Alachua County is seeking applicants for vacancies on the Wild Spaces Public Places Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County is seeking applicants for the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board, also known as the Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) board.
Passed by voters in 2022, the 10-year, one-cent WSPP sales tax helps pay for parks, conservation, roads, and housing initiatives throughout Alachua County. The sales tax is expected to generate roughly $500 million for projects throughout the county before sunsetting. Each of the nine municipalities receives a share of the WSPP sales tax.
To accommodate working schedules, the 10-member board, which includes three alternates, meets quarterly at 5:30 p.m. to ensure the surtax proceeds are invested in eligible projects, per state statute and county ordinance. The public’s next opportunity to attend a meeting is on Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor in the Grace Knight Conference Room at the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St. Gainesville).
Currently, Alachua County has a vacancy for one alternate voting member. There are also two vacant Gainesville seats, and smaller cities have both of their seats vacant.
The Alachua County Commission makes board appointments, while the City of Gainesville approves its appointments. Members serve staggered four-year terms.
“The oversight and review of each of the projects is rewarding work. It allows board members a glimpse into the many city and county improvements underway that help make Alachua County a great place to live, work, and play,” said Assistant County Manager and Chief of Staff Gina Peebles.
Learn more about the board and apply for one of the Alachua County or smaller municipality openings. The “view vacancies” button is in the upper right-hand corner.
Apply for one of the vacant city of Gainesville openings. Scroll to the Infrastructure Surtax Citizen Oversight Board.
The county Ministry of Propaganda done messed up again. The poster above has the clip art appropriate for the Cuscowilla summer camp poster.
.
Also: the listings are not clear. Do Infrastructure board applicants have to fill out the new Form 6 financial disclosure form?
If you tend to favor and promote fiscal conservancy – don’t apply. Your vote won’t carry much weight.count
The point of the oversight committee is not to vote on projects but to ensure they are allowable under the ordinance.
And given recent history with the city, county and school district, they’ll stop at nothing in an attempt to fund their pet projects.
Many of us remember how Cornell intentionally reworded the text so the true intent of the tax was mentioned last to give voters the false sense that certain “public” needs were addressed first.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify your comment. The intent of the tax was mentioned right away in the ballot language:
Ballot Question:
Shall Alachua County: acquire and improve lands for conservation, wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation; operate and maintain parks and recreation facilities; repair roads and improve road safety; construct and renovate fire stations and other public facilities; acquire lands for affordable housing; fund economic development projects
pursuant to Florida Statute 212.055(2)(D)(3); provide citizen oversight and independent
audit; by levying a one percent sales surtax for ten years starting January 1, 2023?
And how many roads have been repaired vs hotels purchased? How many fire stations constructed vs economic development projects? How many conservation lands/easements vs land specifically for affordable housing?
I haven’t seen much of a decrease in the homeless population of late, am I missing something? Those damn potholes seem to be everywhere as well.
Roads are so far down the extra sales tax project list, as to be invisible. This “penny tax” was grossly mis-represented by the Democrat politicians in both the city and county.
The cockroaches in government knew darn well what they were doing when they paired the 2 together! No one with a properly functioning brain would agree to give the good for nothing pests more of their hard earned income other than those that are government dependent or government worshipping!
That is inaccurate. Roads are getting 70% of the second half penny, and hundreds of projects will be done over the 10-year surtax period.
Where’s the repairs being done?
Truth be told, your comments are inaccurate. While the BOCC may have verbally committed 70% of the second half penny to roads, the municipalities, including Gainesville who receives the largest chunk of the tax money, may spent it as they wish in accordance with the FS and BOCC ordinance.
That is a good clarification. The County has devoted 70% of their share to roads. Your comment about the City of Gainesville is inaccurate. Alachua County is receiving the single largest share of the surtax.
No where to park at 4 creeks preserve.
I presume that you caved to the local residents as there are 10 NO PARKING signs on the city owned road leading up to the park. A WASTE OF MONEY
Parking is on the other side of the park.