City Council

Summary

This document outlines the Fiscal Year 2026-27 tentative budget calendar, detailing key dates and deadlines for the budget process. It includes dates for department budget entries, public hearings, the adoption of the tentative millage rate, and the submission of various financial and capital requests. The calendar spans from January through October 1, 2025, culminating with the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2025.

Citizen Impact

Residents can participate in public hearings on March 20 and April 3, 2025, to provide input on the proposed budget and millage rate, which will determine property taxes and city service funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

Confidence

high

Summary

This budget resolution, 2026-119, seeks to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to appropriate $48,515 from the Police Trust and Agency Fund reserve account. These funds are designated for the purchase of handheld x-ray equipment. The quote from Viken Detection (Quote #: Year-End Incentive) details the equipment, including a Nighthawk-BTX imaging system and a Broadwing-DTX Transmission imaging system, with a total price of $48,515 after a discount. The lead time for delivery is 6-8 weeks, and payment terms are Net 30. The email chain indicates approval from Captain Keuntjes and Mike Balken for funding from forfeiture monies, with Sarah Gifford processing the budget resolution for the council meeting.

Citizen Impact

This purchase will equip the police department with new handheld x-ray equipment, potentially enhancing their operational capabilities. The funding is sourced from existing reserve accounts, meaning no direct tax increase for residents.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item is a certification by SunTran regarding its administrative costs for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget, as required by Section 341.071 of the Florida Statutes. SunTran certifies that its ratio of administrative costs to operating costs is 12.93%, which is below the state Tier 2 average of 20.25%. The report includes a line-item budget of actual general administrative costs, total compensation packages for executive management, a list of any gifts accepted in exchange for contracts, and ridership performance metrics. The actual administrative costs were $464,830 out of total costs of $3,593,783, and operating costs were $3,128,953 out of total costs of $3,593,783. The administrative costs budget did not reflect an increase over the previous year's budget.

Citizen Impact

This is an administrative certification required by state law. SunTran's administrative costs are below the state average, indicating efficient operations, which generally means more funds are directed towards actual transit services rather than overhead.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City of Ocala is renewing its comprehensive banking services agreement with Truist Bank for another four years, extending the contract from June 2026 through May 31, 2030. This is the second extension of the original agreement, which began in September 2021. Truist will continue to provide essential services including controlled disbursements, account reconciliation, depository services, wire transfers, ACH, and electronic banking via their SunView Treasury Manager system. For the new extension period starting June 1, 2026, the proposed Earnings Credit Rate (ECR) is 0.80% and the Interest Rate (IR) is 2.70%, though these are bank-managed rates subject to change. The agreement also includes a $3,000 credit for banking supplies and free payroll check cashing for City employees. The City's accounts, including master, controlled disbursement, retirement, and grant accounts, will continue to benefit from advanced fraud protection services like Controlled Payment Reconciliation (CPR) and Positive Pay.

Citizen Impact

This renewal ensures the City's financial operations, including payroll and vendor payments, continue smoothly and securely, protecting public funds through advanced fraud detection. City employees will continue to benefit from free payroll check cashing at Truist.

Confidence

high

Summary

This resolution accepts the donation of an outdoor sculpture titled "P. Ruber's Story (Flamingo)" by artist Michael O’Khaen, valued at $9,500. The sculpture, made of wood, foam, fiberglass, resin, and metal, was installed in 2023 and measures 9' high, 2' wide, and 3' deep, weighing 440 lbs. It is designed to withstand regular Florida weather for at least 5 years without maintenance. The artwork will be added to the City's public art collection for permanent display at Tuscawilla Park.

Citizen Impact

Residents will gain a new public art installation at Tuscawilla Park at no cost to the city, as the sculpture is a donation.

Confidence

high

Summary

Resolution 2026-11 proposes the appointment of members to the City of Ocala’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for three-year terms, concluding on December 31, 2028. The applications submitted indicate a pool of qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds in real estate, construction, workforce development, and public administration, all expressing a commitment to addressing the city's affordable housing needs. The committee plays a crucial role in advising the city on strategies and policies to increase the availability of affordable housing options for residents.

Citizen Impact

Residents can expect continued focus on developing and implementing strategies to increase affordable housing options in Ocala, as the committee's appointed members will guide policy and advise on initiatives aimed at addressing housing accessibility.

Confidence

high

Summary

This budget resolution, Resolution 2026-120, appropriates an additional $1,152 to the City of Ocala's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. This funding is designated as program income received from the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) grant. The resolution formally accepts and allocates these funds for use within the existing grant framework.

