Alachua meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Agendas only: Duke Energy franchise, community center site plan and CRA budget on Alachua meeting schedules

Alachua's City Commission, Planning and Zoning Board and Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board were all scheduled to meet over the past two weeks, but minutes for those meetings have not yet been published. The summaries below reflect what appeared on the agendas — not what was decided. No vote tallies or outcomes from these three meetings are available in the records provided.

Duke Energy franchise appears on two agendas

Ordinance 26-19, a non-exclusive electric utility franchise for Duke Energy Florida, LLC, was listed for a second reading on the City Commission's Oct. 12 agenda. The same ordinance is listed again as a second reading on the commission's Oct. 26 agenda. The records provided do not show whether the Oct. 12 reading was held, continued or acted on.

Planning board takes up community center site plan

The Planning and Zoning Board's Oct. 13 agenda listed a quasi-judicial hearing on site plan PSP26-0007 for a ±5,400-square-foot community center at 15818 Northwest 140 Street. The board's meeting summary refers to the project as the Hathcock Community Center. The agenda also listed a vote on the minutes of the board's Sept. 29, 2026, special meeting. Neither item's outcome has been published.

CRA board reviews FY27 budget

The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board met Oct. 19 to review the Alachua CRA FY27 Budget, discuss a summarization of the CRA workshop, and consider approval of the Sept. 21, 2026, meeting minutes. The agenda summary does not include budget figures, so no dollar amounts are available to report.

Other items on the Oct. 12 City Commission agenda

The commission's Oct. 12 agenda also listed RFB 2025-02 NW 115th Avenue Extension Change Order #6; an appointment to the Citizen Advisory Task Force; an appointment to the Senior Resources Advisory Board; and proclamations for Colonial Heritage Month, Florida City Week 2026, and White Cane Safety Month. Whether any of these were acted on is not established by the records provided.

Coming up

City Commission — Monday, Oct. 26. Three ordinances are listed:

• Ordinance 27-01: Evaluation and appraisal of the City's Comprehensive Plan (first reading).
• Ordinance 26-19: Electric utility franchise for Duke Energy Florida, LLC (second reading).
• Ordinance 26-17: Temporary moratorium on applications and permits for data centers and large load facilities (second reading).

The moratorium item is the newest addition to the commission's schedule and concerns permits and rezoning for data centers and large load facilities. The agenda does not state a proposed duration or the area covered; those details would come from the ordinance text itself.

Residents who want to know what was actually decided at the Oct. 12, Oct. 13 and Oct. 19 meetings will need to check for published minutes, which were not available at the time of this roundup. This article is based on agendas only and will be updated if minutes are posted.

Alachua agendas: budget, tax rate, data center moratorium and Duke Energy franchise on commission lists

Alachua's City Commission agendas for Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 listed the month's budget, tax and utility items: the 2026 tax rate, the FY 2026-2027 budget, a proposed temporary moratorium on data center applications, and a Duke Energy electric franchise. Minutes for these meetings have not been published, so what was actually decided is not yet established in the record. No vote tallies or dollar amounts appear in the agenda summaries provided.

City Commission, Oct. 5: budget, tax rate and a data center pause

The Oct. 5 agenda listed Resolution 26-15, setting the 2026 general city purpose ad valorem tax levy, alongside Resolutions 26-16 and 26-17, covering the FY 2026-2027 budget and the FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program. The agenda text does not include dollar figures for any of the three.

Also listed was a first reading of Ordinance 26-17, which would impose a temporary moratorium on applications for data centers, large-scale data centers and large load facilities, citing Chapter 2026-65, Laws of Florida (CS/CS/SB 484). A first reading introduces an ordinance; it is not final adoption.

The same agenda listed appointments to the Education Task Force, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Board and Senior Resources Advisory Board, a proposed FY 2027 compensation plan and strategic plan, and a consent agenda carrying the Sept. 14, 2026 minutes and RFB 2026-05, mowing and landscaping for Skinner Park/Alachua Lions Club.

