Alachua County is seeking applicants for the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board. Currently, the board has a vacancy for one alternate voting member representing the small, incorporated cities of Archer, Alachua, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Micanopy, Newberry and Waldo.
To accommodate working schedules, the 10-member board, which includes three alternates, meets quarterly at 5:30 p.m. to ensure the surtax proceeds are invested in eligible projects, per state statute and county ordinance. The public’s next opportunity to attend a meeting is on May 12 at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor in the county manager’s training room at the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St. Gainesville).
The Alachua County Commission makes board appointments, while the City of Gainesville approves its appointments. Members serve staggered four-year terms.
Passed by voters in 2022, the 10-year, one-cent Wild Spaces and Public Places (WSPP) sales tax helps pay for parks, conservation, roads and housing initiatives throughout Alachua County. The sales tax is expected to generate roughly $500 million for projects throughout the county before sunsetting. Each of the nine municipalities receives a share of the WSPP sales tax.
“The oversight and review of each of the projects is rewarding work. It allows board members a glimpse into the many city and county improvements underway that help make Alachua County a great place to live, work and play,” said Assistant County Manager and Chief of Staff Gina Peebles.
Learn more about the board and apply. The “view vacancies” button is in the upper right-hand corner.
For more information, contact Gina Peebles at 352-337-6279.