Citizen Impact

This is a minor budget adjustment for a housing grant. Residents are unlikely to see any direct impact from this specific appropriation, as it pertains to administrative program income for an existing grant.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City Council meeting on December 16, 2025, covered various administrative and operational items. Key actions included:

• Approval of the Consent Agenda, which encompassed routine items such as the 2025 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report, an amendment to the Norton Residence agreement for $5,512, adoption of the Marion County Consortium Citizen Participation Plan, an affordable housing agreement with MCAN, LLC, and funding reimbursements from the Florida Department of Transportation for traffic safety programs totaling $105,000 ($65,000 for Speed and Aggressive Driving and $40,000 for Distracted Driving).
• Introduction of two ordinances: Ordinance 2026-5 to allow above-ground air curtain burners at materials recovery facilities, and Ordinance 2026-6 to rezone 3.57 acres from M-1 to M-2 industrial.
• Adoption of Ordinance 2026-4, designating the southeast corner of 117 East Silver Springs Boulevard as a historic landmark to commemorate Elvis Presley's 1961 visit.
• Approval of several purchases and contracts: including aerators for water resources ($161,479), construction for aquifer wells ($432,225), manhole rehabilitation services ($3,300,000), retractable bleachers ($124,886), property and casualty insurance broker services ($235,500), and health and wellness center services ($2,271,022).
• Acceptance of a grant of $100,000 from the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County for the Community Paramedicine Program.
• Award of a contract to Robinrose Construction, LLC, for the Taylor residence build at $169,500.
• Reports from departments: including an update on the Office of Homeless Prevention, Ocala Police Department crime statistics, and Ocala Fire Rescue Department responses.
• Public comment included a proposal for an entertainment/sports center near the airport.

Citizen Impact

Residents will see continued services and infrastructure improvements funded through various contracts and grants, including traffic safety initiatives and affordable housing development. The designation of a historic landmark adds cultural significance to a local site.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item concerns a public hearing for SunTran's proposed budget for Federal Fiscal Year 2025. The total proposed budget is $6,300,562. Funding sources include Section 5307 grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration, Florida Department of Transportation Block Grant funding, toll road revenue credits, and local matches from the City and County. The budget details include allocations for capital items such as buses and related equipment, as well as operating assistance. Specifically, $4,694,694 is allocated from the Section 5307 grant, with additional funding from local sources ($808,934), state sources ($796,934), and transportation development credits ($816,404). Capital expenditures include the purchase of replacement buses and rehabilitation of existing ones, along with shop and communication equipment. Operating assistance is budgeted at $3,034,946.

Citizen Impact

This public hearing allows residents to comment on the proposed $6.3 million budget for SunTran's public transportation services for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget outlines funding for bus purchases, maintenance, and operational costs, which directly impact the quality and availability of transit services in the community.

Confidence

high

Summary

This is a public hearing to consider the issuance of a location permit for Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, doing business as Walmart #4245, to sell beer, wine, and liquor for off-premises consumption. The location is Parcel 29850-001-00 at 3525 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala, FL 34471. The application is for a 3PS Quota state license type. The property owner is OCALA MARICAMP RETAIL INVESTMENT LLC. The store's proposed hours of operation are 7:00 am to 2:00 am, seven days a week. The permit is for off-premises consumption only.

Citizen Impact

Residents may see an increase in the availability of alcohol for purchase at the Walmart location. The permit is for off-premises consumption, meaning alcohol can be bought but not consumed at the store.

Confidence

high

Summary

This ordinance, Ordinance 2026-5, amends Section 122-1225 of the Ocala City Code to permit the use of above-ground air curtain incinerators as an ancillary use to materials recovery facilities. The ordinance specifies that these incinerators can only burn untreated yard trimmings and vegetative debris. Strict conditions are imposed, including:

• Permitted Materials: Only untreated wood, brush, grass clippings, tree debris, and similar vegetative matter. Prohibited materials include biological waste, hazardous waste, tires, plastics, and garbage.
• Operational Standards: Must comply with all federal, state, and local environmental and fire codes.
• Setbacks: A minimum of 200 feet from residential zoning districts, dwellings, churches, daycares, schools, hospitals, or parks, and 100 feet from other property lines.
• Site and Operations Plans: A detailed site plan identifying the incinerator and debris storage areas, and an operations plan addressing fire prevention, emissions, odor, and dust mitigation, must be submitted and approved.
• Operating Hours: Limited to Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to one hour before sunset, with exceptions for emergencies.
• Debris Management: Unprocessed vegetative debris cannot remain on-site for more than 14 days, and piles cannot exceed 25 feet in height. Ash must be removed and properly disposed of; ground stockpiles are prohibited.
• Enforcement: Approvals can be revoked if operations are inconsistent with approved plans, and operations must cease if permits are suspended or revoked.