Ordinance 26-18, amending the legal description in Exhibit A of Ordinance 26-08, was listed for a second reading.

Duke Energy franchise

Ordinance 26-19, granting Duke Energy Florida, LLC a non-exclusive electric utility franchise to use city streets and rights-of-way, appeared on the Oct. 5 agenda and again on the Oct. 12 agenda for a second reading. Second readings are typically the adoption step, but the agendas do not state an outcome.

The Oct. 12 agenda also listed RFB 2025-02 NW 115th Avenue Extension Change Order #6, appointments to the Citizen Advisory Task Force and the Senior Resources Advisory Board, and proclamations for Colonial Heritage Month, Florida City Week 2026 and White Cane Safety Month.

Planning and Zoning, Oct. 13: Hathcock Community Center site plan

The board scheduled a quasi-judicial hearing on site plan PSP26-0007 for a ±5,400-square-foot community center at 15818 Northwest 140 Street. The board also listed a vote on minutes from its Sept. 29, 2026 special meeting.

Senior Resources Advisory Board, Oct. 6

The board met at 4:30 PM in the James A. Lewis City Commission Chambers. Its agenda listed an update on senior activities and upcoming trips, a departmental budget overview for 2026-2027, a discussion of public transport opportunities, and approval of meeting minutes. No specific dollar amounts, contracts or ordinances appear in the agenda text.

Coming up

Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board, Oct. 19. The board is scheduled to review the Alachua CRA FY27 Budget, discuss a summarization of the CRA workshop, and consider approval of the Sept. 21, 2026 meeting minutes.

A note on the record: all four recent meetings above are agenda-only entries, with minutes not yet published. This roundup describes what was scheduled for consideration, not what was decided.

Alachua agendas: tax rate, budget, data center moratorium and Duke Energy franchise

Alachua's City Commission agendas for early October listed a 2026 tax rate, the 2026-2027 budget, a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers, and a Duke Energy electric franchise. Minutes for the meetings below had not been published as of October 13, so this roundup describes what was scheduled, not what was decided.

City Commission: tax rate, budget, and a data center moratorium

The October 5 agenda listed Resolution 26-15, which sets the 2026 general city purpose ad valorem tax levy, along with Resolutions 26-16 and 26-17 covering the FY 2026-2027 budget and the FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program. The agenda did not state dollar figures for any of the three.

Also on the October 5 agenda was a first reading of Ordinance 26-17, which would impose a temporary moratorium on applications for data centers, large-scale data centers, and large load facilities. The item cites Chapter 2026-65, Laws of Florida (CS/CS/SB 484). A first reading is an initial step; the agenda does not indicate an outcome.

The commission also listed appointments to the Education Task Force, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and Senior Resources Advisory Board. The consent agenda included September 14, 2026 minutes and RFB 2026-05, mowing and landscaping for Skinner Park/Alachua Lions Club. Ordinance 26-18, a second reading amending the legal description in Exhibit A of Ordinance 26-08, was also listed.

Duke Energy franchise appears on two agendas

Ordinance 26-19, granting Duke Energy Florida, LLC a non-exclusive electric utility franchise to use city streets and rights-of-way, was listed for a first reading on October 5 and a second reading on October 12. The October 12 agenda also listed RFB 2025-02 NW 115th Avenue Extension Change Order #6, appointments to the Citizen Advisory Task Force and the Senior Resources Advisory Board, and proclamations for Colonial Heritage Month, Florida City Week 2026, and White Cane Safety Month.

Planning board: Valvoline and a community center

The Planning and Zoning Board's September 29 special meeting agenda listed special exception permit PSE26-0001 for a ±2,895-square-foot Valvoline automobile repair and servicing establishment at 16304-16308 NW US Highway 441 (Tax Parcel 03044-003-000), plus site plan PSP26-0005 for the same project. The board was also to review the Evaluation and Appraisal (EAR) update PTAC26-0001 to the City of Alachua Comprehensive Plan, covering elements including housing, transportation, and future land use, elect a vice chair, and approve August 11, 2026 meeting minutes.

