Highlights from the Sept. 22, 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 Updates
County Manager Michele Lieberman updated the County Commission on efforts to address road conditions and improve the county’s response to potholes and other pavement issues.
Lieberman said county staff and the commission hear residents’ concerns and recognize that improving roads is a complex, long-term effort. The commission has made road funding a priority, including a $500,000 budget amendment for pothole repairs.
The county has also:
- Increased pothole crews to four, Monday through Thursday, and two crews on Friday and Saturday.
- Changed repair methods to allow crews to patch more potholes in less time.
- Focused on repairing multiple potholes along a stretch of road rather than individual potholes.
- Implemented a work order system to report and track road issues and repairs.
- Added Friday call-in hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is preparing to activate a third-party call center due to demand.
- Reached out to neighboring counties and municipalities for additional crews.
- Asked existing contractors to assist with milling and resurfacing to address larger pavement issues.
- Used alternative materials when hot-mix asphalt is unavailable.
- Strengthened employee oversight to verify completed work and material use.
Read the complete highlights for this meeting.
| | County Adopts FY27 Budget at Rollback Rate, Marks 10th Straight Millage Reduction | | |
At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Alachua County Commission adopted its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget, setting the property tax rate at the rollback rate while continuing significant investments in the services and programs residents value. The total from all sources that make up the General Fund is approximately $327 million.
The commission adopted a countywide property tax rollback millage rate of 7.2107 mills for FY27, down from 7.6000 mills last year. The rate is expected to generate approximately $184 million.
The countywide rollback rate is calculated to generate approximately the same property tax revenue from existing taxable property as the previous year. This is the third time in the last 10 years that the commission has adopted the rollback rate, and it marks the 10th consecutive year the commission has reduced the countywide General Fund millage rate. Over that decade, the rate has fallen from 8.9290 mills in FY17 to 7.2107 mills in FY27, a reduction of 1.7183 mills, or 19.24%.
The Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for law enforcement remains unchanged at 3.5678 mills and is expected to generate approximately $37 million.
Fire Services, Solid Waste and Stormwater fees are expected to generate approximately $24 million, $13 million and $3.6 million, respectively.
“A budget is ultimately about people,” said Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “We know families are feeling the strain of rising costs, and we take seriously our responsibility to respect and consider every tax dollar. At the same time, people count on us for safe neighborhoods, emergency services, road maintenance, parks, natural resources and social services. This budget reflects our commitment to finding the right balance for our taxpayers and our community.”
Learn more about the FY27 adopted budget.
| | Residential Curbside Collection Changes Begin Oct. 1 | | |
Alachua County residents living in the unincorporated area will soon see changes to their residential curbside collection service as part of a new agreement with GFL Solid Waste Southeast, which takes effect Oct. 1, 2026.
Changes include collection day schedules and new limits for yard trash, bulky items and large appliances. These changes will rebalance collection routes to improve service.
Read more about the residential curbside collection changes.
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As part of an ongoing effort to improve pothole repairs, Alachua County has contracted with PSD Portal’s “Citywide” software and is launching its Pothole Portal.
The user-friendly platform allows residents to report potholes online and will replace rbmaintenance.gov as the preferred way to report pothole issues.
Residents can create an account or submit a report as a guest. The portal includes an interactive map that allows residents to pinpoint the exact location of a pothole.
Find out more about the Pothole Portal.
| | Alachua County Reminds Residents Water Shortage Restrictions Remain in Effect Despite Recent Rainfall | | |
The Water Management District’s Extreme Water Shortage Orders are still in effect throughout Alachua County. Recent rainfall has provided welcome relief across North Florida but does not immediately restore groundwater levels following extended periods of below-average rainfall.
Water shortage restrictions apply to landscape irrigation regardless of the water source, including municipal water, private wells and surface water. Landscape irrigation is limited to one day per week, with Saturday for odd-numbered addresses, Sunday for even-numbered addresses, and Tuesday for nonresidential properties. Residents should continue following the watering restrictions and conservation measures currently in effect.
Learn more about the water shortage restrictions.
| | Fiber Education and Digital Literacy Event | | |
The Alachua County Broadband Initiative is hosting a free Fiber Education and Digital Literacy event on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Alachua County Senior Recreation Center (5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville).
This event, in partnership with Kinetic, will focus on fiber broadband education, cybersecurity and digital literacy.
