In today's Scoop:
💰 Gainesville's $174 million budget heads to a final vote Thursday
⏸️ Alachua will consider a 12-month pause on AI data centers
💧 One-day-a-week watering rules remain in effect countywide
🍗 Food-truck fried chicken on NW 8th Avenue
At 220 NW 8th Avenue, Germain's Chicken Sandwiches grew from $5 minis at Wyatt's Coffee into a food truck, then opened its permanent restaurant in December 2022.
Fried chicken anchors the menu, including the Rooster Deluxe, Blue Bird, and Angry Bird. The Good Feather, layered with garlic-Parmesan chicken, arugula, tomato, pickles, and secret sauce on brioche, later made it to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Read more here.
⚙️ If You’re Copying and Pasting the Same Thing 10 Times, Automate It
Every growing business has a task employees repeat so often that nobody questions it anymore. Copying information between systems, rebuilding invoices, updating reports, scheduling jobs, sending follow-ups, and filling out the same documents can quietly consume hours every week.
Gainesville-based SmartFl8w finds those bottlenecks and builds systems that handle the repetitive work automatically. Founder Fabien Sarran has worked in automation for more than 15 years, long before every software company started adding “AI” to its name.
His approach is practical: map the process your team already follows, then use low-code tools, custom programming, or AI only when it’s reliable enough for the job. One recent system reads incoming invoices, checks the item information against a separate database, and creates the new client-ready invoice automatically.
SmartFl8w’s free consultation includes a review of your current tools and processes, actionable automation ideas, and clear next steps. It takes 30 to 45 minutes, with no cost or obligation.
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💰 $174 million city budget heads to final vote
The Gist: Gainesville commissioners tentatively approved a $174 million general fund budget for fiscal 2027, up from this year's amended $170.6 million. The millage rate would stay at 6.7297, while the fire assessment for single-family homes would rise from 9 cents to 14.44 cents per square foot.
Why It Matters: A 1,500-square-foot home's fire assessment would increase from $135 to $216.60. The plan also adds $2.8 million for police and $2.3 million for fire rescue.
What's Next: The City Commission is scheduled to take its final budget vote Thursday, Sept. 17.
Read more here.
⏸️ Alachua plans 12-month pause on AI data centers
The Gist: Alachua commissioners directed city staff to draft a 12-month moratorium that would stop the city from accepting or reviewing AI data-center applications. Planning Director Bryan Thomas said no such project has been proposed within city limits.
Why It Matters: The pause would give Alachua time to write rules for facilities that can demand large amounts of electricity, water and land before an application arrives.
What's Next: The draft moratorium returns to the Alachua City Commission for review and possible action Sept. 28.
Read more here.
💧 Countywide water restrictions remain in effect
The Gist: Alachua County's extreme water-shortage orders remain active despite August rain. The Suwannee River Water Management District is still 16.85 inches below its normal rainfall total for the past 12 months.
Why It Matters: The rules cover municipal water, private wells and surface water. Nonessential washing of driveways, sidewalks, streets and buildings remains prohibited.
What's Next: Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate Saturdays, even-numbered addresses Sundays and nonresidential properties Tuesdays.
Read more here.
🌊 Homeschool Makerspace | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Friday, September 18, 11 a.m.-noon | More
UF coastal engineering students lead a hands-on activity for ages 6 to 11.
🪇 Inventivity Pop-Up Workshop in Alachua | The Good Life Thrive Station | Alachua | Saturday, September 19, 10-11:30 a.m. | More
Kids ages 7 to 11 test Newton's laws through pushes, pulls, and friction.
🎵 Music & Movement | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Saturday, September 19, 10:30-11 a.m. | More
Children and caregivers sing, dance, and make music at this Saturday special.
🚗 Newberry Main Street Fabulous 50's Festival | South Seaboard Drive | Newberry | Saturday, September 19, 4-8 p.m. | More
Classic cars, 1950s music, and local vendors fill this free downtown festival.
⚡ SparkSeekers: Homeschool Adventures - Watt's Up? | Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention | Gainesville | Thursday, September 24, 1-3 p.m. | More
Homeschoolers ages 7 to 11 run hands-on science experiments for $15.
🎶 Fabiola Méndez | UpStage at the Phillips Center | Gainesville | Friday, September 18, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. | More
The Puerto Rican cuatrista blends folk, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean music.
🎭 Finding Neverland Opening Weekend | Gainesville Community Playhouse | Gainesville | Friday-Sunday, September 18-20, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday | More
The musical follows J. M. Barrie's friendship with the family behind Peter Pan.
🎻 Bristol Lightning | UpStage at the Phillips Center | Gainesville | Saturday, September 19, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. | More
Cello, mandolin, guitar, bass, and vocals mix Americana, classical, and Appalachian roots.
💃 Steppin' Into Dance with Smooth Flava | Rosa B. Williams Center | Gainesville | Sunday, September 20, 4-7 p.m. | More
Learn line dance, Chicago stepping, swing, and urban ballroom at this free class.
🎨 Art After Dark: Wine Down | Harn Museum of Art | Gainesville | Thursday, September 24, 6-9 p.m. | More
Hear Boilin' Oil, see Layered Lives, and stop for light bites.
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