On October 13, the board is scheduled to hold a quasi-judicial hearing on site plan PSP26-0007 for a ±5,400-square-foot community center at 15818 Northwest 140 Street, and to vote on the September 29 special meeting minutes.

Advisory boards review departmental budgets

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met September 30 at 6:00 PM in the James A. Lewis City Commission Chambers, with a 2026-2027 departmental budget overview, a public art initiative discussion, and overviews of Florida's Sunshine Law and parliamentary procedure. The Senior Resources Advisory Board met October 6 at 4:30 PM in the same chambers, with an update on senior activities and upcoming trips, a 2026-2027 budget overview, and a discussion of public transport opportunities. Neither agenda stated dollar amounts.

Coming up

• **October 13: Planning and Zoning Board** — quasi-judicial hearing on the Hathcock Community Center site plan (PSP26-0007) at 15818 Northwest 140 Street, plus a vote on the September 29 special meeting minutes.

No other meetings were listed for the next 14 days in the records provided.

Alachua boards weigh annexations, housing, and budgets

Alachua city boards met last week to consider annexations, utility rate changes, a 50-unit affordable housing project, and a photo calendar contest. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions are reported.

City Commission (Aug. 10)

The commission’s agenda included public hearings on two annexation ordinances: Ordinance 26-13 (second reading) for tax parcel 03926-030-000, and Ordinance 26-14 (first reading) for tax parcel 03961-000-000. Also on the agenda were Ordinance 26-15 to extend the Clay Electric Cooperative franchise agreement, Ordinance 26-16 to amend utility rates (Code 38), and Resolution 26-10 to adopt the 2026 Alachua County Local Mitigation Strategy. According to the meeting summary, the agenda also included a police union contract and employee health insurance.

City Commission Budget Workshop (Aug. 10)

A separate workshop discussed proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budgets for the General, Debt Service, Special Revenue, and Capital Projects funds. This was a discussion item, not a final decision.

Planning and Zoning Board (Aug. 11)

The board held a public hearing on a site plan for Tolosa North, a 50-unit multifamily housing project by Habitat for Humanity. The plan calls for 10 quadplexes and 2 townhouses on about 7.47 acres south of W State Road 235 and east of NW 135th Terrace. The board also considered two certificates of appropriateness for new single-family homes: one at 14620 NW 138 Terrace (parcel 03392-002-002) and one at the northwest corner of NW 146 Avenue and NW 138 Terrace (parcel 03392-002-001). Approval of minutes from the June 9, 2026 meeting was also on the agenda.

Community Redevelopment Agency Board (Aug. 10)

The CRA board proposed a photo calendar contest, a theater performance series at Alan Hitchcock Theater Park, and a brownfield assessment grant request. An appointment to the Community Redevelopment Advisory Agency was also listed.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for today, August 24:

• **City Commission workshop** on proposed FY2026-2027 budgets for enterprise and internal service funds. Discussion only.
• **City Commission regular meeting** with second readings and public hearings on:
• Ordinance 26-09: Change future land use on about 46.68 acres at 16650 NW US 441 to allow commercial uses.
• Ordinance 26-10: Rezone about 182 acres at 16650 NW US 441 to Planned Development – Commercial.
• Ordinance 26-11: Change future land use on about 1.48 acres at 15818 NW 140th St to Public.
• Ordinance 26-14: Extend city limits to include tax parcel 03961-000-000.
• Ordinance 26-15: Extend Clay Electric Cooperative franchise agreement.

The commission will also discuss renewing the city’s commercial insurance package and conduct the city manager’s annual performance evaluation.

