County Executive Presents Annual Report and Budget Message

Alachua County Press Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – At the June 11 County Commission meeting, Alachua County Executive Michele Lieberman presented the 2024 Annual Report. The video presentation highlights the county’s accomplishments over the of the last year and considers its objectives and challenges.

“This year, as I reviewed the excellent work of our departments, two words kept coming up: services And support – as in the essential services we provide to every county resident and the tremendous support we provide to our cities, constitutional officers, public schools, the University of Florida, the state and nonprofit organizations lucrative,” Lieberman said.

“It’s easy to be confused about which services are provided by the county and which are provided by other governments,” she added. “Our population lives in both the cities and the unincorporated area, but all reside in Alachua County – and we serve everyone.”

Watch the annual report video.

Interim budget proposal for fiscal year 2025

Next, Lieberman presented his budget message and delivered his tentative FY25 budget to the county commission. She presented a balanced budget and recommended lowering the general fund property tax rate for an eighth consecutive year.

“This budget includes $44 million for roads and funding to build a new civil courthouse, a new animal shelter and a significantly renovated fire rescue center,” he said. said Commission President Mary Alford. “These are major initiatives. For many counties, any of these things would be a big problem.

The manager also highlighted the critical challenge of retaining and attracting employees, recommending a 6% raise and an increase in the minimum wage from $17 to $18.

“This budget highlights the importance of operating a healthy, sustainable workplace with realistic and reasonable expectations for our employees,” Lieberman said. “Workforce retention is critical to our organization and our goal of achieving the commission’s strategic priorities.

The committee will now begin its deliberations ahead of finalizing the budget in September.

Read the budget message.

Watch the presentation.

View the County Executive’s entire proposed budget for FY25.