[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6471182,"mediaKeyId","5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c","parentId",5778334,"title","Speakers at council meeting urge changes to local homelessness services and case management","audioSeconds",584,"startMs",6022000,"endMs",6606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c&start=6022&end=6606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c/thumbnail_6022000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6471182/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Speakers-at-council-meeting-urge-changes-to-local-homelessness-services-and-case-management","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471182-a33de14da4831cbdb451ead5870ec917/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929702&Signature=BOB7txz8AJ-f2Vvz3yLmZaScMysz-3zxv3yi6KElrYetSRTn1czo~Ajwz2u3yueGHei88jTln8BS424LEbqQy8k2PWjvipqIyhbEBwkJ6IUsKu7ZHv7Y7UtII4vn4aBeC8Jzv4VWdbdwXyap00JHzUIZw42bmc06kU~U9DbAXNhn-~swF72ByHRqxgHMA4VKnWV8TJN82gSU7YlqetzK7nF7lVOnI6gw-X5bld4HYMn1atRxEu5c6n38IHldgoY4fyRI24PdkXv510Kkr-2ahR~dsRRi9-Tcwu-L4i6SR83nejickkiJwXTomQMA-66Nb7cyiz5gDtIEHypNjXoP4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ocala","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","During the public comment portion of the Ocala City Council meeting on Sept. 16, two speakers addressed homelessness services and case management in Marion County, urging the city to change how some services are delivered and to connect speakers with housing-case managers.

Jason Tolbert, who identified himself as currently unhoused and the owner of a registered service dog, said he had been removed from the Office of Homeless Prevention list after staff told him they require verifiable income. Tolbert said he has health issues that prevent outdoor work and described a series of barriers he said prevented him from accessing housing aid. He urged the city and local providers to require accountability for people who receive services and criticized what he characterized as unmanaged congregations of unhoused people in downtown areas; he also suggested moving some services to the outskirts of town. Tolbert said he had undertaken his own research on vulnerability scoring and permanent supportive housing models and asked city officials to help him navigate available resources.

Lindsey Tillery spoke after Tolbert and said she shared similar concerns, thanking Tolbert for raising them.

Council president Lauren Dreyer invited Tolbert to connect with city staff; Mayor Ben Marciano and staff indicated a city staff member (Robin Ford) would follow up to discuss service referrals and next steps. The council did not take formal action on the public-comment items; mayor and staff offered to connect the speakers with the Office of Homeless Prevention and other local resources.

Why it matters: Public comment highlighted perceived gaps in case management and intake practices for people seeking housing services. The speakers requested changes to how providers manage congregations and case-loads, and asked the city for more hands-on assistance in navigating housing supports.

Sources: Public comments delivered at Ocala City Council meeting, Sept. 16, 2025, by Jason Tolbert and Lindsey Tillery; staff and mayor remarks offering a follow-up referral.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ocala - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters at the Sept. 16 Ocala City Council meeting described personal experience with homelessness and urged changes to local service providers, including case management and locations of soup kitchens and shelters.","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},6471187,"Votes at a glance: Ocala council adopts budgets, millage rates and several contracts; tabling and other actions",446,3705000,4151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c&start=3705&end=4151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c/thumbnail_3705000.jpg","/articles/6471187/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Ocala-council-adopts-budgets-millage-rates-and-several-contracts-tabling-and-other-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471187-fc3784c504acaaad0b668653774d2cf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929701&Signature=opD8jbWXbSecphOG0XeedW3lw3FyCy3yGaXEpkqZ6zOUbyIfUWLBNojhqOT4S5qFwocJr062B-nPYiWS9GANChwh1jJqLsmT4vakn2fnZabUxFgc-xzipcHIL7-dG0hGLR0kRTR1TnSwuPcr2vXobrkeZkEvP~ubbryOkp2gsqOjAY8ZSDhsj8~PTCJWy6XS-VrhSg50TV59qGdX9IM3KXPf1VxYFYU6i5NGV6ObdfdzjwdK2FKq4VqYbcUvdbBu8n6J5KLX9EdsmjwbjlDPJ0IenS~XR0TZvDD3IcJ7UfFMzP0K5lSs0hmTzLEjeJ4Z0UhoHeVEAAqvN56nkai8IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This round-up lists the formal votes taken at the Ocala City Council meeting on Sept. 16, 2025, and summarizes key contract awards, budget and millage resolutions, grants and other formal actions adopted by the council.

