The biggest decision Tuesday was about roads. Marion County commissioners unanimously approved setting up the financing team for up to $190 million in infrastructure sales tax revenue bonds, a step toward borrowing against future sales tax money so the county can speed up major road projects instead of waiting years to pay as it goes. County Engineer Stephen Coon said that could move forward work on the 38th/40th Street corridor near the high school, the road west of the new Buc-ee’s interchange back to 225A, and the Marion Oaks Manor flyover extension.
The board also delayed a neighborhood assessment hearing for Belleview Heights Unit 8 until June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. Staff asked for more time after saying no one came to a community meeting, and resident Charlene Legassi told commissioners she had not received notice. For affected property owners, that means no decision yet while the county does more outreach.
In Silver Springs, the board extended the Community Redevelopment Area by 10 years, through fiscal year 2053-54. That keeps the redevelopment district in place longer as the county works on future improvements and grant activity there.
The afternoon zoning session brought the clearest disagreement. A Dunnellon-area household asked for a reasonable accommodation to keep goats, geese, and ducks on residential property, saying the animals provided therapeutic and emotional support. Neighbors objected over noise, odor, flies, appearance, and animals getting loose. Commissioner Michelle Stone moved to deny the request, and the board agreed unanimously. Chairman Carl Zalak said those animals should be removed within 30 days.
Commissioners also approved covered RV and boat storage in Belleview, a contractor yard in Summerfield, a funeral home crematorium on South Pine Avenue, a zoning change in Anthony, and an Oxford Downs PUD amendment. Looking ahead, the Salt Springs water plant item returns October 20 at 2 p.m., and the Belleview Heights assessment hearing comes back June 16, 2026.
Key takeaways: - The board approved establishing a financing team for infrastructure sales tax improvement revenue bonds, to be issued in one or more series not to exceed $190 million, to accelerate multiple road projects. The vote was unanimous by voice vote. (0:33:32)
The board continued the Belleview Heights Unit 8 assessment hearing to June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. after staff said no one attended a May 11 community meeting and a resident said she had not received notice. The vote was unanimous by voice vote. (1:14:29)
The board approved extending the Silver Springs Community Redevelopment Area by 10 years, through fiscal year 2053-54. The vote was unanimous by voice vote. (1:21:32)
In the afternoon zoning session, the board denied a reasonable accommodation request to keep goats, geese, and ducks on residentially zoned property, and approved several land-use items including covered RV/boat storage in Belleview, a contractor yard in Summerfield, a funeral home crematorium on South Pine Avenue, a zoning change in Anthony, and a PUD amendment at Oxford Downs. Votes were unanimous by voice vote. (2:35:04) (4:23:08)
Opening announcements and roll call
Chairman Carl Zalak called the meeting to order, followed by the invocation, pledge, and roll call. Present were Chairman Carl Zalak, Vice Chairman Matt McClain, Commissioner Craig Curry, Commissioner Kathy Bryant, and Commissioner Michelle Stone. (0:15:43) (0:17:46)
Before agenda items, Chairman Carl Zalak announced that the Bellevue Heights Estates public hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. would be continued to June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. He also announced that afternoon item 15.4.6, the Salt Springs water plant special use permit, would be requested for continuance to October 20 at 2 p.m. Staff said more information would be provided that afternoon before the board considered the continuance. (0:18:06)
Emergency Medical Services Week proclamation
The board approved and presented a proclamation designating May 17 through 23, 2026, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Marion County. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Fire Rescue staff accepted the proclamation, and the fire chief thanked the board and emergency responders. (0:19:11) (0:20:52) (0:23:22) (0:23:22) (0:23:22) (0:23:22) (0:23:22) (0:23:22) (0:23:22)
Agenda public comment
Len Rassiopi, speaking on behalf of the Marion County Republican Executive Committee, said he was glad the Salt Springs item was postponed. He said the Planning and Zoning Commission had been given incorrect information about the number of wells at the site and said that affected the commission’s inquiry. Chairman Carl Zalak said staff would do more investigation, including whether the land could be acquired, before bringing the item back. (0:25:56)
Keith Fair of the Housing Finance Authority asked the board to consider creating an alternate member position for that board because of quorum concerns tied to upcoming bond funding matters. County Administrator Monir Bouyounes said staff would look at whether an ordinance change was needed. (0:27:56)
Minutes approved
The board approved minutes for February 3, February 17, February 18, and February 26, 2026, by unanimous voice vote. (0:29:18)
Budget amendments and related consent items
Clerk Gregory C. Harrell presented budget amendment items 5.1.1 through 5.1.17, noting some related to consent agenda items. Commissioner Michelle Stone said she wanted tourism-tax-funded park improvements brought back for discussion by the first meeting in August; staff said a consultant study should provide more information between June and July. The board then approved the budget amendments and related consent items by unanimous voice vote. (0:29:31) (0:30:16) (0:32:55)