The program will introduce residents to fiber internet technology, essential technology skills and web-based tools that support everyday life at home, work and school. Participants will learn how to protect personal information online, recognize cyber scams, understand the benefits of fiber internet, and use digital tools more effectively.
This event is part of the Kinetic Digital Literacy Program, supported through the Alachua County Broadband Deployment Assistance Grant.
View Kinetic's learning modules online.
Learn more about Alachua County’s Broadband Initiative.
| | Free Mental Health Symposium in Honor of Suicide Prevention Month | | |
The Alachua County Crisis Center invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to join its free annual virtual symposium, Healing Together: Conversations for Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention, on Sept. 28-30, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each evening.
Held each year in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, the symposium reflects our ongoing commitment to increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and making mental health and suicide prevention education accessible to our community. This three-evening event brings together mental health professionals, educators, advocates, and community partners for accessible conversations about mental wellness, suicide prevention, resilience, connection, coping, and supporting ourselves and others. Sessions are designed for both professionals and the general community, so no prior mental health training is needed to participate.
Read more about the symposium.
| | Alachua County Commissioner Anna Prizzia receives Bob Graham Award | |
Alachua County Commissioner Anna Prizzia was recently presented with the Bob Graham Award by the Florida Lake Management Society in recognition of her commitment to protecting and conserving Florida’s lakes and aquatic resources.
The award was presented during the Florida Lake Management Society’s annual symposium in Bonita Springs. The Bob Graham Award is given to elected officials who demonstrate a commitment to lake and aquatic-resource conservation. The award is named for former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who was known for his support of environmental initiatives, including the preservation of thousands of acres of Gulf Coast wetlands.
Find out more about the Bob Graham Award.
| | Alachua County Receives Silver Flagler Award for World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships | |
Alachua County has received a Silver Flagler Award from VISIT FLORIDA for its work in supporting and promoting the 2025 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships (WMACi25), which brought athletes and visitors from around the world to the county.
The event was built on the county’s significant investment in the Alachua County Sports & Events Center and continued public investment to attract and host major events. The award was presented yesterday in the Special Event category during VISIT FLORIDA’s annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in West Palm Beach.
Now in its 26th year, the Flagler Awards recognize outstanding tourism initiatives throughout Florida. This year, nearly 300 entries were submitted and evaluated by an independent panel of 14 judges, who evaluated entries based on creativity, innovation, production quality, and effectiveness, with only the top three entries in each category receiving a Bronze, Silver or Henry Award.
Read more about the award.
| | Alachua County Senior Volunteer Programs Join Nationwide AmeriCorps Celebration | |
On Sept. 15, 2026, Alachua County’s AmeriCorps Seniors programs – the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) – joined communities nationwide in celebrating the impact of older adult volunteers and recognizing their contributions to local communities.
Alachua County volunteers marked the occasion with a luncheon, cake, a guest speaker and participation in a nationwide Zoom celebration connecting AmeriCorps Seniors programs and volunteers across the country.
Through FGP and RSVP, local volunteers use their time, skills and life experiences to support children, families, older adults and community organizations throughout Alachua County.
Learn more about the senior volunteer programs.
| Road Closure Planned for Northeast County Road 1471 | |
Alachua County Public Works is advising residents that Northeast County Road 1471 will close to all traffic near the Santa Fe River beginning Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, as Watson Construction begins demolition of the existing box culvert bridge.
The closure is expected to last approximately 11 weeks, with construction scheduled for completion by Dec. 11. Residents living along CR 1471 and on CR 325 will continue to have access to their homes throughout the project.
A marked detour will direct motorists around the closure.
Northbound traffic from Alachua County to Bradford County:
- Take NE CR 1469 to northbound U.S. 301.
- Continue north on U.S. 301 to SE CR 18.
- Turn right onto SE CR 18 and travel east to SE CR 325.
Southbound traffic from Bradford County to Alachua County:
- Take SE CR 18 to southbound U.S. 301.
- Turn left onto U.S. 301 and continue south to NE CR 1469.
- Turn left onto NE CR 1469 and travel east to NE CR 1471.
Motorists should follow posted detour signs, use caution and allow additional travel time through the area. Drivers should also maintain safe speeds and following distances.
| | October Extension Programs | | | | |
