BOCC to talk next fiscal budget at special meeting

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to hear presentations and dive into its environmental protections department budget for 2023.

The 2022 budget, approved on Oct. 1, allocates the majority of funds to two focus areas: 35 percent for social and economic opportunity and 35 percent for all other mandatory and discretionary services. 

The other focus areas include: environment (12 percent), housing ( 2 percent) and infrastructure (16 percent). The budget amendments approved by the BOCC since Oct. 1 are not included. 

The environment line item totaled $66 million with most of the funds going toward the umbrella categories of environmental protection and solid waste and resources. Facilities also totaled $1.1 million. 

The backup documents provide one logistical challenge for the BOCC to address—efficiency within the land conservation department. 

The department operates from four different sites in the county with needed equipment at each one. This means workers often spend time traveling from one site to another to collect supplies. 

Staff says combining the facilities in one location would save time and increase safety and recommends the Buck Bay Flatwoods site on NE 53rd Avenue. An engineering firm has already submitted design proposals.

The public will be able to comment at the meeting held at 10 a.m. at the Jack Durrance Board Room.