Alachua County, FL
Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County's Budget in Eight Chapters

Cents & Sensibility

With budget discussions underway across Florida, Alachua County is contributing to the conversation with Cents & Sensibility: Alachua County’s Budget in Eight Chapters.

This series offers a clear, accessible look at how the county budget works—where revenue comes from, how funds are allocated, and how decisions impact services residents rely on every day.

Each chapter breaks down a key piece of the process in practical terms, using plain language, visuals and helpful resources to make complex financial topics easier to understand.

The series covers essential topics such as the General Fund, property taxes, unfunded mandates, why budgets grow, reserve funding, the total budget and long-term financial planning. It also highlights how residents can take part in the process and provide meaningful input on funding priorities.

How your tax dollars are divided among local governments

Dollar bill graphic that shows how money tax dollars are divided among county entities.

Read the full Cents & Sensibility series via E-book

"Our residents deserve clear, accessible information about how public dollars are collected and spent. This guide is meant to give people the context they need to better understand county finances and participate in the budget process."
Mark Sexton
Mark Sexton
Communications Director

Supporting Documents