Swearing in
Commissioners Chuck Chestnut IV, Anna Prizzia and Mary Alford were all sworn in Tuesday after being reelected by county voters early this month. Following the ceremony, Commissioner Chestnut was named Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.
Watch the ceremony.
Announcements from Communications Director Mark Sexton
The Environmental Protection Department released its 2025 “Saving My Alachua” calendar featuring art from elementary, middle and high school students. EPD received over 600 submissions.
A quilt from the city of Archer’s Community Remembrance Project subcommittee was presented to the County Commission, as part of the county’s ongoing truth and reconciliation efforts.
A special video was presented to the commission, highlighting the 50th-anniversary gala for Alachua County Fire Rescue. The event celebrated the service and contributions of past and current ACFR employees, as well as local leaders.
See the 2025 calendar.
Watch the gala event video.
Watch the announcements.
Energy Efficiency Program
Building on the success of a 2022 pilot program, the commission approved the launch of a new Energy Efficiency Program aimed at helping tenants in rental properties reduce their energy bills. The program offers up to $15,000 in upgrades to landlords, including HVAC replacements, insulation installations, water heater replacements and window replacements.
The total budget for the program is $3 million and is eligible for unincorporated areas and smaller municipalities.
Watch the discussion.
Mobile Integrated Healthcare Team
Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus presented on the newly established Mobile Integrated Healthcare Team. The team will provide holistic community health services, including post-emergency interventions, substance abuse management, chronic disease management, and emotional support.
Future goals include partnering with local hospitals to expand chronic disease management for both adults and children. The initiative is fully funded through a state grant.
Watch the discussion.
School speed zone enforcement
Commissioners passed the first reading of an ordinance that would enforce speed limits around school zones throughout the county. Data shows that thousands of drivers regularly exceed speed limits around school zones, endangering children and parents, sometimes leading to crashes.
Under the ordinance, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with a third-party vendor, will issue traffic tickets to drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more in school zones. A 60-day education campaign will precede enforcement.
Watch the discussion.
Performance reviews
Commissioners reviewed the performance evaluations for County Manager Michele Lieberman and County Attorney Sylvia Torres. Lieberman scored an outstanding score of 4.9 out of 5. Torres scored a 4.96.
Watch the discussion.
Broadband for underserved areas
The commission approved a ranking list of vendors to help expand reliable broadband internet to unserved and underserved areas in Alachua County. Staff will now negotiate with the top-ranked vendor for services. The scope of the project is budgeted at $14 million.
Watch the discussion.
Proclamations
Commissioner Ken Cornell declared Dec. 8, 2024 as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Awareness Day in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler declared Nov. 21, 2024 as Central Florida Community Action Agency Day in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Mary Alford declared November 2024 as Epilepsy Awareness Month in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
See the full Nov. 12 agenda and video.
