Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - On February 1, 2011, at 6 p.m., the Alachua County Commission will be holding a Community Dialogue/Town Hall meeting to discuss potentially going to voters with a 2012 referendum for a one-cent or one-half-cent sales tax for infrastructure.  The meeting will take place in Room 209 (the Commission Chambers) of the County Administration Building located at 12 SE 1^st Street in downtown Gainesville. 

Infrastructure refers to the capital projects constructed by local government, such as roads, parks, buildings, and acquisitions of major equipment or property by local governments.  Under State of Florida law, the sales tax may be enacted for a multi-year period and voters must approve the referendum to enact such a sales tax.

A presentation on the legal requirements and legal uses of the one-cent sales tax and how it can be placed on the ballot will be made at the meeting.  A County staff presentation entitled "A Penny for Pavement" will be presented to discuss the potential use of the sales tax for pavement management of County and municipal roadways.  The public will have an opportunity to comment on and discuss this potential referendum.

"The County Commission has not made a decision to place a referendum on the 2012 ballot," County Manager Randall H. Reid stated, "The meeting is being held because of the Commission's desire to gather public input concerning this subject."

For more information, contact the Alachua County Communications office at 352-374-5204.