Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you all please stand with me as Commissioner Bryant leads us in the invocation and the prayer.

All righty, bow your heads. Father God, we come to you today with hearts of thanksgiving. First and foremost, we thank you for the privilege of living in the community, Marion County, that we all, most of us anyway, call home. And we are very privileged to live in such a beautiful place. We're privileged to live here in this country where we are free to make choices on many different things and to worship you. Father, we know that for some, this has been a season that culminates today. And we ask that you have your hand on everything that goes on today and make sure everything runs smoothly and that when all is said and done, everyone moves on and is happy about what has happened. We love you, God. We appreciate all that you do for us. And in the Lord Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Amen.

All right.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. A couple announcements. If you would please just make sure that all your phones and anything that rings or dings is on silent. And if you have to If you have to have any conversations, if you would please kindly take them out into the foyer, we would appreciate that. We do have a few announcements. Of course, today, this afternoon, we have our regular schedule planning and zoning hearing. At 9 a.m., we have an ordinance to amend the land development code on the 26th of August. September 1st, we have our regularly scheduled commission meeting, and then at 1.50 we'll convene the Marion County Community Redevelopment Agency. Those are some of the upcoming meetings. Also, you can go online and get our agenda. With that, commissioners, we have the roll call.

Thank you. Chairman Zalek?

Here.

Vice Chairman McLean?

Here.

Commissioner Curry?

Here.

Commissioner Bryant? Here. Commissioner Stone? Here.

Alright, we're all here. Now, commissioners, we're on to our proclamations and presentations. Second. I have a motion by Commissioner McLean, second by Commissioner Stone. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. Alright, we're excited today. We've got the juice in the house. If you guys would all come up to the stage. Come on down.

Alright. Alright.

That's awesome.

Good morning.

You gotta smile. I know it's early, but come on. Not that bad.

Alright, we need half of y'all on this side and half on this side.

all right we got their video here we go

Love it.

Congratulations, guys. It is my distinct honor today to honor the Marion County Jews 14U flag football team champions. The Marion County Jews 14U flag football team has earned the honor of representing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the 2026 NFL flag national championships in Westfield, Indiana. After winning the regional championships, Throughout this outstanding teamwork, dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship, the Marion County Jews captured the 2026 NFL flag 14U National Championship, earning national recognition while proudly representing Marion County on ESPN and ABC. This extraordinary accomplishment reflects the commitment of the players, the coaches, and the families, the volunteers, and the Marion County NFL Flag League, whose collective efforts have helped develop exceptional young athletes and leaders within our community. These young champions have represented Marion County with integrity, character and excellence through the country, bringing great pride to our community and serving as an inspiration for future generations and young folks all over our community. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County that the Marion County Jews 14 year old 14U flag football team head coach Mr. Davis, assistant coach Scott Ward, and Marion County NFL flag league are hereby recognized for winning the 2026 NFL flag 14U national championship and commends the team for its remarkable achievement and for the positive example they have set forth for the youth of Marion County. This certification and recognition shall be furnished to Marion County Jews 14U flag football team and shall be made part of the public record. permanently in Marion County, Florida, in the minutes of the Board of County Commissioner meeting for Marion County, certified by all five county commissioners and attested to by our clerk, David.

Nope.

Clerk Greg C. Harrell. Wow. That was a long shot. I guess I was thinking about history today. All right, tell us a few words. Thank you for the work that you guys are doing.

Thank you for having us. First of all, thank you to the commissioners for having us here and honoring these young men for all their hard work, especially Commissioner McLean, who actually brought it to my attention that this was something that you guys would like to do for us. Also up here Jimmy Cowan reason I brought Jimmy Cowan up here a property appraiser He was one of the guys that helped NFL flag get started here in Marion County a lot of you guys don't know that But he was with us every step of the way Helped us get going funny story about Jimmy Yeah, there's a lot of those But he was actually a coach in our league as well and there's a young man who unfortunately was unable to be here today Drake Eason He was the Super Bowl MVP up there at the championships. Drake has been playing in our league since age six, and he was the MVP of the league in 6U, Marion County NFL flag. They were the favorites going into the championship game, but a rock star coach by the name of Jimmy Cowan pulled one out of the bag at the end and won the championship for the 6U Super Bowl in that game. Funny story there, but all these guys, they've been playing in our league forever. Like I said, Drake was with us since age six. The rest of these guys since like ages nine, ten years old. And that's one of the things that makes our league a lot different than a lot of other leagues out there. All of our kids are homegrown. We don't go out and rent kids from out of the county, out of the area. Um, you know, we don't, we don't cheat to do that. Uh, and that's something that we're really proud of. And that's the thing that really sets us apart from all, a lot of the other teams that were up there. Um, you know, they just go and find the top kids for one year to build a team. These kids have been playing together since ages nine, 10. So a lot of continuity in this group and we're proud of them for that. So, and, and coach Davis, he's been with them every step of the way to now Davis, he's been working with these kids since ages nine, 10. So, um, Most of the credit goes to that guy right there. So give these guys a round of applause.

Yeah, these are my guys. Like I said, I've coached them since right at 2021. That's when we all came together. Like I said, there's a few people missing here. Duke's not here. He's a big part of this. And like Coach Scott, he's not here. Drake. And then like the ones we lost on the way, Eli. Gabe, it was bigger than us. Sherrod, we started this thing, and this was the goal. Like I said, we fought and lost people along the way, but we stuck to it, and we made it happen.

It's the great thing about youth sports, right? It teaches you how to grind. It teaches you how to do things that you didn't think you could do and that you'd be part of a team and that you suffer the wins and losses together. And obviously, winning championships feels really good. So congratulations to you all. Thank you for what you do. Thank you, John and the team and even you, Mr. Property Appraiser. You've been involved in youth sports for a long time, though. We appreciate you. And hopefully you guys are enjoying the new fields. So, yeah, pretty nice. All right, we're going to get a pitcher. Mark, arrange us so we can get a good pitcher.

All right, so next we are going to deliver a proclamation for National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Ivan, you and your team want to go ahead and come on up? We're going to see if I can get through this one. Cheryl, I hope you came with some stats.

Good morning.

All right. How's that working?

Okay, so this is going to be a proclamation, as I said earlier, for National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. And, you know, I truly believe that we are taking something that has been devastating and horrible for a lot of people and a lot of families out there, and we are turning it into a more positive story, as positive as it can be. So this is a proclamation by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida. Whereas fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, has become a leading cause of overdose deaths nationwide with devastating impacts on families and communities. And whereas Marion County recognizes the urgent need to increase public education and awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, including counterfeit pills and accidental exposure to save lives and protect our residents. And whereas through the stewardship of the Regional Opioid Settlement Committee, Marion County is actively working to allocate regional opioid settlement funds received from the state of Florida toward evidence-based prevention, treatment, recovery, and education programs to abate the opioid crisis. And whereas entities including local law enforcement, the city of Ocala, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, SMA Healthcare, Marion County Children's Alliance, Marion County Hospital District, and the Department of Health are essential in expanding access to resources, enhancing public safety, and equipping residents with life-saving knowledge. And whereas it is only through ongoing education, prevention, and community-wide collaboration that Marion County can effectively combat the fentanyl epidemic and protect the health and well-being of all its citizens. Now, therefore, the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in us, do hereby proclaim that August 21st, 2026 be known as National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and encourages all citizens of our community to join in the effort to educate, prevent, and support initiatives that address the dangers of fentanyl in our community. Duly proclaimed this 18th day of August 2026, signed by all five county commissioners and attested to by Mr. Gregory C. Harrell, our clerk of court. All right. So who is going to hold the proclamation while we do this? So as everyone knows, it's no big secret. I have a personal story. Lost my brother to a drug overdose with a drug that was laced with fentanyl. And not only does it take that life, but it affects families forever. I told you I was going to try to get through this. Anyway, and when I say that, I mean, listen, mothers never get over the losses of their children. As a sister, it's a different loss for me, but it's a loss that I'll never get over. And it's weird. It comes in waves. It's been 10 years. And it still hits me differently. And I'm not the only one in our community. There are many, many, many who have experienced... Whoops. I didn't follow the instructions. who have experienced losing, that was a God thing so that I can't cry. Anyway, who have experienced losing a loved one. So the work that has been done through the Opioid Settlement Committee and all of the partners that you see standing up here today, and we don't have a couple of them with us, but I will tell you that work is making a difference. The proclamation says that those funds are coming down from the state. Well, they're coming from lawsuits that have been filed for companies that sold these opioids for many, many years. and said that they were safe. And now we know they weren't safe. They were highly addictive and they changed many, many lives, not just in Marion County, but in our state and throughout our country. So. I'm going to be leaving my post. Commissioner Curry is going to be stepping into that post to chair that committee. But it's an important, a very important committee within our community. And our partners have come up with some very, very innovative ways to educate and to make sure that the people out there who have these addictions can get the help that they need. I think another thing to really point out when we're talking about fentanyl is you don't have to be an addict to overdose on fentanyl. Fentanyl is showing up everywhere. It's showing up in many, many spaces that it didn't show up before. And I hope that for the public that may be listening, for any of our younger public that may be listening, that It can show up in that street drug that you buy that you think is nothing. You never know what you're getting when you take that chance. And there have been lives that have been lost in that avenue as well. So that is my speech today. And now I'm going to turn it over to Ivan and Robin, whoever else wants to speak, to give us some more information.

Well, thank you, Commissioner, and it's truly a pleasure to be here, and I appreciate you providing this proclamation. It's a very important topic. I, like you, have had family dealing with addiction my entire life. I've made behavioral health my goal in life, is to provide as much service as I can. I've been in the field for about 30 years. About six years ago, I met Kurt Broman, who really wanted to bring the services here in Marion County to another level. And I'm so grateful for the partnership and for everyone here on the Commission for you guys to wrap your arms around this very tough topic. It's not easy to talk about. But truly, there are so many people and so many lives that are across every single fabric of our society. So to be part of it and to watch the progress that we made here from so many that have given their souls to it, I'm just so grateful. So thank you. Thank you for having us here today. I'm going to turn this over to Robin real quick.

Good morning. So quickly, I wanted to say thank you to our funders and the community for all their support. Through them, including the hospital district, the opioid settlement dollars, we have been able to have our peer support program serve over 2,800 people and make 2,800 contacts to unique individuals in the community, which is so important. They're meeting them in the ERs. Anytime there's an overdose, they go meet with the person. and try to convince them to get into treatment. And through that, we've been able to serve, we currently have 550 people in our medication-assisted treatment program, which is incredible. Another thing I want to talk about is we are having our first annual SMA Soiree. And as many of you know, because we were here, we opened a women's residential program in Marion Oaks, and it allows the women who are coming for treatment to bring their children with them, which is very important. And so we bought the lot across the street and we're developing a playground. And so this foray will raise the money to build and finish that playground and a green space for the ladies to be outside. So if you know anyone who might want to sponsor it or if you're interested in attending, there will be entertainment. It is an illusionist, Kevin Viner. He'll be there. So please come and enjoy. It's October 24th and neither FSU or Florida has a football game that day. So you don't have an excuse not to go. I will try.

I'm going to say this so everybody can hear it. So I just want the public to understand also what we've been doing because a lot of this goes on behind the scenes and they don't understand. And it might be you or Kurt that needs to answer this question. But compared to just a few short years ago, how many beds do we have available in our community for treatment? Who wants to take it? Okay.

So I can speak for SMA. So when we first came on board, we had 34 beds total for men and women when SMA first came to Marion County. Currently, we have seven residential treatment beds, and I'm only talking residential treatment, not crisis or detox beds. at Beacon Point, and then we've got 45 men's beds out at the Airport Road Campus, and then we bought the new property, and we have 45 beds for women. So we went from 34 beds total to 97.

Kurt's going to add to that.

So the nuance to that that's very difficult is, so we had 30-some beds that were available previously. But not all of those beds had funding for personnel where you could actually put a human being that needed treatment in that bed. That's the key difference. That's the number of certified beds that they had. In terms of actual beds that we could utilize that were available for someone, particularly if they did not have insurance, We had two that were available that were community beds at the time, so if you didn't have insurance, and that's where the hospital district got involved. Our first responders came to us and said, we're picking up people. There are no available beds for someone underinsured, and so we're having to send out transport for an entire day to another community and bring our citizens there. That was the first thing that we did, was we worked on a plan to build capacity just about five years ago. And that's the thing that we focused on so heavily. Our base funding was around $9.5 million at that time. And I always lose track because we built so many programs to draw in additional dollars. but we're probably by the end of the year somewhere closer to 30 million of funding of resources that are coming into the community. So it's a massive turnaround. We're never sitting back, though. We're constantly filling the gaps and identifying what else do we need to do to capture people, especially when they're at their most vulnerable so they don't overdose, and we can go upstream and get a hold of them before an addiction takes hold.

This is just a smidge of the work that is being done to combat not just addiction in our community, but mental health. Because at the end of the day, addiction issues are driven by mental health issues. And our state... that those programs don't exist anymore. And so basically it's up to each community to step in and fill the gap for its residents to make sure that we are doing the best that we can for those who are in need. So I say all that, if you or someone you love has an addiction, there are resources out there. There's no reason for you not to seek out and get the help that you need. There's no shame in saying that you have an addiction and addiction happens in all walks of lives. Everybody. It could be somebody sitting right here in this auditorium today. You don't know. And people wear that mask and a lot of the times they wear it well. A lot of times it is evident and you can tell, but there are times when it's not. So I just encourage you if you have issues. Seek out and get the help that you need because I can tell you as a family member of someone who lost their life due to an addiction, it's not just you. It's everybody around you who cares for you and loves you. And if you want to volunteer or get involved in making a difference in our community, there's lots of ways to do that too. So thank you all for letting me talk this morning. It's the last time I get to do it. So anyway, I appreciate you allowing me the time.

All right, and I think Jimmy Cowan again. Where's Jimmy at? Yeah, I think so. Ah, so anybody on the bowling teams, come on down. Come on up. And then Betts helping Betts, right? Yeah. Awesome.

Yeah, wherever you want to do it, Jimmy.

Once again, I'm Jimmy Cowan, the Marion County Property Appraiser and also the President of the City-County Bowling League. We have Tom, who's our Sergeant of Arms. We've got Sherry, our Vice President. And we've got the lovely lady right here, Debbie, that is our Secretary and does a very good job. Usually by the time we get home, our stats are already up. She's awesome. I want to thank Woods Printing. They do the big check for us every year. The price of bowling has dramatically gone up over the last couple years. We have not raised our rates. We voted at our meeting. The last couple years, we've given to animal services. And instead of giving money or prizes, the first place team does get jackets. And the same team won again this year, Scott Burge's team from the Sheriff's Department. He's retired now. So they get nice jackets. The rest of the money goes to a charity. So we vote. The last two years, it was animal services. This year we have voted as a league to go veterans helping veterans. So it's been roughly about $2,000 a year the last couple years and it's down this year. So we might need to raise the rates a little bit so we give a little bit more back. But I want to thank the city and county employees for doing this and giving back to a charity. I want to thank Audrey for getting it around her office at the clerk's office, Amanda and Tracy and Bobby Perez for getting it around the city or the county, excuse me. City is starting to get a little more click up on some stuff, so we're doing great. But right now we'd like to give a check to Veterans Helping Vets to Todd. This year it's only $1,405.10, but every little bit helps.

Thank you. All right, good job. Thank you, sir.

Good morning. This is going to go straight into our food pantry. As you know, when I replaced Hank, we were pushing out about 2,500 pounds of food a month. That sounds like a lot. We're up over 13,000 pounds a month now. So every little bit helps. And we are very, very grateful to Jimmy and your Bowling League for this support because the need is there. And I'm going to go straight to Walmart and Publix with this after I vote. But we're very, very grateful because this is going to go a long way to help feed the at-risk and homeless veterans here in Marion County. So thank you.

That's a real check. Take that one. Do I get to keep the big one? That's awesome. All right. Perfect. Let's get all you guys behind the sergeant at arms, secretary. There we go. All right, perfect. That looks way better.