Citizen Impact

This ordinance allows for the controlled burning of vegetative debris at materials recovery facilities, potentially impacting air quality and odor in nearby areas due to the specified setbacks and operational conditions. Residents should be aware of the proximity restrictions and the types of materials that can be burned.

Confidence

high

Summary

This ordinance (Ordinance 2026-6) proposes to rezone approximately 3.57 acres of a property located at 2336 NW Seventh Street (Parcel 22682-000-00) from M-1, Light Industrial, to M-2, Medium Industrial. The applicant, Mickey Truck Bodies, Inc., intends to use this portion of the property for additional outdoor storage to support their existing repair garage business. The rezoning is contingent upon the applicant acquiring the property. The northern 1.49 acres of the property, which contain four non-conforming single-family residences, will remain zoned M-1 and are intended to serve as a buffer to adjacent residential areas. The M-2 zoning is consistent with the surrounding industrial uses and the Employment Center Future Land Use designation.

Citizen Impact

This rezoning will allow for expanded outdoor storage for an industrial business at 2336 NW Seventh Street. While the four existing residences on the property will remain, the change in zoning for the rear portion of the property may lead to increased industrial activity and associated impacts in the vicinity.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City Council is considering the fourth amendment to the Construction Services Agreement with Miller Pipeline, LLC, for Water Resources Improvement Program Projects. This amendment proposes the second and final one-year renewal of the contract, extending it from January 9, 2026, to January 8, 2027, with a budget not to exceed $2,000,000 for this term. The renewal includes an additional 3% increase to the existing pricing schedule for services.

The original two-year contract, awarded on January 11, 2023, for $4,000,000, covers essential water, sewer, and reclaimed water infrastructure projects, including installation, repair, pipe lining, and abandonment. Previous amendments increased the total contract value to $8,000,000 to incorporate FDEP grant-funded projects and cover unanticipated needs. The first one-year renewal (January 9, 2025 - January 8, 2026) was approved for $2,000,000 with a 3% price increase. Miller Pipeline, LLC has successfully completed 31 water and sewer projects totaling $7,300,000 during the initial two-year term, with City staff noting their 'outstanding job.'

Citizen Impact

This renewal ensures the continued maintenance and improvement of the city's water and sewer infrastructure, directly impacting the reliability of essential services. Residents may see increased costs for these services due to the cumulative price adjustments in the contract.

Confidence

high

Summary

This agenda item is for the renewal of a contract with Art Walker Construction, Inc. for lime sludge hauling services at Water Treatment Plant No. 1. The renewal is for a two-year period and has an associated expenditure of $180,000. This contract is an extension of an existing agreement that began on February 21, 2024.

Citizen Impact

This contract renewal ensures the continued operation of the water treatment plant, which is essential for providing safe drinking water. Residents will not see a direct cost increase associated with this specific renewal, as it is part of an existing service agreement.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City Council approved the fifth amendment to the contract with ElectRx and Health Solutions, LLC. This amendment renews the agreement for prescription benefit services for City employees for an additional two-year term, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. The total compensation for this renewal period will not exceed $800,000. The original agreement began in 2016 and has been amended multiple times to extend coverage and add services like specialty drugs. The increased utilization of medications, particularly for conditions like diabetes and weight loss, has led to higher costs beyond initial projections, necessitating this increased expenditure authority.

Citizen Impact

This contract renewal ensures continued access to prescription benefit services for City employees and their dependents. The renewal is funded through the existing Health Insurance Fund, meaning there is no direct cost increase to residents.

Confidence

high

Summary

This item approves a cost-share agreement between the City of Ocala and the St. Johns River Water Management District for the Ocala Lower Floridan Aquifer Conversion – Phase IV project. The agreement provides up to $2,000,000 in reimbursement to the City of Ocala, representing 50% of the estimated $4,000,000 total construction cost. Funding for this cost-share comes equally from District and State sources ($1,000,000 each). The scope of Phase IV involves the construction of one high service pump (HSP) building, one large HSP, and two jockey HSPs with associated equipment at the City's Water Treatment Plant No. 2. The overall multi-phased project aims to convert Ocala's water supply from the Upper Floridan Aquifer to the Lower Floridan Aquifer, with an estimated benefit of a 7 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow increase to Silver Springs and 7.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of alternative water supply upon full completion. The agreement term for Phase IV extends until March 31, 2028, with construction anticipated from January 5, 2026, to January 5, 2028.

Note on related documents: The attached FDEP Revenue Agreement (LP4211R, as amended) details funding for "Ocala Lower Floridan Aquifer (LFA) Conversion Phase 1" of this multi-year initiative. This Phase 1 project has a total FDEP grant funding of $2,825,662 and a broader scope, including three production wells, an Upper Floridan Aquifer blending well, a 3,000,000-gallon storage tank, and the HSP building/pumps, with a timeline extending to October 31, 2029.