Votes and outcomes

- Resolution 2025-182 (Downtown development district millage rates): Adopted. The council adopted operating millage rates for Downtown Districts A, B and C at 1.7185, 1.6332 and 1.4699 respectively; each rate was higher than the rollback rate by 6.84%–7.62%. (Roll call: all voting councilmembers recorded as Aye.)

- Resolution 2025-183 (Downtown development fund budget FY 2025–26): Adopted. Total downtown development fund operating budget: $695,065. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Resolution 2025-184 (Citywide millage rate FY 2025–26): Adopted. City operating millage set at 6.6177 (5.83% above rollback rate). (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Resolution 2025-185 (City budget FY 2025–26): Adopted. General fund $188,100,612; total city budget $1,152,885,830. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Alcohol permits (public hearings): Two on-premises alcohol permits were approved by roll call: Koto Hibachi Express Sushi and Bubble Tea (3811 SW College Road); Staybridge Suites Ocala (4627 NW Blitchton Road). (Roll call: Ayes recorded by council.)

- Additional expenditures to GFL Solid Waste Southeast LLC: Approved. Council retroactively approved $1,569,573.95 in solid-waste disposal expenses already paid plus $150,000 for Aug–Sep disposal, for a total requested approval of $1,719,573.95. (Roll call: Musley Aye; Bethea Aye; Hilty Aye; Mansfield Aye; Dreyer Aye.)

- Award of five-year solid-waste disposal contract to GFL Solid Waste Southeast LLC: Approved. Approximate total contract expenditure: $19,412,250 (five-year estimate). (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Seventh amendment for single-stream curbside recycling with Waste Pro of Florida, Inc.: Approved for FY 2025–26. Estimated annual expenditure: $1,684,065 (per ton rate presented). (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Holiday lighting and decor contract (Shellard Lighting Design LLC): Approved for a three‑year award, aggregate not to exceed $508,023. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Metropolitan area network circuits (CenturyLink/Lumen Technologies): Approved. Estimated expenditure: $298,296. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- FAA Airport Improvement Grants: Accepted. Resolution 2025-41 accepted AIP funding for rehabilitation of the general aviation terminal apron ($2,664,891; 95% federal share; airport match ~$296,099). Resolution 2025-42 accepted AIP funding to extend the runway safety area for Runway 36 (grant $225,850; 95% federal share). Council authorized city officials to execute grant documents. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Renewal with Reed’s Uniforms LLC for Fire Rescue uniforms: Approved (one-year renewal). Estimated annual expenditure: $138,000. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- Collective bargaining agreements: Council approved successor collective bargaining agreements for the lieutenants’ and sergeants’ bargaining unit of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 129 for 10/01/2025–09/30/2028; costs are included in the adopted budget and will be transferred to the Ocala Police Department budget. (Roll call: unanimous Aye.)

- City attorney authorization to execute a quitclaim deed related to a 2006 right-of-way abrogation: Approved. Council authorized the president to sign the quitclaim deed to clarify previously abrogated right-of-way; staff said the action imposes no cost to the city. (Roll call: Ayes recorded.)

- Other consent items and routine approvals: Several routine consent agenda items and committee reports were approved as presented (consent list minus item 6b). The previously described item 6b (Forking Tennis Center management-fee amendment) was removed from consent, discussed and tabled pending additional financial documentation.

Why it matters: The council’s budget and millage decisions set property-tax rates and the city’s operating plan for FY 2025–26. The suite of procurement approvals covers solid-waste disposal, recycling, holiday programming and network circuits; the FAA grants fund airport infrastructure improvements with a primarily federal cost share, reducing local capital burden.

