In brief
Marion County commissioners made three decisions with the clearest day-to-day impact Tuesday: they approved major pay and scheduling changes for county firefighters, declined to create a new local system for nonconsensual towing rates, and denied a proposed food-waste depackaging operation near NW Gainesville Road. The firefighter agreements include a $20,000 base-salary increase for covered employees and higher starting pay, with one contract running from June 20, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2026, and a second from Oct. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2029. On towing, the board left current practice in place after staff said Marion County would continue defaulting to Alachua County’s corrected rates if it took no action. In the afternoon zoning session, commissioners unanimously rejected a special use permit for Wood Resource Recovery of Marion County, LLC and Denali Water Solutions, saying the proposed use was not in the public interest and not compatible with surrounding properties. (0:35:29) (1:15:05) (4:19:32)
Firefighter contracts raise pay and set up schedule changes
For residents, this vote affects emergency response staffing: the county approved contracts meant to help recruit and keep firefighters and paramedics, while also addressing overtime and work-life balance. The first agreement gives each covered employee a $20,000 increase to base salary and raises starting pay by the same amount, bringing proposed annual base pay to $65,000 for a firefighter EMT and $75,000 for a firefighter paramedic. The second agreement runs through Sept. 30, 2029, and phases in a 24-72 shift schedule by that date. Both votes were unanimous among the commissioners present. (0:35:29)
Assistant County Administrator Amanda Tartt told the board, “each employee covered by the agreement will receive a $20,000 increase to their base salary and it will increase the starting pay for all positions by $20,000.” Fire Chief James Banta said the package was aimed at recruitment, retention, reduced mandatory overtime, and firefighter health and wellness. (0:39:18) (0:42:03)
Board leaves towing rates unchanged
For drivers involved in nonconsensual tows, the practical result is that no new Marion County towing ordinance or local rate schedule was adopted Tuesday. Instead, the county will continue with the default arrangement staff described: if Marion County takes no action, Alachua County’s corrected rates apply. Staff said a previously listed $5,000 Class D hookup fee in Alachua County had been a scrivener’s error and was corrected to $500. (1:15:05)
Vice Chairman Matt McClain moved to leave the matter alone, saying, “let’s leave everything as it is and don’t adopt any rates today.” The motion passed unanimously among the commissioners present after staff and the Florida Highway Patrol explained that the original concern stemmed from the corrected Alachua County error. (1:22:42)
Compost-site expansion denied on NW Gainesville Road
For nearby residents, businesses, churches and Fessenden Elementary School, the zoning vote means the existing composting site on NW Gainesville Road will not be allowed to add the proposed human food-grade depackaging operation. The request from Wood Resource Recovery of Marion County, LLC and Denali Water Solutions would have added a process to separate expired grocery-store food from packaging and use the food material in composting. Commissioners unanimously denied the special use permit. (4:19:32)
Chairman Carl Zalak summed up his position before the vote: “I like the idea of what you’re doing,” but “in the current configuration, I’m a no.” Michelle Stone then moved to deny the request, stating that she did not believe it was in the public’s best interest and did not think it was compatible with surrounding properties; the board approved that motion unanimously among the commissioners present. (4:14:15) (4:19:32)
Routine items moved forward, and one legal item was pulled
The board also cleared a series of routine but operational items: it approved the consent agenda, budget amendments, property disposition forms, and notation-for-action items, all by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. Those actions included clerk-presented budget amendments ranging from $392 to $830,989 and scheduling future public hearings on county planning and grant documents. (0:30:44) (1:01:46)
One County Attorney item, 8.1, did not move forward Tuesday. County Attorney staff said the item was being removed because “we’re still working out some of the numbers in the agreement,” with the expectation it could return at a later meeting. (0:32:02)
Key takeaways: - The board approved two collective bargaining agreements with the Professional Firefighters of Marion County, Local IAFF 3169, including a $20,000 base-salary increase for covered employees and starting pay increases, with one agreement effective June 20, 2026 to September 30, 2026 and a second effective October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2029. The votes were unanimous among the commissioners present. (0:35:29)
The board did not adopt new towing rates and left the default arrangement in place. On a motion by Matt McClain, seconded from the dais, the board voted unanimously among the commissioners present to leave the matter as-is after staff said Alachua County’s corrected rates would continue to apply by default if Marion County took no action. (1:15:05)
