City Commission Special Meeting

MINUTES

-
City Hall Auditorium
200 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Members Present:
  • Commissioner Book, 
  • Commissioner Chestnut, 
  • Commissioner Duncan-Walker, 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, 
  • Commissioner James Ingle, 
  • Mayor Ward, 
  • and Commissioner Willits 

A.
CALL TO ORDER

  

Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.

B.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Book

    Motion: The City Commission adopt the regular agenda.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Chestnut
    Approved (6 to 0)

C.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES

  

1.
Approval of Minutes from the September 10, 2025 City Commission Meeting (B)

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved byCommissioner Duncan-Walker
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Eastman

    Recommendation: The City Commission approve the minutes from the September 10, 2025 meeting.

    Motion: Approve as recommended.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Chestnut
    Approved (6 to 0)

D.
BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS

This item has attachments.  

E.
ORDINANCES: SECOND READING - (Roll Call Required)

  

1.
2025-682 Appendix A Schedule of Fees, Rates, and Charges FY 2026-GG (B)

This item has attachments.  

Dan Nee, City Attorney, spoke to the item, highlighting the three changes from first reading.

  • Moved byCommissioner Book
    Seconded byCommissioner Duncan-Walker

    Recommendation: The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

    Motion: Approve as recommended.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Absent (1)Commissioner Chestnut
    Approved (6 to 0)

  • Recess: 5:34 pm.

    Reconvene: 5:40 p.m.

    Commissioner Chestnut joined the meeting.

F.
RESOLUTIONS

  

1.
2025-738 Establishing a Final Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2026 (B)

This item has attachments.  

Cintya Ramos, Executive Chief of Staff, gave an overview of the item.

Cynthia Curry, City Manager, mentioned the presentation presented on September 10, 2025, is provided again, attached to the BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS category.

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Eastman
    Seconded byCommissioner Chestnut

    Recommendation: The City Commission: 1) set the Final Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2026 at 6.7297 mills; and 2) adopt the proposed Resolution.

    Motion: Approve as recommended.

    Aye (6)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Nay (1)Commissioner Duncan-Walker
    Approved (6 to 1)

2.
2025-739 Final General Government Financial and Operating Plan Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (B)

This item has attachments.  

Cynthia Curry, City Manager, spoke to the item related to meeting the priorities set by the City Commission. A tax increase, a reduction in positions, and frozen positions were needed to meet those priorities.

  • Moved byCommissioner Chestnut
    Seconded byCommissioner Willits

    Recommendation: The City Commission 1) adopt the Final FY 2026 General Government Financial and Operating Plan Budget and 2) adopt the proposed resolution.

    Motion: Approve as recommended.

    Aye (7)Mayor Ward, Commissioner Duncan-Walker, Commissioner Chestnut, Mayor Pro Tem Eastman, Commissioner Book, Commissioner Willits, and Commissioner James Ingle
    Approved (7 to 0)

G.
MEMBER COMMENT

  

Commissioner Book: Alachua County Legislative Delegation will visit Santa Fe College on October 20, 2025.

H.
ADJOURNMENT

  

Meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.

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