Ocala City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations honoring community figures, a presentation on economic development, approval of consent agenda items, introduction of an affordable housing ordinance, adoption of multiple annexation and rezoning ordinances, adoption of tentative millage rates and fire assessment resolutions, approval of various contracts, and public testimony on code enforcement, utility billing, and surveillance technology. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 10 routine items by a single roll call vote, including budget amendments, grant agreements, contracts, appointments, and meeting minutes. Items included:
  • Budget Resolution 2026-152 to appropriate $12,612 from Police Trust Fund for crime prevention supplies.
  • One-year grant agreement with Lutheran Services Florida Health Systems for Ocala Police Department Chaplain Program ($99,779) and corresponding budget resolution.
  • First renewal of contract with Kempfer Sawmill for engineering wood fiber services (not to exceed $97,350).
  • Additional natural gas services expenditures (not to exceed $75,000).
  • Purchase of three-phase meter test board from Tesco ($51,186).
  • Budget resolution appropriating $9,200 grant from Duke Energy Foundation.
  • Off-system construction agreement with FDOT.
  • Appointment of David Layman to Police Officers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.
  • City Council meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Clay Albright (representing ROC Holdings) spoke about a code enforcement violation on a property at 11th and 17th Street. He stated the city issued fines of $250 per day over a landscaping issue, that the property owner was not properly notified (notice sent to an invalid address), and that despite a pre-application conference for a restoration plan, no plan was yet submitted. He requested financial relief to allow a closing. City Manager Peter Lee and Growth Management Director Jeff Schrum noted a cross-attachment lien could be released upon payment of prosecution costs (less than $300), but the restoration plan remains unsubmitted. Several council members expressed frustration about perceived aggressive code enforcement practices.
• Sean Fulwood (Ocala resident) stated he received a $1,375 charge on his electric bill for an alleged debt from 16–18 years ago. He claimed he was never in arrears and requested proof of the obligation, stating his power was shut off when he disputed the charge. Finance Director Peter Brill agreed to review the account. Council members questioned the practice of shutting off power for ancient debts and requested a policy review.
• Alessandra Alman (13250 SW 64th Street Road) spoke about the city’s use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology, specifically the Vigilant system. She cited research showing 84% of searches have no case number and expressed concerns about privacy and potential misuse. She asked council to consider whether the technology's benefits outweigh the loss of privacy.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations and Awards (Items 4a–4e): Council adopted a resolution honoring civil rights leader Whitfield Jenkins (passed 5-0). Mayor recognized Victoria Clifton with the Citizen Recognition Award. Council proclaimed August 26 as Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day and recognized Ocala Electric Utility for receiving the FMEA Utility Award of Excellence. Council also proclaimed August 7 as National Purple Heart Day, honoring local recipients.
• Chamber and Economic Partnership Presentation (Item 5a): Matt McCormick, President/CEO, reported on economic development. Highlights: $1.6 billion in private capital investment (2021–2025), 4800 jobs created; $417 million in active investment for 2026. He noted success stories at E1, Artemis Plastic, and Averett Express. Talent programs include Classrooms to Careers and a new Worlds of Work program. The Power Plant Business Incubator is at 84% capacity, with 42 graduate companies.
• Affordable Housing Ordinance Introduction (Item 8a): Council introduced Ordinance 2026-27 to amend Chapter 106, Section 105 regarding affordable housing loan programs (terms, applicability, interest rates). Second reading scheduled for August 18.
• Public Hearings – Annexation and Rezoning (Items 9a–9d): Council adopted four ordinances for the Ocala 52 Partners PD project (~82.4 acres at 5575 SW 52nd Street): annexation (9a), future land use change from High Residential (County) to Low Intensity (City) (9b), rezoning from A-1 to Planned Development (9c), and approval of PD Plan and Standards Book (9d). Staff presentation noted positive fiscal impact, no LOS capacity issues, and conditions including cessation of agricultural use within one year and removal of existing structures. A public commenter expressed concerns about prior mining and soil stability; applicant responded that FDEP reclamation was complete and soil management plans would address issues.
