VOLUME 6 ISSUE 37
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Preserving artifacts Pg B6 October 3 - 9, 2025
Marion County lowers millage rate
Silver River Museum postpones student field trips The reduction was made amid monkey concerns possible by a one-time use of COVID-19 relief fund interest. By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
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arion County commissioners on Sept. 22 adopted a $1.66 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year and cut the countywide millage rate to 4.02 mills, one of the lowest in Florida. The reduction, from 4.29 mills set during the July budget hearing, means taxpayers will pay $4.02 for every $1,000 of taxable property value for a savings of $2.70 every $1,000 taxable value. For a home assessed at $300,000 after homestead and other exemptions, that would add up to about $81 in tax savings. Commissioners avoided service cuts by shifting to the general fund $7.8 million in interest earned from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds sent to Marion County as part of then-President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 economic relief plan. Commissioners previously approved increases in the solid waste assessment from $87 to $215 and fire rescue from $199.91 to $283.97 per dwelling unit while stormwater assessments stayed flat. Audry Fowler, budget director for Marion County, cautioned commissioners that the reallocation of ARPA interest dollars is a onetime occurrence that could cause hurdles for staff the next budget year to maintain the rate. Commission Chair Kathy Bryant discounted that concern and indicated that commissioners should have latitude on budget matters. “This board should be able to lower or raise millage rate as needed when they can make that argument and it is clear and concise to the citizens of this community,” she said. “And I think by taking this money and showing the citizens that when we do have that type of See Millage rate, page A2
A family of Rhesus macaque monkeys at Silver Springs State Park. [Photo by Michael Warren]
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
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he Silver River Museum has suspended weekday student field trips after concerns about increased monkey activity observed in Silver Springs State Park, where the museum is located.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the museum has temporarily postponed weekday student field trips due to increased animal activity in our area,” museum director Scott Mitchell said in an email. “We expect the weekday closure to be in effect for several weeks. The museum remains open to the public as normal on weekends.”
Mitchell said the decision was precautionary and not based on official guidance. “We’ve not received information from other agencies regarding the risk the monkeys pose,” he said. “State park management has asked that we refer See Monkey concerns, page A10
Lights, camera, action
The Ocala Film Derby brought teams of student movie makers to downtown Ocala. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The 8 Static Stars team that won the Best Use of Prop award for "Through The Umbrella" celebrates.
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he Ocala Film Derby helps foster creativity, collaboration and artistic expression through filmmaking. The event brings together teachers,
mentors, producers, organizers and sponsors, and culminates with an awards celebration at the historic Marion Theatre in downtown Ocala. This year’s event took place from Sept. 24 to 28 and included eight student teams from local middle and high
schools. It included workshops, special presentations and a full day of filming at locations in downtown Ocala. During the final event on Sunday, the teams got to see their films on the big screen and several See Film Derby, page A3
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Night of Hope............................... A2 National Newspaper Week........ A5 Open carry editorial.................... A6 Home & Garden........................... B1 Calendar........................................ B6
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