Marion County Sheriff’s Office absorbs Dunnellon Police Department

Photo: Lt. Julie Vowinkel [Marion County Sheriff’s Office]

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has assumed control over the Dunnellon Police Department for at least the next three months as the department seeks a new police chief.

MCSO Lt. Julie Vowinkel will now lead operations for law enforcement in Dunnellon, ending the city’s long history of maintaining its own police department. Dunnellon’s current police officers will remain on the force but will now serve under Vowinkel.

The agreement between the two agencies, made on Feb. 12, is temporary but will be revisited in a few months to determine a more permanent solution, said Dunnellon Mayor Walter Green.

“Sheriff Billy Woods has extended his hand to us for help, and we are very happy, especially with the results of this effort between the city and the county,” Green said. “We will determine in the future what is to be in a few months, but right now, this gives us the necessary breathing room and provides upfront most of what we need for our city, and that’s the safety of our businesses and our citizens.”

The city has been ruminating over the future of its police department since December 2024, when then-Chief Chris Scaglione resigned in good standing from the force, after being placed on paid administrative leave by the Dunnellon City Council in November. Scaglione was placed on leave after a council member brought forward several issues of concern with Scaglione’s performance and the performance of the department.

Scaglione was appointed chief in June 2023 after the resignation of then-Chief Mike McQuaid. Since Scaglione’s resignation, Capt. Ron Bray has led the department. Bray now serves directly under Vowinkel.

As part of the agreement, Vowinkel will report to Woods for day-to-day patrol, criminal investigative or operative issues—not to any Dunnellon personnel or officials.

Councilmember Rex Lehmann expressed concerns about the city relinquishing this much control to MCSO. “Does that mean that we basically give enough control they run the department, and we can’t, we don’t have a say any more about the day-to-day issues or anything?” he asked.

Vowinkel assured the council at its meeting that she will work closely with Dunnellon officials hand in hand and that her door would always be open to hear any concerns that may arise with operations of law enforcement.

The sheriff has proposed a more permanent solution, including a contract that would cost Dunnellon $128,000 per deputy per year, at a total of about $675,000 a year. This would save the city over $620,000 per year in comparison to its current costs.

For now, MCSO will continue to pay Vowinkel’s salary and Dunnellon will pay for Bray and the six other DPD officers’ salaries.

Councilmember Valerie Hanchar welcomed Vowinkel, saying she looks forward to the cooperation that will ensue between the two agencies once Vowinkel becomes familiar with the officers and department’s jurisdiction.

“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for leading us into the future,” Hanchar said. “You can give us some great ideas from what you see now from within, to help us plan for our future next generations.”