Announcements
Communications Director Mark Sexton informed residents about the upcoming 2025 Disability Awareness Expo, scheduled for July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center in Gainesville.
He also congratulated Commissioner Ken Cornell for being reappointed as chair of the Community and Urban Affairs Committee for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), as well as Commissioner Mary Alford for being appointed as the District 9 representative for FAC’s Board of Directors.
A video was also shown for the opening of Fire Station 21 in the City of Alachua.
Watch the announcements.
Sports and Event Center Update
The County Commission unanimously approved Manager Michele Lieberman’s recommendation regarding the Alachua County Sports and Event Center. The county will transition from its current operator, Viking Companies LLC, which was sent a notice of default last month.
County staff will bring back options for a full-time operator before taking over management of the facility on October 1, 2025. Current programming at the center will not be disrupted.
Watch the discussion.
Tentative FY26 budget, millage and fees
The commission approved millage rates and assessment fees for fiscal year 2026.
The general fund millage rate was approved at 7.6000, a decrease of 0.0180 from last year, and will generate approximately $182.7 million. This represents the ninth consecutive year the millage rate has been lowered in Alachua County.
The Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MTSU)– Law Enforcement millage rate was approved at 3.5678, which will generate approximately $35 million.
The fire service assessment fee was approved at $132.47 per Tier 1 parcel and $7.28 per Tier 2 parcel. The assessment is expected to generate $23.5 million.
There is no increase for the stormwater assessment. The $60 Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) will generate approximately $2.9 million.
Watch the discussion.
Ironwood Industrial Park
The commission approved a preliminary development plan for what will be known as Ironwood Industrial Park. The 137-acre property is located at 6505 North C.R. 225 and 6310 NE Waldo Road, across from the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station.
Watch the discussion.
Lochloosa Creek Flatwoods
The commission approved the purchase of agricultural land along the eastern Alachua/Putnam county line in Hawthorne. The 134-acre property will be part of the Little Orange Creek Preserve and Nature Park. The Alachua Conservation Trust will look to purchase connecting land in Putnam County later.
The Wild Spaces Public Places surtax will help fund the $670,000 purchase.
Watch the discussion.
Recognitions
A presentation was shown to recognize county employees for their length of service and recent retirements.
See the presentation.
Commissioner Charles Chestnut IV proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler proclaimed July as Disability Awareness Month in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
Watch the presentations.
See the full July 8 meeting agenda and video.
