Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners is hosting an informational workshop for church officials, and two Special Commission Meetings to discuss the proposed implementation of an Enhanced Fire Assessment.  Representatives from Government Services Group, Inc. (the consultant hired to develop the Enhanced Fire Assessment Program) will present information about the program and answer questions.

• The church officials workshop is on March 3, 2010 at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church Fellowship Hall (2505 N.E. 8th Avenue, Gainesville), from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• The two Special Commission Meetings are on March 16, 2010 and March 30, 2010 both at 1:30 p.m. in the Boardroom (room 209 of the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1^st Street, downtown Gainesville).  All interested parties are encouraged to attend these Special Meetings.

The Enhanced Fire Assessment would replace the MSTU-Fire Millage as the primary funding source for Fire Protection Services.  If implemented, the Enhanced Fire Assessment would affect the Unincorporated Area of Alachua County.  The Cities of Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, and Waldo are participating in the study and may choose to implement the Enhanced Fire Assessment within their municipalities.

In a letter about the upcoming workshop, Alachua County Board of County Commissioners Chair, Cynthia Moore Chestnut wrote, "The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners feels strongly about the need to diversify funding sources.  There is a critical need for the Enhanced Fire Assessment in order to sustain fire protection services in our community." 

To view the complete letter from Chair Chestnut, click here.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at 352-384-3130.