In the zoning session, the board unanimously denied a special use permit for Wood Resource Recovery of Marion County, LLC and Denali Water Solutions to add a human food-grade depackaging operation to an existing composting site on NW Gainesville Road. The motion to deny cited public interest and compatibility with surrounding properties. (4:19:32)
The board approved the consent agenda, budget amendments, property disposition forms, and notation-for-action items, and it removed County Attorney item 8.1 from the agenda to return later because staff was still working on some of the numbers in the agreement. (0:30:44-1:02:06)
Call to order, roll call, and announcements
Chairman Carl Zalek called the meeting to order, led announcements, and said Kathy Bryant was absent because she was unwell. Roll call showed Carl Zalek, Vice Chairman Matt McClain, and Michelle Stone present at that time; Craig Curry arrived later during the morning session. (0:12:28)
Proclamations and presentation items
The board approved the proclamations and presentation items by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:14:03)
Chairman Carl Zalek presented a proclamation for National Homeownership Month. Community Services Director Cheryl Butler showed a video about the county’s purchase assistance program, stating that in fiscal year 2026 the county had helped 59 families purchase homes through more than $4.6 million in SHIP funding and that eligible families may receive up to $100,000 in assistance through the program. Rob Peters of Habitat for Humanity of Marion County also spoke. (0:14:15)
Chairman Carl Zalek then presented a proclamation for Faith and Family Month to Amber Panuto and others. Pennuto thanked the board and announced a June 13 event at Tuscawilla Park. (0:22:08)
Agenda public comments before board action
Roland Boyd, who identified himself as president of the Professional Firefighters of Marion County Local 3169, spoke on agenda items 9.1 and 9.2. He thanked the board, county administration, fire chiefs, and staff involved in negotiations and said the agreement would support recruitment, retention, and the future of emergency services in Marion County. (0:27:45)
Joseph Walker spoke on items 9.1 and 9.2 and raised concerns about county property near a fire station in the Forest area, including an open gate, litter, dumping, used needles, and a homeless camp. (1:02:53)
A resident, Jennifer Morrell, then spoke from the audience after being recognized and criticized a remark made to Walker, saying it was disrespectful. Chairman Carl Zalek responded that commissioners had not taken raises. (1:05:52)
Minutes, sheriff parcel request, clerk budget amendments, and consent agenda
The board approved the March 3, 2026 A and March 3, 2026 B minutes by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:30:11)
The board approved item 4.1, Sheriff Billy Woods’ request for approval to pursue the purchase of Parcel No. 21935-002-00, by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:30:24)
Clerk Gregory C. Harrell presented budget amendment items 5.1.1 through 5.1.7, including amendments of $50,000, $392, $1,600, $7,034, $830,989, $2,825, and $550. The board approved them by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:30:44-1:02:06)
The board also approved item 5.2.1, the acquisition or disposition of miscellaneous property forms, by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:31:06)
The board approved the consent agenda by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. No consent items were pulled for separate discussion. (0:31:31)
County Attorney item 8.1 removed
County Attorney Minter said item 8.1 was being pulled because staff was still working out some of the numbers in the agreement and hoped to bring it back at the next meeting. Chairman Carl Zalek said the item would be removed for now. (0:32:02)
Animal Services video
County Administrator Monir Buenas introduced a short video about the new Marion County Animal Shelter. The video described the new 20-acre campus and 37,000 square foot facility and said it was open on West Highway 40. (0:32:49)
Firefighters’ collective bargaining agreements: items 9.1 and 9.2
Assistant County Administrator Amanda Tartt presented two proposed collective bargaining agreements between Marion County management and the International Association of Firefighters Local 3169. She said negotiations began in June 2025. She reviewed prior contract changes, including a $3.43 per hour across-the-board increase in the 2018-2021 contract, and changes in the 2021-2024 and 2023-2026 agreements. (0:35:29)
Tartt said item 9.1 would run from June 20, 2026 to September 30, 2026 and would give each covered employee a $20,000 increase to base salary while also increasing starting pay for all positions by $20,000. She said proposed annual base pay would become $65,000 for a firefighter EMT and $75,000 for a firefighter paramedic. (0:39:18)
Tartt said item 9.2 would run from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2029 and would implement a 24-72 shift schedule by September 30, 2029. She said the phased implementation would allow time for planning and staffing. (0:40:20)
Fire Chief James Banna said the agreement was intended to improve recruitment and retention, reduce mandatory overtime, and support firefighter health and wellness. He said Marion County Fire Rescue would become one of the largest agencies in the state to adopt the 24-72 schedule. (0:42:03)
Commissioners Craig Curry, Matt McClain, Michelle Stone, and Chairman Carl Zalek each spoke in support of the agreements. They referenced recruitment, retention, overtime, work-life balance, and the county’s penny sales tax as part of the broader funding context. (0:46:43-0:58:20)