Alachua boards weigh annexations, utility rates, and 50-unit housing project

Alachua city boards met over the past two weeks to consider a range of items, from land annexations and utility rate changes to a 50-unit affordable housing project. All five meetings were listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, meaning no final decisions have been formally recorded.

City Commission weighs annexations, utility rates

On Aug. 10, the City Commission held a regular meeting with public hearings on two annexation ordinances. Ordinance 26-13 (second reading) would annex tax parcel 03926-030-000, and Ordinance 26-14 (first reading) would annex tax parcel 03961-000-000. The commission also considered Ordinance 26-15 to extend the Clay Electric Cooperative franchise agreement and Ordinance 26-16 to amend utility rates under Code 38. A resolution to adopt the 2026 Alachua County Local Mitigation Strategy was also on the agenda. The agenda included updates on the Hathcock Community Center and live streaming of meetings, as well as a police union contract and employee health insurance.

Budget workshop reviews FY 2026-2027 funds

Also on Aug. 10, the commission held a workshop to discuss the proposed FY 2026-2027 budgets for the General, Debt Service, Special Revenue, and Capital Projects funds. This was a discussion item, not a final decision.

Planning board considers 50-unit housing project

On Aug. 11, the Planning and Zoning Board held a public hearing on a site plan for Tolosa North, a 50-unit multifamily development by Habitat for Humanity. The project includes 10 quadplexes and 2 townhouses on approximately 7.47 acres south of W State Road 235 and east of NW 135th Terrace. The board also considered certificates of appropriateness for two new single-family homes in historic districts: one at 14620 NW 138 Terrace (parcel 03392-002-002) and one at the NW corner of NW 146 Avenue and NW 138 Terrace (parcel 03392-002-001). Minutes from the June 9 meeting were also on the agenda.

CRA reviews new programs and grant

On Aug. 10, the Community Redevelopment Agency Board considered a proposed photo calendar contest, a proposed theater performance series at Alan Hitchcock Theater Park, and a brownfield assessment grant request. The board also considered an appointment to the Community Redevelopment Advisory Agency and approval of prior meeting minutes.

Education task force handles procedural items

On Aug. 3, the Education Task Force met to approve minutes from June 1, 2026, and discuss the 2026 Strategic Plan. No new decisions were listed on the agenda.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days based on the provided schedule.

Alachua Commission Proposes 5.42% Tax Rate Increase; Upcoming Votes on Annexations, Utility Rates

The Alachua City Commission at its July 27 meeting proposed a property tax rate of 6.2500 mills, a 5.42% increase over the rolled-back rate of 5.9286 mills. The proposal, contained in Resolution 26-08, sets a first public hearing for September 14, 2026. No final decisions were made at recent meetings; all items remain pending.

Recent Meetings

City Commission (July 27) – The commission held first readings of several ordinances and a resolution. In addition to the millage rate proposal, the agenda included:

• Ordinance 26-10: Rezoning of approximately 182 acres at 16650 NW US Highway 441 from CC, CI, PD-R to PD-R and PD-Comm.
• PPP25-0003: Approval of Canopy Trace, a 60-lot single-family subdivision on about 10.60 acres south of US 441 along Progress Boulevard.
• Ordinance 26-11: A small-scale comprehensive plan amendment for about 1.48 acres at 15818 NW 140th St from Medium Density Residential/Recreation to Public.
• Ordinance 26-13: Annexation of tax parcel 03926-030-000 into city limits.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published.

City Commission Budget Workshop (July 27) – The commission held a workshop to discuss the FY 2026-2027 budget. This was a discussion session with no final decisions expected.

Education Task Force (August 3) – The task force met to approve minutes from June 1, 2026, and discuss the 2026 Strategic Plan. No new decisions were listed on the agenda.

