October 16, 2023

In 2022, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alachua County Court Services was navigating its Pretrial Services Program accreditation renewal. Due to the pandemic, Court Services was granted a one-year extension by the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies (NAPSA) Accreditation Commission.

Adhering to a comprehensive set of accreditation standards, staff conducted a thorough self-audit. This internal examination aimed to ensure the alignment of the program with established requirements. Simultaneously, the NAPSA Accreditation audit team undertook its assessment, scrutinizing the program during a site visit to confirm the practical implementation of policies as documented.

On October 4, 2023, these efforts culminated in the Pretrial Services Program receiving official reaccreditation. This outcome signified the successful adherence to the stringent standards set forth by NAPSA, reflecting the commitment of Alachua County to the highest operational and procedural benchmarks within its Court Services Department.

Watch the County Commission congratulate Alachua County Court Services for their accreditation renewal.

The Alachua County Commission congratulates Sheriff Emery Gainey and all the men and women working at the Department of the Jail on their recent reaccreditation. The Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission reaccredited them at the Excelsior level for the fourth time.

Reaccreditation occurs every three years. An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards.

The Department of the Jail has been accredited since 1999.

Watch the County Commission congratulate Sheriff Emery Gainey and all the men and women working at the Department of the Jail on their recent reaccreditation.

Alachua County's arts and culture scene isn't just about creative expression—it's a major economic force, as revealed by the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study. The study, conducted in partnership with Americans for the Arts, sheds light on the profound economic and social value the arts bring to residents and visitors. The national study covered 353 regions, including Alachua County, where arts and culture organizations completed nearly 1,000 audience surveys and 52 organizational surveys. 

In 2022, Alachua County’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their 2.4 million audience members generated $189.5 million in economic activity. Out of this total, $49.6 million was spent by the organizations, and an additional $139.9 million was spent by their audiences. This spending caused a ripple effect, supporting 2,992 jobs and generating $33.1 million in tax revenue. The significance of these cultural experiences is evident, with over 86% of respondents considering the activity or venue a source of neighborhood pride and 83.8% expressing a sense of loss if these cultural elements were no longer available.

“Alachua County is proud to partner with Americans for the Arts on the Arts and Economic Prosperity Study. The study confirms that arts and culture in our community create tremendous economic and social value for our residents and visitors. What's striking is that 57% of cultural event attendees in Alachua County are non-local visitors,” said Tourism Director Jessica Hurov. “These visitors spent an average of $76, providing crucial income for local businesses.”

Find out more about the impact of local arts and culture.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures, the Alachua County Land Conservation and Management Program has opened a new hiking trail at Phifer Flatwoods Preserve. 

The White Pond Loop trail is 1.4 miles long and open to cyclists, equestrians, and hikers only, providing views of the man-made White Pond. The trail can be accessed from the midpoint of the 1.3-mile-long Turpentine Loop trail, bringing the total trail mileage to the Preserve to 4.6 miles. The entrance to this trailhead is located at 10748 S.E. County Road 2082. Parking is limited to along the road shoulder on the north side of County Road 2082. An alternate parking area is located approximately 1 mile to the east on the south side of County Road 2082, along the Gainesville to Hawthorne Trail. 

Read more about the new hiking trail.

In collaboration with community faith-based organizations, Alachua County Community Support Services invites the community to attend “Honoring the Departed” on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery (401 S.E. 21st Avenue, Gainesville).

 “Honoring the Departed” is a ceremony to memorialize indigent individuals who were unclaimed, abandoned, or unknown. The ceremony consists of inspirational readings and songs to honor those who passed away in 2022.  

“This is an opportunity to collaborate with our faith-based organizations and community leaders in honoring those we lost in 2022,” said Alachua County Community Stabilization Program Manager Satori Days.

Watch a short video from last year’s Honoring the Departed Ceremony.

The Alachua County Public Works Department’s Road and Bridge Division has completed the installation of six Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at three school crosswalks last week. The crossings are in front of the Kanapaha Middle School on S.W. 75th Street and the Lake Forest Elementary School and Eastside High School on S.E. 43rd Street.

Each crosswalk includes two RRFBs, one on each side of the street, with a pair of solar-powered flashing LED lights. The lights will begin to flash as soon as a pedestrian pushes the button on the pole and will remain flashing for 20 seconds so they can cross the street safely.

RRFBs help alert motorists that pedestrians or bicyclists are entering the crosswalk. Under Florida law 316.130(7), drivers must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk when the lights are flashing.

“We are very happy to report that due to recent inflation, only two $25,000 crossings were planned for this year,” said Alachua County Public Works Assistant Director Brian Kauffman. “However, three crossings could be installed due to the cost savings achieved by using County staff to do the construction."

The boat ramp at Kate Barnes Park (18700 S. County Road 325, Cross Creek) will be closed on October 19, 2023, for repair.

Alachua County seeks volunteers to serve on Advisory Boards. Those looking for a volunteer opportunity that allows them to give back to their community and participate in their County's decision-making process should consider serving on one of the many Board vacancies currently open. 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.

Find out more about Advisory Board vacancies.