OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chair Carl Zalak, III, delivered the Marion County State of the County Address on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at the Ocala Metro CEP’s ExCEPtional Mornings at the Reilly Arts Center.

The county will be celebrating the United States of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, and it’s not just a milestone, it’s a reminder of who we are, and how we got here, said Zalak. America’s 250th birthday isn’t just some look back at time. It’s about what we carry forward to the next generation.

“This year’s theme is simple but very powerful: ‘Liberty Lives Here,'” said Zalak.

The video shown during the presentation offered a glimpse into how the county’s departments work every single day, often behind the scenes to provide essential services for families, businesses and visitors, said Zalak. The presentation focused on roadways, property rights, farmlands and impact fees, with the hope that it would bring the audience more clarity on the topics and possibly provide a new perspective.

“You realize that behind every permit, every mile [of] road paved, is a person choosing to serve their community,” said Zalak. “These services in Marion County make life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that we’re all chasing possible. That’s why families have stayed here in Marion County for generations, and why many new families are putting down roots.”

What’s being made in the community is strategic progress being guided by purpose, said Zalak. Marion County is a growth county, and conversations have to be held openly so everyone can have the same perspective moving forward.

Roadways

Marion County maintains a variety of roadways, totaling more than 3,000 miles, and that doesn’t include the state roads that are inside the community, said Zalak.

In the southwestern part of the county, the intersection of 484 and Marion Oaks Blvd. has already received upgrades that has made travel smoother and safer, creating improved traffic flow, safer turns and updated signals. The Marion Oaks Manor Extension stretches from SE HWY 475 to SW 49th Ct. Road. This new four-lane roadway is still in design and will include an overpass of I-75 creating a vital new connection across the county benefitting residents and commercial traffic.

By spring 2026, drivers will be able to travel along the SW 49th Ave. corridor from Marion Oaks to the area behind Market Street at Heath Brook, without using SR 200 or I-75. When the SW 49th Ave. project is completed, SW 66th St. can close, so the Florida Department of Transportation can replace the bridge over I-75. After recent multiple strikes, the bridge will be raised and widened for improved safety.

In Northwest Marion County, the construction of a new four-lane road, NW 49th and NW 35th St. is creating a much needed East-West connector for road traffic between 225A also known as NW 70th Ave. and I-75.

The projects are time-consuming and also deal with property rights and a number of different issues. In 2026, this year and next, plans will become pavement, to ease the congestion in the community, said Zalak.

“I assure you, that you will see a visible countywide push to build roads that we all need and deserve,” said Zalak. “A big part of improving our infrastructure is also improving the way we communicate back, and that’s why we launched Engage Marion. This platform will allow residents to see projects, maps, timelines, updates, all in one place.”

Updates can also be found by following the Marion County Commissioners on social media.

Property rights

The county’s role is to protect property rights while enforcing zoning, safety, and environmental standards.

In Marion County, the existing Urban Growth Boundary covers about 200 square miles or roughly 122,000 acres and 50 percent is still available, said Zalak.

Farmlands

Marion County covers more than one million acres, said Zalak. There are nearly 200,000 acres within the Farmland Preservation Area. The area was established more than 20 years ago to protect agricultural lands and the county’s rural and equestrian character. In addition to the farmland preservation area, there are 300,000 acres preserved in the Ocala National Forest. This keeps more than half of our county protected from development in one way or another.

Impact Fees

The county is also protecting taxpayers through impact fees, said Zalak. The impact fees help bridge the gap for the cost of infrastructure required for new development. Impact fees are not collected until construction is complete and the building is occupied. That means the growth you see today often doesn’t generate revenue until years later, he said.