Commission approves two tax hikes

The transfer station is shown at the Marion County Landfill and Transfer Station on Southeast Baseline Road in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, August 10, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

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Posted September 12, 2025 | By Andy Fillmore, [email protected]

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners adopted three property tax assessments for unincorporated areas of the county for tax year 2025/26 during an occasionally heated nearly four hour public hearing on Sept. 10 at the commission auditorium.

The agenda including a vote on the controversial proposed doubling plus of the solid waste tax assessment.

MCBCC Chairwoman Kathy Bryant called for “decorum” several times as the nearly full audience reacted to tax increases or remarks from citizen speakers.

Bryant later called debate about the solid waste assessment in one large hike rather than a phased-in approach “heartburn.”

Citizen comments at the hearing ranged from calling for more audits about costs to accusing officials of trying to “run them out of their homes” with tax increases and not addressing development or charging new developers proportionally more.

Charging taxes and fees based upon equivocal size of residences was also mentioned by citizens.

After a presentation and comments, the board unanimously voted to approve the $15 per residence stormwater maintenance and program  assessment, originated by the 1972 federal Clean Air Act  according to officials,  which is the same amount as 2024/25 tax year.

The $15 assessment was proposed in the Truth in Millage or TRIM notices that were mailed recently to county property owners.

Stormwater involves education and maintenance in situations like sinkholes and an estimated $4,238,655 will be generated by the assessment.

The commission next approached the proposed solid waste assessment, which called for the first increase since 2008, according to officials.

The solid waste assessment covers operations that include 18 county recycling centers, transfer stations and the Baseline Landfill/Transfer Station.

The assessment also includes the hauling of solid waste to the Heart of Florida Landfill in Lake Panasoffkee, where the county has been taking waste since around 2008 due to capacity issues at the Baseline Landfill.

The TRIM notice indicated an estimated $36, 524, 953 would be collected by the proposed increase per residence from $87 to $215.

During a presentation at the hearing, county Solid Waste Director Mark Johnson said the Solid Waste Department is “spending more than (it is) bringing in.”

Johnson praised  commissioners who made a deal in 2011 with HOF Landfill to accept waste from Marion County at $8 per ton but said availability of space at HOF Landfill will end by 2031 or before.

Johnson discussed workshops held about new methods of disposal and possibilities including the expansion of the Baseline Road site, the cost of all which must be factored into budgeting.

Johnson spoke of an option of phasing the increase over a number of years starting with $135 for next tax year.

At least a dozen citizens came forward with comments.

Janice Keller of northeast Marion County said the solid waste assessment was “too much of a jump” for a person on a fixed income. Kathleen Monroe of southeast Marion County said people already near poverty “could lose their homes” because of the tax increases.

Terri Burger, a resident of southwest Marion County, said her area has been “bombarded” by new housing development and called Marion County “the ‘house’ capital of the world.”

The area is branded as the Horse Capital of the World.

Bryant said following the public comments that she would not support the proposed increase to $215 for the 2025/26 tax year and board discussion followed.

Commissioner Craig Curry said after meetings with department leaders and analyzing all the data, implementation of the $215 in tax year 2025/26 “is the answer.”

“The truest thing said tonight is the board did not increase ( the solid waste assessment for 17 years) and that’s why we’re here this evening,” Curry said.

Curry called MCBCC a “conservative” board in spending, rated 61st of 67 Florida counties.

Curry said starting the increased assessments next tax year would “solve all the problems” and allow officials to address solid waste solutions by considering a new cell at the landfill and purchase needed equipment. He indicated the new $215 assessment should hold for 10 years.

Curry mentioned during the meeting that some seniors may be eligible for additional tax exemptions based upon length of time in their residence and income. Citizens can call the property appraiser at ( 352) 368-8300 or go to pa.marion.fl.us

Curry praised the circa 2011 decision by commissioners Bryant and Carl Zalak to secure the $8 per ton solid waste disposal with HOF Landfill and said the decision saved the county at least $110 million.

The commission then voted 3-2 to approve the solid waste non-ad valorem (not based on property value) assessment from $87 to $215 for each residential property in unincorporated areas of the county.

Commissioner Matt McClain said he was looking at the long term and that going with the $215 amount now would avoid a higher rate later.

Commissioners Curry, McClain and Michelle Stone voted for the $215 solid waste assessment while commissioners Bryant and Zalak voted against it.

This was a “very bad decision,” Bryant said.

Bryant told a citizen in response to a question about fire rescue taxes that the ad valorem assessment was for EMS service, which covers the entire county, including municipalities, and the non-ad valorem assessment was for fire service only in the unincorporated areas.

Next, a presentation was made by Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta about the proposed 2025/26 county residential fire non-ad valorem assessment.

The TRIM notice mailed by the county reflected a suggested increased assessment at $283.97 for 2025/26, compared to $199.91 last year, and estimates  the fire rescue assessment revenue collected would be at $56,065,350.

During public comments, Judy Etzler of northwest Marion County praised the work of MCFR and said they responded “instantly” to a call in her neighborhood and “they would be there for me if I needed them.”

Beverly Garemore of Anthony questioned why her 860 square foot home was being assessed the same as a residence three times larger.

Banta explained the EDU, or equivalent dwelling unit, of 2,685 square feet is an average, and that all residences have “the same fee” regardless if the structure is 1,000 or 3,000 square feet.

EDUs are used to calculate rates for commercial properties, according to a letter mailed with the TRIM notices.

The vote was unanimous on this assessment.

Citizens of the city of Ocala and county municipalities can review their TRIM notices for any proposed changes.

To learn more, go to marionfl.org/TRIM