Metro | City County Commission - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Remembering David Flagg – former Gainesville mayor, Florida House representative

By Zoey Thomas | Aug. 31, 2023

When he wasn’t jumping from planes as an 82nd Airborne lieutenant, the Gainesville native, history buff and diehard Gators football fan served as a Gainesville city commissioner and mayor-commissioner from 1985 to 1988, followed by two terms in the Florida House from 1988 to 1992. During his time in office, he championed natural resource protection and gun safety legislation. He died Aug. 21.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City officials hold press conference ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

By Ella Thompson | Aug. 28, 2023

City officials held a press conference at 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss city operations and provide safety tips about flooding and power outages as Tropical Storm Idalia approaches the west coast of Florida. Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward was joined by City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, city manager Cynthia Curry, city attorney Dan Nee, Gainesville Regional Utilities general manager Tony Cunningham and a handful of the city’s emergency response team.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission considers repeal of open container alcohol ordinance

By Kat Tran | Aug. 23, 2023

The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 last Thursday to revert the city’s open container ordinance back to how the city regulated alcohol prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This bans open-canned alcohol outside businesses, as well as parks and streets.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

New car center, arts center to come to Gainesville

By Emma Parker | July 24, 2023

Gainesville City Commission approved the construction of a Tesla car center and a dance cultural center by unanimous decision.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a political roundtable, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Bedford, N.H. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville residents, leadership unhappy after state GRU takeover

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | July 3, 2023

A board hand-picked by Gov. Ron DeSantis will take control of Gainesville Regional Utilities within the next few months.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

State decisions continue to guide Gainesville City Commission budget cuts

By Amanda Friedman | June 19, 2023

Efforts to combat Gainesville Regional Utilities’ rising debt could come at the expense of homeowners as well as public service initiative funding, according to state decisions and the city’s 2024 fiscal year budget proposals.

Mayor Harvey Ward speaks on the proposed 2024 fiscal year budget on the Wednesday, June 14 City Commission meeting.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission continues with 2024 budget proposals

By Amanda Friedman | June 15, 2023

In light of pressure from state lawmakers, the Gainesville City Commission heard proposals for drastic cuts for the 2024 fiscal year budget at a special meeting Wednesday.

City Commissioner Casey Willits (left) sits in the pavilion behind his apartment complex and County Commissioner Mary Alford (right) sits at her office in the Alachua County Administration Building.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

LGBTQ Commissioners bring unique life experiences to local government

By Jacob Sedesse | June 12, 2023

Gainesville City Commissioner Casey Willits and Alachua County Commissioner Mary Alford represent Gainesville as the only two elected officials in the county who are openly a part of the LGBTQ community. The two commissioners have followed contrasting paths to their positions today — both professionally and personally.

Nathaniel Chan, a city planner, is seen at his office at the Thomas Center on Friday, May 19, 2023.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Nathaniel Chan: City planning for a more inclusive community

By Jacob Sedesse | May 22, 2023

Nathaniel Chan, 24, is a gay, Chinese American dedicated to using city planning to serve the community he loves. While his determination got him a position with the city, his path there was not always clear.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County recommits to investing in East Gainesville

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | May 10, 2023

Alachua County will re-acquire 13 acres of land in East Gainesville, originally intended for affordable housing, from the nonprofit Dogwood Village for $1,840,934. The total settlement will cost the county $2,964,730.60.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities will move forward with solar plant

Apr. 21, 2023

The City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a solar contract with Origis Energy, making construction of a plant in Archer the first solar project for Gainesville Regional Utilities.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission officially votes to restore exclusionary zoning

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 20, 2023

The three ordinances will completely revert the city’s zoning codes back to what they were, including four different types of single family zones, residential conservation zones, mobile home zones, multi-family zones and mixed use zones.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville solar plans in Archer shed light on nuances of renewable energy

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 17, 2023

After over a year of contract negotiations, the Gainesville City Commission has decided to temporarily halt plans to build a solar plant, called the Sand Bluff Solar Project, until it receives approval from a state committee.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Are Gainesville’s 2040 waste diversion goals attainable?

By Jake Lynch | Apr. 17, 2023

With the startling amount of waste becoming more than just an eye sore, three cities in the state have made it a goal to reduce their amount of waste. Gainesville joins Key West and Orlando in the fight to reduce waste and resulting greenhouse gases.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Rep. Chuck Clemons files Gainesville Regional Utilities bill

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 11, 2023

On Monday morning, Rep. Chuck Clemons (R-Newberry) filed legislation, House Bill 1645, that would put Gainesville Regional Utilities under state control if passed.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission votes 4-1 to allow free, unlimited prison phone calls

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 7, 2023

The Alachua County Commission voted Thursday night 4-1 to provide free and unlimited prison phone calls by Oct. 1.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

County on edge about proposed meat processing facility

By Jack Lemnus | Apr. 5, 2023

After nearly four hours of passionate public debate and multiple reminders for the audience to remain respectful, the Alachua County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to advance plans for a meat processing facility in Newberry.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission approves cottage village ordinance

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 29, 2023

The Alachua County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve cottage villages as appropriate housing.

Cynthia Chestnut addresses a crowd of 30 supporters at her campaign launch at Gainesville City Hall on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Cynthia Chestnut: 5 decades of unwavering public service in Gainesville, Alachua County

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 20, 2023

Cynthia Chestnut, 73, was the first Black woman to serve as a Gainesville City Commissioner, mayor, Alachua County Commissioner and state representative for District 23. She’s now a city commissioner, serving Gainesville for the second time since her tenure in the 1980s.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Florida House to hear Gainesville Regional Utilities state takeover bill

By Siena Duncan | Mar. 20, 2023

The Alachua County Legislative Delegation voted 4-1 March 17 to move a bill affecting Gainesville Regional Utilities to the floor of the Florida House of Representatives.

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