Ocala City Council approves contractors, grants and budget amendments in unanimous vote

Ocala City Council on Oct. 7, 2025 adopted a slate of contracts, grant agreements and budget amendments covering utility work, transit funding, capital purchases and an ordinance updating municipal solid waste collection rules. All recorded votes on the items summarized below were affirmative.

Why it matters: The approvals authorize more than $4 million in work and purchases, direct design changes for a major water treatment project, and accept state and federal transit and environmental funding that affect city operations, infrastructure and service delivery.

Among the items adopted by roll call vote:

- Ordinance 2025-41 (second reading & adoption). Councilmember Bethea moved adoption. The ordinance amends sections of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances (sections cited in the council report) to provide further provisions on municipal solid-waste collection services including use of roll-off compactors and related codifier direction. Outcome: adopted (roll call: unanimous).

- Agreement with General Underground LLC for construction services on the Southeast 22nd Avenue force main reroute. Contract amount: $963,700; 10% contingency authorized for a total expenditure of $1,060,070. Staff recommended approval; City Engineer Sean Lanier presented. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Agreement with Marion Rock LLC for construction services on Lift Station No.127 Force Main Reroute Phase 1. Lowest responsive bidder;…