$140M parks bond referendum
Summary
Voters will decide in November whether to authorize up to $140 million for parks, trails, recreation, and protecting water, springs, farms and forests, at up to 0.35 mills.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 18, 2026.
Impact analysis
Would add up to 0.35 mills in property tax if voters approve — nothing taxes now.
Park users, trail riders, and anyone who values springs and conservation land — plus the youth sports teams using county facilities.
Property owners would face higher taxes if the bond passes, and the homestead amendment could squeeze county budgets generally.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Board of County Commissioners — August 18, 2026
Voters will decide in November whether to authorize up to $140 million for parks, trails, recreation, and protecting water, springs, farms and forests, at up to 0.35 mills.
Board of County Commissioners Workshop — August 5, 2026
Staff scored and ranked park projects across all five districts, from Fort King and Bellevue Sports Complex to Ray Wayside Park and Northwest Regional Park. The list is a first cut, not final — and a park partnership grant program would let cities, schools and nonprofits tap matching funds.
Board of County Commissioners Workshop — July 2, 2026
The county is weighing a $140 million bond to fix up 54 existing parks and fund new acquisitions, with 233 projects totaling $196 million on the wish list. Staff is trimming the list to around $120 million and needs board sign-off by mid-August to make the ballot.
Board of County Commissioners Workshop — May 26, 2026
Ocala, Belleview, and Dunnellon are working on project lists; commissioners must decide whether bond money flows by project list or by population share (Ocala holds 17% of county population).
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