• Public Hearings – City Property Rezonings (Items 9e–9h): Council adopted four ordinances to update land use and zoning for city-owned drainage parcels and adjacent properties in the 2800 block of SW 20th Street. Two ordinances (9e, 9f) reclassified ~4.06 acres from Neighborhood to Public and rezoned to Governmental Use to match existing stormwater use. Two ordinances (9g, 9h) changed ~4.88 acres from Neighborhood to Low Intensity and rezoned from R-3 to Institutional to allow a Capstone Academy school. Several business owners and neighbors spoke in favor, citing improved property conditions and compatibility.
• General Business (Items 10a–10j):
  • 10a: Approved tentative FY 2026-27 millage rates: Basic City 6.6177; District A 1.7185; B 1.6332; C 1.4699 (same as current).
  • 10b: Adopted Resolution 2026-46 reimposing fire assessments with a revenue target of $18.3 million; final public hearing set for September 9.
  • 10c: Approved contract with Sawcross Inc. for dewatering rotary press at Water Reclamation Facility No. 2 ($1,812,800 total).
  • 10d: Approved one-year renewal of software contract with CentralSquare ($116,787). (Councilman Musleh absent; vote 4-0).
  • 10e: Approved two-year roof restoration contract with Unicoat Industrial Roofing ($300,000 max). (Musleh absent; vote 4-0).
  • 10f: Approved one-year street sweeping contract with Bomac Construction ($324,000). (Musleh absent; vote 4-0).
  • 10g: Approved two-year uniform program renewal with Tyndale Enterprises ($160,000 max).
  • 10h: Approved purchase of two rescue vehicles via Florida Sheriffs Association contract ($890,634).
  • 10i: Approved task work order for FDOT pond relocation design at Ocala International Airport ($157,712).
  • 10j: Approved stop loss insurance renewal with HM Insurance Company ($2,315,271); staff noted a 10.9% increase after negotiation from 29.4%, saving $380,000.
• City Manager’s Report: Introduced new Water Resources Director Brian Heller; reminded council of auditor interviews on August 11; announced inaugural City Path Training Academy graduation on August 6.
• Police Department Report (Chief Michael Balken): Reported 7,700 incidents (1% decrease), 1173 traffic stops, 296 reported crimes, 197 arrests. Noted increases in violent crime (+16), property crime (+22), and societal crime (+25). Highlighted a K-9 firearm find and an ICAC arrest.
• Fire Rescue Report (Chief Clint Welburn): Reported 1,090 calls for the period, 76 MVCs, 7 fires, 47 community paramedicine calls. Total YTD calls: 16,339. Mentioned four commercial kitchen fires.
• Council Comments:
  • Mayor Marciano discussed efforts to address synthetic Kratom, noting upcoming meeting with Attorney General’s office.
  • Councilmember Mansfield raised concerns about a $500,000 fraud incident (dated back to April/May) and requested transparency; City Manager Lee said investigation is ongoing, internal auditor will report to council, and insurance claims filed.
  • Councilmember Dreyer requested a presentation from Ocala Main Street on the downtown and midtown economic snapshot at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed with unanimous (5-0) votes unless noted otherwise. Councilman Musleh was absent for votes on items 10d, 10e, and 10f, which passed 4-0.
• Tentative millage rates for FY 2026-27 approved as recommended.
• Fire assessment resolution adopted setting maximum rates; public hearing September 9.
• Ordinance 2026-27 (Housing Incentive Fund amendments) introduced for first reading; second reading August 18.
• All annexation, land use, and rezoning ordinances (Items 9a–9h) adopted.
• City staff directed to provide a report on the utility billing dispute and code enforcement policies at next meeting.
• Internal auditor will report directly to council on the fraud investigation.
• Ocala Main Street requested to present at the September 1 council meeting.