Media Release

Commission Dedicates Over Half of FY16 Budget to Public Safety

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 7:00 PM

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – This evening, in the second of two required Public Hearings, the Alachua County Commission unanimously approved the FY16 Final Budget, which includes $190 million in taxing funds.

“Once again the County Commission has demonstrated that Public Safety is its number one priority,” Alachua County Manager Lee A. Niblock said.  “Over half of the budget, $97 million of the $190 million, has been dedicated to keeping our citizens safe and protected.” 

In light of new revenue from a property value increase of approximately 2.9 percent, the Commission has approved a modest decrease in the General Fund Millage Rate. New revenues will be used primarily to cover healthcare and Florida Retirement System (FRS) increases for both the Commission Departments and all of the Constitutional Officers.

All Commission Departments and Constitutional Officers (the Sheriff, the Property Appraiser, the Tax Collector, the Supervisor of Elections, and the Clerk of the Court) have received an increase over last year’s adopted budget.

Budget highlights include:

  • A 75 percent increase in road repair funds from all taxing units (from $2 million to $3.5 million)
  • Three new rescue units ($769,000, offset by $536,000 in revenue)
  • Three new positions and one new program for the Sheriff ($212,000)
  • A Supervisor of Elections increase for Presidential Primary ($441,000)
  • Building renovations for the Tax Collector ($260,000)
  • A Property Appraiser increase for a new vendor to aid in assessments ($133,000)
  • An increase in Mental Health funding ($150,000)
  • Expansion of Solar Power on County Buildings ($300,000)
  • A required increase from the State for juvenile detention costs ($220,000)


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

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Contact

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in a County program, service or public meeting, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least 2 business days prior to the event. TTY users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

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