Gainesville and Alachua County briefs: GRU ends fluoridation, Andrew to lead SF academy

GRU ends fluoridation

GRU announced in a public statement that the utility has stopped supplementing its drinking water with fluoride.

GRU spokesperson David Warm in a June 30 email to The Sun wrote that it is due to a new Florida law that “prohibits the use of any additive to a public water supply that is not for the explicit purpose of improving water quality.”

On May 15, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, which requires public utilities to stop adding fluoride in the water treatment process. In anticipation of the law, GRU stopped ordering the mineral and ran out on June 26.

Warm said fluoride naturally occurs in GRU’s water supply, and that the level of fluoride in the aquifer — about 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) — is well within drinking water standards.

Scene Calendar: Fireworks in Alachua, live music, art, Cars and Coffee, Birds and Brews

Gainesville advances Community F.I.R.S.T. initiative

The city of Gainesville has started to roll out the second phase of its Community F.I.R.S.T initiative to expand outreach to seven local neighborhoods.

Started in 2022 and housed within Gainesville Fire Rescue, the initiative launched initially in the Porters Quarters neighborhood. This summer, Community F.I.R.S.T. will expand its outreach to the Phoenix, Greater Duval, Sugar Hill, Pineridge, University Park and Pleasant Street neighborhoods and will coordinate to have representatives and community groups meet with the city’s departmental liaisons.

“Community F.I.R.S.T. is about building trust — showing neighbors that the city hears them, and that we act quickly on issues they raise,” City Manager Cynthia W. Curry said in a pre-written statement. “It’s the most direct way we bring local government to the doorstep of every resident.”

The program also provides pop-up service fairs — bringing resources like financial assistance, housing support, transit passes and public safety information directly into neighborhoods. The initiative will continue to inform upcoming outreach and service efforts, including community center roofing repairs, student literacy tutoring and neighborhood cleanups.

Former ACPS superintendent to lead Santa Fe College academy

Now entering its third year, the Academy of Science and Technology at Santa Fe College will see a new principal starting Aug. 1.

Shane Andrew, the former superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools, will lead the academy as it prepares to accept its third freshman class and advances its first class of juniors.

Andrew will take over for William McElory, who has retired.

The Academy of Science and Technology opened in fall 2023 on the Santa Fe College Northwest Campus. Its mission is to guide students in earning an Associate of Science degree and industry certifications while completing their high school graduation requirements, at no cost.

A split Alachua County School Board fired Andrew as superintendent in October 2024.

City of Gainesville to assess fees for credit, debit card payments

Beginning Aug. 1, the city of Gainesville will begin passing along transaction fees of 2.45% (with a $1 minimum) to customers who pay online by credit or debit card when making certain payments.

Assessed card-based transactions made online include:

• Building and planning permits
• Business taxes
• Domestic partnership registrations
• Gainesville Police Department background checks
• Parking tickets
• Public records charges
• Regional Transit System (RTS) mobile bus passes, including Gator Aider
• Special event permits
• Towing company and vehicle-for-hire franchise fees
• Trespass towing contract fees

Beginning Oct. 1, the transaction fee also will apply to debit or credit card payments made in person at city government offices.

Exempt from new processing fees:

• Online payments by electronic check (using bank routing and account numbers)
• Payments by physical check
• Cash payments where accepted
• Ironwood Golf Course charges and fees
• Parking fees via the Passport Parkin app, the Passport website or any downtown pay station
• Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department charges