Highlights from the September 9, 2025 County Commission Meeting
Tuesday, Sep. 09, 2025
Last Updated: Wednesday, Aug. 05, 2026
Announcements
Communications Director Mark Sexton showed two feature videos, which included the ribbon cutting of the Diesel Mechanic Training and Certification Program. The program is in partnership with Santa Fe College, CareerSource of North Central Florida and the U.S. Army.
The program is designed to strengthen the region’s skilled labor force and support long-term economic development. It will equip students with the practical skills needed for careers in diesel engine repair, agricultural equipment maintenance, mobile heavy machinery service and related high-demand fields.
The second video was a recent agritourism conference held at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center.
The event provided guidance on topics such as zoning, permitting, fire safety, marketing, and collaborative agritourism promotion for those interested in or involved with agritourism, including farmers, ranchers, landowners, entrepreneurs and others seeking to explore or expand agritourism opportunities on their property or in the community.
Thelma Boltin Center
The County Commission voted to send a letter to the City of Gainesville, asking that it pause the demolition of the Thelma Boltin Center for 90 days and consider allowing a third party to take over the facility.
In 2023, the county and city agreed to partner on the restoration of the city-owned facility, each dedicating $1.5 million toward the building.
Watch the discussion.
Read the story by Mainstreet Daily News.
County Poet Laureate
The commission selected E. Stanley Richardson to remain as the county’s poet laureate.
The poet laureate writes, creates, and reads original poetry and participates in county-sponsored programs and at events.
The county’s poet laureate program was created in 2019.
Strategic Guide
The commission adopted its strategic guide’s focus areas, objectives and language, and instructed staff to schedule future discussions to provide prioritization guidance as the county moves into the fiscal year 2027 budget process.
Lochloosa Slough Preserve 10-year plan
The commission adopted a 10-year management plan for Lochloosa Slough Preserve. The 6,267-acre property is the county’s largest preserve and was acquired in four separate acquisitions.
Initial improvement costs related to habitat restoration, preserve security, recreational access and wildfire prevention are estimated at $530,000 and covered by voter-approved Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) surtax. Annual maintenance is estimated at $20,000.
Watermelon Pond land purchase
The commission approved an option contract to purchase a 66-acre property that will connect to the Watermelon Pond Preserve, south of Newberry.
The acquisition is estimated at $1.06 million, funded with the WSPP surtax.
Recognitions
Commissioner Mary Alford proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
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).