Citizen Impact

This project is crucial for Ocala residents as it secures a long-term alternative water supply and reduces reliance on the Upper Floridan Aquifer, which directly impacts the health of Silver Springs. It represents a significant investment in water infrastructure, funded by state and local contributions, ensuring future water availability and environmental protection.

Confidence

high

Summary

This Budget Resolution 2026-121 accepts and appropriates $2,000,000 from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) for the Ocala Lower Floridan Aquifer Conversion Phase IV project. Concurrently, the City of Ocala will transfer a matching $2,000,000 from its Water Resources fund reserve for contingencies, bringing the total funding for Phase IV to $4,000,000.

This phase, anticipated for construction from January 5, 2026, to January 5, 2028, involves the construction of a high service pump (HSP) building and the installation of one large HSP, two jockey HSPs, and associated equipment at the City’s Water Treatment Plant No. 2. This is part of a larger multi-phased initiative to convert a portion of the City's potable water supply from the Upper Floridan Aquifer (source of Silver Springs) to the Lower Floridan Aquifer. Upon completion of the overall multi-phased project, the estimated natural systems benefit to Silver Springs is a 7 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow increase, alongside an alternative water supply benefit of 7.5 million gallons per day (MGD).

Citizen Impact

This project secures $2,000,000 in grant funding and uses existing city reserves to improve Ocala's water supply reliability by diversifying its sources. It will also contribute to the restoration of Silver Springs by reducing reliance on the Upper Floridan Aquifer, ultimately benefiting the local environment and ensuring a sustainable water future for residents.

Confidence

high

Summary

This budget resolution accepts and appropriates $242,771 in grant funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program for the Fiscal Year 2025-26. The SHIP program provides funds to local governments to help them expand homeownership opportunities and to provide safe, decent, affordable housing for very low- and extremely low-income persons. The attached documents show disbursements from the SHIP program to various counties and cities across Florida, indicating how these funds are distributed and utilized for housing initiatives.

Citizen Impact

This funding will support local housing initiatives aimed at increasing the availability of safe, decent, and affordable housing for very low- and extremely low-income residents within the city.

Confidence

high

Summary

This city council agenda item proposes the purchase of various inventory items for the Ocala Fiber Network from multiple vendors. The total expenditure is not to exceed $207,590.

Citizen Impact

This purchase is for the Ocala Fiber Network infrastructure, which provides internet services. Residents may see improvements or continued reliable service from the network due to these inventory purchases.

Confidence

high

Summary

The City of Ocala is entering into a three-year agreement with Exceleron Software, LLC for its MyUsage Prepaid Software, effective January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000. This agreement continues and expands the City's prepaid utility service program, which currently serves over 7,000 customers.

Key Services & Features:

• Prepaid Utility Management: Covers electric, water & sewer, sanitation, and fiber services.
• Customer Portal & Mobile App: Allows residents to monitor usage hourly, view real-time account balances, and receive alerts (e.g., low balance, pending disconnect).
• Diverse Payment Options: Supports credit/debit card payments (web, mobile, IVR, kiosk), ECHECK (web, mobile, IVR), cash payments at retail locations (CheckOut), and cash-in ATM transactions.
• Meter Data Management (MDM): Provided free to Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) for managing smart meter data, detecting tampering, preventing outages, and monitoring voltage.

Financial Details:

• The City will pay monthly fees based on subscriber tiers, ranging from $6 to $1.25 per subscriber/month, with a $5,000 monthly minimum.
• Most payment methods incur a convenience fee for the consumer (e.g., $4.50-$5.00 for credit cards, $0.40 for ECHECK IVR, $1.50 for CheckOut cash, $2.00 for ATM cash-in). The City also pays certain ECHECK processing and bank exception fees.

Citizen Impact

Residents can continue to manage their utility accounts through the MyUsage app and online portal, benefiting from real-time usage monitoring and flexible payment options. While the program offers advantages like no deposits or late fees for prepaid users, many payment methods will incur convenience fees (e.g., $4.50 for credit card payments, $1.50 for cash at retail, $2.00 for ATM cash payments).

Confidence

high

Summary

This report details the projected Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) for November 2025. The projected annual power costs are $121,733,825 based on projected annual kWh sales of 1,411,321,771. The current PCA rate is $0.02815. As of November 30, 2025, there is a cumulative under-collection of $1,716,067. Projections for September 30, 2026, estimate an under-collection of $854,115. Staff participated in a rate call with FMPA and will continue to monitor projections and provide monthly updates.

Citizen Impact

Residents may see adjustments to their utility bills based on the Power Cost Adjustment rate. Currently, there is an under-collection, which could lead to a future rate increase to balance costs.

Confidence

high