OCALA, FL (352Today.com) – If you’re a fan of things like local parks, green spaces, rolling farmland, and clean water, there is an item on next week’s ballot you should pay attention to.
On November 3, 2026, Marion County voters will decide whether to authorize the county to issue up to $140 million in general obligation bonds for parks, trails, clean-water protection, farms, and forests. A general obligation bond in this context is a way for Marion County to borrow money for parks, trails, and land-conservation projects, then repay the debt over time with property taxes.
The measure, formally titled the “Marion County General Obligation Bond Referendum for Parks, Trails, Clean Water Protection, Farms and Forests,” asks:
“To acquire and improve lands and conservation easements for parks, trails, and recreational facilities, preserve and protect natural lands, farms, forests, and quality of drinking water sources, springs, rivers, and lakes, shall Marion County issue bonds up to $140 million principal amount, maturing within 20 years of each issuance, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal rate, payable from countywide ad valorem taxes not exceeding 0.35 mills, with full public disclosure of all spending?”
A simple majority vote is required. If more than half of voters say yes, the county may move forward. Approval authorizes, but does not require, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners to issue the bonds in one or more tranches. Each tranche must mature within 20 years. The county could also fund projects on a pay-as-you-go basis. The commission voted unanimously on Aug. 18 to place the question on the ballot.
Lauren Debick, chair of the privately funded Protect Marion 2026 political committee, said the group formed because Florida law requires a political committee for formal advocacy on a ballot measure. According to Debick, Protect Marion is a group of Marion County citizens who’ve come together to advocate for a ‘yes’ vote on this matter. She stated that it is at the very end of the November 3 ballot. “Our goal is to make sure Marion County’s quality of life is protected and continues to improve,” she said.
Repayment would come from a countywide property tax capped at 0.35 mills, or $35 per $100,000 of assessed value after exemptions. A “mill” is a way to measure property taxes, with one mill equal to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. Counties collect property taxes to pay for public services and projects, and in this case, the money would help repay the bonds used to fund parks, trails, and land conservation. According to Debick, supporters estimate the average Marion County homesteaded residence (taxable value of roughly $155,621) would pay about $54 per year, or $4.50 per month, once all bonds are issued. People who do not pay property taxes would not pay the tax directly.
Debick said the county’s plan combines bonds and pay-as-you-go funding so projects can deliver value as quickly as possible. Residents can check their own taxable value on the Marion County Property Appraiser’s website.
Under the resolution that put the measure on the ballot, at least 70 percent of the money must go toward construction and capital costs. Between 10 and 20 percent ($14 million to $28 million of the bonds) is designated for land acquisition and preservation, including conservation easements on farms and forests. No more than 10 percent can be used for program management and related operations and maintenance. Debick said the conservation set-aside is intended to help the county leverage matching funds from state, federal, and private sources. “In Polk County, for example, for every $1 in local funds they are matching with $4 from other sources,” she said. “We feel optimistic that Marion County can achieve similar success, particularly if our farming, equestrian, and forestry landowners participate enthusiastically.”
According to Debick, the county developed the initial project list through four public workshops in 2026. Each commissioner set priorities for their district, which the full board then ratified. Citizen committees also reviewed the list. Projects range from energy-efficiency, safety, and quality upgrades at existing parks to larger efforts aimed at protecting springs and natural lands. An interactive map of the projects is available here.
On accountability, Debick said the county has pledged quarterly website updates, an annual independent audit of every dollar, and full public disclosure of spending. “There’s really no higher standard than what our local leaders and parks professionals have pledged to uphold,” she said.
Addressing concerns about property taxes and growth, she noted that Marion County’s population has increased 12.5 percent since 2020. “It’s our obligation to protect what makes our community so special, so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy this beautiful area the same way we do,” she said. “Our goal is to achieve a better balance between a strong economy and protection of what we love. These are not at odds; we just need to be mindful of what is worth protecting and have tools that respect private property rights.”
Protect Marion has been reaching voters through community events, speaking engagements, ads, brochures, and its website. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Debick said. “We haven’t seen any real opposition to speak of… This feels like an effort that all kinds of people can get behind.”
If voters approve the measure, the Parks & Recreation department would present a five-year plan to the commission. The first projects and land acquisitions are scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2027-28, which starts in October 2027. Each year, the department would request a millage rate no higher than the 0.35-mill cap and/or bond issuance for that year’s projects.
Debick also pointed to the historical success of similar measures, which are approved by voters roughly 84 percent of the time nationwide. She noted that Margaret Spontak, who led Marion County’s earlier “Pennies for Parks” effort in the late 1980s, is also involved with Protect Marion 2026.
Official information is available here. Early voting is underway; Election Day is Nov. 3.
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