November 13, 2024

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

Energy Efficiency Program

Building on the success of a 2022 pilot program, the commission approved the launch of a new Energy Efficiency Program aimed at helping tenants in rental properties reduce their energy bills. The program offers up to $15,000 in upgrades to landlords, including HVAC replacements, insulation installations, water heater replacements and window replacements.

The total budget for the program is $3 million and is eligible for unincorporated areas and smaller municipalities. 

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Alachua County Climate Summit

​​Alachua County is hosting a Climate Summit at the Santa Fe College Blount Center (530 W. University Ave., Gainesville) on Saturday, Nov.16, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Climate Summit is open to the public. Due to space limitations, attendees are encouraged to register online.

The event allows the public to provide feedback on the county's draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) strategies and initiatives. The CAP is our proactive response to the projected impact of climate change on our community. The county hopes to adopt a final plan in 2025. Built around our Climate Vulnerability Assessment, the CAP's purpose is to guide, develop, and cultivate environmentally, socially, and economically resilient strategies and equitable solutions to climate change for the whole community. 

Guest speakers include award-winning environmental journalist and author Cynthia Barnett; retired TV20 Meteorologist Bill Quinlan; Gainesville Resiliency Office Dr. Dan Zhu; Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Director Stephen Hofstetter, and Nathan Crabbe, editor of The Invading Sea; and more.

The goals of the summit are to share research findings and resources with county residents and decision-makers and gather community feedback, which will be used to finalize the plan. 

Watch the video.

Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) recently commemorated its 50th anniversary with a formal gala event at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center at Celebration Pointe. The gala honored the men and women who have served with ACFR over the past five decades and recognized the longstanding community partners who have supported the department’s mission. ACFR, which provides 24/7 emergency and non-emergency services, is proud to have reached this milestone in its commitment to protecting the residents and visitors of Alachua County.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone,” said ACFR Fire Chief Harold Theus. “This event is not only an opportunity to reflect on our history and achievements but also to look ahead at the future of our department as we continue to serve and protect our community.”

Read the full Feature Story.

For more than two decades, thousands of concertgoers, musicians, families, and friends have gathered in downtown Gainesville for the three-day music festival known simply as The Fest.

The annual event has become a cherished community staple, recognized internationally for its eclectic lineup of punk bands, indie artists, a bustling flea market, professional wrestling matches, and stand-up comedy, all spread across Gainesville’s vibrant venues.

The Alachua County Parks and Open Space Department requests the public’s patience as they close Lake Alto Park (17800 NE 134th Place) through Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. The closing is to facilitate improvements to the existing park lot. Tree islands, seal coating, and re-striping with a new, more efficient, and more accessible layout are all part of the planned improvements.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to take advantage of other lakeside and fishing opportunities at Jill McGuire Lake Santa Fe Lake Park, Holden Pond Park, Owen-Illinois and Earl P. Powers Parks on Newnans Lake, Lochloosa Park, and Kate Barnes Boat Ramp at M.K. Rawlings Park on Orange Lake.

Visit the Alachua County Parks and Open Space website. 

The Alachua County Public Works Department announced that crack sealing has been completed on 6.3 miles of County Road 225, from Northeast 53rd Avenue to Northeast 156th Avenue. The work was performed with minimal lane closures by Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., out of Tampa, Florida. The total cost for the project was approximately $600,000, which is a great investment considering the high cost of milling and resurfacing a road.

Crack sealing is an important pavement preservation technique that can significantly extend the life of a paved road.

Read more about the crack sealing.

Irrigation to be Limited to Once a Week starting on Nov. 3

​Starting Sunday, Nov. 3, Alachua County residents will be limited to watering landscapes just once a week. As you set your clocks back, remember to adjust your irrigation schedule, too.

New weekly irrigation schedule:

• Odd-numbered addresses — Saturday
• Even-numbered addresses — Sunday
• Non-residential/commercial (including common areas in subdivisions) —​ Tuesday​

“Landscape irrigation accounts for nearly 60% of residential water use,” said Stacie Greco, the county’s water resources program manager for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). “Reducing or stopping irrigation in winter helps conserve groundwater, which is essential for our springs, lakes and rivers.” 

Learn more about the irrigation limits.

Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center was recently awarded Accreditation from the American Camping Association

Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center is proud to announce its recent accreditation by the American Camp Association (ACA), a testament to the center’s dedication to providing safe, high-quality experiences for campers of all ages.

The ACA is a community of camp professionals who have collaborated for over a century to promote best practices in camp programs for children, youth, and adults. Through its rigorous accreditation process, the ACA upholds nearly 300 health, safety, and operational standards, from staff training and qualifications to emergency preparedness, ensuring a safe and enriching camp environment.

The ACA’s standards are developed in partnership with experts from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross, reflecting the latest research in child development, health, and safety. By meeting these standards, Cuscowilla demonstrates its commitment to upholding the highest level of care and quality for campers. 

Find out more about the accreditation.

Artists Conference Seeks Presenters and Sponsors

​The Alachua County Arts Council is pleased to announce the fourth annual Artists Conference on Friday, April 25, 2025. The conference committee is accepting applications from those wishing to present. Sessions should interest the arts community and should be between 30 to 60 minutes (which includes time for questions/answers). 

The council is also looking for conference sponsors. 

The presentation and sponsor fillable forms are under “Artists Conference” on the Arts Council’s website. Those interests should complete and submit the relevant form by Jan. 31, 2025.

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.” 

Hazardous Waste Collection Center Closing for Inventory and Maintenance

​​The Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, for its annual inventory and maintenance. Residential hazardous waste can be brought to any of the five Alachua County Rural Collection Centers on that day. In addition, the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station will be open during regularly scheduled hours.

Regular hours will resume on Wednesday, Nov. 20. 

Alachua County Issues Call to Artists for Sculpture

Alachua County is excited to announce a call for artists to help design a unique outdoor sculpture that embodies the theme of justice for the new courthouse complex, slated for completion in early 2026.

Inspired by the iconic Contemplation of Justice statue and the Authority of Law statue at the U.S. Supreme Court, this project seeks an original, figurative artwork that reflects the spirit of justice without replicating these existing pieces.

Artists are encouraged to explore innovative concepts that resonate with the community’s values and vision for justice.

Submission details are as follows:

• Deadline: Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
• Budget: The total budget for the sculpture is $100,000.
• Submission platform: All entries must be submitted via OpenGov.

We look forward to seeing the creativity and talent in our community come to life for this significant public art project.

County Seeks Applicants for Land Conservation Board

​​Alachua County is seeking applicants to fill three anticipated vacancies on the Land Conservation Board (LCB). If you are passionate about protecting water resources, creating larger interconnected wildlife corridors, or interested in protecting places for passive public recreation, the county encourages you to apply.

The upcoming vacancies are two citizen at-large positions and one alternate with terms ending on Sept. 30, 2028.

The LCB provides an opportunity for citizen involvement in the selection of Alachua County Forever Conservation lands, which are funded through the voter-approved Wild Spaces Public Places surtax. The board reviews and recommends properties for acquisition through the Alachua County Forever Program to the County Commission and provides feedback on stewardship issues. 

Meeting Details

The board meets in person, typically on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville) in the Grace Knight Conference Room. Meetings generally last one to two hours, though they may vary depending on the agenda.

Interested applicants may apply online here. Click “View Vacancies” in the top right and scroll down to the Land Conservation Board. Please submit applications by Nov. 17, 2024. 

November Extension Programs

Commercial Horticulture Programs

Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs