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Marion County adopts ordinance letting board permit alcohol at specified county properties
Summary
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 approved changes to county code that allow the board to permit sale or consumption of alcohol at designated county properties and to delegate approvals for certain events, while preserving grandfathered community events.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to amend two sections of the county code so the board can permit the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages at specified county-owned or county-leased properties.
Chief Assistant County Attorney Dana Oleski told the board the changes amend Chapter 3 (alcoholic beverages) and Chapter 14 (Parks and Recreation) to add an exception allowing alcohol “as may be permitted by resolution of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.” The ordinance cleared a public hearing and a motion to adopt, made by Commissioner Alec Zalick and seconded by Commissioner James McLean, passed unanimously.
The board also considered a parallel resolution (handled under the consent agenda) that enumerates which county properties and events may receive case-by-case authorization and delegates limited approval authority to the county administrator and Parks and Recreation director. Commissioners later approved related consent items (agenda items 761, 762 and 764) that implement the resolution and adjusted one event name in section 11 of the resolution from “Road Builders Feast” to “Florida Feast.” That motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: County staff said the amendments let the board expand where alcohol may be allowed beyond the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (SELP) without changing countywide policy in an ad hoc fashion. Oleski told commissioners the proposed code language keeps possession and sale prohibited on county property except where the board authorizes it by resolution and that the parks code language mirrors that approach for parks.
What the ordinance does: The ordinance revises: - Chapter 3, Section 3.5 — sale on county property (adds exception by board resolution); - Chapter 14, Section 14-6 — possession in county parks (adds board-resolution exception and allows the resolution to address campground rules for campers at SELP campgrounds).
Board action and follow-up: The board adopted the ordinance in the public hearing and then approved the implementation resolution under the consent agenda. Commissioners and staff said the resolution also delegates routine approvals for events to staff (county administrator and Parks & Recreation director) so routine event approvals need not come back to the full board, while preserving the board’s discretion over policy.
Public comments and stakeholder concerns: During earlier discussion, longtime event organizers sought clarification about whether longstanding events would be affected; Parks Director Jim Couillard confirmed major long-running events (for example, the Southeast Pro Rodeo and Shriner rodeo and two other named community events) are being treated as grandfathered and would not face new fees or immediate changes under the new regime.
What remains: County staff and commissioners said implementing procedures and the resolution’s details would govern how event organizers apply for permission and how staff would approve delegated permits. The text of the board resolution listing permitted areas and the delegation is part of the consent-filed materials and will remain available in the county record.
Ending: The ordinance and implementing resolution passed unanimously. Commissioners directed staff to proceed with the delegated-process implementation in the resolution and to publish guidance for event organizers and campground users.
