Ocala City Hall. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

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Posted January 28, 2026 | Staff report

By serving on a local board, your experience and knowledge can influence governmental decisions and help you and fellow citizens.

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City of Belleview:

The city link is belleviewfl.org/151/Boards-Committees

The application is at belleviewfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/39/City-Board-Application-PDF?bidId=

Planning & Zoning Board

Three terms expiring March 2026

The advisory board to the commission hears and decides variance and special exception requests. The board is subject to the Sunshine Regulations and members must file financial disclosure forms upon appointment and annually thereafter. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm. For more information,visit belleviewfl.org/175/Planning-Zoning-Board

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City of Dunnellon:

The link is dunnellon.org/government/boards-commissions

Historic Preservation Board

1 vacancy for 2^nd alternate member

The purpose of the board is to promote and preserve educational, cultural and economic welfare of the public. The board has established uniform procedures to preserve the city’s historic resources by enhancing public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of such resources, including buildings, structures, monuments and other historic resources. The board has developed the Application for Historic Preservation Grant Facade Renovations. Interested person(s) should complete the application and submit to the Community Development Department. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at 5pm. For more information,visit dunnellon.org/government/boards-commissions/historic-preservation-board

Planning Commission

1 vacancy for regular member: 2 for alternate members

The commission has an administrative review function whereby it reviews all changes to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, by amendment, evaluation, addition and appraisal for consistency and reviews all land-related/zoning ordinances. The commission holds quasi-judicial hearings with regards to land planning/zoning cases, site plan reviews, variances, special exceptions and review/appeal of administrative orders and forwards its findings/recommendations to the City Council. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 5 pm. Learn more at

dunnellon.org/government/boards-commissions/planning-commission

Police Officers & Firefighters Pension Board

1 vacancy

The duty of the board is to operate and administer the Fire and Police Pension Plan in accordance with the direction of the City Council. Duties include, but are not limited to, administration of the plan assets. Meetings are the third Tuesday of the second month of each quarter at 8:30 am. For details, go to

dunnellon.org/government/boards-commissions/police-officers-firefighters-pension-board

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City of Ocala:

The link is ocalafl.gov/government/city-departments-a-h/city-clerk/boards-and-commissions

The City Council appoints individuals to serve on over 20 boards, advisory committees and commissions. The volunteers are from all over Ocala and their experience, knowledge and expertise help influence decisions affecting the city by providing advice and feedback to city leaders and council members. Many boards have specific requirements, such as living within the city limits, being a qualified city voter or owning real property within the city limits.

 

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

The committee is responsible for developing an analysis of impediments to the creation of affordable housing, as required by the city’s affordable housing funders. The committee is established to recommend monetary and non-monetary incentives for the local housing assistance. The city council shall appoint members to the committee by resolution.

Vacancies: Multiple terms

Size: 11 Members

Term Length: 3 years

 

Airport Advisory Board

The board assists and makes recommendations to City Council on subjects such as construction projects, leases, land sales, state and federal grants and all other matters relating to the Ocala International Airport. The board shall make recommendations on any and all matters referred to it by City Council regarding the operation and management of the airport.

Membership Qualifications: Appointed board members must be legal residents of Marion County and possess one or more of the following qualifications: own real property within the city, reside within the city, own real property within the city or have a vested interest within the city.

Vacancies: 1 term

Size: 5 Members

Term Length: 4 years

 

Board of Adjustment

The board considers applications for zoning variances and special exception considerations for business and residential construction projects within city limits. Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the building official in the enforcement of the zoning code (chapter 122), authorize special exceptions and authorize variances as provided in the zoning code.

Vacancies: 1

Size: 7 Members

Term Length: 4 years

Brownfields Advisory Committee

The purpose of the committee is to promote and receive public comment on the identification, rehabilitation and redevelopment of identified Brownfield sites. The committee shall provide guidance in areas such as land use, employment opportunities, development proposals, community safety and environmental justice. The committee consists of 11 members appointed by the Ocala City Council from boards, committees and organizations primarily representing West Ocala.

Vacancies: 4

Size: 9 Members

Term Length: 4 years

Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee is an advisory board to the CRA Agency and City Council for the area defined as the Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Subarea.

Membership Qualifications: The committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the CRA Agency and City Council from property owners and organizations representing downtown Ocala.

Vacancies: 1

Size: multiple members

Term Length: 4 years

East Ocala Redevelopment Subarea Advisory Committee

The committee is an advisory board to the CRA Agency and City Council for the area defined as the East Ocala Redevelopment Subarea.

Vacancies: 1

Size: multiple members

Term Length: 4 years

Historic Preservation Advisory Board

The board oversees historic resources and advises City Council and city departments on matters relating to these resources, as well as manages Certificates of Appropriateness for properties located within the Tuscawilla Park and Ocala Historic Districts.

