Conditionally format row only when value appears for the first time

I currently have a conditional formatting rule that applies when a value is at the top of a group of rows with the same value. As long as the rows aren't broken up with space or different value, the rule applies correctly.

=IF($A2<>"",if($A1<>$A2:$A, TRUE, FALSE),"")

What I would like is for this same rule to apply even if there is a different value or blank between the top and current row.

In other words, currently, as long as I have rows like:

A
A
A

The top row will be formatted creating sort of a "header row." But if anything breaks it up, such as:

A
A
B
A

The "A" after "B" will then become ANOTHER header row. I would like for ONLY the first appearance to be formatted and all subsequent appearances remain unformatted. I hope that makes sense.

Here's my sheet I use this formatting on 'Items' and 'taskData'