Highlights from the Oct. 13, 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.
Roads Update
Communications Director Mark Sexton shared with the County Commission the progress being made on filling potholes. Since launching the expanded pothole program last month, Public Works has repaired 4,662 potholes and used 178.64 tons of materials. They have also strip-milled and resurfaced 5,510 linear feet of roadway, using 776.95 tons of materials.
Additionally, outside contractors have begun assisting and have stop-milled and resurfaced another 7,539.88 linear feet of roadway, using 685.67 tons of materials.
To report a pothole or other roadway issues, go to the Pothole Portal.
Read the complete highlights for this meeting.
| | Bob Simons Trail Dedication at Turkey Creek Preserve | | |
On Saturday, Oct. 3, Alachua County dedicated a trail at Turkey Creek Preserve in honor of Bob Simons, a longtime local conservationist who helped protect natural areas throughout Alachua County and Florida, including Turkey Creek Preserve and San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. Simons served on several local conservation boards, including the Alachua County Land Conservation Board and Alachua Conservation Trust, and served on the Alachua Audubon Society Board for more than 50 years.
Located within the City of Alachua, the approximately 375-acre preserve protects a variety of habitats, including basin swamp, depression marsh, dome swamp, upland hardwood forest, blackwater streams and sinkholes. Acquired in December 2009 with funding from the Wild Spaces Public Places sales tax and a reimbursement from the Florida Communities Trust, the preserve is home to the state-endangered woodland poppy mallow and the state-threatened gopher tortoise. Visitors can explore approximately five miles of trails for hiking and wildlife viewing, with select trails open to off-road bicycling and equestrian use.
The new observation platform will include a kiosk highlighting Simons’ conservation work, with additional information featured on signs along the trail.
| | Pothole Repair Update and Portal Services Expansion | | |
Alachua County is providing its weekly update on pothole repairs and roadway resurfacing throughout the county.
Since the previous update, during the week of Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, Public Works crews:
- Repaired 991 potholes, using 41.43 tons of material.
- Strip-milled and resurfaced 520 linear feet of roadway, using 20.05 tons of material.
Residents may notice that these figures are significantly lower than the previous week’s numbers. This is due to inclement weather throughout the week.
Alachua County Public Works is also pleased to announce the expansion of the Pothole Portal, which will now allow residents to report additional roadway issues.
The expanded list now includes issues for asphalt roads (non-pothole), dead animals, drainage, guardrail, handrail, lime rock roadways (non-pothole), trash and litter, sinkholes, tree limbs, sidewalks and street signs.
The online platform was initially introduced last month to help residents report potholes and track the county’s progress in addressing them. Since then, Public Works has received over 600 reports and repaired 4,662 potholes, using 178.64 tons of materials.
With the expansion, residents can now use one convenient tool to report a wider range of roadway maintenance concerns.
Read more about the portal services expansion.
| | Alachua County Veterans Services video | | Animal Shelter Reopens for Cat Adoptions, Fosters | | |
Alachua County’s animal shelter, which was recently closed for all animal intakes and adoptions, has partially reopened to allow cat adoptions and fostering opportunities.
The county appreciates the community's patience, understanding, and support as Animal Resources works to restore normal operations.
The public will be notified when the shelter’s full intake and adoption services resume.
For information about fostering, contact Alachua County Animal Resources at 352-264-6870 (press #3 for fostering) or visit the Animal Resources website.
| | County Awarded $500K Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant | | |
Alachua County has been awarded a $500,000 Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention grant (SSG Fox SPGP) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to strengthen suicide prevention efforts and expand support services for veterans throughout the community.
The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program supports community-based organizations and local governments in implementing suicide prevention strategies that connect veterans with life-saving resources and improve access to care.
The grant will enhance existing programs within Alachua County Community Support Services' Veteran Services Division by identifying and engaging veterans who are not currently connected to VA healthcare or benefits. Through proactive outreach and coordination, the program will help veterans access VA healthcare, earned benefits and other supportive community resources.