Vacancies: 4

Size: 9 Members

Term Length: 3 years

Housing Authority Board

The authority is committed to providing and expanding safe, decent and sanitary housing in the most cost-efficient manner, to residents of Marion County; and to provide economic opportunities and housing free from illegal discrimination; and to build better neighborhoods by providing comprehensive opportunities for residents through partnerships and networking within our community. Provides subsidized housing units and rental assistance payments to income eligible residents.

Membership Qualifications: May not be an officer or employee of the city of Ocala. At Least one commissioner shall be a resident who is current in rent in a housing project or a person of low or very low income who resides with the housing authority’s jurisdiction.

Vacancies: 2

Size: 7 Members

Term Length: 4 years

Municipal Arts Commission

The commission acts in an advisory capacity to city government in connection with the artistic and cultural development of the city and aesthetic aspects of city activities. The purpose of the commission grant program is to provide nonprofit organizations and individual artists financial support to pursue artistic endeavors that will benefit the community by fostering the awareness and development of the cultural climate in Marion County. 

Membership Qualifications: Appointments shall be made by City Council on the basis of experience and interest in the cultural arts at the sole discretion of City Council. Whenever possible, the membership of the commission shall include a representative member from the College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department, Fine Arts of Ocala, Marion County School Board, Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala Civic Theater and The Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

Vacancies: 1

Size: 11 Members

Term Length: 4 years

 

Municipal Code Enforcement Board

The Code Enforcement Division enforces codes that pertain to zoning laws, nuisance abatement, contracting and permitting requirements of the city of Ocala and state of Florida, occupational licenses, sign codes, alcohol location permits and many other local ordinances and state statutes. The board hears cases relating to code violations. Examine code violation cases presented by City Code Enforcement Officers. Empowered to levy fines and place liens on property if, violation is not corrected.

Vacancies: 2

Size: 7 Members

Term Length: 3 years

 

North Magnolia Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee shall advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea.

Membership Qualifications: The committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the CRA Agency and City Council from property owners and organizations representing the North Magnolia CRA area.

Vacancies: 1

Size: 7 members

Term Length: 4 years

 

Planning & Zoning Commission

The commission is responsible for advising City Council on current and long-range planning, review and permitting of land development within the city. Make recommendations to City Council relating to zoning and land use and ensures that changes proposed are consistent with City’s Comprehensive Plan. Membership Qualifications: Members must be qualified voters of the city. Form 1 Financial Disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission.

Vacancies: 3

Size: 7 members

Term Length: 3 years

Tree Commission

The commission is responsible for the development and administration of a plan care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting and removal of trees on governmental properties within city limits.

Membership Qualifications: All of whom will be licensed tree surgeons, licensed landscape architects, licensed landscaping contractors or other interested citizens chosen for their knowledge of, concern about and participation in issues affecting the city’s urban tree population.

Vacancies:  2

Size:  5 members

Term Length: 4 years

West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee shall advise the CRA Agency and City Council on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea.

Vacancies: 2

Size: 9 members

Term Length: 4 years

 

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Marion County

An application can be downloaded at marionfl.org/my-commissioners/advisory-boards or at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners’ Office at 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, or by calling 352-438-2323.

Board of Adjustment

Vacancies: 1 full member, 1 alternate member

Responsibilities: Review and make decisions under the Marion County Land Development Code regarding citizen requests for variances or special exceptions. Hear and decide appeals concerning interpretations of the Land Development Code by the Zoning Department Manager. Alternate members may act in the temporary absence or disability of any regular member or may act when a regular member is otherwise disqualified in a particular case that may be presented to the Board of Adjustment. No member of the Board of Adjustment shall hold any other public position or office in any municipality or county government in Marion County.

Qualifications/restrictions: Shall be residents of the county and registered voters.

Land Development Regulation Commission

Vacancies: 1 full member, 1 alternate member

Responsibilities: Members should have knowledge in planning, environmental science, agriculture and the development industry and be capable of evaluating and recommending specific regulatory standards and criteria, reviewing and advising the County Commission on the adoption and amendment of the Land Development Code and Zoning Code, and preparing an annual report with recommended amendments to these codes. Alternate members attend meetings when regular members are unavailable and may serve in their absence.

Qualifications/restrictions: Shall be residents of Marion County.

Marion County Historical Commission

Vacancies: 1

Responsibilities: Must have interest or background in the history, cultural heritage, development and institutions of Marion County, as well as a commitment to preserving and commemorating that legacy. Members are responsible for collecting, organizing, recording and preserving historical materials and data, including books, maps, manuscripts, family histories, census records, and other relevant documents and artifacts.

Rainbow Lakes Estates

Vacancies: 1

Responsibilities: Participate in preparation of the annual budget request; review and comment on programs, activities, goals and objectives and make recommendations on these and other issues as directed by the Board of County Commissioners.

Qualifications/restrictions: Must be registered electors residing within the Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District.