VOLUME 5 ISSUE 36
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SEPTEMBER 6 - SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
Backyard chickens Pg B3
Ocala expected to approve budget of $1.06 billion for coming year
OCT offers revamped classic fairy tale “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will run through Sept. 22.
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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he city of Ocala’s budget is expected to surpass $1.06 billion for the coming fiscal year, as the Ocala City Council is set to vote its final approval on Sept. 11. On Tuesday, the city council approved the tentative budget of $1,063,605,100 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year, which begins on Oct. 1. Of those funds, the city will be able to utilize a General Fund totaling $172,849,452. The operating millage rate, the amount of tax that will be paid for each $1,000 of property value, has been set at 6.6177, which is greater than the rollback rate of 6.3257 by 4.62%, said Budget Director Tammi Haslam. “Revenues are increasing to support the addition of public safety employees, as well as to assist with increasing cost pressures related to salary benefits and operating costs,” Haslam said. The millage rate will allow for about $4.6 million more in property tax revenue than the previous year, for a total of $48,971,562. With that increase of funds, $3,824,264 more will go toward the General Fund, $22,279 more will go toward road improvements, $174,093 more will go toward police and fire improvements, and $87,047 more will go toward neighborhood advancements. The road improvement fund, totaling $9.5 million, includes funds for projects such as the parking lot improvement program, building a second downtown parking garage, the Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, new roundabouts and signaling. Funds totaling $1.6 million will also go toward the design and build of a fire training center, resurfacing of the Jervey Gantt Trail, and the Fire Station 7 metal building. Expenditures for the coming year are expected to reach $556,728,411, leaving the city with $506,876,771 in funds toward transfers and reserves. The city will also use $150,000 in funds to provide community sponsorships to a number of nonprofit agencies; including $100,000 for the Community Foundation of Ocala/Marion County; and $10,000 each for the PACE Center for Girls, Marion Cultural Alliance, Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans, Marion County Children’s Alliance, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission Inc. The millage rate has also been set for the three Downtown Development Districts; 1.7185 for District A, 1.6332 for District B, and 1.4699 for District C. The total FY 2024-25 budget for the Downtown Development Fund is $547,762 “Ad valorem tax revenues are increasing to support increased operating expenditures in the districts,” said Haslam. Before the final approval of the FY 2024-25 budget on Sept.11, a public hearing will be held at 5:01 p.m. and citizens will have the opportunity to deliver comments. To estimate your property tax, visit pa.marion.fl.us/TaxPortabilityEstimator.aspx
Clockwise from above: La’Nya Solomon as Ella, right, rehearses a scene with Kiara Feliciano as Madame, left, during a rehearsal of “Cinderella” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. La’Nya Solomon as Ella, Marilyn Lauryn as Gabrielle, Courtney Alyce Curtis as Charlotte and Kiara Feliciano as Madame, left to right, rehearse a scene. A cast member leaps in the air as he dances across the stage. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
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here have been numerous iterations of the classic fairy tale “Cinderella,” which is said to date as far back as the sixth century. The most commonly recognized versions are based on the works of Charles Perrault and, much later, Walt Disney, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. In addition to theatrical versions that have graced stages around the globe, Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote “Cinderella” as an original musical for television in 1957, starring Julie Andrews. Later made-for-TV remakes included one in 1965 with Lesley Ann Warren and another in 1997 starring Brandy. According to officials with the Ocala Civic Theatre, which will open its 74th season with “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” a “2013 revamped adaptation by Douglas Carter Beane premiered on Broadway, breathing new life
into the classic. As lovely as a glass slipper in the moonlight, this new version of the favorite fairy tale keeps the best of the beloved musical while updating it with a fresh and funny spin. You’ll fall in love with this charming romantic fantasy long before the stroke of midnight.” Leading the cast of the production is La’Nya O’May Solomon in the role of Ella, described by OCT as, “In the glamorous 1950s ‘kingdom’ of Hollywood, poor Ella is beautiful, charismatic, funny, and full of hope—but she’s also overworked and mistreated, stuck in her own little corner among the ashes.” Kiara Feliciano stars as Madame, the cruel stepmother, while Courtney Curtis portrays the brash stepsister See Cinderella, page A2
‘A living tribute’ Black pioneers who helped shape Marion County are honored in the newly dedicated Heritage Trail Park in West Ocala. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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eritage Trail Park on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, which pays tribute to pioneers and leaders from the African American community who helped mold Marion County, was formally opened with a special ceremony on Sept. 3. The park, which stretches along the north side of State Road 40 from Northwest 9th Avenue to Northwest 11th Avenue, has a curved sidewalk lined by eight, 48-inch by 96-inch weather resistant art panels with portraits of honorees by local artist Charles Eady. Sixteen, 12-inch by 18-inch plaques that describe the accomplishments and contributions of additional local honorees are placed on stands along the two-block Heritage Trail. Ocala City councilman Ire Bethea welcomed attendees to the event. “This has been a long time coming. The honorees are people who fought for justice, equality and inclusion,” he said. Narvella Haynes of Ocala said the history depicted is “critical to know.” The Heritage Trial was “conceptualized in 2018 by the Community Redevelopment See Heritage, page A3
Narvella Haynes, left, and Ruth Reed, right, hug each other during the Heritage Trail Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
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