So this is just a certificate of gratitude because it's important to say thank you. And this goes to the city, county, Bowling Lake, for your tireless devotion and unwavering commitment to enhance the lives of homeless and at-risk veterans throughout Marion County. Your steadfast generosity, your passionate can-do attitude, and fervent spirit serve as a gold standard for all of us to emulate. We are grateful. Presented on this 18th day of August, 2022.

Honorary Bowling Champion?

Thank you. Thank you, Jimmy. That's awesome.

You know, it's great. Last week or a couple weeks ago when we had it, we did the bus brigade, right? And our teams show up and all of our employees showed up. Our employees continue to show up and partner. And then, you know, when you unite everybody between the city, the county, and the constitutional officers, there's just nothing we can't do in Marion County. So thank you for what you all do. Appreciate it.

All right, Mark, we good?

All right, perfect. Thank you all. All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's jump into the agenda. We start off with public comment. We have a few people signed up. We have two podiums, so I'll call you to each podium. If you'll please come to the podium, give your name and address, and then you'll have two minutes to speak. Alexis, I'm not going to try. And then Joseph, if you can come to the other podium. Joseph Petrie, Petrie, yep. You can come up. And then Allison and Hibby Fulton will be on deck. Yes, ma'am.

I can start?

Yep. Name and address. You'll see the lights come on. When you get to yellow, you've got 30 seconds left. When you get to red, your time has expired.

OK. I'm Alexis Nikotopoulos, 7559 Southwest 102nd Loop, Ocala, Florida. I am here as a member of this community. I'll leave the legalese to those more suited to that type of discussion and just speak from my heart of what I've seen and what I feel. I discovered the existence of kava bars during nursing school. I did every bit of my schoolwork at an ethnobotanical tea bar in St. Petersburg because it was a peaceful place full of people that were valuing their sobriety and their community. When I moved to Ocala five years ago, I found Muddy Lotus Tea within days of arriving here. It quickly became the one place in this town that I felt that I could go and nourish my mind and my soul by sharing in conversations with other people of like mind, the one place I could go after my 12-hour nursing shifts and not be surrounded by people that are intoxicated, be surrounded by people that value the community and their sobriety there as well. During my career as a critical care registered nurse, I have seen many, many patients with life-changing or life-ending medical issues directly related to the use of substances. I have never once seen one of those issues related to the use of natural botanical leaf kratom. And with that, I make this impassioned plea to you to please stop any attempt to ban kratom as a whole without considering the difference between natural botanical leaf kratom and the harmful 7-OH and synthetic versions. Thank you for your time.

I appreciate that. These folks that are signed up for agenda item 8-1, I apologize, commissioners. Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes, sir. And then, Allison, you can make your way up to the next button. Good morning.

Good morning. My name is Joseph Petrie. Address is 6281 Northwest 41st Way, Coconut Creek, Florida. Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, commissioners. My name is Joseph Petri, and I'm here today hoping to give you an off ramp before any action is taken to ban natural kratom. Since I only have two minutes, I must limit myself and state in the most respectful way possible, while remaining clear and direct, the county attorney's memorandum dated August 11, 2026 is critically flawed in numerous ways, including the scientific and pharmacological depiction of kratom on which the memorandum is built, culminating in the mistaken determination that natural kratom is a public health threat. It is not. Essentially, the memorandum recognizes the perceived surges in medical emergencies are linked to enhanced kratom products, like 7-OH, but wrongly conflates the risks of these chemically altered synthetic or semi-synthetic lab-made products, which are often mislabeled as kratom. with the recognized safety profile of natural kratom leaf. There is a distinction. Any policy that fails to reflect that distinction risks causing unintended consequences that negatively impact your constituents. My opinion is based on over 20 years of treating drug and alcohol addiction in Florida. Having studied addiction while treating well over 10,000 patients, I, like Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, see natural kratom leaf as a valuable harm reduction tool in the battle against opioid addiction. My concern is that should this board enact any ordinance that prohibits natural kratom, this board will unwittingly force people back to dangerous opioids, including dangerous street drugs laced with fentanyl. The memorandum references a Sarasota ordinance, but Sarasota, despite their best intentions, got it wrong. Just because Sarasota got it wrong doesn't mean that Marion County needs to get it wrong, too. Further, no ordinance is even needed. This is a state issue. And Kratom is already regulated under Section 500.92 Florida Statutes, titled the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Florida's Attorney General has already extended an emergency rule addressing 70H and the other chemically altered products that are responsible for the harms this Board seeks to prevent. Nothing is needed by this Commission at this time. Certainly not at any ordinance that seeks to ban natural kratom. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I ask that you move Item 8.1 up, if possible. I would like to be available to answer any questions and help you, if I can. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Allison Smith. I live at 623rd Street, Northeast Washington, D.C. Got in very late last night, so I'm happy to be here with you all. Excuse me. So I'm the Director of Government Affairs for the Global Kratom Coalition. We are a nonprofit advocacy organization that is working to implement regulations on Kratom while also banning concentrated synthetic high-potency drugs. Traditional kratom is the leaf of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia. As these leaves oxidize, a small portion of Mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in kratom, breaks down to what is called 7-hydroxymitragynine, otherwise known as 7-OH. However, this is only trace amounts and not to a level that would cause the opioid-like effects that you see in concentrated products. The industry standard for the differentiation between these two products is 2%. Any product less than 2% 7-OH is considered traditional or natural. And that's because if you pluck a kratom leaf off the tree and test it, you will never find it with a 7-OH concentration of higher than 2%. And then likewise, any product higher is concentrated synthetically altered. And they are considered adulterated under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, otherwise known as DSHEA, which is a federal law. In recent years, manufacturers have begun producing these high potency and addictive drugs for financial gain. It is in the interest of these drug manufacturers to confuse and conflate both regulators and consumers. They use deceptive marketing practices to conflate these products as quote unquote kratom, despite being pharmacologically, psychologically completely different from each other. So please make no mistake, these products are different, and the concentrated 7-OH products are what is driving the public health crisis that you are seeing today. Recognizing this distinction, I'll try to be quick, the DEA issued a notice of intent to schedule concentrated 7-OH products and other synthetic derivatives as of July 6th of last month. So sometime this month, that will go into effect. And this movement, again, specifically targets those types of drugs. The state has also done so. I'm my time is up, but I'm here and I'm happy to answer any questions and give any background. We have draft policies that would be more than happy to share with your legal team. And I'm just here for any resources whenever this comes up.

So when they make that guideline, I do have a question for you, if you don't mind. So when they make that guideline, does it take it off the shelves, the concentrated synthetic versions and the gas stations and things like that?

When you're talking about the NOI. Yes. So the notice of intent is basically putting the manufacturers, distributors, and even consumers on notice. They're saying this will be a Schedule 1 substance, and you have within – you have 30 days minimum to get rid of these products. So once the DEA finalizes that, yes, these products will be taken off the shelves.

That's what will cause them to come off the shelves.

Yes, which they already should be because of the AG ruling that the Florida AG already did.

Yeah, the Florida already.

Yes, but now you'll have federal resources. Sorry.

Any other questions?

No, that was my question. Did you have another question, Commissioner?

No, that was exactly my question. And so just to be clear, that will pull the synthetic kratom off of the shelves across the nation? Yes. Yes. That is the intention.

Until they change the formula. Until they change the formula.

Right. Well, that is why they – in the NOI, and I will share it with whoever if you would like to review it, it says 7-OH and then it addresses other synthetic derivatives because that is a problem that we're seeing not just with kratom but with cannabis and hemp. I mean people are taking it and chemically altering it because – They can. And so rather than playing whack-a-mole and just going forward and banning individual substances until we start banning salt and pepper, they said any synthetic derivatives, not. If it doesn't reflect the natural composition of the plant, then you cannot be selling it.

Mr. Chair, go ahead. Well, is there some sort of timeline other than it was 30 days from the notice of intent and that was July the 6th? Yes. Did you say?

Yes. So full transparency, it's August recess in D.C. So a lot of people are out of town. So I anticipate that's probably part of the reason why we're having a little bit of a delay here. But I'm not privy to the conversations within the DEA as to why they haven't formally submitted that notice. But essentially it – is they have 30 days minimum. Our hope is within the next few weeks, they will finally issue that and get these products off the shelf. I anticipate it's because the industry is so large that they're trying to give them a little bit more time because when it goes in, this won't be a Schedule 2, Schedule 3. This will be a Schedule 1 substance on par with fentanyl and heroin. So this is going to be a very big deal if you're caught with possession of it. You're facing federal prison time and massive fines. So I anticipate that's part of the reason why they're giving a little bit of grace before they formally schedule it.

Well, I certainly appreciate you coming all the way from our nation's capital to be here this morning. Of course.

It's lovely being here. Thank you. Welcome to Florida.

Thank you. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.

It's okay. Well, just for clarification, I wanted you to reiterate. So they have finally put language within that states all synthetic substances because that has been the problem with all of these synthetic drugs that are being produced and sold as things that are safe. is that as soon as something is banned, they just change the formula.

Yeah, absolutely. And I think I need to start by saying if there's a will, there's a way. If somebody wants to make an illicit substance, they're going to do so. And I think that goes for anything. That being said, the intention of this language is to clear a majority of those. I mean like 97% of them. Like I said, I'll give you the language. I know it's 7-OH and there's like four or five other synthetic derivatives that they explicitly mention that say you cannot have these concentrated products or variables sold on the shelves.

So it identifies the specific synthetic derivatives. Yes. Okay. So they can.

And then it says any other derivative, right?

Let me look at the language. Let me just double check.

Can you send that to us? Yeah, absolutely.

Is there a business card or something?

Someone will get it to you, Tracy. Okay. Someone will help you.

Thank you.

Yeah, of course.

And we'll get it to our legal team because they'll want to look at it, I'm sure.

Yeah, definitely.

Fabulous. I'll send this to you right now. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. And then Sonya is up next.

Hi.

Hello.

Name and address for the record. My name is Kibi Fulton, and it's 520 Northeast 1st Avenue, Ocala. Okay. So you know how you write something and then you hear all this other things and you go, okay, well, that changes that thought and that changes that thought. So I'm really not going to follow what I was going to say. I want to tell you a couple of things. The fentanyl, the recognition of fentanyl today. I have a story about somebody who works with me who actually just helped a police officer capture somebody and a bag of fentanyl fell out. And he helped probably save this police officer's life. I'm going to go out on that limb. And we're all very proud of him, and he's my manager. And I'm very proud of him. I might get in trouble for telling you this story. Yep. But he is an awesome, an awesome gentleman that we have working for us. And he was at his karate dojo and the police officer got saved by a karate man. So it's an awesome story. But I also want to let you know that before Chief Graham died, and I wish he'd got recognized today about the fentanyl because he's one of the ones that started the program here in Ocala. He's our friend. Because when we first opened, we went to him and we said, hey, this is what we do. This is who we are. And we just brew the leaf. And he says, if you're here to help people, I'm here to support you. Unfortunately, anyone that knows him knows he was really funny. And unfortunately, he passed away three months after that. But where do you go whenever you want to quit doing something you shouldn't probably be doing that's not healthy for you? Where do you socialize? We come to Money Lotus Tea because we embrace people. We help people. We're compassionate. We've never sold synthetic 70H, and we never will. I never supported it. Could have made a lot of money, but that's not who I am at the end of the day. I don't want to be collateral damage. Please understand, I love my community as much as you do, and I'm always going to be here to answer questions with you. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Good morning, everybody.

I'm Sonia Ritchie. I am one of the co-owners of Muddy Lotus Tea.

I need your address for the clerk. I'm sorry? I need your address, if you don't mind, please.

Sure, sure. It's 520 Northeast First Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Thank you. Do you need the zip code?

No. OK. We'll figure it out.

We're all in the same circle, I believe. As I said, I'm one of the co-owners of Muddy Lotus Tea. We are an alcohol-free bar. We are the only one here in Ocala. For eight years, we have provided a place where adults can gather without alcohol. We have employees with families who depend on the income of our business provides. We follow Florida law, check identification, and serve traditional kratom leaf. only to adults 21 and older. When new regulations were discussed, we began making changes before they were required to be responsible practices matter to us. We support enforcing Florida law concerning isolated, concentrated 70H. Traditional leaf represents approximately 40% of our revenue. A blanket ban would close our doors, eliminate jobs. remove an alcohol-free community space from Ocala. Our employees, customers, and business should not suffer because of manufactured products we have never sold. Any regulation should identify specific product-causing problem and measure the effect of lawful businesses before decisions are made. My question is, before directing staff to write an ordinance that would close a lawful eight-year local business, Will you require an honest business impact study and meet with the businesses, employees, and customers who will be affected? I appreciate your time this morning.

Thank you. Appreciate your testimony. Thank you. Marina will be up next. Yes, sir.

Hello, my name is Dylan Aldridge. My address is 2950 Northeast 14th Street, Apartment C12, Ocala, Florida. I'm here today to discuss the discussion of Kratom. Funny enough, the manager that my boss referenced, Kibbe, I'm the gentleman that worked with the Ocala PD officer to wrestle the guy that was on fentanyl and trying to attack the people around him. I'm here because the discussions on kratom directly affect my livelihood and a legitimate business here that I care about deeply. I want to say that I support Florida's existing regulations on kratom. Muddy Lotus Tea operates responsibly and legally, transparently under those guidelines. Muddy Lotus Tea, we have never sold extracts, synthetics, or concentrated derivative products. We serve whole leaf botanical kratom, the actual plant in its natural form. We don't manufacture it. We don't chemically alter it or concentrate individual alkaloids. This distinction is fundamental. We card our customers and we follow Florida's age requirements. We don't sell to minors. We don't manufacture extracts, alter products, or mislabel what we sell. We are a small, compliant Marion County business following the rules of the state of Florida has already established. So I understand the concerns about higher risk or concentrated products, but I don't believe responsible businesses like ours should be treated the same as companies selling products that are fundamentally different from what we provide. Florida already has a regulatory framework for Kratom. If there are gaps, address those gaps. If there's specific products are creating a problem, regulate those products. But please don't punish small businesses because they're irresponsible ones. I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking you to recognize the difference between whole leaf, kratom, and concentrated extracts and synthetic products and allow businesses that are already following the law to continue to do so. I don't have this wrote. written down, but I'll add this last bit. I come from a family of addiction, of everything you can imagine. Your personal story resonated with me. My family has a big problem with opioids. This is, in my opinion, a safe alternative to that, the whole leaf. So appreciate your time, committee. Thank you.

Thank you. Hillary, you'll be up next.

Serena Mojica, 2820 Southeast 7th Avenue. Good morning, Chairman and Council. Thank you. Today you're going to hear the name Muddy Lotus Tea come up a lot alongside Kratom. That's because we're the only business in this county that a ban on Kratom would cause to close its doors. Smoke shops can sell it and just move on to the next thing. It really only affects us, and that'd be a travesty, so let me tell you why. You've obviously heard the synthetic Kratom story, but what's more important is that we're a business built on respect. We respect others, we respect health, and we respect freedom. We respect others, so we sell quality. We respect the chemistry and how the body processes things, so we sell quality. And we respect an adult's informed right to choose. That's why we support freedom. It isn't the leaf that's the problem. It's the standards, realistically. And we need better standards around this. It's Muddy Lotus Tea that sets the standard currently in this quality and care that we give to people. And they should have the right to choose that. We've kept, for the last eight years, I'm an employee there, so I say we, our community safe, healthy, and informed because we keep them informed of these bad players out there that are an infestation of the alternative industry, and they are distributed by really vile entities that are looking to make a quick buck at the health and the expense of other people. So when we come before you today, we just really ask you to consider the standard and make better standards for that. A ban on a whole-leaf quality product is not ideal, but a standard holds these bad players super accountable to their actions. If we ban it, they can just move on to the next thing. We had Spice and these other things. A ban will just make us close our doors and see them walk away scot-free, but a standard would hold people accountable to their actions. So just asking that you consider that. Thank you.

you very much.

