Ocala City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers at Ocala City Hall, with Mayor Ben Marciano and all five council members present. The meeting covered multiple presentations, a consent agenda, public hearings, general business items, departmental reports, and public comments. Key topics included a private workforce housing proposal from Upward Communities, approval of a new police training system, and council direction to study data center regulations.

Presentations & Recognitions

• Mayor's Citizen Recognition Award: Mayor Marciano presented the award to Eddie Leedy, director of the Humane Society of Marion County, for his lifelong community service, including reviving a horse program with the police department.
• 2026 Citizens Academy Graduation: Greg Davis introduced graduates of the 11-week program. City Manager Lee also introduced the Future Leaders intern group, selected from 110 applicants, who will intern in city departments for six weeks. Council Member Dreyer praised the interns as a bright future.
• America 250 Flag Presentation: Sarah Lambert, Executive Director of Ocala Main Street, presented an official America 250 flag to the city, announcing a week of historical programming from June 28 to July 3, 2026, culminating in a picnic at Heart of the Park in Tuscawilla Park.
• Upward Communities Workforce Housing Presentation: Jason Roberts, founder of Upward Communities, presented a privately funded model to build single-family home communities for essential workers. He described the model as 100% privately financed with no tax increases, aiming to help staff afford to live where they work. He requested council permission to begin a formal investigative process. Council members expressed strong support for exploring the concept. Council Member Dreyer said she would 100% support exploring the opportunity. Council Member Musleh suggested partnering with Marion County Public Schools, which has about 7,000 employees. The property under contract is already partially entitled for approximately 1,200 units; initial phases would be about 350 units. City Manager Lee noted staff will work with the company on due diligence.

Consent Calendar

All items on the consent agenda were approved by a unanimous roll-call vote (5-0). Items included:

• Six-month extension of cooperative purchasing agreement with Playcore Wisconsin (Gametime) for up to $80,000.
• Memorandum of Understanding with School Board of Marion County for swim team use of Aquatic Fun Centers, revenue up to $10,000.
• Budget Resolution 2026-144 for K-9 purchase ($16,500).
• Budget Resolution 2026-145 for CDBG and SHIP program income ($20,867 total).
• Three Habitat for Humanity fee reimbursement requests ($11,829, $6,479, $6,479).
• Affordable Housing Incentive Fund disbursement to Robin Rose Construction ($15,697).
• CDBG 2026 Annual Action Plan submission.
• Purchase of actuators for Water Reclamation Facility No. 2 ($91,600).
• Resolution 2026-39 for recycling drop-off program on city properties.
• Approval of previous meeting minutes.

Public Hearings / Ordinances

• Introduction and First Reading – Ordinance 2026-19: Introduced by Council Member Hilty, this ordinance rezones 2.04 acres at 619 SE 17th Street from O-1 (Office) to B-2A (Limited Business Commercial). The second and final reading is set for July 7, 2026. (Quasi-Judicial)
• Adoption – Resolution 2026-41: Staff explained that Legacy View Church requests to abrogate a segment of SW 25th Street (0.179 acres) discovered during survey work. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0; staff also recommended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). (Quasi-Judicial)

General Business (All Approved Unanimously)

• 10a: One-year fuel supply renewal with Petroleum Traders Corporation, not to exceed $3,500,000. Council Member Hilty briefly asked about waiting for fuel prices to drop; staff responded that prices are captured daily via an index.
• 10b: Purchase of Laser Shot Judgment Training System for $160,610. Police Chief Balken explained it replaces an outdated VR headset, uses live-action scenarios, and supports de-escalation training. Approved.
• 10c: Three-year contract with Cubix, Inc. for carpet cleaning, aggregate $150,000. Approved.
• 10d: Additional roofing expenditures up to $579,815 for emergency roof replacement at City Hall. Approved.
• 10e: Purchase of actuators for Water Treatment Plant No. 1 filters, $115,350. Approved.
• 10f & 10g: Resolution 2026-40 and Budget Resolution 2026-146 to accept and appropriate $579,922 FDOT grant for intersection improvements at SE 25th Avenue and SR 464. Approved.
• 10h: Budget Resolution 2026-147 to carry forward $235,035 in prior year grant funds. Approved.
• 10i: Re-award of grounds maintenance contract for northeast quadrant to Extreme Enterprises of Marion County, Inc., $124,632 (original vendor released). Approved.

City Manager's Report

City Manager Lee noted a draft executive summary from the FY 2026-27 strategic planning session is available for council review; finalization requested by July 7, 2026. He also announced the downtown trolley route will go live on August 1, 2026.

Ocala Police Department Report

Chief Balken reported 382 combined Baker Act (mental health) and Marchman Act (substance abuse) cases in the first five months of 2026—a 14% increase in Marchman Acts. In the past two weeks, officers handled 7,200 incidents (65% proactive), resulting in 248 arrests, 937 traffic stops, and 141 crashes (down 3%). Highlights: a child predator sting arrest, a fugitive with multiple warrants, altered firearm and drugs, and three individuals sentenced to a combined 25 years for DUI manslaughter and drug trafficking. A joint traffic operation yielded 103 stops, 46 citations, and 11 arrests.

Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report

Chief Welborn reported 998 calls in the two-week period, bringing the yearly total to 12,400. Rescue 1 led with 171 calls; Engine 4 led engines. Crews responded to 83 motor vehicle accidents (149 citywide), two structure fires, and 22 community paramedic/court calls. Two new firefighter-EMTs were hired. On June 27, 2026, OFR will join Marion County first responders for a PTSD Awareness Walk at McPherson Complex (8:00–10:30 AM).

Public Comments

Ellie Burrage (1315 SE Silver Springs Place, Apt 12) spoke about Promethean Action, a political movement advocating a return to Alexander Hamilton's "American System" of economics—protective tariffs, government-industry partnership, and domestic manufacturing. She urged the council to strengthen Ocala's infrastructure, support manufacturing and logistics, expand workforce training, and invest in STEM and trades education. She encouraged council members to view Promethean Action videos online.

Key Outcomes & Decisions

• Fire Assessment Public Hearing Date: CFO Janice Mitchell explained that due to ongoing union negotiations, only the tax roll update will be done this year (full study next year). Council agreed to hold a special meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM for the fire assessment public hearing, which will also serve as the first budget hearing.
• Council Direction on Data Centers: Council Member Dreyer asked staff to determine whether data centers are an allowable use under the city's comprehensive plan, identify potential locations, and explore the possibility of a moratorium. City Manager Lee agreed to prepare a survey of other jurisdictions' approaches and an outline of possible options. Council members expressed unanimous support.
• All other agenda items approved as noted.

Informational Items & Calendaring

City offices will be closed June 19 (Juneteenth) and July 3 (Independence Day). Upcoming meetings include TPO (June 23, 2026, 3:00 PM), City Council (July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18), CRA Agency (July 21, August 18), and a budget workshop (August 11, 2026, 12:00 PM).