[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6543679,"mediaKeyId","3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e","parentId",3413770,"title","Ocala council approves settlement in Rojas v. City of Ocala, plaintiffs relinquish claim to attorneys’ fees","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",3632000,"endMs",3787000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e&start=3632&end=3787","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e/thumbnail_3632000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543679/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-council-approves-settlement-in-Rojas-v-City-of-Ocala-plaintiffs-relinquish-claim-to-attorneys-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543679-9c07447190a1ae5a93a4dea451922711/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190237&Signature=j59OEpjqfzqcy-73YT5uYxXJVet9HkLUfQeNebKvoyyK6JUGqaDUZTvufzvu7GNaRTT5DujIVDRLpbTPWO7LfPj3zU83wdaj04KhyW0XmYwCWteSyGDF9UHegLr2eeYEkjr6Yc1auOxNfjfbfW9ljnDaIkbLVjrAeQg3whvFTqYgLZPnaaMD8Wo78s2syBTvZm2f8rbvSrhvHT3vVaVjmHU7zu0xFkfr4o1NnI0u819X5a5BF0TYsFDJy9usfnWXt~mQ6X0ZxCE2DN~14-V1PL7COay2ATJ24Jd7obwwtDaVmfDMUCsQqd1W7G6nrM2Sy7R40tU0O7i5NQebbnJjxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ocala","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Ocala City Council voted May 20, 2025, to approve a proposed settlement in Rojas v. City of Ocala, a long-running case arising from a 2014 prayer vigil. City Attorney Will Sexton presented the settlement to the council and recommended approval.

Sexton summarized the negotiated terms: in exchange for the city dropping its current appeal and agreeing not to appeal that decision in the future, the plaintiffs will waive any entitlement to an award of attorney’s fees. ‘‘Estimates for the potential liability associated with those fees, particularly if the case were to continue on appeal, have approached and even exceeded a million dollars,’’ Sexton said. He advised the council that, in his judgment and after prior attorney-client settlement discussions, the proposed settlement ‘‘is in the best interest of the City of Ocala.’’

Kenneth Gwynn, who identified himself as a former defendant in the case, asked whether the settlement would limit future city events that use religious language. Sexton responded that the settlement ‘‘does not contain any prohibitions against, obviously, any future lawful conduct by the city’’ and confirmed plaintiffs did not insist on a restriction that would bar religious proclamations.

After public comment and discussion, a motion to approve the settlement carried on a roll call vote. Council members recorded ayes and the motion passed; the settlement removes the risk of an eight‑ or nine‑figure legal-fee award associated with continued appeals, according to the city attorney.

City staff said the settlement requires no payment and imposes no admission of liability by the city. Sexton recommended the settlement as a pragmatic resolution to limit potential exposure and to close long-standing litigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ocala - City Council - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a settlement in the long-running Rojas v. City of Ocala case that ends the city's current appeal in exchange for plaintiffs waiving any claim to attorney's fees, city attorney said.","taxTitle","Ocala, Marion County, Florida","taxId",4898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543684,"Public raises concerns over ICE memorandum of agreement; police chief says program targets criminal aliens",3947,2680000,6627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e&start=2680&end=6627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e/thumbnail_2680000.jpg","/articles/6543684/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Public-raises-concerns-over-ICE-memorandum-of-agreement-police-chief-says-program-targets-criminal-aliens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543684-66564a5027b8c253f9482a284f032473/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190237&Signature=RUg~Xka096MZmSY-naNc8nUmNzBGGqRSIOCcMPEhXwEFdv~2PngQP13MlZgcWkEuToW1jbt~SAdyugaXiNEPW8DWfTh2uEbH36W~~aATQltH5~qAqyTkSXRRCci0R4hV~KF4keMmFJEVngZHZRLcay-aceA~riiUx2-U6cDkEyVYFDUMTA~~JDd~pozDJ8~yngvgs7LDH2lpDgRMJkII~IVgnqpbqntDdDRxXcW~PEEb8V96PWZ5FUbxST1tqBIJ759usgi-oMeKtLaXrPlilHH39dSwth8CVu5Wj1lyLO2AbTEw6QLh6pB6BOt4Uz~wgCeO8QcBIAmljCG5vCXAIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents addressed the Ocala City Council on May 20, 2025, to oppose a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Ocala Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The meeting featured lengthy public comment from residents, activists and local workers, and a presentation from Police Chief Mike Balkan clarifying how his department will use the agreement.

Speakers at the public-comment portion repeatedly expressed concern that local officers would be empowered to question or detain people ‘‘believed to be an alien’’ without judicial oversight. David Boston, a local resident, said the MOA ‘‘drags our beloved city directly into the heart of a contentious national political debate’’ and argued the agreement would ‘‘breed suspicion and distrust among neighbors.’’ Fernando Fernandez, a paraprofessional at Forest High School, warned the agreement ‘‘would authorize local officers to identify and remove criminal aliens without warrants or proof of felonies’’ and said that would undermine due process.

