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P.K. Yonge captures first win of the year Grab the details I A12
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 www.mainstreetdailynews.com
Alachua County ratifies millage rate BOCC also approves $5 million in emergency funds By Seth Johnson Reporter The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) ratified its millage rates and budget for the next fiscal year at a meeting on Tuesday that included emergency action on Hurricane Ian. The BOCC authorized up to $5 million in emergency funds to prepare for and deal
with the aftermath of the hurricane. Because Florida earned federal approval, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will cover funds used to prepare for the storm. However, county staff noted that Hurricane Irma in September 2017 cost more than $4 million that has yet to be refunded by FEMA. During the evening portion of Tuesday’s meeting,
the BOCC unanimously approved a general millage rate of 7.7662 mills, the same as last year. However, the county will earn more at the same rate because of higher property values. The county will earn just over $15 million more than last year. The county rollback rate, at which the county would earn the same amount as last year, sat at 7.2684 mills—7.02% above the ad-
opted rate. The county will now operate with a total budget of $702 million. The BOCC also accepted the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) millage rate of 3.5678 mills—8.17% above the rollback rate of 3.2983. The fire assessment dropped for next year, from $94.50 to $90.69 for Tier 1 and from $8.55 to $8.31 for Tier 2. TAX RATE, A4
BY SETH JOHNSON
Alachua County Commissioners Marihelen Wheeler (left) and Anna Prizzia joined fellow commissioners to approve the millage rates and county budget for next fiscal year.
Area escapes Hurricane Ian’s wrath Bridlewood earns Plan Board OK By Seth Johnson Reporter
PHOTO BY C.J. GISH
A tree fell in the Bellamy Forge neighborhood off 43rd Street in Gainesville as winds from Hurricane Ian moved through the area.
Resources shift to central, southwest Florida By Seth Johnson Reporter With damages expected to exceed $60 billion, Hurricane Ian will go down as “the big one” for many Floridians, but for North Central Florida, the storm’s final track left locals relieved. As Ian gained strength in the Caribbean, forecasts pegged landfall along the Nature Coast, including potentially Levy County—which could have brought a storm surge as far inland as U.S. 19. Instead, Ian curved hard and hit near Ft. Myers, leaving a wake of devastation. As of Monday morning, more than 75 Floridians had been confirmed dead as a result of Ian while the total number of those killed by the storm in Cuba and the U.S. inched toward 100. STORM, A8
The High Springs Plan Board approved the Bridlewood planned development 4-1 at its regular meeting last week, sending the 2,000-unit subdivision to the city commission. The commission is scheduled to take up the item for a first reading at its Oct. 13 meeting. The Bridlewood development has been in the works for more than a year, working in conjunction with city staff to tailor the plan for High Springs. The approval by the plan board forms the first step in a potential 15-to-20-year process to finish all the phases. Chris Potts, director of civil engineering for JBPro, said the number of homes
built each year would vary on market conditions. But at the moment, an estimate would be 100 to 150 houses per year. That number would have been a 100 units higher just a year and a half ago, Potts said. The plan board took up the item at its last meeting but voted to postpone a decision until all five members were present. The city commission has also seen the plans for Bridlewood at a July presentation, and some commissioners had concerns about density. Community members also questioned whether such a large addition should be allowed. But plats on the land dating back to 1925 already give the developer the ability to install around 1,787 units. BRIDLEWOOD, A6
Area gas prices drop slightly Cost skyrockets in several states nationwide By Taryn Ashby Reporter
PHOTO BY MEGAN V. WINSLOW
Gainesville resident Kellam Johnson O'Brien, 7, takes a break from holding sandbags open as his father, Sean Johnson, in white shirt, fills bags for a stranger.
Gas prices dropped slightly last week in Florida while several states witnessed large increases at the pump. According to Sept. 26 AAA report, the national average price per gallon rose a nickel to $3.72. In Florida, prices went from $3.40 last week to $3.37 and from $3.46 to $3.44 in Gainesville. “Slack demand and lower oil prices should take some pressure off
SHUTTERSTOCK
Gas prices fell in both Florida and Gainesville. rising gas prices,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement. “But Hurricane Ian could cause problems.” GAS, A4