The board approved item 9.1 by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:58:20)
The board approved item 9.2 by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (0:58:37)
After the votes, Chairman Carl Zalek invited firefighters, chiefs, and the negotiating team forward for a group photo. (0:58:57)
Notation for action items 11.1 through 11.3
The board approved items 11.1 through 11.3 together by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. Those items were: - scheduling and advertising a June 16, 2026 public hearing on the Local Mitigation Strategy Five-Year Plan 2025 Update,
scheduling and advertising July 7, 2026 and August 4, 2026 public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Action Plan for CDBG, HOME, and ESG,
ratifying a May 21, 2026 letter of support for the Ocala Rapid Response Aerial Pilot federal grant for the Ocala Police Department. (1:01:46)
Public hearing on nonconsensual towing ordinance and rates: item 6.1
Chief Assistant County Attorney Dana Olesky said the hearing was a continuation of the May 5, 2026 public hearing on an ordinance creating section 18-8 on nonconsensual towing and a resolution establishing maximum rates. She said one revision had been made to the ordinance so tow companies could not exceed maximum rates or charge additional fees not listed in the resolution. (1:12:57)
Olesky said three draft resolutions had been published: one with staff’s proposed rates, one with rates proposed by Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida, and one showing the rates last used by the Florida Highway Patrol in 2024. She said the third was not an FHP proposal, only the last rates FHP had used. (1:13:46)
She also said that if the board did not adopt rates, Marion County would default to Alachua County’s rates. She said a prior Alachua County listing of $5,000 for a Class D hookup fee had been a scrivener’s error and had been corrected to $500. (1:15:05)
Captain Jonathan Young of the Florida Highway Patrol said FHP had asked the county to consider setting rates because of “crazy tow bills” tied to the Alachua County error. He said FHP no longer sets rates after a January rule change and that if Marion County adopted rates, they could also affect Levy County depending on how the rates compared with Alachua County’s. (1:16:45)
Public speakers included John Duggan, who said he had met with staff and FHP and believed there had been agreement on rates, and Mike Seaman of Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida, who asked the board to adopt rates that were “fair and equitable” and clarified in response to a question that he was referring to PWOF’s proposed rates, not Alachua County’s. (1:18:46)
Matt McClain moved not to adopt rates and to leave the current arrangement in place, saying the Alachua County error had been corrected and that adopting rates would amount to accepting an unfunded mandate from the state. The board approved that motion by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (1:21:46)
General public comments in the morning session
Several speakers addressed the board about the missing-person case of Sarah Gayle Ebersole and related concerns about law enforcement response, public awareness, protests, and jail treatment. Speakers included Michelle Tullis, who identified herself as Ebersole’s sister; a resident, Melanie Connell; Barbara Decker; Heather Miller; Kayla LaCroix; Wendell London; and Jennifer Morrell. (1:24:29)
Michelle Tullis said Sarah Gayle Ebersole had been missing since March 3, 2023 and said it had taken 705 days for updates to be reflected on a missing-person flyer. She also said a presumptive death letter had been issued without notice to the family and that there was now an active death certificate while Ebersole was still listed as missing and endangered. (1:25:00)
Barbara Decker asked what more could be done to get answers. County Attorney Minter said public rights-of-way are traditional forums for peaceful protest, though he said he was not commenting on the facts of any specific law-enforcement interaction. Matt McClain offered to meet with the speakers after the meeting or on another day to review what they had done and discuss possible next steps. Craig Curry suggested contacting State Attorney Bill Gladson. (1:34:28)
Kayla LaCroix said she had been arrested at a public protest and said she was denied medical treatment in the Marion County jail. Wendell London said the board had more power than it was saying because it approves the sheriff’s budget. Chairman Carl Zalek and Craig Curry responded that law-enforcement matters would need to be addressed with law-enforcement officials or FDLE and that the board’s role with the sheriff is budget approval. (1:40:30)
Commission comments and record items
During commissioner comments, Craig Curry, Matt McClain, and Michelle Stone each said they had no comments. The board then moved on to notation-for-record items without separate discussion in the transcript. (1:47:33)
Planning and zoning session: roll call and procedure
At 2:00 p.m., the board reconvened for the zoning portion of the meeting. Roll call showed Chairman Carl Zalek, Vice Chairman Matt McClain, Craig Curry, and Michelle Stone present; Kathy Bryant was absent. (2:01:00)
County Attorney Minter explained the quasi-judicial process for the special use permit items, including that decisions must be based on competent substantial evidence and that the board must find consistency with the comprehensive plan, public interest, and compatibility with surrounding property. He also swore in anyone who might testify. (2:03:14)
