Contraband Funds Used for Police Purchase

ALACHUA ‒ On March 14, Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky addressed the Alachua City Commission regarding using funds from the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, which provides law enforcement agencies the authorization to use proceeds collected under this act as supplemental funding for department needs. The funds, which total $9,687 will be used for the purchase of Power FTO and Power Policy from Software City. Commission approval is required for all expenditures from the City's established Forfeiture Fund. The estimated cost for the purchase of this software/management system is $9,687. The Commission approved amending the budget for this purchase.

In other business, in recognition of 100^th anniversary of the Gainesville Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the City Commission proclaimed March 20 as Daughters of the American Revolution Day in Alachua. The Gainesville Chapter was chartered on March 20, 1922 with 13 members and in 2022 has grown to164 members. The Commission presented a proclamation to Kay Hall, Past Regent of the Gainesville chapter to honor the work of the DAR. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was formed in 1896 in Washington, DC. Its primary purpose is to promote patriotism by preserving America's heritage and history, and securing America's future through better education. The DAR is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization that works to acquire and protect historical locations, erect historical monuments, and promote historical research of the Revolutionary War.

The Alachua County school system has started several new innovative mental health programs and private counseling options to help students The Commission heard about these options from Kathleen Endorf, a school counselor at Santa Fe High School. Accompanying Endorf was newly appointed Santa Fe high School counselor Lea Byrd. Both of them spoke about the issues facing teens and the stigma that is sometimes attached by other students and parents to those trying to seek counseling. Endorf said that mental health issues have increased over the past two years due to the Covid Pandemic and other societal changes and pressures. The school system’s new program counseling options help students in need without them feeling singled out among peers.

In other business, Commission approval of two ordinances related to development of Tara Forest East Phase 1 Final Plat has been postponed. The proposed ordinances were to subdivide two properties. A 10.86-acre property is to be divided into 32 lots, with associated common areas and rights-of-way. A second property consisting of 20.25-acres is proposed to be divided into 61 lots, also with associated common areas and rights-of-way. The ordinances are expected to be rescheduled at a later date.

In a general budgetary housekeeping matter, the Commission passed a resolution and budget amendment related to the grant award from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Subgrant for Neighborhood Revitalization. The $700,000 grant award will fund a milling and resurfacing project, which is expected to cost $921,614. The required match and additional project funds totaling $221,614 come from the City's Public Works Road Maintenance funds allocated within the Fiscal Year 2021-22 General Fund budget.

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