COURT OF APPEAL’S AT-LARGE VOTING RULING
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The State of Florida First District Court of Appeal handed down a unanimous ruling Wednesday in favor of Alachua County in the at-large vs. single-member district issue. Pending any further appeal, the wishes of over 70% of county voters will be fulfilled in the 2026 elections, as Alachua County will rejoin most other Florida counties whose commissioners are elected countywide.
Read the court’s ruling.
Read the Gainesville Sun article.
| | Highlights from the October 14, 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.
State and federal legislative agenda
The commission heard a presentation on its proposed legislative agenda for 2026. Priorities include funding for Newnans Lake Restoration, Archer Road expansion, Fire Rescue and the Sports and Event Center. Other advocacy issues include restored funding for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program, FEMA support, affordable housing, food systems, conservation land, and childcare support.
Read the complete highlights for this meeting.
| | County Manager Lieberman Credentialed by the International City/County Management Association | |
Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Ms. Lieberman is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.
ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics, and by enhancing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities worldwide. The organization’s 13,000 members, spread across 27 countries, also include educators, students, and other local government employees.
Learn more about the ICMA credential.
| | Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters | | |
With all the discussion happening across Florida about local government budgets, Alachua County is joining the conversation through this series: Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters.
This series breaks down how the county budget really works, where the money comes from, how it’s used, and how decisions are made that affect daily life in our community. Each chapter explains one piece of the budget puzzle in clear, practical terms, because understanding your local government’s finances shouldn’t require a finance degree.
Chapter One: How You Shape the County Budget
Alachua County’s budget isn’t just a list of numbers it’s a reflection of our community’s priorities and values. When residents take part in meetings and workshops, email commissioners, join advisory boards, or share feedback through surveys, they help shape the programs and services that matter most.
Read Chapter One in full.
| | Alachua County: Supporting Family Values | | |
Alachua County’s $31,000 in funding support for Planned Parenthood’s “Time For Your Teen” program was recently highlighted by our governor. This is a great opportunity to share information about this valuable resource.
This program is designed to build stronger connections by working directly with parents/guardians and their teenagers (13-19). It is available for free both online and in person. By promoting trust and encouraging open dialogue about sex education, abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, screenings, and healthy decision-making, Time For Your Teen promotes positive behaviors and reinforces family values that can last a lifetime.
Read more about the county-funded program.
| | Cuscowilla Voted Best Summer Camp in Community Choice Awards | | |
Alachua County is proud to announce that the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center’s Summer Camp Program has been named the “Best After-School/Summer Camp Program” in The Gainesville Sun’s Best of Gainesville Community Choice Awards.
Each year, The Gainesville Sun hosts the awards to allow community members to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses, programs, and organizations.
“Our team is honored to be recognized by our community,” said Camp Manager Jamie Bass. “I’m incredibly grateful to the staff, who work tirelessly each summer to create an unforgettable and safe camp experience for our campers.”
Cuscowilla’s Summer Day Camp serves children (ages 7-10) for seven weeks each summer, while its Teen Camp offers four weeks of programming for youth (ages 11-13). Campers enjoy activities such as archery, swimming, kayaking, sports and more, all in a fun, hands-on outdoor environment.
The Friends of Cuscowilla provides scholarships for qualifying families. Scholarship applications for the 2026 season will open Feb. 1, and camp registration begins March 1.
Learn more about Cuscowilla.
| | Animal Resources Hosts Halloween Adoption Event | | |
Alachua County Animal Resources (ACAR) is combining Halloween fun with pet adoptions at its upcoming “ACAR After Dark” event. The after-hours, Halloween-themed celebration will take place Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the county shelter (3400 NE 53rd Ave., Gainesville).
All adoption fees will be waived during the event, giving potential adopters the perfect opportunity to find their new companion.
Even if you’re not looking to adopt, the shelter invites the community to join in the fun with trunk-or-treating, face painting, local vendors offering gifts for pets and humans, and an evening full of Halloween festivities.