Hi, Hillary Westerberg, 129 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala. Good morning and thank you. I'm here as a citizen of Marion County and a recovering alcoholic and someone who happens to drink the brewed whole leaf kratom tea at Muddy Lotus. It's my safe place. It's my home away from home. It's also the safe place of my husband who unfortunately couldn't be here. He's a combat veteran with pretty severe PTSD. He's very uncomfortable in most public settings. But Muddy Lotus is a place where he has found he can be himself. He can relax. He doesn't have to constantly be looking over his shoulder. So it's really important to our family. I want to begin by saying that I understand the sincere concern that has brought this issue before you. I've read the attorney's memo and all of the state regulations. And I don't think anyone should dismiss the risks associated with the products containing concentrated kratom extracts, synthetic 7-OH, or the analogs of 7-OH. Those products are a legitimate health concern, and I support efforts to keep dangerous products from harming our community. But the memo also makes an important distinction, and several of us have, between the traditional kratom leaf and the concentrated synthetic kratom products, identifying the latter as posing the greatest public health risk. I'm simply asking you, as you move forward with this discussion, to give careful consideration to the principles of justice and individual liberty, which are so important to our nation. A policy can be really well intentioned and still have unjust consequences. and a blanket ban that does not distinguish between concentrated or synthetic products and tea brewed from natural kratom leaf would unjustly restrict peaceful citizens and responsible businesses which are not causing the harm that you're trying to prevent well thank you thank you very much and mr walker don't i have signed up for this part

Commissioners, my name is Joseph Walker. I live at 18820 Southeast 54th Place, Oklahoma, Florida 32179 in District 1. Today I'm going to talk about two different committee items. 10.1 is the first one here. That's to regard Code Enforcement Board We're going to appoint four more of them. We're having a problem with code enforcement keeping board members there. We were short the other day here on Wednesday last week that they had to stop the meeting to get enough. One of them had to go to the restroom or whatever it was so we couldn't continue. But we need to change something here. Something's wrong in our code enforcement board where we can't even get members on here that stay on it. And then our problem is, another problem is here, is the way our agenda is written up. Do this for me. You take a look at the agenda there, and you see the numbers on there? You see the violations number? It's somebody's name on there. There's no way we know what it is. How do we know? How does a person know what it is, the violation or whatever is in your community? You have no idea. We need to change something here to get it so we can know what areas are here so our neighbors and stuff can go in there and make sure they enforce the laws and get to maintain the properties there and get it maintained. All we're doing now is running a little... Mickey Mouse deal here on it, you know, on there, and we bring them in there, and they violate again and again and again. Well, we need our code enforcement board in there, at least to get it in there so we can get our members to stay on the board and continue on this. So, all right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Walker. I don't have time for the other one, right? Yeah, you have time.

We should have had five minutes. That was only two. Was that only two? Yeah, so we should have given five. Yes, sir. Go ahead.

All right. We got the one here regarding our mowing contracts. We have a problem with our community with getting the mowing completely the full width you know like my neighborhood there it's got 50 feet wide it's supposed to be mowed well every couple of weeks it gets a little shorter every time they mow they move in a little closer and i've got some places over my house where we got it right up against the asphalt because we can't even walk alongside there because they're not maintaining it we need somebody in charge in here that's going to go over here on it i have one over there in Merry Camp Dust Bowl area. I'm going to get my paperwork up. I'm not very well planning for this film. Mary Camp, Dust Bowl area. See that picture there? Well, that's supposed to be maintained by the county right-of-ways you got there. You know, it took me 24, 25, and this year I finally made a complaint, and I finally got them on that fire hydrant to put a number on it. You know, when it's so hard getting a number on a hydrant, it should be out there, we bring it out there, set it up, it should have a number on it. But we're not doing that on it. The only reason why I noticed it here is we got this picture on the same parcel. That's the way it was left. This is what we got in our community. They mowed right over that. The contractor did that. I should say the International Properties maintains the area in there. He mows once a year and this is where we end up with here on it. But we need to have something changed on this here and get these Over here, where we have enforcement over these right-of-ways that come along here and mow. We're paying them. They're getting paid to mow 50 feet on a lot of them on the right-of-ways, and some are wider, some are less. But we need to get it maintained all the way along here. We can't keep on having people walk up right away to get on there, I should say, right on the pavement to get around to get through there so they can't walk or nothing alongside the properties. I appreciate you guys getting something in here and get it going here on it.

Thank you, Mr. Walker.

Yeah. It takes us three, four years, you know, on there, and I'll keep working on it.

Thank you, sir.

You're welcome.

All right, that was everybody that signed up. Commissioners, we have three sets of minutes. I have a motion by Commissioner McLean, second by Commissioner Curry. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. One constitutional officer from the sheriff, 4-1.

So moved.

Motion by Commissioner Stone, second by Commissioner McLean. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously.

Mr. Clerk, good morning, sir. Good morning, Mr. Chair. I'd like to present for the board's consideration an adoption budget amendment resolution items 511 through 5120. Three of the budget amendment resolution items relate to other items. Specifically, item 5111 relates to consent agenda item 741 concerning public transportation. Item 5.1.12 relates to consent agenda item 7.4.2 related to the airport improvement program. And item 5.1.16 relates to consent agenda item 7.7.4 related to the Oak Run lift station.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Commissioners, does anybody want to pull any of those consent items?

No.

I see no. We'll take a motion including the 7.4.1, 7.4.2, and 7.7.4. I make a motion to approve. I have a motion to approve by Commissioner Stone, second by Commissioner Curry. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. On to project adjustments, 521. Yes, sir. Nothing to add there.

So, Mr. Chair, this also relates to a consent item 753.

Oh, yes. Thank you, Commissioner.

If there's anyone who doesn't need to pull that, I'll make a motion to approve the 521 along with 753.

All right. Motion by Commissioner Stone. Second. Second by Commissioner McLean. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously.

Next. 5-3. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. A request for disposition of miscellaneous property is item 5-3-1.

I moved.

Motion by Commissioner Stone. Second by Commissioner Curry. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously.

Yes, finally, Mr. Chair, is what is sometimes an annual exercise for a reappropriation of budgeted funds that were not expended in the last fiscal year to be used for those same purposes in the fiscal year ahead.

All right. Commissioners, any questions or issues with that?

No issues. I'll make a motion to approve.

Motion to approve by Commissioner Stone. Second. Second by Commissioner McLean. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. All right. Move on to our consent agenda. Commissioners, as you've noted, you have your revisions in front of you. There was a name change for 721 and 733 as well. If you have any issues, we can pull those. If not, we'll move the revisions with the consent agenda. Start to my right. Commissioner Curry, anything to pull?

No.

Commissioner McLean.

I don't have anything to pull. I just do want to highlight 773 and just thank Mr. Cahoon and the County Engineer's Office for securing this $19 million grant that's going to multimodal safety and access management there on Baseline Road all the way up to 108th Terrace. I hear from a lot of people out there about safety along that roadway. And this is a huge, a huge grant. So I don't know if maybe Mr. Cahoon during his update wants to just kind of give us an overview of that. But I just wanted to say thank you and great job securing that grant. Excellent. Well done.

Commissioner Stone?

No, all my questions were answered. I had a long meeting yesterday. I want to thank staff for bearing with me for all my questions.

All right. And Commissioner Bryant?

I wanted to pull 721.

Okay.

I just want to hear from our chief as far as staffing is concerned because we're always worried about not having enough staff to cover the shifts that we have to cover and we're pulling 40 something people for this.

Okay. So we'll pull that one. Anything else? We'll move the balance of the consent commissioners with the revisions. I move. Second. I have a motion to move those with the revisions by Commissioner Stone. Second by Commissioner Bryant. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. All right. 71. Chief? Commissioner Bryant?

He knows what I want to know.

Good morning, Commissioners. James Panta, Fire Chief, Marin County Fire Rescue. So as our staff builds out the needs for the Rock the Country event, we look at available staffing and then what we think with the amount of ticket sales and so forth that we're going to need to support the event. Each one of the positions will be filled by overtime, and then this contract allows us to bill the vendor to cover those costs. We are at a, I would say, historic low on the average daily overtime with the additional staffing we've been adding into the system. So I don't see any significant detriments to the 911 system because of the additional staff needed to cover this event.

Okay. Thank you. Can you say that again? Historic low on overtime?

Do we move it or do we need a motion?

We have to move it. I'll move 7-2-1.

I have a motion by Commissioner Bryant.

Second.

Second by Commissioner McLean. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. All right. Mr. Minter, good morning. Yes.

On 7-2-1, maybe I missed it. It says 82,810. Wasn't it 88,000?

It has been revised. It's in revision. It will be closed to 88,000. Everybody good?

All right, Mr. Minter.

Okay, good morning.

Good morning, sir.

So I've got this item to be a vehicle for board discussion and direction regarding the Kratom issue that you've already heard about this morning. I'm not sure exactly what glaring errors Mr. Petrie is referring to in the memo. The memo does not propose any particular ordinance that acknowledges that a draft ordinance had been prepared roughly based on an ordinance in Sarasota County, which is the only county in the state of Florida that has such an ordinance. I would note, and I think some of the speakers noted that the Florida statute 500.92, which is the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, does not distinguish between the leaf product and the synthetic product as far as the definition of kratom product. Both of them are included within that definition and the statute makes it unlawful to sell any kratom product to anyone under 21 years of age. So the Florida statute doesn't distinguish between them, at least as far as being able to sell them to kids, whether it's the tea or the synthetic product. I've also included in the documents regulations including from the Florida Attorney General regarding requirements to label Kratom products. Most of these, in contrast to the statute, do focus on the synthetic compounds, but they regulate it. So they provide for permits to sell this stuff. They provide for concentrations that would be allowable and concentrations that are not allowable. And then they provide for certain compounds that you might call adulterants that should not be lawfully in any such products that could be sold. So that's kind of the state of play right now in the state of Florida. You have limited options locally as far as what we could do. We could try to adopt an ordinance to focus on the synthetic products, which would not include the leaf products. However, if you're going to focus on the synthetic products, then you're going to have to have a laboratory that's going to be able to test the synthetic products to be able to prove that what's in the product that you have confiscated and you're trying to prosecute on. And again, all these court administrative code sections that are attached list a number of these products. synthetic products. If, in fact, the federal government, my understanding was that the DEA had filed a notice of intent to temporarily place concentrated synthetic 70H as a Schedule 1, and that rule was going to become effective August 5th of 2026, as opposed to sometime in July, but at least as of the information I had, so far that had not taken effect yet, even that temporary rule. I think it certainly would be to everybody's benefit if the federal government does go ahead and do that. Not only at the federal level, but the state level, because for whatever reason, the state of Florida hasn't so far chosen to treat this as like a Schedule I controlled substance. Because the issue had been brought up at the Opioid Task Force for many valid reasons, a number of people there, it's my understanding, made reference to tragic situations they had in their own families. So people are crying out for some kind of regulation for this because it is a public health and safety issue. But it's very, very challenging to regulate at the local level. So I'm just bringing it to you for whatever discussion you want to offer to us.

So Mr.

Chair,

This got pushed along much more quickly than it was intended to be pushed along. And I think there was some misinterpretation of the direction at that meeting. And as we have all received many emails We've had testimony here regarding the difference in synthetic and the natural leaf and what they both do. And I don't think there's anybody that doesn't agree that the synthetic product is the problem. And based on the testimony that we've heard today, I think it would probably be in this board's interest to just hit pause and follow up on the DEA ruling and what's coming down from the federal government and then maybe have some communication with our attorney general to see if they're going to change anything before we move forward with doing anything. As we heard today, we might not need... to do anything. This board has always been really, really well, has always done a very good job of making common sense, logical decisions, and not putting things in place that we can't enforce because we just, we understand that when we do that, law enforcement's gonna come to us and they're gonna say, hey, you just did that and there's nothing we can do to enforce that or it doesn't make sense. So, I would have been the one that would have brought this forward anyway as that was the seat that I sat on and So that would be my request today Commissioner Bryant first of all just to clear up a

Misconception. I had on the opioid settlement with your replacement, I had volunteered to do that, but Commissioner Stone had requested that, so I had backed off, and she's going to take over that.

The chair is going to make that decision.

Sure.

Whatever you guys want to do.

Whatever. Just don't be taking my money and using it for things that we've already discussed.

The other thing, and my comments here, I don't mean to abdicate any responsibility of the commission. But in conversations with our mayor, Ben Marciano, I know he serves, I guess, on the Opioid Settlement Committee. And the first I heard of this was from him, actually, in the news media. And it seems like he has and is spending an inordinate amount of time on this topic. He's visited with the attorney general twice, among a host of other meetings, in charge of the police department. And I'm sure our sheriff is probably doing his due diligence as well. But I want to throw it out. Is the proper place to To study this, put it under the microscope, and bring back recommendations, would it be the mayor's position at this point, or the opioid settlement committee? Because I'm a little lost myself. I mean, I'm just trying to figure it out. And then all of a sudden, we kind of jumped the gun, and we're talking about the ordinance. And I think it... Went a little quicker than like Commissioner Byant said that we intended. But does it make sense, rather than everybody studying the same thing in hyper time, to go ahead and throw ourselves in with the mayor's effort and get a recommendation from his research?

Mr. Chair, Mr. Mentor also wants to weigh back in on this conversation.

I was just going to say I spoke with Will Sexton, the city attorney, yesterday, and I think my understanding from him is that right now the city's position is similar to what Commissioner Bryant was indicating, that they're kind of putting it on hold as far as moving forward with actually taking any action. Certainly they're not contemplating adopting an ordinance at this point in time. And I would emphasize that even though I made reference to Mr. Schwartz preparing a draft ordinance. I did not attach a proposed ordinance to this, so this memo was not proposing the board adopt an ordinance.

I have a discussion.

Mr. Chair, I too have had a lot of conversations with The mayor regarding this, he is, to Commissioner Curry's point, talking to the attorney general on how maybe Marion County could even pilot an opportunity to test those synthetics because that seems to be the biggest issue of enforcement. is how do you test between the natural kratom versus the synthetic kratom? So the testing abilities aren't even available as of yet. Now, that's not to say that the state and whomever may put something together to allow it to be tested, differentiated for law enforcement's sake. So to that point, I would just say I appreciate Commissioner Bryant. She has served this community well. She has served this board well in sitting on the opioid task force. And I understand why it's a big deal. And I certainly support let's find a way to do what we can to help keep people safe and alive here. But to just take a pause on it would be our best bet in my estimation as well. And coordinate somewhat with the mayor to find out where that next step may be. My understanding is he was going to be talking with the attorney general and our sheriff as well as the Ocala police chief to bring everybody in. Yeah, to determine how best to address this as a Berrien County slash city issue. So I'm happy to continue to discuss that along those lines if that be the course of this board.

Mr. McClain? Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm in agreement with Commissioner Bryant as well and the rest of y'all to hit a pause on this. Personally, I'm not interested in banning any plant or leaf synthetic derivatives. Certainly very concerning. But yeah, how do you enforce that becomes the issue. And I think that this is more of a statewide national issue that they're going to eventually figure some of this stuff out. And really, they're going to have to go after the people who are manufacturing this stuff. And that's where you're going to stop this. So I don't know that an ordinance that we do is going to do a whole lot. You know, the other thing I've asked staff yesterday to look into was actually get some stats from the medical examiner's office to see how many deaths we have had, at least in our local circuit, due to this stuff. One death is obviously too many, but at the same time, I don't believe that it's necessarily our job to go in on something like this if it's just a handful of issues. So anyway, I know that some of those numbers are going to come back to us. I'll share those with you when we get them, or staff will, just so that you can see them. But that's kind of where I'm at. Yes.

So the synthetic stuff is definitely a problem and it's not just how many deaths have we had but it's Yeah, near deaths, other things, and I'm not contradicting anything you're saying, Commissioner McLean. I'm just saying that is the issue, is the synthetic stuff. And hopefully what the federal government is sending down, hopefully the state will jump on board. And, you know, there's always unintended consequences for everything that happens. But I think getting to the point where you're pulling the synthetic stuff off of the shelves and it can't be sold anymore, That's a huge win. So I think that's probably where the focus should be working with the state to make sure that they are going lockstep into what's being passed down.

And, Commissioner, one more point, too. I've already been talking to staff about this for a while now, and my understanding is it is working through the process. But one thing that we can do is the currently in our code, smoke, vape shops, those types of things are still allowed to be built near schools. And if we can regulate some of those things where some of those places are, at least they're not falling into children's hands, which I think we should be looking at with the tobacco stuff anyway, as well as the convenience stores. If we can have some sort of something in our code to say that these things will not be near schools, near churches, near places where kids are going to be, I think that will help too. My understanding is that is working through the process and should be coming to us soon.

