At the June 11 County Commission meeting, Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman presented the 2024 Annual Report. The video presentation highlights the county's accomplishments over the past year and looks ahead to its goals and challenges.
“This year, as I reviewed the excellent work of our departments, two words kept recurring: services and support – as in the essential services we provide every county resident, and the tremendous support we give our cities, constitutional officers, public schools, the University of Florida, the state, and non-profits," Lieberman said.
“It is easy to be confused about which services are provided by the county, and which by other governments," she continued. “Our population lives in both cities and the unincorporated area, but all are residents of Alachua County – and we serve everyone."
FY 2025 tentative budget proposal
Next, Lieberman presented her budget message and delivered her FY25 tentative budget to the County Commission. She presented a balanced budget and recommended lowering the general fund property tax millage rate for the eighth consecutive year.
"This budget includes $44 million for roads, funding for constructing a new civil courthouse, a new animal shelter and a significantly remodeled fire rescue facility," said Commission Chair Mary Alford. "These are major initiatives. For many counties, any one of those things would be a big deal."
The manager also highlighted the critical challenge of retaining and attracting employees, recommending a 6% raise and increasing the minimum wage from $17 to $18.
“This budget emphasizes the importance of operating a healthy, sustainable workplace with realistic and reasonable expectations of our employees," Lieberman said. “Workforce retention is essential to our organization and our goal of achieving the commission's strategic priorities."
The commission will now begin its deliberations in anticipation of finalizing the budget in September.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.