Chief Balkan responded to the concerns and described the agreement’s intended scope. He traced the authority to the 287(g) framework that allows designated local officers to partner with ICE for criminal immigration enforcement and said the city’s participation is intended to apply to people with a criminal predicate. ‘‘I am not interested in going to horse farms. I am not interested in going to schools,’’ Balkan said. ‘‘I am interested in arresting you once you've committed a criminal act. And then if you are a criminal alien, then referring you to ICE for potential deportation proceedings. That's what we're talking about.’’

Balkan said the department has worked on multiagency task forces for years — with the FBI, DEA and Homeland Security Investigations — and that routine joint operations predate the MOA. He acknowledged staffing and cost concerns, saying any additional cost would likely take the form of overtime when officers are assigned to assist ICE-related work. He also reiterated that the city can terminate such agreements; later in the meeting the mayor and council said they would brief the public further.

Public commenters questioned legal and moral consequences, possible profiling and the fiscal impact of cooperating with immigration enforcement. Several speakers said the agreement would discourage immigrant residents from reporting crimes or seeking help. Others urged the city to terminate the agreement or never implement it. No vote on terminating or ratifying a new agreement appears in the meeting record; the chief offered to answer follow-up questions and city leaders said they would continue communication with the public on the topic.","Dozens of residents spoke against a memorandum of agreement between the Ocala Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing due-process and trust concerns; Chief Mike Balkan told council the program is focused on criminal subjects and can be terminated by the city.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543687,"Ocala council approves $3.2 million Motorola radio purchase after procurement debate",475,2276000,2751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e&start=2276&end=2751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413770-ffdbf983dcb916632f0a67a4a11eaf1e/thumbnail_2276000.jpg","/articles/6543687/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-council-approves-32-million-Motorola-radio-purchase-after-procurement-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543687-07e657637b4d4a6fd3f01c06daba7595/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190237&Signature=eFrcu~l6ZAutjIEpk908Ir5DGbW1hVppuccPNsQdBq8SXBETnQmMYlevQC0yY4XssHRCH~cYnTjmAvnI4t5WiZk3lRt3CLC4ZgpeHRLrurXWFS4eUXXq6EwoppTTGtqXWohwa3e~ywALyghUmRAjTfsFShjkqMo3y1rfFQQLOSJ5dr5OTvAUKfBcBeMdjMPwEXNAdNv4aRXT3zubZfxo9Pgsinzj1khihicKPmBknl5tDIKhlmt1a1269nKAhgcWkND5UhxeY0k8CFXViMnZNjRK-ODQqYOccB3wGoJrkN5KkLZ-B1WYc021m0ERFXM8PEXQzD9uEW11Rw4a2Sd4DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ocala City Council voted to approve the purchase of new portable radios for the Ocala Police Department, Ocala Fire Rescue and Ocala Electric Utility on May 20, 2025, after a prolonged presentation and public comment from a competing vendor.

City staff and the council said the radios are intended to update aging equipment, improve indoor and campus coverage, add GPS and “off‑vehicle” tracking, and provide automatic switching to the strongest signal. Joshua Sasso, director of police information systems, told the council the new equipment ‘‘will better enhance our ability to respond and send aid’’ and highlighted features used in the 911 center, including person-down notifications.

The purchase drew a public appeal from Megan Mercer of Communications International, an integrator for L3 Harris, who asked the council to defer the vote and allow her team to present an alternative. Mercer said an L3 Harris proposal would total $3,200,000 and ‘‘results in the cost savings of $2,740,000 when compared to the Motorola quote that is $5,950,000 and currently under consideration.’’ Mercer asked the council to “defer the action on this item to allow time to direct a meeting between city leadership and our team.”

Daphne Robinson, the city’s director of procurement and contracting, explained the procurement path used for the purchase. She said the city used cooperative purchasing vehicles such as NASPO, Sourcewell and the Florida Sheriffs Association to obtain competitive pricing and that procurement would not authorize a cooperative purchase unless ‘‘best value can be demonstrated and supported.’’ Robinson said best value ‘‘does not necessarily mean lowest price’’ and that operational tradeoffs were weighed.

Sasso outlined the police department’s operational concerns in comparing vendors. He said Motorola has local vendor support from TriCo and that service-level agreements commonly produce on-site support ‘‘within 15 minutes’’ in Ocala. Sasso also cited existing interoperability with surrounding agencies and integration with public-safety platforms the 911 center uses, saying those connections reduce operational risk. He added his concern about mixing multiple radio vendors on the same radio infrastructure: ‘‘The radio is the lifeline of the officers, the firefighters, and our linemen.’’

Council members asked about vendor locations, equipment lifecycle and what would happen to replaced radios. Sasso said older radios would be reallocated to non–public-safety city departments and that Florida Department of Management Services guidance sets an 8‑year recommended lifetime for radios.

After council discussion, the motion to approve the purchase passed on a roll call. The council approved the purchase and the procurement method recommended by staff.

The purchase will be implemented over a multi‑year rollout; staff said costs will be phased to reduce fiscal impact.","City council approved buying new Motorola radios for police, fire and electric departments after staff said Motorola’s local support and interoperability outweighed a lower-cost offer from L3 Harris.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ocala council approves settlement in Rojas v. City of Ocala, plaintiffs relinquish claim to attorneys’ fees

Public raises concerns over ICE memorandum of agreement; police chief says program targets criminal aliens

Ocala council approves $3.2 million Motorola radio purchase after procurement debate