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Alachua County manager unveils FY25 tentative budget with millage cut, $44 million for roads and a 6% pay raise
Summary
County Manager Michelle Lieberman presented the tentative FY25 budget, proposing the eighth consecutive general fund millage reduction, $44 million for roads over the coming year, a proposed 6% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees and an increase to the county minimum wage from $17 to $18 an hour.
Alachua County Manager Michelle Lieberman presented the fiscal year 2025 tentative budget to the Board of County Commissioners, framing the document as “a look at the future” after an annual report that highlighted county services and partnerships.
Lieberman said the budget continues the county’s trend of reducing property tax rates: “Because of our commitment to the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, I am recommending a general fund millage rate reduction for the 8th consecutive year.” She also flagged major spending and staffing proposals to address growth and service demands.
Key proposals in the tentative budget include $44,000,000 for road maintenance and improvements, a proposed 6% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employee compensation that would cover bargaining unit and constitutional and judicial officers, and a recommendation to raise the county’s minimum wage from $17 to $18 an hour. Lieberman said the budget also includes targeted infrastructure projects: a civil courthouse complex, a new animal resources facility, fire rescue headquarters, an emergency operations center and new space for the Environmental Protection Department.
The manager’s presentation listed other ongoing commitments: continued funding for mental health and crisis services, $13,000,000 approved to expand permanent supportive housing through motel conversions and a Container Home Project, more than $3,000,000 in annual matching funds to support Medicaid enrollees, and joint county‑city projects funded from the Wild Spaces and Public Places surtax.
Lieberman noted the budget is tentative and will return to the commission for further review and public discussion before a final adoption in September. “I have delivered to you the proposed budget, and I now turn it over to you,” she said. The full budget message and proposed budget document are available online, and staff said they will present detailed line items and follow‑up briefings over the next several months.
Next steps: the commission will review and amend the tentative budget through the summer, with a final budget expected in September.
