By Marci Carson, a Marion County Democrat, et al.
Serve on a Local Government Advisory Board
You can still be a voice for democracy and change!
You don’t have to run for office to have a voice in local government—consider serving on an advisory board. Apply your personal and professional expertise to help your fellow citizens and elected government officials. Take a moment to peruse the latest listings for cities in Marion County, and the county itself.
CITY OF OCALA:
Board of Adjustment: 2 vacancies
- Description: The Board considers applications for zoning variances and special exception considerations for business and residential construction projects within the Ocala City Limits. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Board of Adjustment.”
Historic Preservation Advisory Board: 2 vacancies – 1 real estate agent and 1 attorney
- Description: The Advisory Board oversees the historic resources of the City and advises the City Council and City departments on matters relating to these resources, as well as manages Certificates of Appropriateness for properties located within the Tocopilla Park and Ocala Historic Districts. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Historic Preservation.”
Municipal Arts Commission: 2 vacancies – 1 general member and 1 Marion County School Board representative
- Description: The commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City government in connection with the artistic and cultural development of the City and aesthetic aspects of city activities. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Municipal Arts.”
Municipal Code Enforcement Board: 3 vacancies
- Description: The Code Enforcement Division enforces codes that pertain to zoning laws, nuisance abatement, contracting, and permitting requirements of the City of Ocala and the State of Florida, occupational licenses, sign codes, alcohol location permits, and many other local ordinances and State Statutes. Visit the city’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Municipal Code.”
North Magnolia Redevelopment Advisory Committee: 1 vacancy and 1 term expired
- Description: The Committee shall advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “North Magnolia.”
Planning & Zoning Commission: 1 vacancies and 2 terms ending soon
- Description: The Commission is responsible for advising City Council on current and long-range planning, review, and permitting of land development within the City of Ocala. Visit the city’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Planning & Zoning.”
Recreation Commission: 1 vacancy and 2 terms expired
- Description: The Commission advises City Council on matters relating to parks, recreation, and volunteer programs within the City of Ocala. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Recreation.”
Utility Advisory Board: 1 vacancy
- Description: The Board advises and makes recommendations to City Council on matters relating to management of City-owned utilities, including Ocala Electric Utility and Ocala Water Resources. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “Utility.”
West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee: 1 vacancy and 1 term ending soon
- Description: The Committee advises the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. Visit the City’s official website for details. In the search box, type in “West Ocala.”
CITY OF DUNNELLON
Police Officers and Firefighters Defined Benefit Plan:
1 vacancy for a city resident
- Description: The duty of the Board of Trustees is to operate and administer the Fire and Police Pension Plan in accordance with the direction of the City Council. Visit the City’s official website for details.
Planning Commission:
1 vacancy for a member and 1 vacancy for a second alternate member
- Description: The Commission reviews all changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, by amendment, evaluation, addition, and appraisal for consistency with the existing Comprehensive Plan, and reviews all land-related/zoning ordinances to determine consistency to the Comprehensive Plan. Visit the City’s official website for details.
Historic Preservation Board:
1 vacancy for a second alternate member
- Description: The Board of Adjustment considers applications for zoning variances and special exception considerations for business and residential construction projects within the Ocala City Limits. Visit the City’s official website for details.
CITY OF BELLEVIEW:
The City does not list specific board and commission vacancies on its website:
- Visit the City’s official website to view the Boards & Commissions page for details and instructions.
MARION COUNTY:
[We are listing these as examples, their deadline for receiving applications was Friday, February 23, 2024]
Board of Adjustment:
1 alternate member
- Description: Review and make decisions under the Marion County Land Development Code regarding citizen requests for variances or special exceptions. Visit the County’s official website for details.
Code Enforcement Board:
1 alternate member
- Description: Members shall have the power to adopt rules for the conduct of its hearings; subpoena alleged violators and witnesses to its hearings; subpoena records, surveys, plats and other documentary evidence; take testimony under oath; issue orders having the force and effect of law, commanding whatever steps are necessary to bring a violation into compliance and establish and levy fines pursuant to county ordinance. Visit the County’s official website for details.
Industrial Development Authority:
2 full members
- Description: May participate in the preparation of annual budget request; review and comment on programs, activities, goals and objectives, and make recommendations on these and other issues as directed by the county commission. Visit the County’s official website for details.
Rainbow Lakes Estates: 1 full member
- Description: May participate in the preparation of annual budget request; review and comment on programs, activities, goals and objectives and make recommendations on these and other issues as directed by the county commission. Visit the county’s official website for details.
Tourist Development Council: 1 full member
- Description: The Tourist Development Council meets at least once a quarter and may make recommendations to the county commission for the effective use of the tourist development tax revenues. Visit the county’s official website for details.