So, Commissioner Tracy Straub, Assistant County Administrator, you should actually see that item at your public hearing on August 26th. So, it's been through LDRC. It does not touch exactly on that point, but we can continue to make edits.

And I want to apologize to the board because I'm sure that you were all caught off guard. I was caught off guard when it went as quickly as it did. So, anyway, that was never the intention.

Well, it was a good conversation. Thank you. So we'll tap pause on it. Hopefully the DEA will finalize their rulings and take the stuff that is hurting our community off the shelves and allow the good players to keep doing what they're doing. All right. 9-1, my favorite topic of the day. Thank you all. Appreciate you being here. Stephen Cahoon and Rhodes.

We always love talking about roads.

Good morning, Stephen Coon, County Engineer. I think the claps were for the road update, right? Oh, sure. Yeah, they were clapping for roads. That's right. Thank you for the opportunity. Just a quick reminder as well, this is just a snapshot of some of the things that we've got going on. If you go to the agenda, we've got a map there, also lots of additional information about projects. We've got going on in the county highlighting today's agenda 7.7.2. I'm sorry, it's 7.7.3, the $19 million grant that we got from the federal government for Maricamp. Lots of access management that will happen through that project. There's still going to be a little bit of time before we can get that designed and then constructed. But multimodal improvements, access management, progression along the corridor to get people moving from point A to point B more efficiently and safely, that's the intent of this particular grant. Also, in the last 30 days, we've awarded almost $30 million worth of road projects. So getting things done, I think, has been a testament to some of the things that we've done at the Office of the County Engineer with the board's support, of course. Southwest 49th Avenue Segment F. So this is the roadway that is just to the east of the industrial park off of 484. We did have our first Coffee with Construction event on July the 29th. Successful. Had quite a few residents come out. Even with the heat, we did it early in the morning, but We had an opportunity to educate a lot of the public about what was going on there. It was in the field. Successful event. We do anticipate having similar events for some of the other larger projects. Well attended. on a weekday, it was good. For this particular project, we're about 75% complete with the asphalt paving and curbing. We've also got one of our traffic signals installed there. Sidewalk well underway. And paving of the pedestrian facilities is also anticipated to happen in the coming weeks. Two of the three DRAs are also completed. So lots has been going on on this project. Get a chance to go out and check it out. We're almost done. Southwest 80th Avenue Segment 1. So this is the section of 80th Avenue between Southwest 90th Street and Southwest 38th Street as well. This project was split into two phases. BID is one project. Phase 1A is that section between 90th Street and 80th Street. well underway that picture you see there is from that project so we're nearing completion with the westerly road construction you'll see a traffic shift happen after that's completed and then the contractor will start again on the east side moving up the corridor further to the north that way they can start wrapping this phase 1a in with the phase 1b and it'll appear a seamless one and done type project Stormwater pipe nearly completed. Lime rock curb and gutter also based on this picture you can see they're just about ready to start laying some asphalt too. Phase 1B, we're still moving through the eminent domain processes. You see some agenda items popping up for those property acquisitions. Also very close on an interlocal agreement with the city of Ocala as it relates to that spray field on Southwest 38th. So we do need some additional property there. Good coordination. I expect to have something to this board in the very near future. And then last but not least, the Marion Oaks Manor Extension Project. So we did have a neighborhood meeting on October 25th. Our engineers have completed the preliminary alternative analysis. Also, we have got the preliminary recommended alternatives put together. They're in the process of getting all of that compiled in a final document for presentation to the public and the board as well. We've been doing a lot of coordination with various property owners along the corridor, identifying areas where property owners may want to work with us on early out DRA locations. Some of those have already been successful. We've brought some purchases to this board as well. Cultural and environmental documents are almost complete, as well as a noise report being underway. So part of the PD&E process is checking the box off for some of these additional items. That way we comply with federal requirements, keeping in mind we do have to cross over I-75 with this new bridge, so we want to check all the boxes and open the door up for any kind of potential, hopefully $20 or $30 million grants to go towards this project. With that, again, just a snapshot of some of the things that we've got going on, and I'm available for any questions. Great work.

I have a question. Yeah. Mr. Cahoon, so going back to project number two.

Yes, ma'am.

Can you just tell me when they're going to start driving on that new roadway?

I would say within the next two months is my hope. I'm hesitant to say it's definitely going to be in two months, but based on the images that I'm seeing and some of the progress that we're making, again, between 80th and 90th Street, I expect that transition to the westerly side to happen very soon. So knock on the dice here. Hopefully in two months you'll be able to drive on that westerly side.

Only because I'm getting inquiries and I keep flipping them over to you. But if you want to give me something that I can save you time and effort on, then I can save you time and effort by answering those myself.

We'll get something put together. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

Very much.

Great, great work. Y'all got a lot going on and this community is going to be better because of it. And I know you'll be ready to move to some other ones as well.

It's a testament not only to the team, but also the local contractors we've got here in the county. Absolutely. It is an absolute testament to that.

Yeah. Good job.

Great job, Stephen. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am.

Legislative priority commissioners and Mr. Creighton.

Did you get your question answered on the baseline multimodal you wanted to talk about?

I didn't have any question. Maybe you can just highlight for us maybe what some of that, what that's going to go towards and what it's going to look like.

But right now a sea of asphalt is what we've got and we don't have consistent shared use of facilities for all different modes of travel. So this grant really is going to focus on trying to eliminate some of the movements that happen out there on the corridor that have resulted in crashes. Not only with vehicles but also with pedestrians. It's one of the highest crash rated corridors in the county. That was part of the reason that we went after this grant. coordination with TPO as well on their prioritization list, made us successful. Reducing serious injury and fatality crashes is the goal of this particular grant. Thank you. Yes sir.

What project will change the intersection there?

I appreciate you bringing that up. So DOT has been working on, they've actually went through the process to select a design team for the intersection of 441 and Maricamp, State Road 464, i.e. Maricamp. So that is tentatively awarded to a design contractor. That will move through the process. That's at least another 30 million in projects there at that intersection. All of that should tie in very nicely in the coming years.

What about eventually Mary Camp and Baseline?

Mary Camp and Baseline? That being that particular intersection, yes, sir.

Is that the one you're talking about? You said 441. I just wanted to make sure. I wasn't sure which one. Misspoke.

Absolutely. Got you.

Okay. Because I know they're doing the other project on 441 and Mary Camp too, right? Correct.

It's baseline 464, Mary Camp. The northbound lefts, very, very heavy. In the AM, the eastbound rights, also very, very heavy in the PM. So coming up with a new interchange design that optimizes the level of service, looking at a B or a C out to future year 2040, I believe. That would be awesome. Yes, sir.

Thank you, Stephen. Appreciate it. Mr. Creedle.

Good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Matt Creedle, your legislative manager. So I have before you today the proposed 2027 BCC priorities for the state legislative session. As usual, we have the appropriations request, which we will get submitted pending your approval once the forms are available, and we'll identify sponsors in the meantime for that. The legislative language change request will be submitted to FAC for statewide consideration, and then we also have local priorities and supported organizations as well.

All right.

So first I'll pick up right where Stephen left off. The first appropriation that we have is funding for roadway construction on the Marion Oaks Manor Extension Project. You just heard about that project. We are asking for $2 million for planning, design, and right-of-way acquisition costs associated with that project. The second one is one you're familiar with as well, funding for the Lowell Municipal Drinking Water Project. We're requesting $2.5 million for construction costs on that. We've been very successful in securing SRF funding for that project. Tony and Josh and his team have worked very well with Eric up at the SRF program with DEP. And so we have seen some good funding for that program. And Commissioner Bryant, without spending one dime of our own money on that.

But we still have to ask. Yes. Which is annoying and I don't think appropriate. It is a state problem. The state should be taking care of it without us having to ask. That's the last time I will say that. Thank you.

I concur, Commissioner Bryant. The next two is one you are familiar with. It is funding for the Florida Department of Health, Marion's Bellevue Clinic. You were presented a couple different options that we could approach for funding. We are asking for $1 million for the construction of a new facility in Bellevue. So we've coordinated with Director Goodspeed and his team to make sure we have all the specs on that so we can relay it to the state so they can understand what the impact would have on that. And finally, well, actually not finally, and next is funding for the improvements to the Bradford Ma Barker House. I am pleased to say that 237 we were appropriated in a previous session has been released. And so I know Jim and his team are anxious to get working on that. And this would further the improvements that they can do out there. We've also, of course, coordinated with George Albright, our tax collector, to make sure he's involved in lending his support to that as well. The final two appropriations requests I have for you, commissioners, funding for the Marion County Utility Southeast Regional Water Treatment Plant, also known as Utopia. We're asking for $30 million for planning, design, and construction of that plant. And then finally, we have funding for the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility Expansion. That's the Oak Run. We're also asking for $30 million for planning, design, and construction of that facility expansion. So, board, that is the appropriations request I have for you. If it's okay with you, I can move on now to the legislative language change request.

Any questions?

I'll just say I had a lot of conversation about those last two with those dollar value requests. But after reading them and the priorities of the state for the water, I'm going to support them. So thank you again, staff, for helping me get there. Let's just hope that the state legislators are able to look at them as openly as we are.

Well, I was going to comment on that. So you have information that maybe I didn't get or maybe I forgot, but I would like to hear whatever that is because, yeah, looking at those dollar amounts, I'm not sure that it – I was going to say it might be better to approach this in a phased way, go after money for design, go after money for parts of it. But if there's something I don't know, then –

Well, I mean, just the – hey, I'm all for if we want to break it up. I mean, these are huge dollar values, and I – so it was a lot of conversations. So Commissioner McClain?

You all know how much time I spent up there, and I don't – you don't often see dollar figures like that for – Local projects. Local project requests. But anyway, that's just a comment. And it doesn't mean that we can't submit this request like this and then as we're having conversations say, hey, well, maybe we can, if you can get this piece, maybe we can fund a phase or something like that. It's just a matter of how you present it.

Yeah. Indeed. They're well written to support why we want to ask for these dollar values. It's just not our norm that Marion County has ever gone after this type of funding.

Commissioner, this is presented for this discussion in direction from the board. Through the process, I assure you that at the end of the day, the final request probably will be less than $30 million for each of those projects. Usually when we sit down with our lobbyists and start going over our priorities, that's when we start making changes. And we will keep you in the loop as we step by step before we finalize anything. I doubt we will. I have no doubt in my mind we will not get $30 million if this project even approved. But we've got to start somewhere. And the $30 million reflects the cost of that project.

Even if the property owners are willing to enter into a voluntary agreement? Currently, counties, whether it's Marion or any of the other 66 around the state, cannot enter into that. This would add language to where if the property owners voluntarily entered into it, then the county would be able to assess for different projects.

Commissioner, this has a huge impact on our road assessment projects. Even if the subdivision wants to do that assessment, if we have one property that is AG exempt, we cannot assess them. And we cannot divide that assessment over on the other property owners. The county will have to come up with additional money to be able to do that project. So the language we are proposing, if the property owner is willing for the assessment to accept the assessment, then we can get it done.

Yeah, I was going to say, and we'll take this all the way to FAC as well, right?

Yes, ma'am. These will go to FAC. Yes, ma'am. And that's the critical languages we added in. or when a neighborhood or group of property owners have voluntarily requested a special assessment for their benefit. So this allows them if they do. Yes, ma'am. So the third one on the list, Marion County requests legislation removing revenue offset requirements for the fire rescue surtax. Currently, the way that statute is worded, if the county were to institute a fire rescue surtax, it would need to then drop by whatever the amount of revenue collected its ad valorem or non-ad valorem assessments related to fire rescue. And so we're asking that we remove that offset language so that the county wouldn't have to drop the funds should this language get in there or should the county decide to institute a fire rescue surtax.

My two cents on this, I think it's probably too early to be asking for this at this time. With all what's going on with taxes, we may want to delay it one year and see what happens with the property tax.

Well, we could at least put it on FAC's radar to make sure that it doesn't get forgotten for some reason in the next year.

We can.

That would be my thought.

Okay. And Board, also, just like with the appropriations, we'll still have to find a sponsor that would be willing to submit the language as well.

I would say let's take it to legislative and kind of hammer it out there before we send it up the line would be my thoughts.

Oh, to have a discussion with our legislators first?

Exactly. And with the FAC team as well versus Marion County standing on our own asking for this. I'd rather it be something the entire state of Florida would get behind. Okay. Would be my suggestion.

Are you saying just make this an FAC kind of priority?

Possibly. Yeah.

And we support both, right? If they would support it.

Well, I think we should absolutely ask the Florida Association of Counties for those that are watching because this does impact the entire state of Florida across the line.

I think we should try to also take out the forever clause on Senate Bill 180. Yeah, for sure. So that should be both our priority and a priority for the Florida Association.

That's not on our list.

I'll put it on the list.

We need to add it right now. Okay.

I mean, listen, this is not our, I'm not going to be here. So if the three of them want it on there, I think we need to try to take, I've talked to multiple representatives that are going, said that they're going to be working on Senate Bill 180 this year. I think we as a county should talk about what affects us locally and how those pieces are coming into play, as well as advocate that FAC also advocate for that. And at bare minimum, at least get rid of the preemptive clause that will, I mean, if a hurricane comes within 100 miles of any corner of Marion County, it goes another year. And that's a forever clause then on Senate Bill 180. And so I think we need to work to get that clause, if nothing else, out of it.

I think that's a very...

I guess I'm just... This feels more like these are going to be our priorities that we're going to go try and talk to our local legislators about. I feel like that Senate Bill 180, I mean, that's a known issue that FAC's already got in there. Absolutely. I don't know that I necessarily want to go try and find a local delegation member here to sponsor that legislation. And that's kind of how I view this, which is the same thing with the surtax. I was saying, do we want to just take stuff to FAC and say this is a... Priority that we support, or are we going to go actually talk to our delegation?

However you want to do it, Commissioner. No, I get it. And we've done it both ways. So whatever you guys' preference is.

I think SB 180 is a known statewide issue. I don't know that we need to put it on our list. Okay. Fair enough.

But thanks for reminding us to have the conversation anyway.

But also things on our list, and I have learned this through dealing with FAC. If it's our priority and we take it to FAC, they do support the priority, but they rely on the county to lead that effort and to have somebody to sponsor the bill. Unless FAC decide to take on that bill, and they have not done in the past.

Some of them they have taken on, like the CNA. They supported us. Okay.

They supported us.

But they didn't get a bill drafted.

Yeah. Yeah. Just keep that in mind as we go through the process.

All I was saying, if you want to, I think our team should have language ready to at least start the conversation with our legislators and FAC or however you want to do it, but to change that clause in Senate Bill 180.

All right, we've taken that.

We're going to have another same probably conversation with, we haven't had the conversation yet as a team, but the Ag Enclave Bill is going to impact Marion County as well. And so that Ag Enclave Bill needs to be adjusted. And so we should write another draft that talks about that. It will impact our urban growth boundary and how Marion County moves forward for sure.

And I think it needs to go to the Florida Association of Counties. Absolutely.

But I think that's something we should have, with all due respect, that maybe we should try to get one of our team members to carry that bill because it's their community too.

Sure.

So have at it. Good luck.

I was going to say. We'll be watching.

We'll be watching. From afar.

Are we adding it to the list or not?

Commissioner, I get it. But both of those issues are already very well known. OK. And I'm confident that they're going to be working on.

The rural county? I'm sorry, the rural zoning? You think the agricultural is zoned? Which one? Number two. Yeah.

What was the – Mr. Minter, what's the name – what's the statute that we're – with the ag enclave that we were just talking about yesterday?

What's the statute number?

Yeah. Do you remember by chance?

I don't remember.

Like 686. 686 was the Senate bill. Okay. I think it's 686. So that's – You can have conversations with the team.

There's several more on here even. I mean, the statutory definition for the term rule. I mean, these are things that the state level needs to be. identified not just for Marion County's benefit for across the state I mean we have a lot of rural counties out there that could be missing out the benefit of some of this too so or the urbans I guess I should say those counties they have a lot of rural areas as well that could be missing out on some of those funding opportunities so we didn't we didn't identify what's going to the Florida Association of Counties And that's where I wanted another one.

