Marion County Voters Face $140M Bond Measure Amid Tax Crisis

Marion County residents will vote on a measure to authorize up to $140 million in bonds to fund parks, trails, and conservation efforts. This local ballot question appears alongside Amendment 3, a statewide proposal that could reduce property taxes for many homeowners by eliminating certain levies for two years. The timing creates a complex financial scenario for local governments that rely heavily on property tax revenue.

The proposed bonds would be serviced by a property tax of up to 0.35 mills, equivalent to $35 per $100,000 in taxable value. At least 70% of the funds must go toward capital improvements for existing and new parks. The remainder can be used to acquire land or establish conservation easements to protect forests, farms, springs, and lakes. County staff have identified a need for two new regional parks in the northwest and southwest sections of the county.

Lauren Debick, chair of the Protect Marion 2026 political action committee, argues that the county’s rapid growth necessitates these investments. Ocala was the fastest-growing metro area in the United States from 2024 to 2025, according to Census data. Debick noted that increased usage has caused wear and tear on facilities, such as the safety surfacing at Baseline Trailhead Park, which has exceeded its expected life.

The local bond measure intersects with the state’s financial outlook. By fiscal year 2028-29, Florida counties stand to lose more than $5 billion in property tax revenues if Amendment 3 passes. For Marion County, the difference is stark. Without Amendment 3, property taxes would generate approximately $317 million over the next two fiscal years. With the amendment, the county would face a deficit of nearly $88 million in that same period.

Jim Couillard, the county’s Parks and Recreation Director, stated that Amendment 3 would cut the general parks and recreation budget by nearly 50%. This reduction would require eliminating more than 25 positions and closing or outsourcing 22 of the county’s 55 parks. Couillard warned that remaining facilities would see reduced maintenance hours and fewer recreation programs.

Supporters of the bond measure argue that local funds are necessary to leverage additional state or federal grants. Mary Phelps, an equine photographer and resident of the Farmland Preservation Area, supports the bond because she believes the additional tax is a negligible cost to preserve the region’s rural character. She also supports Amendment 3, citing the need to ease the financial burden on retirees living on fixed incomes.

Randy Osborne, a Republican State Committeeman, opposes the bond measure, arguing that a sales tax would be more equitable since non-homeowners also use the parks. Patricia Schafer, the Republican state committeewoman, described the combination of supporting both the bond and Amendment 3 as an oxymoron. She noted that many voters she has spoken with are skeptical of taking on new debt while simultaneously reducing their property tax base.