Marion County commissioners unanimously approved two walk-on items for the Marion County Tax Collector on Feb. 18, allowing the office to remain listed as a budget office for Department of Revenue records and authorizing continued lease payments for a branch at 326 and 441 (Ocala Shopping Plaza) while the county and landlord finalize new lease terms.

Vanessa Thomas, general counsel for the Marion County Tax Collector, told the board the Department of Revenue requires documentation that the tax collector will be budgeted through the Board of County Commissioners for DOR records. Commissioners approved the procedural request and the related resolution filling in today’s date for DOR records.

The board also approved a short-term continuation of rent payments — $7,525, roughly two-and-a-half months of rent — so the tax collector’s branch can remain open while staff finish negotiating a new lease. Thomas told the board the lease originally began in mid-January and that the landlord has worked with the office to align future payments with the county’s fiscal year; the county indicated the final lease will be brought back for formal approval.

Both motions passed unanimously. Commissioners and staff praised the tax collector’s office for maintaining services at branch locations across the county.