Right. What's that? Didn't you submit things for FAC?

We had not yet. No, sir. Once I get these approved, I take this is the list I take in the direction I get from y'all. And then that gets we have until the first week in September. The submission portal is open. So any direction I get from y'all, if it requires changes, I can make the changes and get with Moneer to make sure that it is.

Satisfactory to what you asked for and they get that so I think that'd be great I mean we could take all of this stuff that we're talking about Send it through FAC or or you can talk to Jeff and see which things other counties already doing if there's other counties already doing it we can and then See what happens at legislative conference and then whatever doesn't that we still want to advocate for advocate for and Right.

But I want to use the whole state as much as possible on some of these. And I guess that is my point. I don't want us to be so tunnel vision into just what Marion County wants to support.

Yes, ma'am. It's my it's my understanding that all of the legislative language changes would be submitted to FAC. And Jeff is good. He's good about reaching out if another county has submitted something either nearly verbatim or in the same arena opening the same statute about asking to have a conversation. Do we want the other county to carry it? Do we want to co-sponsor it? How would we like to proceed? So I can pass that along to Monir with any conversation I have with Jeff.

I guess that was kind of my point, commissioners, is these right here are good to go to FAC for us to try and work on. The other two, those are already in FAC. I know FAC is already lobbying on those two. They're already done. They're going to find a bill sponsor for those if they need. Gotcha. All right. All right.

Well, I'm good with all six of what is in these language change requests at the local level and going to the Florida Association of Counties because it impacts the entire 67 counties.

Can you run through four, five, and six real quick, though, just so everyone can hear? Yes, sir.

And this is one Commissioner Stone mentioned earlier. This is the one that we do not have language yet for. Excuse me. because we're working with delegate member staff to understand how best to capture Marion County's unincorporated rural areas. But we're requesting legislation offering a clear statutory definition of the term rural. Currently, there's about four or five, whether they go through DOH, DEP, Florida Commerce that have their own, yet very, very few areas in Marion County are included in those because they're not incorporated or they don't have it, so we're deciding should it include census blocks or zip codes or something of that nature, density levels into that definition. So we will work on language before we submit to FAC for that one, but that is one of the priorities that we have.

And that was even in discussion with our senator. Correct. He believes this is an issue that needs to be addressed as well.

Yes, ma'am. And so we're working with his staff. We're working with Ryan and Damon as well to make sure we understand how, because there are other counties, to your point, that would want to get involved in this one because they probably face very similar situations as it comes to state level programs. They're unable to even apply for areas that desperately need because we all know there are areas in Marion County that could desperately use some attention. But because of the way the statute is worded, they're precluded from even getting a look. So the next one, board, Marion County requests legislation allowing state-designated community transportation coordinator, Sovereign Immunity, when operating public transit. I know there have been some conversations. This originated out of the budget workshops that we had. And so we have statutory language ready. So that way it is narrow in scope. There was a bill submitted last year by Senator Leak and it was a little too broad was the understanding of the language kind of captured a few more people than the legislature was OK with. And so we work to really narrow that down to make sure it is a state designated community transportation coordinator for a county then would receive that sovereign immunity while they were operating public transit. And then finally, board Marion County requests legislation updating the length of continuous residence for RV parks related to tourist development tax assessment. Currently, if an RV park has 50% capacity plus one that stay there three months, they are they are. ineligible to be, they do not collect a tourist development tax or a heads and beds tax, we're asking to move that to six months. So we're asking that six months would be the recommended language they would change statute to, that if 50% plus one of an RV park is continuously there for six months, then they are exempt from that. If it's less than six, then they would be.

Have we done any kind of a financial analysis on this?

No, ma'am, not that I'm aware.

No, we have not. I mean, I think that it might be a little short-sighted to ask for a change on that without some kind of a financial analysis on that, in my opinion. Well, because the TDT taxes wouldn't be from those people that are staying six months, because most of them can't stay more than six months. I mean, we do have people that come down from up north and stay in RV parks in the winter, or snowbirds. No. Okay. We'll capture more. Yes, ma'am. The whole point is to capture more. I'm sorry.

Yes, ma'am. Currently it's three months. We're asking to extend it to six months. Okay.

So we capture more. I misunderstood what you said, Matt. It's a huge loophole. What happens is in a lot of these RV parks, the whole thing gets opted out. No. Correct. Under these regulations.

I'm fine with it as long as it's – I was thinking of it the other way. Sorry.

Yes, ma'am.

I had a senior moment.

So those are the language change request board. Again, with your approval, I will start working to get those submitted to FAC before the deadline, and I'll let Monir know as that process moves along. This is a very brief conversation. There are some value adjustment board statutes that may need some attention, but I just wanted to bring it to your attention very briefly. I did have conversations with Dana Oleski and Mr. Minner's office and Mr. Dobbins, the VAB attorney as well. And his concern, Mr. Dobbins, is one of the proposed rule changes. And to be clear, these rule changes have not been adopted. They're simply proposed. So Marion County does have the option to address the proposed changes if you so choose. But it would add in the phrase interactive access by members of the public that wouldn't normally have, even if they were in person, wouldn't have the ability to have interactive access on that. So that is one of them. They were scheduling of a notice or conducting the hearings by electronic media. They also added in video conference as well. And operationally, I have spoken to staff and it would not be a heavy lift to incorporate that in. We already do stream as it is now. And so it would just be adding in components of what we already have and then potential staff time as well to make sure that is being monitored. That's just the actual proposed timeline right there if you'd like to see it. And then there's two statutes as well that are not in agreement. One is related to public notifications in a newspaper when it comes to statutes 500.011 Florida statutes. That is the one that allows counties If anything is required by a statute to be in a circulated newspaper, that allows them to move to a publicly accessible website. However, Statute 196-194 specifically states in a newspaper. And so just they are not in agreement. If there was a language change request, this one would come from. And then the other one is there's three statutes that are not agreement related to fees. And I can turn it over to Clerk Carroll, who has a little more information on that, if you'd like.

Sure. Thank you, Matt. The gist of that is that for years and years the VAB petition filing fee was $15. One of those three statutes raised the maximum level to $50 last year, but two of the remaining statutes seem to suggest that 15 is still appropriate for particular types of petitions. But it's really just seeking clarity so that counties not just ours as the commissioner noted before this is an issue that affects not only us but all counties equally so it's just trying to get clarity statewide about what the appropriate fee is

Mr. Chair?

Yes.

Mr. Clerk, so is anybody from your organization picking up these as well?

Yeah, thank you. So we will have sort of an omnibus housekeeping type bill, and that will be part of our bill as well, most likely. Thank you. Thank you.

Good question. As their chair as well, president.

Yes, ma'am.

So that was just a quick conversation about the VAB to understand where there are some potential statutory cleanup. But again, we already have some underway and just to make you aware as well. We have two supported local priorities. The first, of course, is continued support for funding septic sewer program. We ask our delegate members as they move forward with any kind of funding or any kind of program design that Marion County be considered. for any of the septic sewer programs because we definitely have a lot of need for those type of programs in Marion County. So we like to keep that on their radar to understand that we are definitely one of the counties that we would like to be considered again as they build those programs out. And the second one is allowing, once again, at Silver Springs, it seems like all of the legislative hurdles have been hurdled to this point. The permits have been issued, and they should be now moving to the construction process, but we want to make sure we had a good meeting with Chuck Hatcher and his team, And we want to make sure that we can support them in any way that they need for us. And so it's just to keep it, again, on their radar as any requests may come down from Tallahassee to us that we're aware. And I'll make sure that Monir is in the loop and y'all are as well. And finally, Board, we have our supported local organizations, the Fort King Heritage Foundation, and of course, any of these we will provide any correspondence, other support as needed. Fort King Heritage Foundation, Marion Senior Services, Marion County Honor Guard and other veterans organizations, and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. Those are the four, but of course, those are not the only four. If I'm given direction by Moneer to work with an organization or by the board, I'm more than happy to work, whether it's sitting down and filling out an appropriations form, understanding how to go about that so they can identify a sponsor for some of their requests. But it just gives me the ability to work with them as they need. That's all I have for you. If there's any questions, discussion, or direction, otherwise I can sit down and be quiet.

Commissioners, any other questions?

I would just ask, so I know like the College of Central Florida, they always have requests. Would it be appropriate for this board to just give direction if the chair were to get that request in advance that they can go ahead and make that letter of support for that organization and then allow it to be ratified so it doesn't hold them up? It's usually just a letter of support.

That's the only thing that they ask for. They're not actually asking Matt to draft anything.

Yeah, I wouldn't see that they need Matt's ability.

Anything else? All right. Thank you, Matt. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Commissioners.

Have a good day, Matt.

Thank you, Commissioner. You as well. Low key. Very low key. Low key.

I'm surprised you're here and not on the corner. You know, at lunchtime, you should be out on a corner. Just so we can see a sweat. Waving. Sign waving. Yes, you should have to do what everyone else has had to do.

Oh my God. Thank God. Praise the Lord we don't have to do that this time. All right.

Monir. 9-3 is the resolution authorizing the placement of a general obligation bond for parks and recreation. We have had so many different workshops and discussion, and we get to the final step. All right. The one before the final step.

I think we should just pull the whole project and be done with it.

All right, Ms. Couillard. Good morning, Chairman, Commissioners, Jim Couillard, your Parks and Recreation Director. Just real quick before I get started, I just want to compliment our assistants from the Trust from Public Land, Peggy Hanrahan and her team. And the full team behind the scenes that have worked hard and with us lockstep getting us to this point. I would like to recognize Mr. Will Aberger from the Trust for Public Lands in the audience with us today. He is the Vice President of Conservation Finance. And last time we worked with him was with Tracy Straub and former County Commissioner McClain on Amendment 1 back in 2014. So we have a long relationship with him as well. I'm here before you today to formally request approval of the resolution on the agenda before you today, which authorized placing a countywide general obligation bond referendum on the November 3rd general election ballot. If approved by the board today, this action places the choice in the hands of Marion County voters to decide whether to authorize up to $140 million in general obligation bonds. These funds will be dedicated to acquiring and approving lands for parks, trails, recreation facilities, as well as protecting drinking water sources, springs, rivers, lakes, farms, and forests. The measure carries the tax levy not to exceed 0.35 mil. I would like to emphasize three key operational points embedded in the resolution. First, there's no immediate fiscal impact. Passing this resolution today does not issue debt or levy any tax. It strictly authorizes placing the question on the ballot. Second, it provides the board with discretion and flexibility. It's one of the key things about this document. Approval of the referendum authorizes bonds, but it does not mandate them. The board maintains full discretion to utilize bond financing, use a pay as you go model, or a combination of both based on economic conditions. Lastly, it provides strict public transparency. The resolution mandates rigorous accountability mechanisms, including clear spending allocations, percentage limits, public program planning, citizen oversight, and mandatory annual audits and web reporting. Adoption of this resolution simply gives our citizens the opportunity to decide on the future of Marion County's parks and conservation infrastructure. Staff recommends a motion to approve the resolution authorizing placement of the bond on the November 3rd general election ballot and authorize the chairman and the clerk to execute the same. Once signed by the chair and the clerk, we'll be hand delivering this official document to the supervisor of elections with the respective Spanish translation of the ballot language. I appreciate all of your support in this initiative. It's been a long road, but we've been working together well today, and I really appreciate all the support.

Great job, Jim. Commissioners, any questions for Jim? You know, this has been a long road. We've been talking about parks funding for, I don't know how many years, but for quite a long time. I'm glad that, you know, after today's discussion, if we move this forward, you know, I believe that the people of Marion County should decide what that looks like, whether it's the conservation elements, protecting our water, the parks. You know, a great example is those kids that were standing up in front of us today. Absolutely. national champions for Marion County because of the facilities that have been provided to them by this community. And so I'm glad that the community is going to decide whether they support enhanced parks, conservation, and those other elements. And so great work, commissioners. I think it'll be a legacy well-deserved to this board. Commissioners, any other questions or comments? Otherwise, we'll take a motion.

For approval.

I have a motion for approval by Commissioner Bryant, second by Commissioner Curry. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. All right, Jim.

We want to see your happy dance now. Oh, you're not going to see it anymore.

Because we know you're doing it.

I'm going to walk away peacefully and respectfully. I really appreciate everything. It's been great working with every one of you.

Look, you actually turned red. Congratulations, Jim. Hey, Angel, great work. You don't get enough kudos for the work that you've done, and I know that you often stay behind the scenes, but this is a big lift for you and your team, and you should be congratulated for bringing this forward and making it happen. Absolutely. Thank you, sir. Thank you for your hard work, sir. All right. You too, Mounir.

Next. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Animal activity permitting and Mr. Roussel.

All right. Great. What a segue. So good morning, Commissioners. Angel Roussel, Assistant County Administrator for the record. So today we want to talk about animal activity permitting, but more importantly we want to talk about how we continue to support and expand our network of responsible animal rescue partners in our community. There are really three pieces that come together in this discussion. You have animal services that manages the animal permitting and animal welfare requirements. You have gross services that manages the land use, special use permitting process. And you have the county attorney's office provide the guidance related to all the ordinance that govern both of those. Our goal today is to bring those pieces together, explain what we are hearing from our rescue partners, and ask for direction on whether there are opportunities to make the process more workable while still protecting animal welfare and the surrounding community. So, in seeking to improve our community and animal well-being, last year we made several revisions to the Code of Ordinances, as well as the Land Development Code. In the Code of Ordinances, we added... Can I ask you a quick question?

Yes, sir. Did you design the cat and the dog?

So all the graphics here were made by my AI helper, which I call Edna. Edna. So all the graphics are homegrown, if you will, with the AI help.

She did a great job.

Yeah. So you'll see the color schemes are Marion County colors. So you'll see it through the presentation. And they are very much on point and relevant to our processes, what we do, our partners, what our partners do too. I didn't know you were such an artist. AI has made me one, I guess. So going back, in the code of ordinance we added the animal permit requirements as well as the standards of care for animals. The motivation for those changes was to make sure animals are kept in a proper environment with proper care. In addition, we made some changes to the Land Development Code that correlated to the revised Code of Ordinance. So it was mainly to marry the both together so they both represent and can be worked in unison. Those changes were made for good reason. We want the animals to be cared for responsibly, and we also have an obligation to protect neighbors from potential nuisance impacts. So since those changes were adopted, a lot has happened. On May 21st of this year, we moved into the new shelter. Thanks to all you guys for your support. Then on July 22nd, we held an animal rescue partner open house. Our staff provided a, I'm going to say, quote unquote, state of the county type presentation, but for specifically for MCAS. But more importantly, we had an opportunity to hear directly from our rescue partners. During that discussion, several concerns came forward relating to permitting, particularly special use permitting requirements, animal related permitting requirements, and the cost associated with the application process.

I should not have clicked that quickly.

While our rescue partners support the county's commitment to responsible animal care, there is a concern with some aspects of the current process which make it more challenging for responsible rescue organizations to continue operating or to expand their capacity. So I did want to pause for a second to talk about the importance of animal rescue organizations and what it means to our shelter. So before we talk about possible solutions, we think it is important to explain why this partnership matters so much. Rescue organizations function as an extension of our shelter capacity. They allow us to help more animals without requiring our county shelter to provide every service or every animal entirely on our own. They take animals that can sometimes be most difficult from a municipal shelter to place, like seniors, newborns, animals requiring medical care, animals needing behavior rehabilitation. They provide foster homes, which can give animals a quieter environment and help us better understand their personalities before adoption. They promote animals through their own networks, websites, social media, and adoption events. They often share veterinary and rehabilitation costs. They help us reach adopters who may never walk through the doors of our county shelter. And when we experience an emergency, a natural disaster, a cruelty, hoarding case, or simply a sudden increase in animal intake, our rescue partners can provide additional capacity when we need it most. So when we talk about helping these rescue organizations, we're not talking about something separate from the work that our Animal Services Department does. These organizations are an important part of how we accomplish our mission.

They're an extension of us.

