u/ShakyBooty

Alachua County is looking for residents who want to make a meaningful contribution to their community.

The County is seeking applicants for the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board, which helps provide public oversight of an estimated $500 million in voter-approved investments supporting conservation lands, parks, roads, affordable housing, public buildings and other capital projects throughout Alachua County and its municipalities.

Serving on the board is an opportunity to help safeguard a major public investment and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent transparently, responsibly and for their intended purposes.

Board members track expenditures, review financial reports and may review proposed projects or recommend additional audits. Their work provides an important layer of citizen oversight and accountability for investments that will shape the community for years to come.

If you have experience, perspective and a commitment to public service, the County encourages you to apply.

See the openings and apply today.

The board currently has four openings and may include up to seven voting members and three alternates serving staggered four-year terms. Members must be Alachua County residents and may not be county or municipal elected officials or employees.

The board includes citizen-at-large positions as well as seats for an auditor or accountant and a Florida-licensed professional, such as an architect or engineer. Appointments also include representatives from Gainesville and the county’s other municipalities.

The board meets quarterly at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of January, April, July and October in the Grace Knight Conference Room at the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville). The next meeting is Oct. 26, 2026.

For more information, contact April Shuping at 352-337-6121 or mshuping@alachuacounty.gov.

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https://floridapolitics.com/archives/822624-chestnut-donalds-uf-town-hall/

>Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds was joined by a lifelong Democrat Wednesday night at his town hall at the University of Florida.

>Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, a Democrat who backed David Jolly in the Governor’s race until shortly after Gwen Graham was picked as his running mate, spoke ahead of the Congressman from Naples.

>Chestnut objected to the “all-White ticket” presented by the Democrats.

>Speaking ahead of Donalds, Chestnut lauded him for choosing to “listen with care and respect” and give “access” to the Governor’s Office that Gainesville hasn’t had in “many, many years.”

​​The ​​Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center is reminding the community that free and confidential support for victims and survivors of sexual violence is available 24 hours a day, particularly as campus activities are in full swing.

The center’s services include a 24-hour sexual assault recovery helpline and accompaniment, information about medical, reporting and safety options, crisis intervention and emotional support, and ongoing support for survivors and their loved ones.

The 24-hour Sexual Assault Helpline is 352-264-6760.

Research on campus sexual violence has identified the beginning of the academic year, particularly the transition into college, as an important time for sexual violence awareness and education. While research does not identify a single period when sexual assault occurs, studies have found that students can face increased vulnerability to sexual violence during their first year of college. Providing information early about consent, bystander intervention and available support services can help students recognize risks and know where to turn for support.

One important prevention step is obtaining full consent before engaging in sexual activity. Consent must be freely and clearly given. If someone is too intoxicated to consent, seems unsure or expresses hesitation, stop and do not proceed.

Community members can also practice bystander intervention when they see a situation that causes concern. Safe interventions can include checking in with someone who appears uncomfortable, creating a distraction or contacting someone who can safely assist. Bystander intervention does not mean putting yourself in danger. In some situations, the safest option is to alert someone with the authority to intervene.

“Talking about prevention is an important part of building a community where people understand consent, look out for one another and are willing to step in when something doesn’t seem right,” said Director Laura Kalt. “But prevention should never be confused with responsibility. If someone experiences sexual assault, the responsibility belongs to the person who chose to cause harm—not to the survivor for what they did or didn’t do to prevent it.”

For more information, contact Laura Kalt at 352-264-6762 or lkalt@alachuacounty.us.