Vote records and next steps: The votes recorded in the meeting minutes and roll-call statements are summarized above. Items requiring follow-up include staff-provided financial documentation for the Forking Tennis Center item (tabling) and grant-match requests to FDOT for airport match funding. Staff will proceed with executed contracts and grant agreements as authorized by council.","At its Sept. 16 meeting the Ocala City Council adopted FY 2025–26 millage rates and budgets, approved multiple procurement awards and grant acceptances, and took other formal actions; one consent item (tennis center amendment) was tabled for more information.",{"_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},6471192,"Ocala Metro CEP reports downtown market growth, entrepreneurship programs and aviation focus",640,1974000,2614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c&start=1974&end=2614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c/thumbnail_1974000.jpg","/articles/6471192/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-Metro-CEP-reports-downtown-market-growth-entrepreneurship-programs-and-aviation-focus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471192-81d63a5259a4727f91be586e5f601bb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929701&Signature=Tc~~4X2OELjtKG51AHZcLmhkbCiOLgZevUuOUI9tKsa-44GZkN~fK7vzeJoNp0nBoCYy6qKTN~bTrEW75LGdgZQTXl31p6GTfZAqVO4NBo4PwLoW2P8QQ2lgmBiemP875mFlKLA6eSacVog8IjGxpxxNbNhecyjrwI5tS8enYlFaENNWFVjfXE7DRD2Ge4PiLNYnwZ~6npao7OTy8pAnfkW78hWkPcNiul5es8tspSS5Q4DpYVzSzM6ocpQbwKtf3SBGOLEvGKwdWNa7vps7k24BsDQnE4BzlqIVlIjJ4SxLbwsb5UFU2b6XqRrFD6IPEqVGRph-HBfm4FoGH-iYTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leaders of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) presented an annual update to the Ocala City Council on Sept. 16, outlining economic-development activity that city and CEP staff said is driving downtown visitation, new-business formation and targeted industry recruitment.

Tamara Fleischhacker, interim CEO and chief experience officer for the CEP, said the downtown market draws roughly 5,000 visitors each Saturday at peak season and that the covered booth area holds 57 vendors and fills consistently. The CEP reported more than 95 ancillary events in the past year in the downtown market area, and said market visitors generally extend their visits to nearby stores and restaurants.

Heather Schubert, the CEP’s chief growth officer, summarized entrepreneurship and talent initiatives. The CEP hosts about 77 events annually for business creation and support, including the Fast Track program and a partnership with the Kauffman Foundation. Schubert said a recent Fast Track graduating class included more than 20 business founders; CEP-run business-lender matchmaking events drew more than 70 participants and roughly 15 financial institutions.

The CEP also described sector and site work: a newly created air-mobility task force is evaluating advanced-air-mobility and commercial air service potential at Ocala International Airport; city, county and private partners are discussing a life-sciences/healthcare incubator; and several industrial projects remain in prospect, with the CEP reporting more than 4,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in capital investment announced in the region over the past five years.

The CEP noted a coming grand opening for Circularix in November and said the Trailhead Logistics Park in Marion Oaks recently was taken off the market. The speakers credited city staff and partners for permitting, site-development and marketing support and said recent outreach to site selectors and international trade shows is generating leads.

Why it matters: CEP work influences economic development, job creation and downtown activation. The metrics presented — market attendance, program graduates and lead activity — form the basis for city‑CEP contract performance monitoring and future budget and infrastructure choices.

Sources: Ocala Metro CEP presentation to the City Council, Sept. 16, 2025; statements by Tamara Fleischhacker and Heather Schubert.","Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership told the city council the downtown weekend market draws about 5,000 visitors per Saturday and highlighted entrepreneurship training, an air-mobility task force and plans for life‑sciences and health incubators.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471197,"Ocala council tables vote on management-fee amendment for Forking Tennis Center",875,2725000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c&start=2725&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5778334-07047a775f8332c09af2bc1b335e245c/thumbnail_2725000.jpg","/articles/6471197/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-council-tables-vote-on-management-fee-amendment-for-Forking-Tennis-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471197-6290f0a8a499e8f04e61d492fa7c3989/orig.mp4?Expires=1774929701&Signature=DY3anxteSyu9vBTYzuDjQL8wWx3S5KUKyhI2MchoJKosW05eLw23c73FVd8efOacmenkZg6UW04iVcpbmyUz~WjJ6wckkN-sYa3qZe-ZMjG1jl6g6-azi0sOt5nqmUg4oFPEAJA03C05p5S130NtuzcOCUfHaO2FJRTO2~P2Y-ac4VERrtFobORf4xFXBw54AmPWpUwhHZ39FfgkThp~mzaYp3bv9rkhbu6V61DftBS5MUk8GqiB61NWv2y68tr~5gj7U1L3VPqDZ1yCkAKghWXllzE-grZnh7yBZSbl8IXWbm8Xag-sWrXfmnp7HhZQ~7fbJW8NV5AZIb4d1FPi8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ocala City Council on Sept. 16 tabled consideration of an amendment that would pay the operator of the Forking Tennis Center a monthly management fee while the council asked staff for fuller financial records and a cost comparison with city operation.