Financing team for road bonds
The board approved the clerk’s request to establish a financing team for infrastructure sales tax improvement revenue bonds, to be issued in one or more series not to exceed $190 million, for accelerating multiple road improvement projects. Clerk Gregory C. Harrell said the agenda title had incorrectly said “public improvement revenue bonds” and should have said “infrastructure sales tax improvement revenue bonds.” (0:33:32)
County Engineer Stephen Coon said the bond financing would help move shovel-ready projects, including the 38th/40th Street corridor widening near the high school, the road west of the new Buc-ee’s interchange connecting back to 225A, and the Marion Oaks Manor flyover extension. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. (0:34:08) (0:36:02)
Health Department property disposition
The board approved item 5.2.2, disposition of miscellaneous property from the Health Department, by unanimous voice vote. (0:36:21)
Consent agenda
The board approved the consent agenda except for item 7.3.5, which Commissioner Craig Curry pulled for discussion. The remaining consent items passed by unanimous voice vote. During comments, Commissioner Kathy Bryant said she was glad to see item 7.5.1, the Chatmire Road project, moving forward. County Engineer Stephen Coon said grants were in place and construction was being awarded. (0:36:37) (0:37:16) (0:40:55)
Pulled consent item: health insurance cost increase
Commissioner Craig Curry discussed item 7.3.5, the request to approve a health insurance cost increase to both employer and employee. He said self-insured programs can face higher costs over time as claims increase and urged employees to use the county clinic when appropriate instead of freestanding emergency rooms. (0:37:27)
Assistant County Administrator Amanda Tartt said the clinic has been open since October, employees and spouses are using it, and HR would continue outreach during open enrollment. She said some high-dollar claims were unavoidable and said staff was working to help employees better understand when to use the clinic, quick care, or an emergency room. The board approved item 7.3.5 by unanimous voice vote. (0:38:56) (0:40:47)
Road projects update
County Engineer Stephen Coon gave an update on several road and stormwater projects. He said work continues on Southwest 80th Avenue Segment 1, including turn lanes at Southwest 90th Street, stormwater pipe installation, and utility relocations. He said property offers had been mailed for the northern phase and that the contractor could be released in about 60 days. (0:42:35)
He also updated the board on Southwest 49th Avenue Segment F and Southwest 145th Place, saying Segment F was about 20 percent complete and Southwest 145th Place was about 60 percent complete. He said traffic could possibly begin using sections of those roads within three to four months. He also said Southeast Timaquan Road culvert replacement work was nearly complete. (0:44:04) (0:45:37)
Commissioners asked about other projects, including the 66th Street/I-75 area, traffic signal timing near 40th Street and 49th Avenue, and the long-term flooding issue on 27th Avenue. Stephen Coon said utility work near 66th Street was close to complete, FDOT bridge work would follow, and the 27th Avenue project design was nearing completion with a pump contemplated as an early measure. (0:47:21) (0:49:03) (0:52:20)
Commissioner Michelle Stone asked that the Transportation Improvement Program approved on consent be highlighted publicly, including how gas tax funding is used. (0:54:40)
Heagy Burry boat ramp and Orange Lake update
Parks and Recreation Director Jim Couillard updated the board on low water conditions at Orange Lake and other lakes and gave boating safety reminders. He said the Heagy Burry boat ramp project had completed the boat ramp approach, paving, landscaping, restrooms, and park finishes, with some remaining work still needed before opening to the public. (0:56:00)
Jim Couillard also described the Major League Fishing “Heavy Hitters” event underway at the site and said the tournament’s impact on the park was limited. He said remaining items before public opening included parking lot striping, signage, and some railings. He initially said staff was planning a soft opening in early June and a ribbon cutting in mid-June, with June 22 held on calendars. (1:07:20)
Chairman Carl Zalak said he was not willing to wait two or three more weeks before allowing public boat launches and directed staff to figure out how to open the ramp by Saturday after the tournament ended Friday. Jim Couillard said staff would work on it. (1:09:09)
Belleview Heights Unit 8 assessment hearing continued
At the 10 a.m. public hearing, Municipal Services Director Chad Wicker asked to continue the Belleview Heights Unit 8 per-parcel assessment hearing to June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. so staff could do more outreach to affected property owners. A resident, Charlene Legassi, said she was unaware of the matter and had not received notice. Chad Wicker said no one had attended the May 11 community meeting, which prompted the continuance request. (1:14:29) (1:15:15)
The clerk corrected the proof of publication read earlier in the meeting. The board approved the continuance to June 16 at 10 a.m. by unanimous voice vote. Assistant County Administrator Tracy Straub said for the record that the project covered a limited stretch of Southeast 44th Avenue between 142nd Lane and 144th Street. (1:16:43) (1:17:15)
