Wild Spaces Public Places, Infrastructure Ballot Initiative

Extension of the Wild Spaces & Public Places program will be on the Alachua County ballot Nov. 8, 2022 and is being combined with a new infrastructure surtax

On Nov. 8, Alachua County will vote on the extension of the Wild Spaces & Public Places sales surtax. The upcoming ballot initiative allows a 1% (one penny) sales tax to be levied for ten years through 2032.  50% of the surtax revenue will be dedicated to Wild Spaces & Public Places projects and 50% of the surtax will be dedicated to roads, fire stations (and other public facilities) and affordable housing.

About the current Wild Spaces & Public Places program (Jan. 1, 2017-Dec. 31, 2024)

Wild Spaces & Public Places half-cent sales tax is being used to acquire and improve environmentally sensitive lands and to create, improve and maintain parks and recreational facilities throughout Alachua County.

The eight-year sales tax was approved by Alachua County voters in 2016 and is being collected from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2024.

Voters will be asked on November 8, 2022 whether they would like to extend the Wild Spaces & Public Places half-cent sales tax along with a half-cent sales tax dedicated to infrastructure through 2032. 

Making a Local Impact

• The Wild Spaces & Public Places program is proud to have kept over 75% of the City of Gainesville’s WSPP expenditures local.
• Over 50% of the vendors hired were small businesses.

Highlighted City of Gainesville projects worked on or completed since 2018

To mention just a few!

• New neighborhood parks: Unity Park and Reserve Park
• Clarence R. Kelly Community Center
• Northside Park improvements
• Nature Center at Hogtown Creek Headwaters
• Oakview Park improvements
• Boardwalk replacements: Duval Park and Loblolly Woods Nature Park
• Alachua County Public Schools partnership projects
• The Hippodrome Theatre refresh

Distribution of Wild Spaces & Public Places Sales Tax Dollars

The State of Florida disburses the Wild Spaces & Public Places sales tax revenue to Alachua County and the nine incorporated municipalities within the county based on population.

• The City of Gainesville receives 35.78% of the sales tax collected. The City of Gainesville is focusing its efforts on improvements and renovations to existing parks and facilities with a few signature projects.
• Alachua County receives 57.17% of the sales tax collected. Of the Alachua County revenue, 90% of the revenue goes toward conservation lands and 10% goes toward active parks.
• The remaining 7.05% of the sales tax collected is distributed amongst the eight smaller municipalities within the county.