OCALA, FL (352today.com) – On Aug. 1, the Marion County Board of Commissioners approved its priorities for the 2023-24 legislative session. These goals range from requesting funds for community projects to conserving the area’s natural resources.
The Board of Commissioners divides the priorities into the following three sections, all of which aim to improve quality of life in Marion County.
Section I requests funds to improve infrastructure across the county. The primary goals include increasing access to clean drinking water in north Marion County (Lowell) and improving local alternative roadways to Interstate 75.
Section II focuses on editing the existing language in Florida statutes. Objectives include increasing the maximum amount of certain types of funding for the Marion County Building Safety department, allowing Code Enforcement officers to once again respond to anonymous complaints, expanding Consultant’s Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA) continuing contract thresholds each year due to rising costs and amending the language of legislation which requires utility service boundary agreements between municipalities and counties within unincorporated areas. These priorities will be submitted to the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) to garner consideration and support from other counties across the state.
Section III includes other non-legislative Marion County initiatives, like re-establishing swimming areas in the headsprings of Silver Springs and obtaining funding for the Florida Crossroad Commerce Center. Additionally, the county aims to support septic to sewer programs, the Fort King Heritage Foundation, Marion Senior Services and the Southeastern Youth Fair.
“These priorities will help fund projects that benefit the citizens of Marion County and exponentially help our county stay on top of the growth and prosperity currently happening all over the county,” explained Dr. Matthew Cretul, Marion County’s Legislative Manager. “As we break down each section, it is important to understand that each section of priorities works independently of one another, but creating or supporting these priorities helps our Marion County Commissioners expand opportunities within Marion County and in some cases, around the state. It is important for Marion County to identify the most important priorities well before session starts so we’re able to compile any needed information and be ready to advocate for the projects and language requests that will benefit our residents once session starts.”
The statewide legislative session will not begin until Jan. 9, 2024. It will run for 60 consecutive days, during which Marion County hopes to achieve these priority goals.
More information about the Marion County Board of Commissioners and its priorities for the 2023-24 legislative session can be found at marionfl.org or by emailing matthew.cretul@marionfl.org.