The Gainesville City Commission approved an increase in commercial solid waste franchise fees and accepted a quarterly police report showing a decline in crime.
The City Commission previously delayed any changes for residential solid waste rates, but on Thursday, commissioners voted unanimously to increase franchise fees for companies operating in Gainesville.
The franchise fee will go from 10% to 15%. Annually, the increase would earn the city around $730,000 additional revenue.
The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) presented its quarterly report (July 1 through Sept. 31) and showed decreases from earlier this year.
Comparing the 2024 quarter to past years, violent crimes and property crimes trended lower this year. GPD reported no homicides, 40 rapes, 47 robberies and 154 aggravated assaults for the third quarter. The total property crimes were 1,032 for this quarter compared to 1,265 for this quarter last year.
Chief Nelson Moya said he’s told staff to celebrate for a moment before doubling down on the work. He said it’s the third consecutive quarter of what he considers significant declines.
“Our trends continue in a very positive tone,” Moya said to the commissioners. “Our numbers continue to decline yet again this quarter.”
Moya highlighted a decrease in the number of calls for confirmed shots fired, falling each quarter of 2024 from 45 to 35 to 24. GPD has seized 204 guns so far this year, including 47 stolen guns of which 36 were in the possession of convicted felons.
The report came the same day that the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a 108-month sentence for a Gainesville man who was convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon. It was the product of a joint investigation with GPD and other agencies.
“I want to assure the citizens of Gainesville that we are fully committed to reducing gun related violence in our community,” Moya said in a statement about the conviction. “Through strategic partnerships, intelligence led policing, and community engagement, we will continue to focus those who unlawfully possess and use firearms. Every arrest we make and every illegal gun we take off the streets brings us one step closer to making Gainesville a safer place for everyone.”
Besides gun violence, the department is focused on recruitment. The department currently has 46 sworn position vacancies—a 16% vacancy rate. The department has hired 25 new officers so far this year and is on track to finish above 30. In 2022 and 2023, GPD hired 19 and 22 officers.