Ocala City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026: Proclamations, Ordinances, and Kratom Ban Debate

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included service awards for four employees, approval of a consent agenda, first readings of five ordinances related to rezoning and land use changes, adoption of a police retirement ordinance, approval of multiple general business items, and extensive public comment and council discussion on a proposed ban on Kratom sales within the city.

Consent Calendar

• Five-year Pole Attachment Agreement with BellSouth Telecommunications (AT&T Florida) for attaching equipment to city-owned utility poles.
• Second Amendment to Agreement with Powerserve Technologies, Inc. extending delivery deadline and increasing contract amount by $82,721.
• Contract for environmental water testing services with Advanced Environmental Laboratories, Inc. for up to $66,517.
• Annual renewal of GrayKey forensic software at $74,740.
• Additional funding of $6,367 for emergency rental of a 25-ton air conditioner from Sunbelt Rentals, total $10,403.
• Approval of City Council meeting minutes. All consent items were approved unanimously (5-0) by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Dippon (1612 NE 25th Ave, Lot B) described a road rage incident where a driver displayed a firearm and criticized OPD's response, stating officers told him the display was protected by the Second Amendment. He expressed frustration and said he is contacting the Florida State Senator's office.
• Alicia Gonzalez Julias (5565 SW 8th Loop) spoke tearfully about the death of her 41-year-old brother from Kratom ingestion. She detailed the compound's toxicity and claimed over 750 Kratom-related deaths have been reported by Florida medical examiners. She urged the Council to ban the sale of Kratom.
• Ian Crawford (900 SE 3rd Ave) shared his near-death experience from taking 7 Stacks Kratom Hydro-Blend, which caused him and a friend to overdose and fall into comas. He cited 3,672 suspected overdose EMS encounters involving Kratom or derivatives between January 2023 and April 2026. He asked the Council to ban the product.

Discussion Items

• Service Awards (Items 4a-4d): Recognized Priscilla Davis (20 years, Recreation & Parks), Alton Peebles, Jr. (25 years, Ocala Electric Utility), Linda Roos (25 years, Ocala Police Department), and Captain Sandra Duryea (30 years, Ocala Police Department).
• Ordinances Introduced (First Readings): Five ordinances were introduced for future public hearings (second and final reading set for August 4, 2026):
  • Ordinance 2026-22: Rezone 82.10 acres at 5575 SW 52nd Street from A-1 (Agriculture) to PD (Planned Development).
  • Ordinance 2026-23: Change future land use designation from Neighborhood to Public for 4.06 acres on SW 20th Street.
  • Ordinance 2026-24: Rezone 4.06 acres on SW 20th Street from R-1 and B-1A to G-U (Governmental Use).
  • Ordinance 2026-25: Change future land use from Neighborhood to Low Intensity for 4.88 acres on SW 20th Street.
  • Ordinance 2026-26: Rezone 2.99 acres on SW 20th Street from R-3 to INST (Institutional).
• Ordinance 2026-21 (Adoption): Amended Chapter 43 (Police Officers' Retirement System) to conform to the 2025-2028 collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police. Changes include increased employee contribution rates, a cost-of-living adjustment funding mechanism, revised Chapter 185 revenue allocation, and updates to the deferred retirement option plan. Adopted unanimously (5-0).
• General Business Items (Items 10a-10i): All approved unanimously:
  • $1,100,000 additional expenditure for two auto transformers (price adjustment for Gearman substation).
  • $110,250 contract with C & M Lawncare and Tree Service for grounds maintenance at Ocala Wetland Recharge Park.
  • $250,000 estimated aggregate for second amendment with Polydyne, Inc. for liquid polymer supply.
  • $107,100 aggregate three-year contract with JJ Holding and Services, LLC for janitorial services at OPD locations.
  • $539,682 fourth amendment with Wear Gloves, Inc. for litter control and drain cleaning (Council members praised the company's performance and workforce integration).
  • Second amendments with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, PLLC and McFarland Johnson, Inc. for general aviation engineering services.
  • Resolution 2026-44: Accept $178,558 FAA grant to design Taxiway A Holding Bay at Ocala International Airport.
  • Budget Resolution 2026-151: Appropriate $178,558 grant plus $9,398 city match for total project cost of $187,956.
• Item 10j (State Homeland Security Program Grant for Real Time Crime Center - $1,300,000): Pulled by Council President Bethea; no further action taken.
• City Manager's Report: Discussed scheduling interviews for Internal Auditor. Four applicants will be interviewed one-on-one with Council on August 11, 2026, starting at 9:30 AM, followed by a public component. The August 11 date (same day as a budget workshop) was chosen by consensus. City Manager Peter Lee also noted that storms on July 11 caused 70 outages affecting nearly 7,200 people; public works removed about 32 trees. He also announced Ocala was named one of the eight best U.S. cities for baby boomers by Travel and Leisure Magazine.
• Ocala Police Department Report: Chief Michael Balken reported violent crime up slightly (896 incidents year-to-date, 75% misdemeanor batteries). Property crimes also up, with frauds largest category. Societal crimes on par with 2025. Over 7,800 incidents handled in the two-week period, with 2,700 dispatched calls (up 11%) and over 5,000 proactive calls. Officers conducted nearly 1,000 traffic stops and investigated 135 crashes. Highlights included an arson arrest with U.S. Marshals and a felony firearm arrest. A 2024 homicide suspect received a life sentence.
• Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report: Chief Clint Welburn reported 1,110 calls in the two-week period (15,249 year-to-date). Includes 162 motor vehicle accidents, 2 structure fires, and 97 community paramedic calls. The July 11 storm generated 28 emergency calls, 24 within the first 90 minutes.
• Mayor and Council Comments on Kratom Ban: Mayor Marciano proposed banning Kratom sales in Ocala, citing nine states that have banned it, California's recent action, Florida Attorney General's emergency order on 7-OH, and local deaths/overdoses. He advocated partnering with Marion County. City Attorney Will said he has discussed a draft ordinance with the county and recommended collaboration. Council members expressed strong support, with discussions on enforcement (code enforcement vs. criminal penalties) and potential legal challenges under Senate Bill 180. The consensus direction was for the City Attorney to work with the county on an ordinance and bring it back for consideration.
• Other Comments: Mayor recognized Community Housing Services Director James Haynes for finding housing for those in need. Council Pro Tem Musleh remembered former council member Charlie Ruse, who passed away. Council President Bethea commended city staff for storm recovery efforts.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (5-0).
• Ordinance 2026-21 adopted (5-0).
• Five ordinances introduced for second reading on August 4, 2026.
• General Business items 10a-10i approved (5-0 each).
• Item 10j (SHSP Grant) pulled without action.
• Internal Auditor interviews scheduled for August 11, 2026, at 9:30 AM.
• Direction given to the City Attorney to draft a Kratom ban ordinance in collaboration with Marion County and bring it back to Council.