Planning and zoning consent item approved: 260501SU
Deputy Director of Growth Services Kenneth Weirich presented case 260501SU, a special use permit for Ward-Merrill, L.L.C. to allow an accessory structure on property without a primary residence in an R-1 zone on 1.64 acres at parcel 4938-001-001. No one asked to pull the item from consent. The board approved it by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (2:13:12)
Planning and zoning item denied: 260503SU for Wood Resource Recovery / Denali
Senior Planning Staff member Kenneth Odom presented case 260503SU for Wood Resource Recovery of Marion County, LLC and Denali Water Solutions. He said the request was for a special use permit to add a human food-grade depackaging facility to an existing vegetative-debris composting operation on parcels 12869-001-00 and 12907-003-00 at 8510 and 8548 NW Gainesville Road. He said the site had operated as a vegetative-debris composting facility since 2009. (2:14:35)
Odom said the proposal involved expired grocery-store food being brought to the site, separated from packaging, processed into a slurry, and then used with vegetative debris in compost windrows. He said staff expected about three trucks per day, or about six trips. He also said Gainesville Road was operating at about 43 percent of capacity and at level of service C. (2:15:14)
Odom said staff had proposed 14 conditions for the special use permit, including conditions related to odors and operations, and noted that Marion County code already prohibits noxious odors detectable at property boundaries. He also said the permit was revocable if violations occurred. (2:22:34)
During questions, Craig Curry asked about comparable facilities in Florida. Odom said one in Vero Beach had just opened and was next to a landfill, making it a poor comparison, and that another was in Alachua County and associated with the applicant. (2:25:56)
Applicant Levin Gaston said the operation would be safe, profitable, and environmentally responsible and said the company could operate without odors affecting the church, school, or neighbors. He said if the company could not do it right, it would have to fix it or close it down. He described the process as receiving expired foods, separating packaging, processing the food into slurry, blending it with carbon material, and then composting it. He said the operation would not contaminate groundwater and said the company would have to install four monitoring wells. (2:31:45)
Sarah Harrison of Denali, who identified herself as the company’s environmental director, said Denali is the largest organics recycler in the country and acknowledged that the company was not “perfect.” She said the violations referenced by opponents were primarily associated with land application sites, not this type of facility. She said the Marion County site would also require a Florida DEP permit, a stormwater permit, and an NPDES industrial stormwater permit, and that the facility would include trench drains and stormwater storage. She said the site would not be designed to store more than 24 hours of incoming material. (3:58:28)
Public speakers opposing the permit included Tracy Walker of the Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park; attorney Alexandra Scales on behalf of several property owners; Wes Price; Pastor Martin Smith of Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church; Joe McCants; Kenny McKenzie; Justin Wilson; Laura Domus; Robert Walker; Jeanette MacDonald; Busy Shires speaking for the St. Bernard Foundation; Abigail Rose McCoy; Asante Craig; Gail Stern; Ed Gaska; Iris Stern; Cynthia Hill; Greg Thompson; Mike Negrini; and Linda Ward. (3:03:04-3:56:26)
Among the concerns raised were odor, leachate and groundwater contamination, compatibility with nearby homes, farms, churches, tourism businesses, and Fessenden Elementary School, possible effects on private wells and Silver Springs, traffic, noise, birds, and the applicants’ compliance history. Several speakers also referenced the prior Compost USA operation in Marion County and said this proposal was not compatible with the area. (3:03:04-3:56:26)
After public comment, Chairman Carl Zalek said he liked the idea of the operation in general but not at that location. He also said the property’s existing M-2 and Commerce District zoning already allows a range of intensive uses without a special use permit, and he listed examples from the code. He said a special use permit at least gives the county some regulatory control, but he added that he was not in favor of the proposal “as it stands today.” (4:14:15)
Michelle Stone said she was not willing to take the risk of allowing “an unknown type of industry” in that community and said she would vote no. Matt McClain said he agreed and said he did not think the applicant had provided the assurance he needed to move forward. (4:17:31)
Michelle Stone moved to deny the request, stating that she did not believe it was in the public’s best interest and did not think it was compatible with surrounding properties. The board approved the motion by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. (4:19:32)
Adoption of ordinance after zoning action
After the denial vote, the board approved the ordinance item by unanimous voice vote of the commissioners present. The transcript does not specify the ordinance number or text at that moment beyond “move the ordinances.” [unclear] (4:19:53)
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