All Alachua County voters will see two local ballot questions in the 2024 general election: a proposed charter amendment and a school district referendum on property taxes. Additionally, voters in Gainesville, which makes up about half of the county's population, will make a choice on a proposed charter amendment.
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Alachua County charter amendment
Currently, the five members of the county commission are elected by individual districts. This proposed charter amendment would result in them being elected on an at-large basis.
Shall the five members of the board of county commissioners of Alachua County, Florida, be elected by all electors within the county at large?
- Yes
- No
Alachua County School District referendum
This question asks voters to continue a one mill ad valorem property tax that helps fund school programs.
Shall the Alachua County School District’s existing one mill ad valorem tax be renewed, beginning July 1, 2025 and ending four years later on June 30, 2029, for necessary operating expenses to fund school nurses; music, art and drama programs; school library programs; school counseling programs; band and chorus programs; academic magnets; career technical programs; and to update classroom technology, with oversight by an independent citizens’ committee?
- Yes
- No
City of Gainesville charter amendment
In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1645, which amended Gainesville’s charter, taking oversight of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) away from the City Commission and replacing it with the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority (GRUA), which is appointed by the governor.
This charter amendment would eliminate the GRUA and put control of GRU back in the hands of the elected city commission.
On Sept. 11, the GRUA filed a complaint against the city and the supervisor of elections, asking the judge to declare the referendum “null and void.” Nearly two weeks later, on Sept. 23, the GRUA filed a motion asking for a temporary injunction and an expedited hearing on the matter.
Shall the City of Gainesville charter be amended to delete Article VII, eliminating the governor-appointed Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority and its appointed administrator that manage, operate and control the City of Gainesville’s local public utilities, and placing that responsibility with the elected city commission and charter officer; and eliminating limitations on the government services contribution and utility directives, as proposed by Ordinance No. 2024-448?
- Yes
- No