Learn more about the suicide prevention grant.
| | Victim Services Highlights 24-Hour Sexual Assault Helpline and Prevention Tips | | |
The Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center is reminding the community that free and confidential support for victims and survivors of sexual violence is available 24 hours a day, particularly as campus activities are in full swing.
The center’s services include a 24-hour sexual assault recovery helpline and accompaniment, information about medical, reporting and safety options, crisis intervention and emotional support, and ongoing support for survivors and their loved ones.
The 24-hour Sexual Assault Helpline is 352-264-6760.
Find out more about the helpline and prevention tips.
| | Flu Immunizations Available at the Alachua County Health Department | | |
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County is currently offering influenza vaccines. Administrator Paul Myers emphasizes the importance of vaccination as a key preventive measure against flu. Alongside vaccination, it is recommended to stay home when sick, practice proper cough etiquette, and wash hands to protect yourself and the community.
Read more about the flu immunizations.
| | EPA Hosting Open House on Major Cabot Koppers Superfund Cleanup | |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting residents to an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., to learn about a major new phase of cleanup at the Cabot/Koppers Superfund Site in Gainesville.
The open house will take place at the former Koppers facility (200 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville). EPA representatives will provide updates on cleanup progress, explain upcoming construction activities and answer questions from community members.
The cleanup work, scheduled to begin this month and continue into mid-2027, represents an important step toward containing historic contamination and preparing the property for future redevelopment.
Find out more about the cleanup meeting.
| | Animal Resources Stakeholder Survey | |
Alachua County is seeking feedback through a stakeholder survey as part of an evaluation of Animal Resources.
The county has contracted with Citygate Associates, LLC, to evaluate the organization and identify opportunities for improvement. Feedback from stakeholders is an important part of the evaluation process and will help inform the assessment of Animal Resources.
Take the survey.
The survey responses and results, while intended to be kept confidential, are subject to Florida’s public records laws. If you do not want your name or email address to be known, please do not enter that information in your response and it will be kept anonymous.
| | County Seeks Residents for Wild Spaces Public Places Oversight Board | |
Alachua County is looking for residents who want to make a meaningful contribution to their community.
The county is seeking applicants for the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board, which helps provide public oversight of an estimated $500 million in voter-approved investments supporting conservation lands, parks, roads, affordable housing, public buildings and other capital projects throughout Alachua County and its municipalities.
Serving on the board is an opportunity to help safeguard a major public investment and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent transparently, responsibly and for their intended purposes.
Learn more about the oversight board.
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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 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. 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.
For example, the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board has four vacancies. This board assures citizens and elected officials that all surtax revenues, including those expended by the county and each municipality, are expended only for the purposes for which it is authorized. It also tracks overall surtax revenue expenditures.
Read more about advisory boards.
| | DOH-Alachua Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert | | |
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) is informing residents of a second confirmed case of locally-acquired West Nile virus infection.
DOH-Alachua and Alachua County, City of Gainesville, City of Alachua and City of Newberry Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by treating county-maintained retention basins and targeted spraying.
Many people who are infected with West Nile virus do not get sick; however, some people may have symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, headache, body aches, weakness, rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less common symptoms include neck stiffness, altered mental status, and disorientation. Symptoms of West Nile virus can appear anytime between 2 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. West Nile virus is not contagious between people, but it is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Find out more about the alert.
| | Rural Concerns Advisory Committee Vacancies | | |
Alachua County is seeking applicants to fill upcoming Rural Concerns Advisory Committee (RCAC) vacancies.
There are openings for three members actively involved in agriculture and/or silviculture, with two terms ending Sept. 30, 2029, and one ending Sept. 30, 2028. There is one opening for a member residing in the unincorporated area outside the urban cluster with a term ending Sept. 30, 2029.
Learn more about the vacancies.
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