Media Release

5:10 pm

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - In his FY09 budget message to the County Commission and Citizens of Alachua County, Florida, County Manager Randall H. Reid directed every department to prepare for a prolonged period of economic instability.

Reid stated, "In an era of perpetual fiscal crisis and continuously rising costs, we must prepare for and proactively plan for the future. It is vital to recognize that this time contains opportunities to change how we operate and allows us to respond to challenges in a positive way."

At Manager Reid's direction, Alachua County has embarked upon a non-traditional assessment of its service delivery models. This effort has been named the "Alternative Futures" project.  

"These difficult economic times have compelled us to implement the traditional responses such as across-the-board cuts, hiring freezes, employee bonuses instead of raises and deferring capital projects such as the Court Services building," Reid stated, "but ultimately these traditional responses don't create a sustainable and healthy organization.  We must fundamentally change our business plans.""

County departments will be submitting "Alternative Futures" business proposals to Manager Reid for presentation to the County Commission in February of 2009.

To view the "Alternative Futures" presentation click on the link below:

http://www.alachuacounty.us/assets/uploads/images/Communications/pr_

images/AlternativeFutures.pdf

Any citizen wishing to submit ideas to the County Manager concerning the "Alternative Futures" project, and how the County should or could change the way services are delivered is encouraged to send an email by January 15th, 2009 to AlternativeFutures@alachuacounty.us.  These will be discussed by the County Commission and staff in February 2009. 

Under Florida law, all information, including e-mail, written letters, documents and phone messages, sent to Alachua County is subject to Public Records law. This includes the sender's e-mail address, home address or phone number if shown in the message, the content of the message and any associated attachments to the email.

For more information, call the Communications Office at 352-374-5226.