Absolutely. They are. Yes. So diving deeper into those concerns that they shared, so one of the main concerns involves the interaction between rescue organizations and the Land Development Code. So under the current framework presented here, rescue organizations, including 501 organizations, which are most of them, can fall within the definition of a kennel because of the compensation or income component of that definition. Once an organization is classified as a kennel, zoning becomes an important consideration. So right now, the kennels are permitted by right on M2. That's the only one that by right you can have a kennel. In A1, A2, A3, B4, B5, and RC1, they may be permitted through a special use permit. The challenge is that in practice, rescue organizations have historically operated in other zoning classifications other than the ones that I mentioned. That means an organization that may have been serving animals successfully can now find itself facing a land use process that it had not previously anticipated. Cost is also part of the concern. The special use permit application is $1,000 while the animal services permit for rescue organization has no fee. So we recognize that. So the question becomes, can we preserve the protections the county intended while creating a reasonable pathway for legitimate rescue organizations that partner with us? So how can we help on the zoning side? So one option for consideration is to look at the zoning side of the process. Rather than eliminating the special use permit process, an alternative could be considered allowing rescue organizations to apply for a special use permit and additional zoning classifications. That would still provide a review process. It would still give the county an opportunity to consider compatibility and potential impacts. But it could create a pathway for responsible rescue organizations operating in locations where their current zoning classifications do not provide one. At this stage, staff is not presenting that as a predetermined solution. We are asking That is an area the board would like us to explore further. So in other words, would you be open to us reconsidering where the special use permits specifically for kennels can be considered outside of the ones that are already listed?

I'm just thinking, I don't want to make, I want to make sure we don't have any unintended consequences. Would we open it up simply for the term kennels? not open up for special use permits of any sort in all these other zoning classes?

So it would be as defined as kennels. And I would have to, if legal is in the room, if you want to, implications of the definition.

Dana Oleski, Chief Assistant County Attorney. To answer your question, Commissioner, I think specifically you're asking if we were to open it back up, limiting it to just kennels. My recommendation would be the table specifically. What Mr. Roussel is referring to is that in your tables for your B4s, your B5s, you have the table that identifies kennels as being by special use permit or by right. In the residential categories, it is not listed at all. So the recommendation would be to include kennels in that table and then decide in what categories you would allow it by right, if at all, or by special use permit. So for instance, in the residential, you have the PMH, which is a mobile home park. That would probably not be an area where we would want an application for a special use permit for a kennel, whether that be a breeder or a rescue. So you would want to leave that particular item blank and not allow it by special use permit. The concern is that the way that the code is written today, it allows your growth services director, when you don't have a listed use in a category, for the growth services director on a case-by-case basis to decide, yes, I'll take your application or no, I won't. By simply putting it into the table, it takes away that subjectivity from the growth services director and says these are the areas where we've decided it would be prudent and reasonable for a rescue or a breeder, anyone operating as a kennel, to be especially in the residential areas.

Thank you. That answers my question that it's very finite and limited to kennel only. Right.

So, I mean, we're obviously trying not to put them in residential areas, right?

Well, not necessarily. We would be opening up the table for consideration for a special use permit in these other areas, A1, A2, A3, B4, B5. Those are existing, I'm sorry, but the R1s, R2s.

So if I may, Mr. Chair. So what occurred during that rescue meeting is that we realized that a lot of our partner rescues are located in residential areas. So today...

They're fostering.

Well, and not necessarily just fostering, but operating kennels. And they are... They've been in existence. They seem to be good neighbors. We haven't had many... complaints or issues with them. But the concern is that going through on a case-by-case basis, the growth services director may make a determination that they could not apply because of the residential nature. And then, so you would be expanding that in any of those situations, just like any other special use permit that comes to this board. You would have to look at compatibility with the surrounding land uses and whether or not that's the right place for a kennel to be. you have throughout the time approved breeders with small amounts of dogs in residential areas based on the type of neighborhood that it's been. But because of the way your code is written today, legal would recommend that we explore through your Land Development Regulation Commission and through those public hearings, do you want to expand it into any of those residential areas? You have approximately, I think it's, you know, A few rescues that we know about, I would say probably 20 to 30 rescues, at least a third, if not 40% of them, are in residential areas.

So, but is that term? Yeah.

I don't.

I'm on. I don't see any problem with exploring that. If staff can bring back a way to do it so that you do protect the neighboring properties and if we have an application come forward and neighbors are all in support of it a special use permit is a special use permit if you don't follow the rules the special use permit can be taken away so i mean that would just be what i would say because we have a lot of really great rescues they are an extension of what we do and we have people that want to do things and when we think of a rescue i know that immediately we might be thinking of somebody who has 20 or 30 dogs Well, you're liable to have somebody that only deals with cats. Maybe they have five cats or ten. You know what I mean? It might not be an innocuous use in that residential area. Unfortunately, we had a really, really bad player out there. And sometimes you put things in place and you have unintended consequences.

So I don't think it would hurt the sport to take another look at it.

I guess the women have spoken.

All right.

Thank you, commissioners.

So the other part of the presentation is related to the cost. So currently rescue organizations may not have an animal services permit but will face $1,000 special use permit applications. We see these organizations as volunteers, as fosters. We try to help them through their operation. so this this is something that we wanted to ask the question to the board if you would be open to whether it's a temporary exemption or reduction or something more permanent specifically for rescue organizations not entirely for kennels so I just wanted to be clear that that is not a anything that is kennel I'm just talking about rescue organizations that partner with us at our extension of us similar to volunteers similar to our fosters if there is a way that you would consider something?

I would support waiving their fees because what they're saving us by taking some of these animals in all of the areas as far as the care that we have to provide as well as possibly freeing up kennel space at our shelter, I think it's well worth it.

I agree. Thank you.

So I don't have a problem. I think that's a good thing. But I do want to quantify it. I think there should be a qualifier. Right. Like if you did one foster for us for a week, one time. Right. I just think there's a difference between people that are like legitimately our partners and then, you know, people that help us out on occasion. And I don't know how to distinguish that. I would just wish you would bring us back when you bring this stuff back. Like, OK, is can we is there something we could put to this to say, yeah, this is a qualified rescue partner.

I'm not asking for everybody. us like to include fosters. He's talking about legitimate rescues. And legitimate rescues, they have to go get a 501, is it a 501c3?

They're 501c3. I mean, they have to put... And that's fine, but we can put a list of those things together and say, hey, this is what a qualified rescue is, and we exempt those folks. In order to qualify for the exemption, they would have to meet certain... They'd have to meet whatever those requirements are.

I just think it should have something to it that is easy. Anyone can go get a 501c3 for... at the start and then not end up doing what they say they're going to do either, just to get a fee waived. So, I mean, that's the other thing.

That's a lot of trouble to go to just to get a fee waived. And I think that he can bring you back qualifiers that would make sense.

People start off with great intentions.

You'll bring us back something?

Yes, absolutely. Well, and honestly... If that's the case and they stop becoming, I think maybe to your point, we can put some language in the special use permit. That's the great thing about a special use permit. If you stop being a rescue, if you stop being a partner, then you have to apply for a regular permit or the exemption no longer applies to you.

You can terminate the special use permit.

We can terminate that special use permit and then they have to come apply for a regular one if they wanted one or they have to do something different.

And we can certainly bring back those alternatives to the board. Yep. Bring something back. And we can solve those issues. Solve that.

Absolutely. That's the great thing about a special use permit is that you can work on those requirements.

Or commissioners, I don't know how we do this, but instead of just making it a blanket, maybe it's up to the discretion of...

Marrying animal services?

Sure. Or whoever to determine that. I don't think they want that.

I don't think they want to decide whether this person is $500 and this is $1,000.

No, no, no. I mean fee or no fee. Oh, okay. Not dollars.

bring us back something yeah we'll we'll bring back some more defining ideas yes absolutely and um commissioners that that um the last slide oh we already talked about it all um but that's kind of our process right now if you are curious so i did create that with ai and all those little um flow charts um it is um pretty accurate i'm not going to say 100 accurate but it's pretty accurate what these rescue organizations have to go through right now that I'm trying to help through the process. So I do appreciate the board support and we'll bring you back something at a later date.

Thanks, Angel. Thank you. Appreciate the update.

Commissioner, I have one last thing to get some guidance from the board on related to data centers. You have directed that we do a moratorium for 12 months. Legal has worked on that. They do have a draft ordinance. It will be heard by Planning and Zoning Commission on August 31st in the regular meeting in the evening. And then we talked about October 6th to be heard by the Board of County Commissioners. We also have the opportunity to bring it to you on September 15. Two reasons for that. September 15 would be before the workshop that we have scheduled for September 21. I think it will probably help reduce down, calm down the intensity of the workshop. And at the same time, October 6, I'm not going to be available for that public hearing.

You can't bring it back September the 1st? Like at 10 o'clock?

September 1st is due. We have to advertise after PNZ. We need the time to advertise. I think it's 14 days or 10 days. So the earliest we can bring it back is September 15th. October 6th I won't be here. So it's for your guidance and direction what you would like me to do.

I'm good with September 15th.

I had a little apprehension about doing it before the workshop, but everybody's okay. That's fine.

I mean, I had the same. This is not following any kind of process, and that really bugs me, but whatever. Me too. It's okay. This thing just keeps coming up.

That's why you need to put it to bed for a little bit and have time to take a deep dive into it and fully understand it.

All right. So, commissioners? Everybody's good? 15. Good for 15? Yeah. Okay. Thanks. I think that's what everybody wanted to do, right? I don't like it, but we'll do it that way.

All right. All right. Thank you. All right. September 15 in the afternoon as part of planning and zoning.

Mr. Venture.

I've got something. I didn't bring this up earlier, but while I've been sitting here this morning, I've been getting emails from county attorneys from around the state. We got served with a federal lawsuit against the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in multiple counties and cities. It's a constitutional lawsuit against registration of sexual offenders. So, as I said, there's 33 counties named in this lawsuit and 17 cities. And so the emails that I've been getting are just communications from other county attorneys and they're contemplating and expressing interest in a joint defense because many of the issues are going to be the same issues amongst the various defendants. For Marion County, there's two main claims to our current ordinances one of them is they simply say our ordinance is too vague to be enforceable and then the other one is that it's uh has an inappropriate um residence restriction on sex offenders so we're in lumped in groups of counties that have similar types of insufficiencies with their ordinances, according to this lawsuit. But anyway, I just wanted to let you know that a number of the county attorneys are looking into hiring a single firm to defend this. We've done that in similar things in the past.

That's usually a good idea. I think.

I get a consensus. I'll look into that and pursue that further.

Commissioner, are you okay with that? Yes. Ellie's looking into it. Will you bring it back to us before we make a decision? Okay. Then Guy. Yeah. What is the residency? I don't know enough about it, but don't you have to just submit where that person lives?

Well, it prohibits you from being in certain locations. The gist of this lawsuit on behalf of a large class of plaintiffs is it basically is making it where these people can't live anywhere. or you can't go on a vacation in a county even for four days because you're prohibited from being in so many places, and you can't be present in certain locations, and you can't go to public parks, you can't be anywhere near a public school, so on and so forth. So anyway, that's the general gist of the... Who's bringing the lawsuit?

It's a...

Public interest lawsuit by Florida Action Committee Inc. on behalf of many similar plaintiffs.

Can't wait for that. One more lawsuit to the pile. All right.

Mr. Harrell. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee items. Yes, committee items. Item 10.1 regarding the Code Enforcement Board is a request to appoint four full members to individual new terms ending August 2029. Frederick J. Krim, Jr., David W. Francis, Gary Ernst, and Clifford E. Wilson receive the appropriate votes.

So moved.

Second.

I have a motion by Commissioner Bryant and second by Commissioner Stone to adopt. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? That passes unanimously.

Thanks. Next is item 10.2 regarding the Land Development Regulation Commission. It is a request to appoint three full members for a new term ending August 2030. Jean Locito, Erica Larson, and William Nate Chambers receive the appropriate votes.

So moved.

Motion by Commissioner Bryant, second by Commissioner Stone to move the slate. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously.

Item 10.3 is a request to reappoint the incumbent member to the Marion Oaks MSTU for Recreation and Facilities for a full term ending August 2030. Ms. Kathleen Martin, receive the appropriate votes.

So moved. I have a motion by Commissioner Bryant, second by Commissioner Stone. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Thank you. Appreciate you. All right, notations for actions. Commissioners, any issues with the schedule?

Did we not move the Wednesday the 23rd to before our workshop on the 21st or after our works immediately following our workshop on the 21st? 21st is the moratorium. Or the workshop, workshop, yeah.

All right, they can bring it back. So let's move to 11-2, we'll bring it back this afternoon. Are we okay with 11-2? 11-2, the one thing that I would like to say about that is do one of two things there.

We're going to have, you're four days away from having two new commissioners sitting in here. So either invite them to that workshop, make sure that they know that they need to come and listen and learn, or hold that workshop after they're sworn in. Because they're going to be the ones that are going to be involved in that project.

Okay. And I'm okay with either way. We can invite them.

Or you can delay it and have them sitting on the dais.

Just delay it a couple days.

They're going to be the ones that are going to be doing it.

Unless there's a timeline.

No, there isn't. We'll bring you a new date if that's what you want.

I don't want to delay it. If you don't want to delay it, we'll do it. I don't know why we're doing that. If they can sit in the audience and hear the exact same stuff we're hearing.

Yeah, but they're going to have input, and if we direct staff to do anything, and I don't know that we'll be doing that that day, but if we direct staff to do something and they don't agree with it, then you could be— They're still out of— Their numbers won't matter. Or they might have a good idea.

You never know. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.

Well, the next board meeting, they can bring it up under commissioner comments. They're going to have plenty of opportunity. I do not want to start doing that.

And I don't mean any disrespect to them, but I mean, we've got two great experience people right here. I just soon continue to do business.

All right. We'll do business. All right. I need a motion for 11-2 then. I'll move. I have a motion to move 11-2. Second by Commissioner Stone. Sorry. Motion by Commissioner McLean. Second by Commissioner Stone. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye.

And I just want to reiterate because it's been said at a couple of things where I've said that it's important for the new commissioners to be involved in these decisions because they're going to be the ones that are going to be doing these things. It has nothing to do with not continuing to do business. We're still continuing to do business, and I don't want the public to think that that is any kind of a driving force.

I understand, Commissioner. I just don't want to delay this project by another four days. This is a really important road project. You don't delay it, not even by four days.

Oh, my gosh. I happen to know how important it is. It happens to be in the district that I represent. Four days is not going to make a difference.

