Metro | City and County Commission

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville’s new budget goes into effect Oct. 1: what that means for residents

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 23, 2022

Gainesville city commissioners voted Thursday to implement the new budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2023. Some major changes include increased funding to improve transit methods across the city and decreased funding for the city’s publicly owned utility branch, Gainesville Regional Utilities.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville housing project passes first vote despite split commissioner, citizen support

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 19, 2022

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 Sept. 15 to turn the lot on the corner of Southwest Second Avenue and Southwest 10th Street into a 12-story housing complex and standalone five-story building. The proposal was made by real estate firm CA Ventures.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville residents debate exclusionary zoning as key issue before mayoral race

By Allie Sinkovich | Sep. 12, 2022

As Gainesville residents anticipate the runoff mayoral race in November, the aftermath of the city’s elimination of exclusionary zoning is heavy on their minds.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler sued for alleged residency violation

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 11, 2022

Eugene Garvin filed a lawsuit Sept. 8 against Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, accusing her of not residing within District 2 during her Aug. 23 election against Democratic opponent Charlie Jackson. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville single-family zoning elimination faces pushback from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 9, 2022

The department's letter argued creating additional units would only serve the city's renters, which primarily consists of UF students, not the majority of residents. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission asks city to delay vote on elimination of single-family zoning

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 2, 2022

Gainesville’s contentious single-family zoning elimination faces opposition again — this time from members of the Alachua County Commission.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission approves zoning changes despite resident outcry

By Mickenzie Hannon | Aug. 5, 2022

Gainesville will be the first city in Florida to eliminate exclusionary zoning after a 4-3 vote Thursday. Hundreds of residents crammed into City Hall, for the meeting, which the city scheduled to finish at 10 p.m. Going nearly two hours over the allotted time, the vote finally came shortly before midnight. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

‘The fight will continue’: Gainesville community rallies against citywide zoning changes

By Mickenzie Hannon | Aug. 4, 2022

Gainesville residents attend the Shady Grove Primitive Baptist Church Wednesday to voice concerns about the city’s plan to eliminate exclusionary zoning.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City split on residential zoning changes

By Mickenzie Hannon | July 18, 2022

Gainesville may become the first Florida city to eliminate single-family zoning in an effort to offer additional housing near campus and in residential areas.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

DeSantis appoints county Republican committeewoman to fill vacated county commission seat

By Mickenzie Hannon | June 13, 2022

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Raemi Eagle-Glenn Thursday to fill the District 1 seat, which she lost by about 62% to former commissioner Mary Alford in 2020. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission moves forward with East Gainesville sports complex proposal

By Carissa Allen | June 6, 2022

The unanimous vote paves the way for the commission to later understand the approximate expenditure, revenue, economic impact and traffic impact for a sports complex on Eighth Avenue and Waldo Road. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

COVID-19 outbreak postpones City Commission meetings

By Mickenzie Hannon | May 20, 2022

Gainesville City Commission’s Thursday meeting was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among officials.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville to demolish historic recreation center

By Mickenzie Hannon | May 16, 2022

Twenty-one days after city commissioners voted 6-0 to demolish and replace the historic Thelma A. Boltin Center, Mayor Lauren Poe deemed “People Saving Places” as Gainesville’s theme for National Preservation Month 2022. Residents are confused with the conflicting decisions. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County Commissioner resigns after residency investigation

By Mickenzie Hannon | May 16, 2022

County Commissioner Mary Alford plans to resign after a May 13 Gainesville Sun investigation found her in violation of residency requirements.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

East Gainesville residents weigh effects of proposed sports complex

By Carissa Allen | May 9, 2022

A proposed sports complex in East Gainesville has reignited a fiery decades-long political debate on how to spur economic activity in the area.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville to restrict public drinking

By Mickenzie Hannon | May 6, 2022

City Commissioners voted 4-3 Thursday to repeal the open container policy which allowed individuals to drink and carry alcoholic beverages on public property and authorized businesses to serve alcohol in public, outdoor spaces..

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City of Gainesville hosts annual State of the City Address

By Melanie Pena | Mar. 2, 2022

The plan, Imagine GNV,  is a collaborative effort between Gainesville neighbors and the city government. The plan lays out actions the city will take to address elements including racial inequity, affordable housing and education — an area that hasn’t been included in previous city plans. The plan is in the works with nine draft chapters published online. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville’s first Black Mayor and City Commissioner since Reconstruction is remembered by family

By Melanie Pena | Feb. 28, 2022

Butler was elected into the city commission in 1969, becoming the first Black man elected to the body since Reconstruction, an era marked by post Civil War opportunities. Later, in 1971, he became the first Black Mayor to hold that office in 100 years. However, he wanted to be remembered for who he was rather than being the first.

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Cynthia Chestnut begins her term as City Commissioner

By Melanie Pena | Feb. 18, 2022

With her hand on the Bible her mother gave her 49 years ago, Cynthia Chestnut repeated the oath of office during her City Commissioner swearing-in ceremony. On Thursday morning, Chestnut was sworn in as At-Large Seat B City Commissioner outside Gainesville City Hall after winning the special runoff election Jan. 25. The position will be a four-year term with elections every two years starting this year, according to a City of Gainesville press release. 

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METRO  |  CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Two new candidates join the race for Gainesville mayor

By Melanie Pena | Feb. 7, 2022

Before Ward and Bielarski announced last week, the only two candidates running for the position were Arreola, who announced his race in December 2021, and Shepherd, who filed his paperwork in June 2021.