The Ocala City Council approved three agenda items at its Oct. 6 meeting. Each decision was a 5-0 vote.
Here's what we know:
Who are the council members? President Ire Bethea Sr., Pro Tem, Jay Musleh, and members Kristen Dreyer, Jim Hilty and Barry Mansfield.
What were the issues? An agreement to continue investing with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) for fiscal year 2026-27. The city gives the CEP $190,000.
According to a city document, the agreement "strengthens the partnership around three goals: performance, accountability, and transparency."
The CEP was created in late 2012 in a merger of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce and the Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation. The CEP's goal was to attract
jobs to Marion County at a time when the region and the country were in an economic slump and elected leaders desperately sought ways to boost the economy.
Council also approved a contract with Genesis Construction & Management, Inc. to build 15 bus shop shelters for no more than $317,515. The deal is for labor, materials, equipment and services, according to a city report.
Records indicate more than a half a dozen companies throughout the state had submitted bids for the job. Genesis Construction & Management, Inc. of Ocala was the lowest bid, city officials said.
The bus stops will be new, and located within the city limits, city officials said.
Third, the Circle K store currently under construction at 4755 West State Road 40 was seeking a permit to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption.
City officials were told there are no schools or daycares near the establishment.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala City Council continues support for CEP