“This event is a great way for families to enjoy a fun night out while supporting local animals in need,” said ACAR Outreach Programs Supervisor Sarah Gilley. “We hope everyone will come out to celebrate with us.”
Learn more about Animal Resources.
| | Alachua County Hosts Florida Association of Counties' Innovation Day Conference | | |
Alachua County normally has five commissioners, but earlier this month, commissioners from dozens of Florida counties converged on Alachua County as it hosted the Florida Association of Counties’ annual Innovation Conference.
For more than 85 years, FAC has championed the diverse interests of Florida’s 67 counties, bringing together county commissioners and their staff to create a unified voice that can advocate for counties at the state level.
Attendees included commissioners, managers and others from all across the state.
The Innovation Conference focuses on cutting‑edge county initiatives, engaging policy discussions, and hands‑on leadership development. The conference’s focus on innovation makes Alachua County a perfect host.
Watch a video about the conference.
| | Forward Focus Year 1 Summit | |
The Alachua County Commission invites the community to participate in the Forward Focus Year 1 Summit on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center (210 SE 134th Ave., Micanopy).
This summit marks a key milestone in the Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County initiative and is an essential and critical opportunity for residents, businesses, and local leaders to help shape the region's future. The event will feature collaborative discussions and workshops designed to generate ideas and identify community-driven solutions. Lunch will be provided.
Find out more about the summit.
| | 2025 Honoring the Departed Ceremony | | |
Alachua County Community Support Services, in collaboration with community faith-based organizations, invites the community to attend “Honoring the Departed” on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery (401 SE 21st Ave., Gainesville).
Honoring the Departed is a ceremony to memorialize indigent individuals who were unclaimed, abandoned, or unknown. The memorial is an opportunity to honor those who were buried with no service. The ceremony will consist of a special invocation and the acknowledgment of those who passed away in 2024.
Watch a short video from last year's Honoring the Departed ceremony.
| | Guided walk into Phifer Flatwoods Preserve - Lochloosa Creek Tract | |
To celebrate October as Florida Native Plant Month, the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department invites residents to participate in a guided walk through the Phifer Flatwoods Preserve – Lochloosa Creek Tract. The walk is on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants meet at the future trail head of Phifer’s Lochloosa Creek Tract (15015 CR 2082, Hawthorne).
The terrain of this three-mile hike is mostly flat. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and drinking water are recommended. This event is free, but is limited to 20 people. Participants should register by emailing cgillis@alachuacounty.us or calling 352-262-4749.
“As the summer heat dissipates, Florida’s plant communities burst into bloom in a dazzling ‘second spring,’” said Alachua County Environmental Specialist Milo Neelands. “Come meet some of our native wildflowers and pollinators and learn about the Alachua County Forever Program’s restoration efforts on this family-friendly hike.”
Learn more about Alachua County Forever.
| | Newnans Lake Boat Ramp Closed to Motorized Watercrafts | |
Due to low water levels on Newnans Lake caused by dry weather conditions, the boat ramp (11309 SE 16th Ave., Gainesville) is closed to motorized watercraft. Paddle craft can still use the ramp to launch.
When water levels increase to acceptable levels, the ramp will reopen to motorized craft.
For more information, contact the Alachua County Parks and Open Spaces office at 352-264-6847 or parks@alachuacounty.us.
| | County Seeks Community Input on Farmers Markets | |
Alachua County is inviting residents, farmers, vendors, and market supporters to share their thoughts on the role of farmers markets in the community. A brief survey is now open to help guide future initiatives that support farmers, growers, food entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
Farmers markets serve as vital community spaces where local growers and makers connect directly with residents, strengthen the local economy, and expand access to fresh, locally produced food.
The survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is available for:
In addition to the survey, Alachua County Tourism and Economic Development staff will visit 10 farmers markets across the county from September through November to gather in-person feedback.
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