Media Release

10:15 a.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - In early 2003, the nine municipalities and the County agreed through an unprecedented, ten-party interlocal agreement to undertake a Countywide Visioning and Planning Process that would enable each community to develop a plan for its future growth, including an overall Conceptual Land Use Plan for each community’s Urban Reserve Area. The goal of the Countywide Visioning and Planning Process was to address the common issues related to annexations, growth, and development through intergovernmental coordination and cooperation. Per the approved Interlocal Agreement executed in 2003, this Process was implemented by the Countywide Visioning and Planning Committee, which included two representatives from each of the nine cities and the County. The initial Visioning Process concluded in 2005.

In January 2008, the Countywide Visioning and Planning Committee was reconvened to continue to provide a strong forum for dialogue concerning future growth and development in Alachua County. In April, the Countywide Visioning and Planning Committee created a multi-jurisdictional task force to amend the Boundary Adjustment Act. The Boundary Adjustment Act, Ch. 225 of the Alachua County Code was established in 1990 and is a special act of the Florida Legislature which governs annexation in Alachua County.

The Countywide Visioning and Planning Committee have adopted recommendations for amending the Boundary Adjustment Act to be presented to the Legislative Delegation, for the purpose of introducing a special act to the Florida Legislature to amend the Boundary Adjustment Act. The County Commission will be considering the Countywide Visioning and Planning Committee's Recommended Modifications to the Boundary Adjustment Act for transmittal to the local Legislative Delegation for the 2009 Legislative Session at a public hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 1:30 PM. You can view the public hearing on television on Channel 12 or online at the Alachua County website (http://www.alachuacounty.us).

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rick Drummond, Assistant County Manager or Laura Kane in the County Manager's Office at (352) 374-5204.

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