Summary On Nov. 8, 2016, the voters of Alachua County approved a half-cent, eight-year local government infrastructure tax. The revenues generated by the tax are only to be used to:
a. acquire and improve environmentally sensitive lands to protect drinking water sources, water quality, and wildlife habitat
b. create, improve and maintain parks and recreational facilities as permitted by Florida Statutes, the referendum ballot language, and ordinances.
The referendum approved by the voters also includes language to have citizen oversight. Therefore, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners established such an advisory oversight board via Resolution 17-36 on March 28, 2017. The Wild Spaces Public Places Citizen Oversight Committee, as it is formally known, consists of five (5) voting members and (3) alternate members. Alachua County and the City of Gainesville each are to appoint two (2) members and one (1) alternate. The remaining municipalities are to recommend one (1) member and one (1) alternate.
There is a vacancy in the alternate position. The County is requesting recommendations from the municipalities (other than Gainesville) to fill the vacanvy.
On March 11, 2019, during the City of Alachua Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting, the Board approved 3-0 for Member Gary Kocher to be nominated as an alternate on the committee.
This item is provided to seek the City Commission's recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to appoint Gary Kocher to serve as the alternate member for the Wild Spaces Public Places Oversight Committee. |