Marion County voters to decide on bonds and tax hike for natural resource protection

Marion County voters face a local ballot question that would authorize the county to issue up to $140 million in bonds to support parks, trails, and efforts to protect farms, forests, and water resources, Central Florida Public Media reported.

The bonds would be funded by a property tax increase of up to 0.35 mills, which translates to a maximum of $35 per $100,000 in taxable property value, according to the report.

This vote coincides with a statewide referendum, Amendment 3, which proposes eliminating non-school property taxes for some homeowners over the next two years. The Florida Association of Counties estimates that by fiscal year 2028-29, counties could lose over $5 billion in property tax revenues if Amendment 3 passes.

Local governments warn that approving Amendment 3 could force significant cuts to core public services, including emergency response, law enforcement, libraries, and parks, and may require new taxes and fees to compensate for lost revenue, the report noted.

Marion County's proposed projects funded by the bonds were prioritized based on public safety importance and how well they address population growth, with examples including repairs to playgrounds like Baseline Trailhead Park near Ocala, where safety surfacing has deteriorated.