The Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners voted between two options for a storage area at the new ag extension office.The options were 3,450-square-foot space and a 1,745-square-foot space.The first option had a total cost of just over $1.6 million, while the smaller option had a total cost of just over $1.5 million.The county is receiving a grant of $1 million for the project, as … Continue reading County commission decides on option for new ag extension office

The City of Trenton is facing a budget deficit due to rising operational costs.At their last meeting, city commissioners voted to set the tentative millage rate to 3.75 mills. If that rate holds at the final budget hearing, it would be an increase from last year’s rate of 3.5 mills.City Manager Brittany Mills said the higher millage rate will help, but it will still require … Continue reading City of Trenton fighting rising operational costs

The City of Trenton set its tentative millage rate at Monday’s meeting.The City Commission voted to set the tentative rate at 3.75 mills, an increase from last year’s rate of 3.5 mills.Commissioners can lower the rate between now and the final budget hearing, but they cannot raise the rate.Commissioner Randy Rutter, who proposed the tentative rate, said the city needed some wiggle room to work … Continue reading Trenton sets tentative millage rate for TRIM notice

With three council members and the mayor present, the Bell town council set its tentative millage rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year.The council voted to maintain the millage rate of 3.000 mills.Last year, the Town of Bell brought in $89,356 in ad valorem taxes at that millage rate.The rollback rate for 2025, which is the rate that would bring in the same amount of ad … Continue reading Bell sets tentative millage rate at Thursday’s meeting

Superintendent of Schools Gina Geiger says the Gilchrist County School Board is facing a $1.6 million shortfall due to declining student enrollment.In a statement via email, Geiger said the declining student enrollment is “largely due to the expansion of the state’s voucher program.”Geiger said this shortfall is “a significant challenge for a district of our size.”She said the district has been able to absorb some … Continue reading Geiger: $1.6 million shortfall largely due to state’s voucher program

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed David Biddle to the Gilchrist County School Board Friday.Biddle will replace Christie McElroy, who has moved to the School Board’s Assistant Superintendent position.Biddle has been a resident of Gilchrist County for 20 years.He was previously appointed to North Central Florida Regional Planning Council and has served as a member of the Gilchrist County Economic Development Committee.He is currently the Chairman of … Continue reading Biddle appointed to School Board

Monday’s Trenton City Commission meeting doubled as a Community Redevelopment Authority meeting.Acting as the CRA, the commission agreed to make renovating the community center its priority.City Manager Brittany Mills gave a presentation on what can be done at the community center as well as at the southeast park and depot park.Mills’s presentation included new floors, upgraded countertops and cabinets in the kitchen, a new front … Continue reading Trenton to focus on community center renovations with CRA funds

The Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners voted to move forward with the process of purchasing a 48-acre property in Bell Monday.The property adjoins to the south side of the main solid waste center and animal control properties to the east of Bell Elementary School.The property is off of NW 20th Avenue in Bell.The county hopes to use the property for the planned expansion of … Continue reading County Commission votes to move forward with purchase of 48 acres in Bell