Well, I'm not willing to take that chance.

all right we're just gonna have a great workshop thanks so much to catch up on that I just I love you guys let's just keep moving all right uh general public comments we got a few people signed up let's dive in uh Deborah I don't want to butcher your last name I apologize and then um Bob Burton will be on deck and on the next podium these are the folks that signed up for five minutes Bob Burton, is he here? Oh, OK. Perfect. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

Good morning. My name is Deborah Stutz. I live at 4491 Northeast 112th Avenue. And I'm here today to speak on behalf of the residents of Connor Road in regards to increasingly unsafe conditions surrounding the public access to the Marjory Harris Cross Florida Greenways at the corner of Northeast 112th Avenue and County Road 314. And I want it to be very clear from the beginning that we as a neighborhood do not object to the public using the public land. We're not asking to block access to the river, and that's not the issue. The issue is that section of river between Turkey Landing and Connor Landing is currently being used as a developed recreation area without any appropriate infrastructure to handle the number of people that are now coming there daily. Both areas functioned as steamboat landings in the late 1800s to early 1900s, bringing both travelers and supplies to Ocala from Jacksonville and the St. Johns River and hold significant historical value to Marion County. At one point, it was a thriving hub with a hotel and a post office, but it is now a completely undeveloped section of Florida conservation land bordering a small residential neighborhood that is made up of the families and defendants of the original settlers in that area. There is no real parking area, no bathrooms, no trash service, and no infrastructure to handle those people. This summer, the amount of traffic has increased very quickly. On weekends, we are regularly seeing more than 50 vehicles, many with several people in each vehicle. Cars are parking from that corner on Northeast County Road 314 down 112th Avenue into residential yards and driveways and are often blocking the roadway or blocking visibility at an already very dangerous intersection. We have seen vehicles speeding and racing along the road, including past children waiting for the school bus. The stop sign has been hit more than once in the last few months. Our street sign has currently been stolen. Utility boxes have been driven over repeatedly, and markers that were just installed to identify underground high pressure gas lines for a county project were pulled up or run over within weeks. One of our biggest concerns is emergency access. If and when someone is hurt at that river, or if there is a fire or medical emergency, I do not know how quickly an ambulance or fire services could get through with the way cars are lined up along the road and around the entrance. We've documented trespassing onto residential property, damage from vehicles leaving the roadway, spinning tires through yards, trees knocked down, threats and attempted violence towards residents, repeated removal of no trespassing signs, and attempts to poison residents' animals. At the same time, vehicles are traveling across private property and state conservation land despite Greenway's signage prohibiting motorized vehicles. A barrier that was previously installed by FWC was removed by people attempting to drive through, and the environmental impact is becoming severe. Residents are routinely removing large amounts of garbage, including broken glass and discarded needles and syringes. We've found human waste, piles of abandoned fish and animal carcasses, and still warm remains of unattended fires. We're watching significant erosion occur along the riverbank at Turkey Landing and north towards Connor Landing, along with damage to native vegetation and wildlife habitat, including the destruction of two known gopher tortoise burrows. Residents have repeatedly contacted Office of Greenways and Trails, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Department of Environmental Protection, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, and multiple Marion County departments trying to determine who has the jurisdiction and what we are legally permitted to do to protect our property. Instead of getting a consistent answer, we've received conflicting or ambiguous ones. We have spoken with the property appraisers, code enforcement, and county engineering while trying to determine what rights actually exist here. Sheriff deputies have likewise given residents conflicting instructions, with some treating the parking and trespasses as a civil property matter, and others telling us that regardless of where our deed lines and our property maps are, we can't prevent vehicles from parking there. I am not asking the commission today to settle a private property dispute. I am asking the county to help resolve a public safety problem that has developed because no one seems to be able to tell residents or the public which agency is responsible for this location. First, we need an authoritative decision of the status of Northeast 112th Avenue. If the county does consider a public right-of-way to exist, we need to know the legal basis by which it was established and the defined lateral batteries of width of the right-of-way so that residents and law enforcement are working from the same information. Second, we need the county and appropriate state agencies to address the immediate public safety problems caused by roadside parking, blocking visibility, reckless driving, and inadequate emergency access. And finally, if Turkey Landing is going to continue to function as an authorized public access point to the Greenway, it needs to be treated as one. There is Greenway property adjoining the area that can provide designated parking rather than directing dozens of vehicles down a residential road. We are not asking to keep public away from public land. We are asking the county to help establish where the public rights begin and end and who is responsible before someone is seriously injured.

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Appreciate it. Moneer, will you work on the right-of-way end of things?

We will have to look into all of this, Commissioner.

And then we can write a letter to Greenway. Greenway or this. You can get me at least the information on the right-of-way. Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you, ma'am. And we have her information. All right.

Everything's so nice, and then I come in as the wrecking ball.

Name and address for the record.

1-251 Southeast 105th Summerfield.

Pleasure. Good morning.

Good morning. I'm here to talk further about Ballard Partners and my history with the machine they're a part of, specifically to do with Watershed. History of that machine, an intimidation, fraud, election interference, including ghost candidates and dark money to include arrests, bribery, blackmail, color revolutions, both abroad and at home. And as it turns out, because all politics is local, hometowns such as ours. I've brought each commissioner and the local press, if they have a reporter here, only a few documents that hopefully will give them a taste of my concerns to show they are worthy of further investigation. I have decades of files. Falcom is tracking their shadowy, violent treachery and updating my investigation. Now, this is not Ballard themselves. This is what they're a part of, a larger machine. In updating my investigations into Ballard, I ran up on ongoing local color revolution as I've described it at the Jacksonville Electric Authority. There are many newscasts and board meetings covering that scandal. The targets of that color revolution are in great danger. At least one has taken leave of absence. I understand it is due to fear. I can tell her her family and her pets and anything dear to her is in grave danger. She herself is in danger. Much as I have described Metta, Oracle, and other billionaires making privatizations, the more common privatization of we the people's investments are local with domestically and abandoned in this case and abroad. In this case, it is Marion County Precious Life Giving Water. The non-profit government institutions involved even make monstrous profits by supporting both sides of every war. I provided each of you with a document showing our lobbyist fingerprints on artificial intelligence missile guidance chips supplied to Russia which are detonating on targets in Ukraine. The American taxpayers have invested $195 billion in that conflict. 118 Americans have been killed in that war. That is why we call it treason. But these are not the first missile guidance chips provided to the to American enemies by potential enemies. In my history with this machine, which Ballard is part, I hold record of Henry Nee providing Hellfire Missile Guidance Chips to China for which he was not arrested. He was deported back to China before an uninvestigation could implicate operatives of that machine. As for water management, I have involvement in the creation of this Menace Minimum Flows and Levels and later your Basin Management. By this same machine, so they can now privatize Florida's water, which in great part they have already done for the transnational corporate clients that have no alliance to the U.S. flag to which we pledge our allegiance. In this invasion to rob America of her natural resources, I have seen threats of gunfire, criminal coercion, murder, and I have seen malicious prosecutions and raids ordered by their operatives that hold positions of power such as attorney generals and the FDLE commissioner complaining he was being coerced to attack political adversaries of this machine. I showed him his name in an official deposition. He resigned after executing a paramilitary raid on my home where they pulled my late wife from the shower at the point of two M-16s as she was suffering seizures from the brain tumors that took her life. The charges for wiretap were abandoned two long, hard years later. gunfire into my home, recusal of seven judges, and the removal from office of two third-circuit states' attorneys, the second of which changed his name and fled to Arizona, only to be brought back by a Marion County private investigator. He was convicted and sent to prison. We all like to believe these things happen in third-world countries. That is incredibly naive. I have with me personal photos of the sabotage of water catchments with the intent to create minimum flows and levels and the intent to eventually privatize the people's water for foreign corporate interest. If you want representation in Tallahassee, I'm your man. As we now know from the Epstein regime, it's not who you know in Tallahassee, it's what you know about who you know. And while we're at it, perhaps we can clean up the problem causing love canal-type deformed fish that flows directly into Marion's most pristine Ocklawaha River. I am interested in how Ballard became known to the Marion County Commissioners. As to data centers, I'll be back. I have some photos that y'all may be interested in just of the sabotage, and I have a stack of files that deep on this machine. I've been in this game over 40 years. This is the deposition with minimum flows and levels where the commissioner of Florida Department of Law Enforcement resigned, but you guys are, and I believe it was you, Ms. Bryant, asked how I learn and know this stuff. I'm not, I hadn't owned a TV in 40 years. I'm not on Facebook. I read the policymaking think tank publications. It's all I do, and it's what I do with this, but I think y'all could benefit from some of my stuff.

Appreciate it. All right, thank you. Mr. Joseph Walker and then Mr. John King. Morning again, commissioners. Morning, sir.

My name is Joseph Walker. I live at 18820 Southeast 54th Place, Oklahoma, Florida 32179 in District 1. Today I'm going to go back in Marion Camp Dust Bowl area and talk about that. We had a problem back in 23 when I started on it. You know, with the... Regarding the... Regarding that corner... That's 7-Eleven there, right off of Mary Camp Road. This is the way it looked like on there. That's the way it looked like in 23 and also in 24. They finally cleaned it up. We've got it taken care of now, where they mow around the whole area, around the whole block, and got that taken care of. That was done to help, because part of it's WRA, code enforcement, You know, worked on it, solid ways to help out there. And then we also had the commissioner help. And then we also had international properties. He worked with that on that, John Buriani, I believe his name is. I don't pronounce it very good, so I try on that one. Then we got that taken care of. Now we get to move to another area in there that has the stop sign is not maintained. That's Kitty Corner across the street from where 7-Eleven is there on it. We've got that, you see the garbage is sitting there? The guy has a little can there? Well, we finally got him out of there last year. they had a, what do you call that, trespassed him over there, so he moves across the street and works away. You know, that's the way things are. But we have this this year again, it's the same thing there. We can't get the grass, weeds cut down or nothing here. That's in front of a stop sign. It's that way already again this year. Is it possible we can get somebody in there when you make up, you come along here and you give the developers access to it and they're supposed to maintain it. There's a possibility we can get them to mow one strip down that, you know, on them corners there and then we take care of also the fire hydrants. We get them taken care of. We got other areas in there, they got the sidewalk in there and the weeds are growing in front of that. You can't even see the sidewalk. So that's on Cedar Road over there. So what happens? Within the last month now, we had a homeless camp moved in there. And now code enforcement's going to take, I don't know how many, three to five years again to get it out of there? Because that's what we've been having with them. So, you know, on it. We'd appreciate it if you can get something done on here and get something when you're okay, somebody to come in, a developer comes in there, at least to maintain the stop signs, you know, on there and cut the weeds down in front of it on it. Here's another picture here. This is on the other side. Walmart's right in the background there. And Florida Credit Union's right there in the corner. They maintain their property there on it. But the ones that do the maintaining pulls in on the other side of the street. Right by that stop sign is there. And... There's no reason why they can't cut the weeds down in front of that. We have that, you know, 23, 24, 25, 26. We have the same corner there, and we can't get nobody to maintain it. What is wrong here on it, you know? We can't get the sidewalks done. You know, when we can't get the weeds cut down, we can't get the fire hydrants open. We finally got... right-of-ways there along Cedar, you finally got them sort of maintaining them now. But we have, I have to go in here and hold their hand for it, you know, as mounts do on it. There's no reason for this. I appreciate if we can get something in here and get established in here and get them so they can mow that, you know, and cut the weeds down in front of there. Also, if they do the mowing within, you know, within five feet of the sidewalks or the curb, I wouldn't be here. It was as simple as that. And this is what we got in our community. Why do we allow something like this to go on? Because, oh, we can't do nothing about it because it's private land. Well, you guys are okay that the first place developer is in there. Who's responsible? They don't want it. So I appreciate you guys getting something done on this if you can. I know it's hard. Any comments there?

Just thank you.

You're welcome.

All right. Mr. King, hey, good to see you, sir.

Good to see you. John King, 17450 Southwest 38th Avenue Road in the beautiful Marion County. I want to first, before I get started, thank you, Commissioner Zalek, Commissioner Bryant, for your years of dedicated service here in the county. I truly feel, in all my heart, the work that you've done here on the board has made Marion County a better place to live.

Thank you. And thank you for your continued service, even though you're not with the best agency. I'm just kidding. Yeah. We love the city.

Thank you. I'm here present before you, and thank you for the time to speak today because I have a shared interest and concern with the rest of my neighbors about the increased presence of ATVs, motorized off-road vehicles, trespassing, vacant commercial residential properties. County retention and drainage systems are electric utility easements in Marion Oaks and the greater Marion County community. What used to be just occasional riders have escalated into frequent and disturbing activity. Nights, weekends, riders frequently cut through the easements. They perform donuts and DRAs, acrobatic stunts. I watched them. even go up and down the utility roads that have these huge transmission distribution towers. And if one crashed or collided with one of those towers, which have been there for decades, The entire electric grid could go down. So it is of really serious concern that this is controlled in some type of way. The ATV traffic persists a critical danger and risk in many ways. I just want to mention three of them. First and foremost is a public safety concern. A misjudgment by one of these riders on one of these unpaved roads can be catastrophic. I just looked at some of the statistical data on deaths right in Marion Oaks and Marion County just recently. A few years ago, a 41-year-old man died after losing control of his Yamaha ATV on Southwest 153rd Loop. 2013, a 32-year-old man in Donella, he succumbed to fatal injuries after his ATV collided with a tree in Marion Oaks on Southwest 72nd Circle. Fox News reported that a 10-year-old boy, a student at Sunrise Elementary, he died after an ATV he was riding overturned on him. May 2023, Marion Oaks again, 41-year-old man was killed and his 40-year-old wife seriously injured their off-road vehicle hit a utility trailer. Recently, March 2026, right here in the county, an 18-year-old female passenger died, and the driver, 18-year-old friend, a boy, is now seriously injured after overturning his ATV. So it's not just an isolated incident. It's becoming more and more prevalent. These ATV drivers and the roads that they're prohibited to travel on, that's where they're at, and that's where these accidents are happening. Second, I'd like to talk about the risk that it poses to the electric grid again. These easements and access corridors exist to support critical infrastructure, and they're regulated and federally protected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and NERC. These regulations require utilities to identify risk on these properties that are essential to what we do as far as providing electricity that's needed. Where would Florida be without electricity and AC? Right? So we need, right? We need it. And across the country, as you are aware, there have been threats to both water infrastructure and electric infrastructure. Thirdly, I'd like to talk about property ownership. They don't belong in the property because it's not theirs. It's private property. It's owned commercially, or it's county-owned property. I flagged down and talked to one of the ATV drivers. Long story short, he told me that no one's using that property. why can't I use it? I told them, do you see the trespassing sign there? You don't belong there. It's not your property. And people just don't get it. These properties should not be used for recreational activity. And although we have signage there, they still trespass it. They just don't care about law and order or anything else, especially the rights of others to pursue peace. So today I'm before you because I have no place else to go. I've contacted the Sheriff's Department, Deltona Corporation, Duke, Marion Oaks Civic Association. I talked to President Charbonneau, and she's even discussed her frustration because the golf course is used for ATV playgrounds. Your engineer just briefed you on the road development at the 49th extension. Well, that unfinished part of the extension, any night or weekend, that's the ATV playground. The riders are there on that unfinished road. So, Commissioner, is there anything that you can do to strengthen the ordinances regarding ATVs, work on property fences, barriers, especially to the electric infrastructure, How about surveillance? More police presence or sheriff presence? And I'm not saying call out the National Guard, but perhaps if they could frequent some of these places where these ATV riders congregate, that presence could mitigate them trespassing some of these protected roads. And fourthly and lastly, A coordinated public education effort, sometimes a simple campaign, possibly through the county's website, alerting citizens on the prohibitions and the penalties that it carries for trespassing some of these areas. Perhaps what can be done to educate Our citizenry is something through the social media or other public notices. Sometimes a message coming from the commission, the board, is much more impactful when it comes to something like this. So I appreciate your attention to this matter. Your commitment to public safety is widely known and the infrastructure has to be protected because we need reliable infrastructure. I'm happy to provide any documentation, photographs, or any additional information to support you to develop solutions really to protect our county, our citizens, and our critical systems that contribute to the quality of life here in the great Marion County. Thank you, Mr. King. Yes.

maybe some reaching out to the sheriff's office, because this does fall under their purview. This is a law enforcement issue. I don't think there's any ordinances that we can pass that will change any of that. But maybe asking them to maybe have a coordinated effort out there to start cracking down on some of that, as well as the public education component of it. Because Mr. King is right. Unfortunately, people don't care. They don't care about violating anybody else's rights or using property that isn't theirs that they think that they should be able to use. Heck, I was sitting in a restaurant last night watching a girl vape. You're not supposed to do that in a restaurant. I just wanted to put that out there. Anyway, I was two seconds from going over and telling her to stop. My husband said, don't. Anyway, if we can reach out and have a conversation with Sheriff Woods and ask him to – It would be a great conversation for you to have. I'll be happy to have the conversation.

Mr. King, would you mind to – I think because you're living that process, could you give us a handful of locations? And if you could talk to the gens in here and give them to them, then when Commissioner Bryant calls or we write a letter or whatever, we'll have locations to ask the sheriff to go look at.

We certainly have awesome technology.

We do.

That we can deploy out there to make sure we're grabbing people's attention.

Maybe we can get them to do some drone training out there in the evening. Yeah. Thank you.

All they got to do is put the helicopter up in the air five miles away.

All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. King. Appreciate it. Some other folks. Was everybody?

Yeah.

Okay. Mr. Joel Hickman and then the other Mr. King. Daryl King, and then Aubrey King. You guys will be next. Please come and give your name and address for the record.

