The city of Gainesville held its swearing-in ceremony Thursday morning, officially inducting Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and three commissioners into office.
Mayor-elect Harvey Ward and 12 other mayors from across the country met with key members of the Biden-Harris administration to discuss national policy. Gainesville was the only Florida city represented at the conference.
Gainesville has established multiple sister cities and is now adding the city of Ho, Ghana to its list — making it the 10th sister city in Gainesville’s program. The cities now span five continents and 10 countries.
Salaries for city commissioners are currently more than $37,000, with the mayor’s salary estimating more than $47,100, according to city documents. If implemented in January, salaries would increase to more than $71,000 and $88,700, respectively — a 91% salary increase for each commissioner.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity filed a suit against the city Nov. 28, looking to repeal the ordinance that would allow multi-unit apartment complexes to be built in traditionally single-unit housing neighborhoods. The suit comes just weeks after filings by local residents.
About 100 community members were in attendance at the meeting’s peak, with many calling for the abolition of the unit. However, the future direction of law enforcement policy on the matter isn’t as clear.
After delayed financial reports to the state, the Gainesville city auditor’s resignation and planned international commission trips, some local residents are worried about their tax dollars.
Alford, as well as Ken Cornell and Marihelen Wheeler, were sworn-in Tuesday morning at the Alachua County Administration Building after winning the general election Nov. 8. This will mark another consecutive term as county commissioners, giving them each another four years.
Residents of Alachua County voted to enact single-member district voting, meaning County Commissioners will only be voted in by the people they represent. The campaign saw public scrutiny from both sides due to potentially misleading signs and information. The County Commission might challenge it in the future, but for now, the amendment is here to stay.
In the coming weeks, the sheriff’s office will meet with unions to determine how to divy up the new funding, but said in the meeting payroll increases could come as early as Nov. 23.
Alachua County elected officials face legal trouble with Florida's residence requirements. The lawsuit against Wheeler was dismissed in circuit court Nov. 3. The suit was filed by Alachua resident Eugene Garvin.
Gainesville City Commission will see a potential voter majority leave in January, as four commissioners term out. The commissioners mention their priorities for the final months in office, as well as how they look to help the oncoming commission.
The Gainesville City Commission welcomed delegates from Rzeszów and presented them with $20,860 for their efforts in aiding refugees from Ukraine over the past few months.
The Alachua County Commission voted 3-1 Tuesday to adopt a proposal adding farm stays as a new form of overnight accommodation, similar to hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.
Only the parking ordinance saw a split 4-3 vote, with Commissioners David Arreola, Adrian Hayes-Santos, Reina Saco and Mayor Lauren Poe in favor.
Commissioners David Arreola, Adrian Hayes-Santos, Reina Saco and Mayor Lauren Poe voted in favor of the three ordinances; Commissioners Harvey Ward, Cynthia Chestnut and Desmon Duncan-Walker dissented.
The Alachua County Commission voted 4-1 to reject a proposal seeking to turn the now-defunct West End Golf Club into a residential area with a maximum of 70 units. Only Commissioner Raemi Eagle-Glenn voted in dissent.
The meeting was originally slated for Sept. 20 before getting delayed to Wednesday. It’s now scheduled for Nov. 15 — almost two full months before it was originally scheduled — according to the city’s agenda.
Mayor Lauren Poe read a proclamation at City Hall Monday recognizing Oct. 10 as Indigenous Peoples Day.
The city of Gainesville won its first victory in what’s expected to be a prolonged battle against Florida’s anti-riot law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Solutions by The State News
