Cents & Sensibility Chapter 8
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – With all the discussion happening across Florida about local government budgets, Alachua County is joining the conversation through this series: Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters.
Chapter 8: Looking Forward
Over the past seven chapters of Cents and Sensibility, Alachua County has explored the many facets and complexities of its budgeting process.
This series helps residents understand how county revenues are generated and spent; examines the enormous number of programs, facilities, and services counties must fund; and looks at the hundreds of unfunded mandates handed down by the Florida Legislature over the last 50-plus years.
This final chapter looks ahead, focusing on how the County Commission’s priorities and mandates align with prudent and sound budgeting practices. To inform its budget decisions, the County relies on long-range planning tools, including master plans and department-specific studies for areas including Fire Rescue, Parks, and Public Works/Transportation.
The County’s two primary frameworks for future planning are the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Guide, adopted by the Alachua County Commission effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Catch up on previous chapters:
Ch. 7 – The Total Budget: Much More Than Property Taxes
Ch. 1 – Public Influence & The Budget
Ch. 2 – What Is The General Fund?
Ch. 3 – Understanding Property Taxes
Ch. 5 – Why Budgets Grow Over Time
Ch. 6 – Reserves: Planning for Rainy Days
I’m sure it will make the NY Times best seller list. Of course…..that would be in the category labeled ‘fiction’.
“Don’t tell me your priorities, show me your budget and I’ll tell YOU your priorities”
Anthony Johnson sang those lyrics to the commissioners for years, but because of their two left feet, they couldn’t dance to them.
The priorities should be fixing the roads and sidewalks everyone uses—not buying hotels for the homeless or searching for ways to bypass state law.
Stop taking property off the tax rolls and start fixing our infrastructure.
Need some direction? Post here—I’m sure the AC readers will have suggestions.