September 25, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEPTEMBER 23, 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.

Budget and millage rate adoptions

The County Commission approved its budget and set millage rates for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The millage rate was reduced to 7.6000, marking the ninth straight year the county has lowered the millage rate.

The Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for law enforcement remains the same with a millage rate of 3.5678 mills.

The county’s FY26 budget is $947 million.

Read the complete highlights for this meeting.

County Commission Reduces Millage Rate for Ninth Straight Year

At its Sept. 23 meeting, the Alachua County Commission approved the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget, continuing its record of fiscal responsibility while investing in essential services and community priorities.

Commissioners adopted a $947 million balanced budget covering public safety, essential services and capital infrastructure.

Countywide property taxes will generate $192.3 million of the total budget. This year marks the ninth consecutive year that the county reduced its countywide property tax millage rate, moving from 8.9290 mills in FY17 to 7.6000 in FY26 – a 15% overall reduction. This ongoing reduction reinforces the commission's long-term strategy to mitigate the tax burden on residents.

The Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for law enforcement remains stable, generating $36.8 million with a millage rate of 3.5678. The MSTU is paid by residents in the unincorporated area and the residents of some small cities that receive enhanced law enforcement services from the sheriff.

"Approving this budget is a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and community priorities," said Commission Chair Charles Chestnut IV. "I am proud that we have reduced the millage rate for the ninth consecutive year in our ongoing efforts to ease the tax burden on residents while still funding essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and programs that enhance our residents' quality of life."

Learn more about the FY26 Budget.

Foster Grandparent Program Secures Funding, Seeks Volunteers

The Alachua County Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is proud to announce that it has received renewed funding to continue its mission of supporting children and empowering senior volunteers.

Established in 1973 by the Alachua County Commission, the program is federally funded through AmeriCorps Seniors with matching support from Alachua County. For more than 50 years, the county has been a proud sponsor of the FGP, under Community Support Services, helping hundreds of senior volunteers who mentor and encourage thousands of children to create meaningful connections across generations.

County to Host Observe the Moon Night

Alachua County is hosting NASA's International “Observe the Moon Night” on Oct. 4, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center (210 SE 134th Ave., Micanopy).

The event features various activities, a food truck and a lecture by a UF Geologist. Students from the Astrophysics and Astronomy departments will have several types of telescopes on site to help visitors observe the moon. Parking is $5 per vehicle (maximum of six people per vehicle).

This is a night when people from all across the globe come together with fellow moon and space enthusiasts to observe the moon. In 2024, all 50 states and over 123 countries registered to host an observation night, creating a worldwide celebration of the moon.

"We had an incredible time hosting this event last year and are so excited to do it again," said Mario Antonio Daley, an astronomy student at the University of Florida. "It was an honor to reach so many community members and foster an appreciation of our night sky. We are so excited to keep expanding our outreach and connecting with astronomy lovers on an international scale."

Visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase car passes online.

County Seeks Advisory Board Volunteers

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 various advisory boards.

Learn more about advisory boards.

26th Annual Livestock & Forages Field Day

The North Florida Livestock Agents Group is hosting the 26th Annual Livestock & Forages Field Day on Oct. 21, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Santa Fe River Ranch (29220 NW 122 St., Alachua, FL 32615).

The field day will provide equipment and livestock demonstrations and presentations from UF/IFAS specialists and county agents. Topics will include drone herbicide application, cattle pregnancy testing, mineral supplementation, world screwworm update and invasive weeds.

The pre-registration fee is $20 (plus $3.18 Eventbrite fee) and includes lunch. The registration fee will be $40 if paying on the day of the event. Participants can register online. There will be no refunds for the registration fee.

2025 Peanut Butter Challenge

The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is pleased to announce the 2025 Peanut Butter Challenge.

2025 Peanut Butter Challenge – From Sept. 30 to Oct.31, 2025, Participants can bring unopened peanut butter jars to the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office (22712 W. Newberry Road, Newberry) to help feed the hungry.

At the end of the collection period, the jars are tallied, bragging rights are awarded to counties collecting the most peanut butter, and the jars go to local food pantries just in time for the holiday season.

“We thank the Florida Peanut Federation for their continued support and contributions,” said UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office Director Cindy Sanders. “These Associations match our donations to go to local food pantries in Alachua County.”

DOH- Alachua Issues Rabies Alert

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH- Alachua) is issuing a rabies alert in Alachua County in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a stray cat that was found in an area south of Hawthorne, off Southeast U.S. Hwy 301 in Alachua County, on Aug. 28, 2025. DOH-Alachua is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area. All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population.

People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g., raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes), which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment. If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies.

Find out more about the rabies alert.