MediaUpdate

​Alachua County officials want community input on the reading and writing skills of their residents.

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​The program is to bring residents and county leaders together to identify community needs and find solutions. Assistant County Manager Missy Daniels says the effort is centered on listening to the people who live there.

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Alachua County Animal Resources is their ACAR After Dark Halloween event on Saturday.

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The Children’s Trust of Alachua County (CTAC) sponsored Thursday’s event, with the Gainesville Circus Center serving as the host. 

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​The Alachua County Commission will conduct its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The meeting is in the Jack Durrance Auditorium on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville). The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m.

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​Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia awarded over $8.2 million in funding to support Florida fire departments and public safety facilities, including $26k for Alachua County Fire Rescue. This money supports training, equipment, and improved safety for local firefighters across the state.  

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​Alachua County is proud to announce its participation in Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort by Counties, the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. 

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​The ceremony memorializes individuals who were unclaimed, abandoned, or unknown at the time of their death.

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​The five-member Alachua County legislative delegation on Oct. 20 met for the second time this year at Santa Fe College and heard from county leaders about issues impacting the community, in 

The meeting was led by state Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, assisted by state Rep. Chad Johnson, R-Chiefland. The delegation heard from Alachua County Commission Chair Charles "Chuck" Chestnut IV and Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott, who spoke on funding requests and their accomplishments. 

Chestnut thanked the delegation's efforts to support the county's requests at their last legislative session, but noted things did not go in the county's favor. 

"Your efforts last session by the veto pen wasn't so kind to us, but your efforts were appreciated," Chestnut said. ​

​Chestnut began by requesting a local bill on inmate medical costs that would cap spending for county inmates at 110% of the Medicaid rate. Chestnut added the same rate already applies to state inmates. 

"This would save taxpayers; dollars and create fairness in billing. Similar bills were passed in other counties last session, and we believe now is the right time to pursue this for Alachua County," Chestnut said. 

​State Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, asked Chestnut if he could provide a number that represents the amount county taxpayers would save regarding inmate medical costs. Chestnut said he did not have that number but would get back to them. 

​Chestnut added he would like to request funding for the second phase of design work for the Archer Road expansion project. The project aims to see State Road 24 (Archer Road) widened to four lanes, primarily between Tower and Parker roads. 

​County spokesperson Mark Sexton told The Sun in July that DeSantis approved a $2.6 million request for the first phase of design work in the previous legislative session. However, Sexton clarified that the funding does not mean that construction will begin, but that it is merely another step in the right direction. 

Chestnut also said the county is collaborating with the county's Children’s Trust and school board to create a child care pilot program for first responders "and other public servants with non-traditional schedules." Although the county is not asking for funding for the project in the upcoming session, he asked for the delegation's support to allow funding for these types of programs. 

​Additionally, Chestnut asked once again for funds for the Newnans Lake Restoration Project, the public safety infrastructure project that would support its new facility for larger county fire rescue to improve emergency response, and the Alachua County Sports and Event Center. 

​Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott addressed issues at the jail and said that although the jail has experienced issues in recruiting applicants, they have enjoyed recent success in hiring more personnel. 

Scott requested the delegation to assist in finding funding for a jail study to see if the county needs to renovate or construct a new facility. Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a request by McClain following the 2025 legislation session for $225,000 for a study on the future viability of the Alachua County Jail. 

​"Our jail is old. I know you guys supported it last time, I would request that you help us do it again," Scott said. ​

The 2026 legislative session will convene on Jan. 13, 2026. 

The primary developer of Celebration Pointe, Svein Dyrkolbotn, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week as the overall company continues through bankruptcy lawsuits along with claims of more than $100 million in fraud.

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​The Alachua County Development Review Committee on Oct. 16 approved two projects that could see the creation of a new sports facility and a 75-unit apartment complex.

Flamingo Sports Club would be located at Southwest Archer Road west of its intersection with Southwest 91st Street at the former YMCA sports facility. The private club would include pickleball and tennis courts, a pool, and other recrational opportunities. The application was submitted by Gainesville-based civil engineering firm EDA Consulting Inc.

County commissioners approved a special exemption to the Flamingo Sports Club on Dec. 10, 2024.

The 75-unit Live Oak Cottages is slated for almost 10 acres at 2408 NW 143rd Street, just south of Jonesville Park. It was approved by the commission on Jan. 28.​

​The property is currently home to two residences built in 1939, along with a mix of wooded land and pasture.

The application submitted by Yonge Consultants LLC, calls for "creative, diverse and high-quality infill development within the Urban Cluster and to promote a variety of housing types and sizes."

​Yonge Consultants LLC has the option to develop twice the maximum units per acre.

One challenge the property faces is a potential gopher tortoise burrow near the build site. Prior to the construction permit, a burrow was found near the property but not observed onsite during its biological survey.

Alachua County Growth Management Planner Jacob Stout said big projects such as these go to the commission as a first step. If approved, the application then goes through a final development process.

​"They present a full-on set of construction ready plans that a general contractor will use to grade the site to make sure stormwater is collected properly, building pads are ready, and next is the construction permit process if it is necessary. For Flamingo Sports Club and Live Oak Cottages, they'll go to construction permit," Stout said.

​Stout said both applicants have exactly one year from the approval date to complete an application for a construction, building or other required permit by the appropriate reviewing department.

​With all the discussion happening across Florida about local government budgets, Alachua County is joining the conversation through this series: Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters.

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