Silver Springs CRA extension
The board, sitting jointly as the Marion County Community Redevelopment Agency Board, held a public hearing on modifications to the Silver Springs CRA plan. Chris Rising of Growth Services said the CRA was established in 2013 and currently ran through fiscal year 2043-44. He said the proposed changes would identify the original plan as Volume 1, the 2024 master plan update as Volume 2, and extend the CRA by 10 years through fiscal year 2053-54. (1:18:45)
No one spoke during public comment. Commissioner Kathy Bryant made the motion to approve the attached resolution modifying the CRA plan and extending the duration. The board approved it by unanimous voice vote. Chris Rising also said staff expected the first building and facade grant application for the CRA to come in for the June meeting. (1:21:32)
Board and committee appointments
The board acted on three committee items: - For the Code Enforcement Board alternate seat, the clerk said only one applicant had applied and had not been selected, and said re-advertising would be appropriate. The board approved re-advertising and additional recruitment by unanimous voice vote. (1:22:13)
For the Housing Finance Authority unexpired term ending September 2026, the clerk said William John Mess had received the appropriate votes. The board approved the appointment by unanimous voice vote. (1:22:46)
For the WellFlorida Council purchaser/consumer member term ending May 2028, the clerk said Jennifer Martinez had received the appropriate votes. The board approved the appointment by unanimous voice vote. (1:23:11)
General public comment
Lou Weenak announced a June 13 family event at Tuscawilla Park tied to Faith and Family Month and asked that it be publicized. Chairman Carl Zalak suggested contacting Kelly Wave of Things to Do Ocala. (1:25:24)
Charlene Legassi asked about a Lake County matter involving Embry-Riddle and the Deepwoods Ranch airstrip in the Ocala National Forest area. Chairman Carl Zalak said it was a Lake County application, not a Marion County one, and said he was not prepared to make statements because the board was not deliberating on it. (1:27:42)
Joseph Walker raised concerns about a code enforcement case involving tires, a homeless encampment, and fires on a property. Staff said the property already had a Code Enforcement Board lien, the county would continue pursuing an injunction to clean it up, and cleanup could take about three months. Staff also said one of the people on the property was believed to be an owner, which affected the legal process. (1:33:53) (1:37:16)
Commission comments
Commissioner Michelle Stone announced the grand opening of the new animal services facility for May 21 at 1:30 p.m. on Highway 40 near 60th Avenue and invited the public. (1:42:52)
Commissioner Craig Curry asked about adding Hall of Fame names at Veterans Park. Staff said Parks and Recreation, Veteran Services, and Public Relations were working on a plan and would bring back a proposal, with Commissioner Craig Curry saying he wanted it done by July 4. Staff also updated the board on the America 250 monument project with the Daughters of the American Revolution. (1:43:30) (1:47:42)
The morning meeting recessed until 2 p.m. for the zoning session. (1:52:01)
Afternoon session: Salt Springs water plant item continued
The board reconvened at 2 p.m. for the zoning session. Before taking up the listed cases, the board heard a request to continue item 15.4.6, the county’s special use permit for a Salt Springs water plant upgrade and expansion. David Tillman of Tillman & Associates said the utilities department had held a community meeting and wanted time to pursue purchasing property from the federal government where the plant is currently located rather than relocating it. He asked for a continuance to October 20 at 2 p.m. (2:08:56) (2:11:05)
Resident Sam Cullen of Salt Springs said he opposed moving the plant into the park, supported exploring purchase of the current site, and also raised concerns about increasing pump size and effects on the lake and park use. The board approved the continuance to October 20 at 2 p.m. by unanimous voice vote. (2:12:51) (2:14:49)
DRC waiver: water main connection denied
Utility Director Tony Cunningham presented a waiver request from Fred Bennett to disconnect from a central water system and remain on a private well. He said the parcel was already connected to the system, the well permit on file was for irrigation rather than domestic use, and the meter had been locked because of backflow compliance issues that created a contamination risk to the FGUA system. He said the Development Review Committee had unanimously recommended denial. (2:21:31)
FGUA representative Rosalinda Silva said the issue began with a billing dispute after backflow caused the meter to spin and that FGUA preferred the customer remain connected. After discussion about backflow prevention and code requirements, the board denied the waiver by unanimous voice vote. (2:26:34) (2:34:04)
Reasonable accommodation for animals denied
Planner Eric Kramer presented a reasonable accommodation request for a property at 6500 Southwest 202nd Court in Dunnellon to allow three goats, four geese, and two ducks on 0.95 acres in an R-1 zone. He said the request was tied to an ongoing code case and that staff had found five goats on site during an inspection, though he had since been informed that two babies had been removed and one animal was a lamb. Staff recommended denial, citing concerns including the watering area and reports that animals had gotten off the property. (2:35:04)
