Alachua City Commission sets millage rate at 6.25, welcomes Interim City Attorney Scott Walker
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
ALACHUA, Fla. – At the September 8 regular meeting, the Alachua City Commission welcomed Interim City Attorney Scott Walker, heard a progress report on the Hathcock Community Center, and set the millage rate at 6.2500.
Praise for outgoing City Attorney Marian Rush
The meeting began with five public commenters praising outgoing City Attorney Marian Rush. The speakers complimented the quality of her legal advice, even if it wasn’t always pleasant to hear at the time. The fourth speaker read a letter from someone else who had more compliments for Rush. The last speaker recommended increasing the salary range in the posted advertisements.
City Attorney Marian Rush said, “This is my last evening here. The new Interim City Attorney Scott Walker is here, and I am ready to just turn over the reins to him if he would like to come here [pointing at her seat], and I can leave with my family and go on from there.”
Interim City Attorney Scott Walker spoke at the podium: “I’ve known Marian a lot of years now… We’re on a case together… She’s provided invaluable insight, as she always does, and I wanted to get up and just say, ‘Marian, you’ve always been somebody that has had an ear when I need somebody to talk to, and I hope that I will always do that for you as well.’ And I have always admired your grace, your intellect, and how you handle yourself as a City Attorney.”
Commissioner Dayna Williams asked Mayor Walter Welch if the two attorneys could go ahead and switch places, to allow Rush to leave. Welch said, “That’s fine.” Walker took a few moments to arrange his papers on the dais.
Hathcock Community Center
Interim City Manager Rodolfo Valladares introduced a presentation on the Hathcock Community Center upgrades. Valladares said the workshop held on August 21 had provided many good ideas, and more workshops are planned for both citizens and staff.
A staff member gave a detailed presentation with a timeline. Some of the goals of the project include doubling the existing capacity to 80-100 people, incorporating multi-purpose spaces, opportunities for growth, having on-site offices, and preserving the heritage and history of the gymnasium-style building.
Citizens who attended the workshop expressed preferences for indoor spaces such as a computer lab, vocational training spaces, and community event spaces; they rated flexible indoor spaces as important.
Preferences for outdoor spaces include shaded performance areas, rental spaces, sports such as kickball and pickle ball, and plenty of parking for cars. Youth and senior programs will also be included, such as bingo, crafts, exercise classes, and youth employment and enrichment opportunities. Outdoor access points, including ADA-compliant paths, were also discussed.
The staff member said they needed the City Commission to provide direction on whether to use new construction or renovation, single-story or two-story construction, which community programs to focus on, and a plan to pave NW 159th Lane.
Vice Mayor Shirley Green Brown said she would lean toward new construction, and she liked both single-story and two-story construction. And, she said, they must include a “historical room” about the history of Alachua.
Commissioner Jennifer Ringersen said she preferred single-story construction for easier accessibility and to save money on things like elevators. The staff member said the second story could be reserved for uses like administrative offices.
Williams said she agreed with new construction, but she leaned toward two-story construction to provide plenty of room for expansion.
Valladares said they didn’t need to be more specific with their direction at that time, and they would have more opportunities to refine their ideas.
CareerSource agreement
The next item, introduced by Valladares, was an interlocal agreement to partner with CareerSource to bring its employment service to Alachua. Responding to Williams, Valladares said there is a temporary office at the Swick House that can be used until the Hatchcock Community Center is completed next summer.
Green Brown moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the interlocal agreement with CareerSource, and Williams seconded the motion. It passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Commissioner Jacob Fletcher absent throughout the meeting.
Proposed property tax rate and budget
Finance and Administrative Services Director Rob Bonetti introduced the first millage rate and budget hearing and said the second and final hearing will be held on September 22 at 6 p.m. He said the tentative millage is being set at 6.2500 mills, 8.86% higher than the rolled-back rate of 5.7413 mills and 5% more than the current rate of 5.9500.
Bonetti said the General Fund budget is $19,939,437, and the All Funds budget is $61,040,093. Valladares described the FY26 budget as “a blueprint to long-term success.” He said the rolled-back rate would have generated about $743,944 less than the tentative rate of 6.2500 mills.
Attorney Walker read the resolution setting the millage rate. Williams made a motion to adopt the resolution, and Ringersen seconded the motion. It passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Fletcher absent.
Walker read the resolution to amend the budget, and Ringersen made a motion to adopt the resolution. Green Brown seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Fletcher absent.
A motion to end the public hearing was made and seconded. It passed 4-0, with Fletcher absent.
Land development regulations
Walker introduced the second reading of an ordinance that would amend several sections of the City’s land development regulations. Principal Planner Carson Crockett said the proposed changes relate to mixed use development; they were discussed in more detail at the August 25 meeting. Carson said the overarching goal is to encourage infill development and redevelopment while preserving existing greenspaces.
Crockett said staff recommended approval on second reading. Ringersen moved to adopt the ordinance, Green Brown seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Fletcher absent. On August 25, Fletcher cast the only dissenting vote on the first reading of the ordinance; Ringersen was absent for that vote.
The Hammock
Attorney Walker introduced the first reading of a quasi-judicial item, amending the zoning designation for 111.25 acres, generally located south of the intersection of 441 and Rachel Boulevard, from Agricultural (A) to Planned Development – Commercial (PD-C).
Gerry Dedenbach of NV5 Professional Consultants gave a short presentation on the development, which is to be known as The Hammock. He said City staff and the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval of the proposed zoning changes, and the application was first submitted in August 2024. He stressed that the changes will be more environmentally friendly by virtue of being less “industrial,” in terms of possible land uses. Other benefits include job creation and economic growth, tax revenue generation, and guiding growth in a desired direction, Dedenbach said.
Crockett broke down how the 111.25 acres will be allocated: 14.04 acres for commercial, 79.40 acres for single-family residential, 10.40 acres for open space/common areas, and 7.40 acres for a conservation district. He said the proposed zoning amendment is not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan or land development regulations.
Williams made a motion to approve the zoning ordinance and schedule the second reading for October 13, Ringersen seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Fletcher absent.
TK Basin annual maintenance assessment
Bonetti introduced the TK Basin annual maintenance assessment. He said it was created in 2010, and it is intended to cover the maintenance of an area where 24 parcels drain. Only those parcel-owners are assessed every year. Ringersen made a motion to adopt the resolution, and Green Brown seconded it. It passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Fletcher absent.
FY25 budget amendment
Walker introduced a resolution amending the current FY2025 budget by $1,500,000 to account for unanticipated revenue. Accounting Manager Tyler Williams said the State had issued a $1.5 million grant in the form of a Community Development Block Grant, to be used for street improvements, and they needed to update the budget in order to use the funds.
Green Brown moved to adopt the resolution, Ringersen seconded the motion, and it passed 4-0 in a roll call vote, with Fletcher absent.
Introduction of Scott Walker as Interim City Attorney
During final comments, Valladares reintroduced Attorney Scott Walker and said the Folds Walker firm had reached out to the City and offered to assist with the transition to a new City Attorney. He said, “They are a well-recognized firm that represents High Springs, Newberry, Williston, Archer, Starke, Micanopy, Live Oak, and GRU. They are the best, and we’re very, very pleased to be working with the best.”
Walker complimented Mayor Welch on his efficiency at running the meeting.