We the citizens of Alachua County and the area proposed to be Springs County sign to show our opposition to the Springs County movement. We do believe that rural voices need to be heard better by our County government, but splitting the County in two is not the answer to that issue. The current proposed area of Springs County includes the western half up to 34th Street in Gainesville.
 
We believe all affected citizens should have a say in whether the County is divided. While the current law does not specify, evidence suggests it would be highly suggested and perhaps required if a charter county was involved.
 
We believe the costs of this are fiscally irresponsible. The costs for feasibility studies could be in the hundreds of thousands. The costs for splitting the county in two would potentially lead to additional debt and could result in two additional fiscally constrained counties. Given the cost of providing the Florida Constitutionally defined services, it is inconceivable that the tax costs would be lower in the proposed Springs County since they will need to immediately take on a huge financial burden to provide those services
 
We believe the complexities of dividing the county in two is not as simple as "the legislature will decide" and definitely will not be like an amicable (or unamicable) divorce. Multiple governmental agencies would be involved: county government, sheriff, jail, tax collector, property appraiser, schools and School board, library, etc., not to mention a medical examiner, child protective services, veteran services, indigent care, and health, mental health, and substance abuse services.
 
We believe it is reprehensible to reap the benefits of growth and revenue from growth of the areas the Springs County proponents mock and deride. This line has economic, racial, and class implications that will negatively impact the eastern side of Alachua County, which under the proposed process, would not and should not be allowed.

Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/keepalachuaone