Property owner Karen Loges said she had allowed the tenants to keep the animals and had not known the zoning restrictions. Tenant Jennifer Jones said the animals provided therapeutic and emotional benefits for her household, including for her husband and daughter, and said she had medical documentation supporting a reasonable number of support animals. Ryan Jones also spoke about depression, anxiety, autism, and the comfort the animals provided. (2:41:02) (2:43:43)
Neighbors Glenda Lumpkin, Wesley Weisman, and Rafael Marrero spoke in opposition, citing noise, odor, flies, appearance, and animals getting loose. Code Enforcement and Sheriff’s Office staff said the animals appeared to be in good condition, and code staff said the chickens were allowed but the geese, ducks, and rooster were not. (2:51:23) (2:56:21) (3:05:36)
Commissioner Michelle Stone said the household already had animals that could satisfy support-animal needs and made a motion to deny goats, geese, and ducks. The board approved the denial by unanimous voice vote. Chairman Carl Zalak said those animals should be removed from the property within 30 days. (3:14:14)
Partners Self Storage covered outdoor storage approved
The board heard a special use permit request from Partners Self Storage, LLC, for covered outdoor storage of RVs, boats, and trailers at 7655 East Highway 25 in Belleview. Staff said the site had previously been approved for outdoor storage and was returning because covered parking required a new special use permit. Staff showed the revised concept plan with 95 covered outdoor storage stalls and screening. (3:15:16)
Attorney Fred Roberts, for the applicant, said the applicant accepted staff’s revised landscaping condition, including evergreen plantings and replacing some palms with magnolias and live oaks for more screening. The board approved the special use permit with conditions by unanimous voice vote. (3:18:23) (3:20:15)
Contractor yard in Summerfield approved
The board approved a special use permit for FCH Properties, LLC, to allow a construction or contractor yard at 13866 South U.S. Highway 441 in Summerfield. Staff said the 5.02-acre site was the former Travelcamp RV sales and service center and that the proposed user, Chinchor Electric, would use it as a local headquarters and staging area for roadway improvement work. (3:21:09)
Attorney James Hartley said Chinchor Electric had been in business for 40 years and wanted a local base for work in Marion County, including projects near I-75 and State Road 200. He asked for a 20-year initial term instead of the staff-proposed 10-year term. The board approved the special use permit with conditions and a 20-year initial term by unanimous voice vote. (3:24:24) (3:29:43)
Funeral home crematorium approved
The board approved a special use permit for 848 Broadway LLC to allow operation of a funeral home crematorium facility at 7075 South Pine Avenue in Ocala. Staff said the 1.65-acre site was in heavy business zoning and near industrial and commercial uses, including a marble and granite business, a scrapyard, and RV sales. Staff said no funeral services or on-site sales were proposed there and recommended approval with conditions, including a modified C-type buffer along South Pine Avenue. (3:30:54)
Attorney Chris Hamilton, for the applicant, said the crematorium would be freestanding and that no exterior changes were proposed other than what was needed for the operation and the hedge condition. The board approved the special use permit with conditions by unanimous voice vote. (3:37:18) (3:39:41)
Anthony zoning change approved
The board approved a zoning change for Gironj, LLC from R-1 to B-2 for 9645 Northeast 21st Avenue in Anthony. Staff said the applicant had originally requested B-5 but later revised the request to B-2. Staff said the parcel had commercial future land use and was next to the applicant’s existing B-5 metal shop property, and that B-2 would allow parking and related site functions without expanding the building onto the parcel. The board approved the zoning change by unanimous voice vote. (3:40:29) (3:46:50)
Oxford Downs PUD amendment approved with conditions
The board considered a PUD amendment for Marion Gaming Management, LLC at 17996 South U.S. Highway 301 in Summerfield. Senior Planner Cindy Chen said the request involved three main changes: authorizing six pickleball courts and two manufactured buildings that had been built without permits, modifying buffer requirements, and expanding allowable uses to B-2 uses while changing the site layout and drainage areas. She said staff supported the first and third requests but recommended denial of the buffer request as proposed. (3:47:19) (3:50:48)
David Tillman, for the applicant, said the main disagreement was over buffers. He said the owner also owned adjacent parcels to the west, east, and south and argued there was no reason to buffer against the owner’s own land. He also said the owner would likely seek to expand the RV park in the future. (4:03:16)
During board discussion, commissioners focused on requiring buffering for the RV park area and how to handle common ownership. The board discussed moving the western buffer to the outer edge of the commonly owned parcel rather than the current PUD line. After discussion, the board approved the amendment with conditions as stated during the hearing, by unanimous voice vote. (4:13:49) (4:23:08)
Ordinance adoption and adjournment
After the zoning items, the board approved moving the ordinance by unanimous voice vote and adjourned. (4:23:24)
Watch the full meeting recording
Vote tallies in this recap were checked against the body’s official roll-call record.
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