve on advisory boards that advise county government and local agencies on many topics. They include affordable housing, economic development, environmental protection, human rights, county finances, and many other issues. The Alachua County Commission seeks citizen volunteers to serve on several advisory boards.
Learn more about advisory board vacancies.
| | Alachua County Seeks Artist Quilts, Fiber Art for Inaugural Exhibition | |
Alachua County invites local quilters and fiber artists to submit original artwork for its inaugural Quilts & Fiber Arts Exhibition, part of the Arts in the County Administration Building Program, which showcases local artists in public spaces.
The exhibition will run Jan. 1 through April 30, 2027, at the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville). Selected works will be displayed in designated areas, including exhibition cabinets and the Jack Durrance Auditorium.
Submissions may include traditional and contemporary quilts, embroidery, weaving, needlework, textile art and mixed-media fiber works. Artwork may explore any subject but must be appropriate for public display in a government facility.
Read more about the exhibition.
| | | | |
