October 29, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OCTOBER 28, 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.

Emergency Management Plan

The County Commission heard a presentation and adopted a resolution for the 2205 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). The plan establishes a framework for coordinating during large-scale disasters and hazards, assigns responsibilities to local agencies and organizations during activations, details coordination in the event of an evacuation or government closures and more.

The county’s CEMP is updated and adopted every five years before being sent to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

Cents and Sensibility Chapter four image

Cents & Sensibility Chapter 4: Unfunded Mandates

With all the discussions 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.

Chapter 4: Unfunded Mandates

An unfunded mandate occurs when the state or federal government requires counties to provide certain programs or services but doesn't provide enough, or any, funding to pay for them. These unfunded mandates quietly drain millions from Alachua County's general fund. Property taxes are the largest component of the general fund. Each year, these mandates limit counties' ability to use locally raised revenues for locally originated programs and services. For residents, that can mean fewer community programs, service reductions, and higher taxes.

Read Chapter 4: Unfunded Mandates in full

Catch up on previous chapters:

Read Chapter 3: Understanding Property Taxes

Read Chapter 2: What is the General Fund

Read Chapter 1: How You Shape the County Budget

Alachua County Climate Festival promo image

County Celebrates Climate Action Plan with Community Festival

Alachua County invites residents to a climate festival celebrating the completion of the county’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), an important milestone that reflects the community’s commitment to planning, protecting our roots and resources and pollinating solutions to safeguard our wellbeing and prosper in a changing climate.

The CAP was developed in response to the 2024 Climate Vulnerability Assessment.

The free event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Extension Office (22712 W. Newberry Road, Newberry). It will feature panel discussions, local food systems leaders, exhibitors, food trucks, and a performance by the Star Center Theatre Youth.

Space is limited, and participants are encouraged to register online to secure a seat.

The festival’s keynote speaker will be Michael Grunwald, award-winning journalist and author, whose appearance is sponsored by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, UF College of Journalism and Communications, WUFT’s Environment & Ag Desk, the Florida Climate Institute, and the Rothman Family Chair in the Humanities.

“This plan represents years of collaboration across our community,” said Alachua County Resiliency Specialist Jennison Kipp. “The climate festival is not only a celebration of that teamwork; it’s an invitation for every resident to be part of a thriving, climate-resilient future.”

Changes to Curbside Electronic Waste Collection

Alachua County is informing residents of an important change to curbside collection services for large electronic waste (e-waste). Starting Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, the county's waste hauler, GFL (Green For Life), will no longer collect large e-waste items left at the curb.

Recent facility and equipment fires related to e-waste, as well as other environmental concerns, have led to this decision.

Regular Commission Meeting Moved to November 4

Due to county offices being closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, to recognize Veterans Day, the next County Commission regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. The meeting is in the Jack Durrance Auditorium on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville). The evening portion begins at 5 p.m. The daytime meeting begins at 11:30 a.m.

Find out more about the meeting.

Operation Green Light for Veterans

Alachua County is proud to announce its participation in Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort by counties, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.

From Nov. 4 to 11 (Veterans Day), county buildings and landmarks will be illuminated in green lights to honor and show support for veterans, and to raise awareness of the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

Alachua County is home to over 17,000 veterans – and this initiative is a reminder to veterans and families that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Learn more about Operation Green Light.

Plein Air Painting at Barr Hammock Preserve- Levy Loop

Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) invites local artists to set up their easels and connect with the natural world for a plein air painting session at Barr Hammock Levy Loop (14920 SE 11th Dr., Micanopy) on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m. The event is free, and participants should RSVP by emailing mneelands@alachuacounty.us.

Artists are responsible for bringing in their own supplies. A limited number of chairs and community art materials may be available for use during the event. Please check the weather and wear comfortable, seasonally appropriate clothing. It is recommended that you bring sunscreen and at least one liter of drinking water. There are no restrooms on site.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of Alachua County Forever, the county’s land conservation program. To celebrate, EPD is offering a series of field trips and events this fall in preparation for its anniversary celebration in December.

Learn more about Alachua County Forever.