The Marion County Board of County Commissioners held a budget workshop on July 17, 2025, focusing on the fiscal year 2026 budget and its implications for local infrastructure and public safety. A key discussion point was the county's capacity to meet the community's expectations for road improvements funded by a recent sales tax initiative.

Commissioner McLean expressed concerns about whether the county has the necessary staff and resources to increase road paving efforts in 2026. County officials assured him that they currently have sufficient personnel to manage the anticipated workload and are actively addressing a backlog of projects. They emphasized that as revenue increases, they expect to maintain or even exceed current project output.

In addition to infrastructure, the workshop highlighted the importance of transparent communication with residents regarding the use of funds. Commissioners discussed the need for a dashboard or key performance indicators (KPIs) to keep the public informed about ongoing projects and expenditures. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement and accountability, ensuring that citizens are aware of how their contributions are being utilized.

The meeting also included a presentation from Rob Balmus, director of the Ocala Marion County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), who outlined the proposed budget for the TPO. He noted a decrease in funding compared to the previous year, primarily due to the completion of a long-range transportation plan. However, he assured commissioners that several important projects, including congestion management and freight assessments, are still on the agenda.

As the workshop concluded, the commissioners expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of county staff and emphasized the importance of continuing to communicate progress to the community. The next steps will involve further discussions on public safety communications and other departmental budgets, with the aim of finalizing the budget in the coming months.