World Masters update
The commission heard an update about the county’s budget for the 2025 World Masters Indoor Athletic Championships and reemphasized their support for hosting the event.
A small part of West End Golf Course, a future site of a major transformation county park, will be used for the needed outdoor event facilities.
They approved the use of $645,000 from the county’s tourism bed tax fund for improvements at West End. The funds would help cover the design, purchase, shipping and installation of discus, javelin and hammer throwing areas. It also pays for irrigation, landscaping, cross-country course design and preparation, electrical and well repair, project management, overhead and general conditions.
Concerning the future park, a community engagement event will be held on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Office in Newberry. The event will solicit suggestions on park layout and amenities.
Watch the discussion.
County lowers millage rate for 8th consecutive year
The commission set the general fund millage rate, the MSTU – law enforcement millage rate, and assessment fees for fiscal year 2025.
The general fund millage rate was set at 7.6180, a decrease of 0.0234. It is the eighth consecutive year the county has lowered the general fund millage rate for property owners. The new rate will generate about $169 million. The MSTU – law enforcement rate is 3.5678 and will generate more than $32 million.
The fire assessment will remain flat for a fourth consecutive year and is expected to generate $23.3 million. The stormwater non-ad valorem assessment will see a $10 increase and is expected to generate $3.6 million in revenue. The various solid waste assessments were increased according to the benefit unit calculations and are expected to generate almost $13 million.
Watch the discussions.
Wild Spaces Public Places in Alachua
The commission approved a surtax grant application from the City of Alachua to reimburse the city up to $333,333 in Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) funds for the cost of installing and constructing a multipurpose and ballfield lighting system at Legacy Park.
The project is estimated to cost $1,112,250. The project is expected to start in August and be completed in November.
Watch the discussion.
Watermelon Pond conservation easement
The commission approved the purchase of a conservation easement on the Watermelon Pond – Howell property.
The almost $220,000 purchase prevents the land from being developed. The voter-approved WSPP surtax will be used to complete the purchase.
The Howell property is adjacent to the Alachua County-owned Watermelon Pond Preserve - Sheffield Tract, in southwestern Alachua County. It also shares its eastern boundary with the Ashton Biological Preserve, which is under a conservation easement held by the county.
Watch the discussion.
Newnans Lake watershed restoration
The commission agreed to authorize putting out a request for proposal for a watershed restoration project for Newnan’s Lake to improve its water quality.
Newnans Lake is in the eastern portion of the county. It is roughly a 6,500-acre that has 75,000 acres of watershed impacting Gainesville and surrounding area.
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC (RES) first submitted an unsolicited proposal, kick-starting the plans.
County staff will now review the proposal and find if it is a qualifying project in the county’s best interest and serves a public purpose.
Watch the discussion.
Recognition
Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler proclaimed July 2024 as Parks and Recreation Month in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Ken Cornell proclaimed July 2024 as Disability Awareness Month in Alachua County.
The county and the Citizens Disability Advisory Committee, in partnership with the City of Gainesville, will co-sponsor a Disability Awareness Expo on July 24 at the Martin Luther King Center. The event will feature vendors that include government agencies, community groups, local support services, assistive equipment and devices, vocational training, peer support and information on service and emotional support animals.
Read the proclamation.
Watch the presentations.
See the full July 9 afternoon agenda and video.
See the full July 9 evening agenda video.