I actually had to rewrite my whole thing because now it's afternoon. So good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Board of Commissioners. My name is Joel Hickman. I live at 15961 Southeast 115th Place Road in Ocklawaha, Florida, District 1. So from 2012 to 2019, I was a substance abuse counselor. And I worked at an opioid treatment facility. I know this was 8-1 earlier. I didn't speak until now. There used to be a huge stigma in the county as far as first substance abuse and addiction, and when we moved our location downtown, it was actually not welcomed, even though we were only moving eight blocks from where we used to be. So it took almost 10 years for the fentanyl awareness to be implemented in 2022 when fentanyl had came out in 2012 to 2013. So during that time, city and county I feel really didn't do a whole lot, but I start to see a change now and that is happening. So I want to commend you on what you've done today as far as for wanting to look over the regulations before you implement anything. Also, number two of why I'm here, Last time when I had turned in the petition of 5,167 signatures to postpone the workshop, we are now at 6,019. So I do appreciate you hearing me. And also just a question in regards to the process. How does the process go from holding a workshop? Has it normally been implemented before an application, or is this like a special workshop that's being done?

A workshop is just to have a discussion as the Board of County Commissioners. There's no application. Okay. There's never been an application. The only point of a workshop is just to sit down. This is where we get to talk and talk with our staff and talk with our team. So that's all that is. Okay. There's no application.

All right. But does a workshop normally happen after an application? No. Or is it put before?

I mean, well, it depends on what... Workshops are... There is no process. we don't have workshops for like a zoning issue necessarily. We have workshops for all kinds of things. We had workshops for, if you look on our agendas, you know, we had work, we had four or five workshops for the parks bond that we just talked about today. We had four or five workshops for this. It's just, we have work sessions basically to talk for the commissioners to get together and just talk about ideas, talk about issues that that's all they are. They are not necessarily scheduled before a public hearing or anything like that. Now, on the land development code side, if there was ever an application, Once an application comes in for any kind of land use issue, it will go through the process, right? So you make an application, staff works on the application. It goes to planning and zoning. From planning and zoning, it comes before the commission for a final vote.

And a public hearing.

Those are all public hearings, right? So that's a different process if there's ever an application in the future for any kind of, we'll have them this afternoon. Those all work through the same process.

All right. Well, I do appreciate your help. Yes, sir. Thank you. Have a great day.

Mr. Chair?

Yep.

So I was having a conversation with somebody, and anyway, the conversation doesn't matter. I just thought, would it be something for you guys to think about moving forward? Maybe instead of calling our workshops workshops, we call them work sessions so that, number one, the public maybe understands that it is more of a work session for the board. It's not a workshop for the public because I think sometimes the public thinks that we say workshop and they think that it's something for their benefit. So y'all can do what you want, but I just thought the term work session is the same thing.

It's the same fundamental thing.

It's the same fundamental thing, but would it put a different...

But does it help to understand it better? Correct. That's a great question. The next chairman figure that out. I'll look into it. Mr. King?

Good morning.

My name is Darrell King. I live at 17525 Southwest 41st Circle. My property actually shares the easement with the property that's been leased to Duke Energy for the power lines. And my backyard actually abuts their access road. And from move-in day, we've had to deal with the dirt bikes and ATVs that idle and drive behind our house. And initially, I tried to respectfully alert them to it being private property. But we quickly realized that was a fruitless endeavor just based on the sheer amount of people that drive back there. And then eventually, they begin being irate and yelling obscenities at me and throwing trash in my yard. So we began calling the police pretty much on a regular basis. I believe so far we have around 88 calls to the police since then. And just to show how prolific and popular it is to ride, we found a Facebook forum that was centered around Marin Oaks ATV riding. And I have just a few comments. When asked about where were the trails, I have a few comments here from people. Karina said everywhere in Marin Oaks, mostly in the back. Mary says, I have a trail next to my house. I believe it connects all the way to power lines. You have to cross three roads. Rebecca says, there must be a trail somewhere since four ATVs were out on the manor this week. If I get one, I can ride mine on the boulevard and others. Phil says, go to the power lines. Hang a right and follow the trail. Frank says, the highlands is where the trails are by the recycling center. Jill says, ride Marion Oaks. Stop being Karens. Have fun. Enjoy your life. James says, mostly the power lines. Amanda says, in Florida Highlands, we have a mud hole, which refers to the area in front of the recycling center. There's a lot of off-roading vehicles over here, especially the weekends. This last one says, no official trails in Marin Oaks, just a power line access trail that these ATVs use. I agree it's annoying late at night, especially when they blast their music. It's a shame that the Sheriff's Department does nothing to curb this nuisance. It's been ignored for so long, it has become the norm now. So I just want to just ask that we... somehow hold the owner of that property responsible for protecting that property and ensuring that that property isn't used for these illegal activities. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Can you leave that over at our office? Sure.

OK. All right.

Aubrey?

Good morning, commissioners. My name is Aubrey King, and I live at 17525 Southwest 41st Circle in Ocala. To give a personal perspective, my family has lived in Marion Oaks for 20 years. And when my husband and I purchased our first home here last December, we were eager to invest in this community. Instead, we have faced daily disruptions to our quality of life. Our neighborhood is currently being used as an unauthorized off-road course for recreational vehicles. On a regular basis, residents deal with trespassing, late-night noise, littering, and verbal harassment from individuals riding illegally near our properties. Many of our neighbors are deeply impacted by this situation but choose to stay silent out of frustration or fear of confrontation. Most activity centers around two main hubs, what is known as the mud pit at the highlands next to the Florida Recycling Center. And Gordon Lake is located in the back of Marion Oaks. Furthermore, online groups and local businesses are actively promoting our residential areas as a public trail system. I have compiled video evidence and screenshots documenting this targeted promotion by both businesses and residents. We have been forced, unfortunately, to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office over 80 times in the past eight months of owning our home. While deputies respond, phone calls alone cannot resolve the issue of this scale. It requires structural intervention. So I'm asking the commission and the sheriff's office to coordinate directly with Duke Energy and the Deltona Corporation. We need physical barriers installed to block access to these hubs and service roads. We need those breaking the law to be held accountable for their actions. We simply want the peaceful community we expected when we chose to purchase our first home in Marion Oaks. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

All right, that was everybody we had signed up. Was there anybody else that didn't get a chance to sign up?

Henry Munoz, 495 Marion Oaks Boulevard. I think the problem we're hearing here is something that I Occasionally I might see somebody going down the boulevard, but to know that there's a concentration further down is ridiculous. And the other thing is, right of way, front of my house, I'm responsible for cutting the grass, right? Yes or no?

I would assume so.

Okay. So why can't I put a political sign there just for a season without it becoming a code enforcement problem?

Great point.

Because it's right away and that's just always been the law. It's public right away.

What does that mean?

Hi, good morning, Commissioners.

Tracy Straub, Assistant County Administrator. So we post signs in the right-of-way by permit. We really cannot have everybody just putting signs anywhere in the right-of-way. It does create a visual impediment, and it does distract drivers using that right-of-way from the other signs that are regulatory and advisory for safety purposes. So it's beautiful if anybody wants to post a sign on their piece of their property behind that right-of-way line.

Okay. Okay, that's a good question. But how are we going to resolve this thing about these ATVs running around? We need to have a park set up for them, but also they can't be running around all over the place. And they're picking on my community. I don't like that.

We have a whole forest for them to ride in.

Right.

Yeah.

There are trails, ATV trails, in our community. They're not in Marion Oaks, but they are in our community. And they need to go ride them where it's appropriate and legal. That's the bottom line. And hopefully, I think Commissioner Bryan will talk to the sheriff.

And we need to get more advertisement out so these people know where they can go.

Yeah, and we need to work with Duke to make sure that they get trespassed, see if they can get trespassed.

Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Is that everybody? All right, we'll bring it back to the board. All right, commissioners, we'll open up with commissioner comments. Commissioner Stone.

No, sir, I'm good. We've covered a lot today.

All right. Thank you for everything. Commissioner Bryant. Commissioner Curry.

Just go vote. These candidates, huh?

Yeah.

These candidates have put a lot of time and energy to try and represent the community. So go support your favorite one. Mr. McLean.

Hey, I just wanted to thank you. I got to do, finally got, we were supposed to do my firehouse tours a while ago, but I got to go with Chief, and I wanted to thank the Chief personally for coming with me. Appreciate you and the team. And I thought it was really cool. We got to go out to the one that you guys were kind enough to reopen in Orange Springs. And was it last week or the week before? They got their first save. they were there in two minutes. Otherwise, that victim would not have made it. So thank you for that. Thank you for supporting that process. I really do appreciate it. It really means a lot to me, but it really means a lot to that community out there, and those guys are doing a tremendous job. So appreciate it. Anything else? Otherwise, we'll be in recess until 2 o'clock. Thank you all.

See you all shortly.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair. As the only of interest, that's more item to express your in a moment when we items off. Raise your hand and we will find out if you have a question. you just have a question we will try to address the question right then see if we can resolve that if you have an objection we will bounce that item down into the third category of items and that's the items for individual consideration if there is no objections or questions to the consent items the board will make one motion to adopt all four of those items at one time If you're here and you are the applicant for one of the items on the consent agenda, once the board makes that motion and approves it, then your matter has been approved and you can leave unless you just are really in need of entertainment today. Then we go into the items for individual consideration. We've got four items, and these all fall into the category of quasi-judicial matters. We have a final development master plan for a single family detached dwelling, 325, 29 units. We've got a special use permit, a zoning change, and another special use permit. The quasi-judicial items, the board is looking to ensure that the application is consistent with Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes, which is called the Community Planning Act. They're also looking to determine that the applicant application is consistent with the Marion County Comprehensive Land Use Plan which is considered to be the local government's land use constitution. We're also looking to determine that the application is consistent with the public interest. And finally, we're looking to determine that the application is compatible with the surrounding property. Specifically in the case of special use permits, one of the benefits of special use permits is that the board can impose conditions on the application, the primary focus of which is to address any items of incompatibility between the application property and the surrounding property. If you are here and you are one of the neighbors of one of these properties, if for any reason you feel like the proposed conditions are not adequate to address Whatever your concern is, you're free to propose a different or additional condition, and the Board can consider that. All the testimony for these quasi-judicial matters will be under oath, and so in a moment I'll have everyone who's going to testify. to stand up and we will administer an oath to everybody at one time in mass so we can get that out of the way. We don't allow cross-examination in these proceedings, at least expressly. How we handle questions that people have for the applicant is when the opportunity is presented for the public to speak. come up to these podiums and tell the board what your issues or concerns or questions are. We will make records of those questions and at the end of the public comment we will bring the applicant back up to the podium and have them go down and address each one of the concerns that have been voiced by the citizens. Please address all your comments to the five members of the Board of County Commissioners up here. Please do not turn around and look back at the audience and try to gain the support or approval of the members of the audience because that's irrelevant to the Board's consideration. None of these matters are popularity contests as far as the board is concerned. They have legal requirements that they are obligated to satisfy with respect to whatever decision they make, either in favor or to deny the application. We have two podiums. Some of you I see look familiar and you've been here before, but if you're new to this type of proceeding, we encourage people to come up and use both the podiums and take turns. Each of the podiums has a little light box on the top. with three colored lights that are similar to the traffic lights, green, yellow, and red. Members of the public have two minutes to voice their questions or concerns. And that may not seem like much, but I assure you that if you make sure you get your number one and number two points out first, you'll have plenty of time to do that. And if there's more people on a particular item, we encourage you to not repeat what the people in front of you have said. Try to provide some additional comments or evidence for the board to consider. Generally speaking, in order to be competent evidence, the evidence needs to be something based on your personal knowledge, and it needs to be factual evidence and not just general emotional or opinion statements like, well, I've never liked this kind of development, or it's generally going to change the nature of my view across my property line. Those types of issues, generally speaking, are not competent evidence in these types of proceedings. So having said that, at this point in time, I'll ask anyone who even thinks you're going to speak today to go ahead and stand up and we'll administer an oath. If you don't stand up and get sworn in, you won't be able to testify. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I solemnly swear or affirm. Testimony I will give will be the truth and nothing but the truth. Under penalty of law. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

All right, excellent. We'll start jumping into the agenda. We have several DRC waivers. We'll start off with 1511.

Good afternoon, Commissioners. Chuck Verdon, Director of Gulf Services. So getting us started today, first item, if we can bring up the screen, first item is the DRC waiver. This is for a family division. Parcel number is 50099-009-00. It's a little over a three acre parcel, has a rural land, future land use in a zoning of a general agriculture A1. This is part of the Happy Valley 2 subdivision. It's a they are a series of unrecorded, unregistered meets and bounds flag lot subdivision on the very boundary southern boundary of Marion County. And So this is a county road, and this is a non-maintained, unpaved, non-maintained county road. And then, of course, this is Lake County. Yeah, I think it's Lake County. So this is the county line, and all these go out to there. And really the main issue that we're bringing this to the board is what is your appetite, if you will, for this subdivision as far as the potential? for the increase in density there. So there's really no issues with this particular family division for the most part. This is the lot in question. They want to do a family division for two. He wants to give it to his sister who's been sick, and they want to live closer together. And so totally no issues with any of that, right? The only thing would be is with this, each of these 15 lots could do the same thing, could do family divisions for three on each of these. And doing the math, that's 45. And then And that's in theory. Not every one of them would, obviously, but potential is there for that increase in density. And then each of them could also do, in theory, again, a guest cottage. So now you're up to a potential, again, maximum of 90 going out to a non-maintained non-county road out here. Non-maintained county road. Right now, there are mostly... manufactured homes. There are some single-family homes out there. What else? Oh, one other thing is this is 20 foot on this flag portion of the access road, and then they are going to provide the 40 foot. That is one part of the waiver, too. So they are, by code, supposed to provide 40, but they have 20 foot there. And then this just shows the lot. It's 1,550 feet away from Southeast 155th Avenue. That is the county road. And then the total is 2,640 to the last lot in this little subdivision. That's a picture of the current road looking west down the non-maintained county road that southeast 180th Street. And then it's just another close-up picture. DRC, we denied it. to essentially bring it here to get your all thoughts and feedback on this subdivision. So I think that's it. All right. And then the applicants here, if you have questions.

Please come up. Give your name, address, and reason for the family division.

Good afternoon, commissioners. Should I give them the letter? You guys want the letter?

Let's start out with your name and address. I'm sorry.

Felipe Almeida. I live in Orlando, Florida. 7636 Bayport Road. So my name is Philip. Can you address Madam Carter? Yes.

OK. Thank you.

My name is Philip Almeida. I'm the one on the property located Weirsdale. I'm here to respectfully ask you to overturn the DRC denials of my family division request. This project represents a long-term retirement plan for my sisters and me. Our goal is to build a primary home next to each other and retire there. Under current zoning regulations, my 3.1-acre parcel is restricted to just one primary residence and a small restricted gas cottage. This prevents my sister from building a proper full-size home for her retirement. Approving this family division is the only legal path that allows her to have her own independent private residence, while generating a separate parcel ID so we can each be financially accountable for our own property taxes. I want to clarify our access plan. Neighbors lots 8, 9, 10, and 11 already have their own independent pathways and driveways. We are not creating a new share of roads or affecting neighbors' access. What we are doing is simply extending the internal private driveway easement across my land, lot 1, so my sister can access her land, lot 2, using our existing driveway. Furthermore, both the utilities and Zuni departments technically approve our final map in the NHGov system prior to the DRC meeting, including the 20-foot utility easement request by Marion County Utilities. This is a genuine family division, fully compliant with the LDC 216.1b10, where you strictly abide by the county's five-year no-save restriction. Denying this application does not change the rural character of the streets, but it prevents a local family from responsibility planning for retirement. I kindly ask you for your common sense approval today. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. If you'll have a seat right here, we'll take some public comment. Anyone in the public want to comment? All right, seeing no one, we'll bring it back to the board. Commissioners, any questions?

Yes, Mr. Chair, I have a question. Currently today, because it is not a county-maintained, county-owned road, did I hear that right?

Correct. Yes, ma'am.

Who maintains that road today?

It would be privately maintained.

Do we know or does the applicant know who maintains that road today?

Do you mind coming back, sir?

Well, he's giving me a negative response. He does not know.

Yes, no, it's a no. Yeah, I don't know. No one maintains it? The roads to access those lands? No, I don't know.