VOLUME 6 ISSUE 17
$2
Earthfest in Ocala Pg B1 APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2025
Changes coming to 2-1-1 service in Marion County Online tool The Right Service at the Right Time will become effective locally on July 1. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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he human voice at the other end of the 2-1-1 referral and information database line will soon be replaced by an online tool named The Right Service at the Right Time, according to the CEO of United Way of Marion County, the line’s sponsoring agency.
Robert “Bob” Haight, UWMC president and CEO, stated in an email interview that the change will become effective July 1, 2025. “The 2-1-1 services will be a 24/7 computer search service and updated locally. The mental health crisis calls will be handled through 988, the national mental health line, which is staffed by professionals. The individual will learn more about the services
available in Marion County and be directed to the agency or program website to learn more about the access to services and applications when required,” Haight stated. “The Right Service at the Right Time is an online tool used by librarians and library users throughout Florida to find necessary social services See United Way, page A6
The United Way of Marion County building is shown on Northeast 2nd Street in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
“I’ve never seen so many people struggling…” Lori Conrad, chair of the Marion County Public School Board, listens during a board meeting in the auditorium at Marion Technical Institute in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025
School sales tax revenue, impact fee collections falling short of expectations By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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evenue from reinstated school impact fees and the half-cent sales tax boost for educational needs is lower than initial projections, according to Marion County Public Schools staff. The sales tax increase was approved by Marion County voters in the November 2024 general election and went into effect in January, while the collection of impact fees began in July 2024. Impact fees and the sales tax revenue can only be used for school district capital projects and infrastructure. Some of the budget challenges have been attributed to inflation, the newly enacted tariffs and supply chain issues, said MCPS Chief Financial Officer Theresa BostonEllis while addressing the school board at an April 17 workshop. In providing a financial update for the 2024-25 year, the Finance and Budget Department identified major shortfalls in the revenue that was expected from both impact fees and the sales tax, said Finance Budgeting Director Cayla Johnson. “We had budgeted originally $15 See School sales page A3
Maxi Rodriguez, the Food Distribution Manager, looks over empty shelves with very little food in the Reuben Brawner Center Warehouse Food Pantry at Interfaith Emergency Services on Northwest 2nd Street in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Interfaith Emergency Services will get some help restocking their food shelves on Saturday, May 10, when the Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carrier Food Drive will be held. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 10 will help people in Marion County who are having trouble buying groceries and paying bills. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
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nterfaith Emergency Services is one of the leading agencies in Marion County that helps people struggling just to get by, or who are in crisis. Karla Greenway, the agency’s chief executive officer, said they have seen a 25% increase in new clients so far this year. “In the 14 years I've been here, I've never seen so many people struggling to pay for groceries, pay their utilities and keep up with the rent. And many are people on fixed incomes who never thought they would need this type of assistance,” she said. That is one reason the national Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive,
which will take place nationally on May 10, is important on a local level. “This food drive is critical for our services through the summer months, when we see an increase due to children being out of school. Many families, especially those with children or senior citizens living on social security retirement benefits, look to us to make ends meet,” Greenway explained. The majority of the food stays in Interfaith's pantry and goes to the homes of residents of Marion County. The food generally sustains us through August, combined with the food we pick up from local grocery stores each week, Greenway said of the annual food drive. “Interfaith is open five days each week and serves approximately 500 households
weekly. Clients may come once per month and receive enough food to last four to six days. For many, this allows them to pay for other bills such as housing or utilities,” Greenway said. “Some of the food items will also be used to support our Food4Kids Program, which sends weekend meals home with children in partnership with local schools. This program feeds as many as 1,800 children every weekend,” she added. “The food collected at the Maricamp Post Office will be shared with the Help Agency of the Forest. This is a wonderful agency that helps families living in poverty in the Ocala National Forest area. One hundred percent See Food drive, page A7
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