MediaUpdate

​The Alachua County Commission will conduct a budget meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Grace Knight Conference Room on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville).

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​The meeting was initially supposed to be a joint county and city meeting, and data centers were on the agenda. The county portion of the meeting was cancelled so more members can be present when data centers are discussed more formally.

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​The “aspirational” plan, while not policy, closely references the county’s comprehensive plan, “so that this is all integrated over the long term,” said county resiliency specialist Jennison Kipp.

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​Recent discussions surrounding homelessness and student support in Alachua County have sparked an important community conversation. Following County Commission Chair Ken Cornell’s letter encouraging the School Board to review underutilized facilities as part of broader homelessness efforts, many residents are asking what role schools should play in addressing the growing challenges facing vulnerable children and families.

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​The memorial is dedicated to honoring individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by gun violence while creating a space for remembrance, healing, and hope within the community.

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​After reviewing Alachua County’s current wildland fire conditions and in consultation with state officials, the mandatory countywide burn ban has been extended and will remain in effect through May 22, 2026.

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​Alachua County Public Works and the City of Newberry will begin construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of County Road 235 and Newberry Lane on Monday, June 1, 2026.

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​At the end of a May 5 special meeting, the Alachua County Commission voted to ask staff to wait until the fall to bring back a resolution that the board unanimously requested on April 28 to oppose ICE and reiterate their commitment to “immigrant safety and inclusion.” They also voted to encourage more pollinator-friendly landscaping, which could include “Pollinators’ Homes” signs along roadways.

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​​Alachua County is paving the way toward a stronger, safer future. In May 2023, the Alachua County Commission approved the historic 10-year, $250 million Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP), focused on improving road conditions, extending the life of county infrastructure, increasing traffic safety, and improving mobility for our residents. The program represents the largest sustained investment in transportation infrastructure in Alachua County’s history.

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​Alachua County Public Works wants to inform residents about an upcoming, temporary overnight closure of Southwest 20th Avenue to support construction activities associated with the Zaya Project (formerly Gilbane Apartments).

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​After a brief, nearly 10-minute presentation, Windstream told the Alachua County Commission it has now installed more than 80% of its reliable internet service across its contracted underserved areas in less than a year.

On May 12, Alachua County Strategic Performance Manager Donna Bradbook, who is also running for City Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler’s District 2 seat, opened the presentation by saying reliable internet access is no longer a luxury.

Calling it essential infrastructure, Bradbook said the county chose to invest a portion of its American Rescue Plan funds toward expanding high-speed internet access for thousands of residents and small businesses in rural areas, helping them better “connect to the tools and opportunities that drive modern-day education, employment, social connections and economic growth.”​

​Reinforcing Bradbook’s point that broadband is more akin to a utility than a luxury, Vice President Rex Reeves reminded the dais that the county awarded Kinetic, Windstream’s fiber service, four contracts to serve south High Springs, east Waldo, Earleton, Island Grove, and the northwest corner of the county, including High Springs city limits.

​Nearly to the day since his first presentation on May 13, 2025, Reeves said the broadband provider has delivered service to more than 3,950 locations in less than a year.

Reeves said 1,700 locations have been served in south High Springs, with 124 remaining; 1,497 locations have been served in the northwest corner, with 588 remaining; 756 locations in east Waldo and Earleton have been served, with 42 remaining; and 154 locations in Island Grove are still awaiting service.

​Reeves added that the state is working to finalize BEAD grants, which he described as “the most recent federally subsidized program.”

While expressing appreciation for the project’s affordability and sharing information about connectivity, Commissioner Mary Alford asked whether internet service could be brought to Archer after receiving “everyday” complaints about Kinetic “running a fiber a block away” without connecting homes.

​"Things like, 'I spoke to the people running the fiber they said they just had to get this into the ground so they wouldn't lose their state funding but they don't have any plans to actually connect anyone,' " Alford said. "I don't know if that's really true or not but that's the kind of complaints I'm getting."

Reeves said he would look into the situation in Archer.

Pleased to see the project nearing completion, Commissioner Anna Prizzia asked Reeves about the affordability of the internet service.

Reeves said residents can check Kinetic’s website to see whether they qualify for service.

From there, he said residents can choose from several pricing plans, which start at $24.99 per month for 100 megabits per second and run up to $69.99 per month for 2 gigabits.

"We think relatively affordable offerings and people are excited and we're seeing a lot of new customers," Reeves said.

​​Commission Chair Ken Cornell thanked Reeves for his work and said the project brings the county one step closer to helping residents in rural areas who need internet access.

​Alachua County and Windstream entered into an agreement a year ago to deploy broadband to four rural areas, and officials now say the work is over 80% complete.  

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​The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held its first joint meeting with the Newberry City Commission from the city’s new City Hall on Monday and discussed property tax cuts, Newberry’s role in the Forward Focus initiative and AgFoodTech updates. 

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​Alachua County elected officials are at odds over a proposal to improve access to housing for students who are homeless.

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​The Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center, in partnership with IMPACT GNV, invites residents to the annual Survivors of Gun Violence Memorial on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Squirrel Ridge Park (1603 SW Williston Road, Gainesville).

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