The item (consent agenda item 6b) drew extended discussion after Recreation and Parks Director Julie Johnson told council the contractor, Jason Weiss Ventures Inc., has faced operating shortfalls as utilities, labor and court-maintenance supplies have risen. Johnson said the proposed amendment would add a management-fee payment of $1,900 per month for the remainder of the contract (October 1, 2025, through Jan. 30, 2030), described in the staff report as an annual $22,800 payment “not to exceed a total of $98,800.”

The amendment, Johnson said, follows an original procurement process: RFP REC/190417 led to a contract approved in February 2020 after Jason Weiss Ventures Inc. was selected. The contract had an initial five-year term plus a five-year renewal option; the city and contractor executed a first amendment in November 2024 to extend through Jan. 31, 2030.

Councilman Robert Hilty pressed staff on financial documentation. “To make a decision without seeing any financials is totally wrong,” Hilty said, adding that the renewal appeared timed so an amendment could be made without reissuing a public procurement. He also questioned whether it is fair for the city to “subsidize” a private operator when other local businesses face financial strain.

Johnson answered with the city’s current internal estimates for a municipally operated facility: she said membership and hourly revenues average about $105,765 a year and that, if the city operated the center directly, staffing and related costs would leave an annual net shortfall — mostly driven by roughly $182,000 in personnel costs. Johnson said some operation costs (for example, sales tax exemptions) differ between the city and a private operator, and that certain instructional services would remain contracted. She told council she would return with a formatted profit-and-loss history, utility reports and an estimate of what it would cost the city to operate the facility directly.

Contractor Jason Weiss was present and spoke briefly; he declined to expand on financial details during the meeting.

Councilman Paul Musley moved to table the item until the next scheduled council meeting; the motion passed on roll call with Councilmembers Musley, Bethea, Mansfield and Dreyer voting Aye and Councilman Hilty voting No. The council instructed staff to provide: (a) a P&L for the contract period available; (b) membership and player-count history; (c) utility and personnel expense reports; and (d) a city-run cost estimate to use as a comparison.

Why it matters: The amendment would have changed the contractor’s revenue model and committed the city to a continuing annual subsidy if approved; council members said they wanted the documentation necessary to judge whether the payment would be the lowest‑cost option for keeping the courts and programming operational.

Clarifying details discussed at the meeting included: the RFP number (REC/190417) and original contract award in February 2020; the November 2024 first amendment that extended the contract through Jan. 31, 2030; staff’s estimate of current membership/hourly revenues ($105,765/year); an estimated annual personnel cost of roughly $182,000 that would be required if the city ran the center; and the proposed management-fee schedule ($1,900/month Oct. 1, 2025–Jan. 30, 2030; annualized $22,800, not to exceed $98,800). Some of those figures were presented by Johnson as estimates derived from monthly reports submitted by the contractor.

Next steps: Staff will return with the requested financial documents and a city-operated cost comparison at a future council meeting, as directed by the council. The amendment remains tabled.

Sources: Presentation and discussion at the Ocala City Council meeting, Sept. 16, 2025; Recreation and Parks Director Julie Johnson’s statements to council.","The Ocala City Council on Sept. 16 delayed a decision on a proposed amendment to the Forking Tennis Center management agreement that would add a monthly management-fee payment to contractor Jason Weiss Ventures Inc.; council directed staff to return with more financial detail.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

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Ocala Metro CEP reports downtown market growth, entrepreneurship programs and aviation focus

Ocala council tables vote on management-fee amendment for Forking Tennis Center