Upcoming Meetings

City Commission Regular Meeting (August 10) – The commission will hold public hearings and vote on several items, including:

• Ordinance 26-13 (second reading): Annexation of tax parcel 03926-030-000.
• Ordinance 26-14 (first reading): Annexation of tax parcel 03961-000-000.
• Ordinance 26-15: Extension of the Clay Electric Cooperative franchise agreement.
• Ordinance 26-16: Amendments to utility rates (Code 38).
• Resolution 26-10: Adoption of the 2026 Alachua County Local Mitigation Strategy.

The agenda also includes a police union contract, employee health insurance, updates on the Hathcock Community Center, and live streaming of meetings.

City Commission Budget Workshop (August 10) – The commission will discuss proposed budgets for the General, Debt Service, Special Revenue, and Capital Projects funds for FY 2026-2027. This is a discussion item only.

Community Redevelopment Agency Board (August 10) – The board will consider a photo calendar contest, a theater performance series at Alan Hitchcock Theater Park, a brownfield assessment grant request, and an appointment to the advisory agency.

Planning and Zoning Board (August 11) – The board will hold a public hearing on a site plan for Tolosa North, a 50-unit multifamily project by Habitat for Humanity (10 quadplexes and 2 townhouses on about 7.47 acres south of W State Road 235 and east of NW 135th Terrace). It will also consider two certificates of appropriateness for new single-family homes in historic districts (at 14620 NW 138 Terrace and the NW corner of NW 146 Avenue and NW 138 Terrace) and approve minutes from June 9, 2026.

Coming Up

• **August 10** – City Commission regular meeting (annexations, utility rates, mitigation strategy) and budget workshop; CRA board meeting.
• **August 11** – Planning and Zoning Board public hearing on Tolosa North and historic certificates.
• **September 14** – First public hearing on the proposed 6.2500 millage rate.

Alachua Commission Proposes 5.42% Tax Rate Increase; CRA, Budget Workshop Also on July Agenda

The most consequential item before Alachua residents this week is a proposed property tax increase. Resolution 26-08, on the City Commission's July 27 agenda, would set the millage rate at 6.2500 mills — 5.42% above the rolled-back rate of 5.9286 mills. A first public hearing is scheduled for September 14, 2026. However, minutes from the July 27 meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome of that vote is not confirmed in the record.

City Commission — July 27

The City Commission agenda included first readings of several ordinances alongside the tax rate proposal:

• **Resolution 26-08:** Proposed 6.2500 millage rate, 5.42% above the rolled-back rate of 5.9286. First public hearing set for September 14, 2026.
• **Ordinance 26-10:** Rezoning of approximately 182 acres at 16650 NW US Highway 441 from CC, CI, and PD-R to PD-R and PD-Comm.
• **PPP25-0003:** Approval of Canopy Trace, a 60-lot single-family subdivision on roughly 10.60 acres south of US 441 along Progress Boulevard.
• **Ordinance 26-11:** Small-scale comprehensive plan amendment for about 1.48 acres at 15818 NW 140th St, changing from Medium Density Residential/Recreation to Public.
• **Ordinance 26-13:** Annexation of tax parcel 03926-030-000 into city limits.

Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet possible to confirm which of these items passed, failed, or were continued. Readers should check the official city record for outcomes.

Budget Workshop — July 27

The City Commission also held a workshop on the FY 2026-2027 budget. The agenda describes this as a discussion session with no final decisions expected. Minutes are not yet published.

CRA Advisory Board — July 20

The Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board agenda included a proposal for Theater Park activation, an Alachua CRA calendar photo contest, and approval of the May 18, 2026 meeting minutes. Minutes from the July 20 meeting have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Coming Up

• **August 3 — Education Task Force:** The Alachua Education Task Force will meet to approve minutes from June 1, 2026, and discuss the ETF 2026 Strategic Plan. No new decisions are listed on the agenda.

All recent meeting summaries above are based on agendas only; official minutes have not been published as of this report. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes should consult the City of Alachua's official records.