Marion County, FL
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Before many concerns reach a final hearing & decision in front of the county commission, they are first addressed by Marion County’s volunteer advisory boards.
These boards are made up of groups of citizens who step forward & volunteer their time to further research & review a topic. Each board is created by state statute, county ordinance or resolution by the county commission & can also involve hearing appeals or making recommendations.
Residents who want to learn about Marion County's citizen advisory boards may contact the commission office at 352-438-2323 for more information.
Get involved!
Current vacancies:
- Marion County Hospital District Board of Trustees (1 Physician, 1 Non-physician)
- Marion Oaks MSTU for General Services (2 Full Members )
- Pine Run MSTU Advisory Council (3 Full Members)
To get started as a volunteer, complete an application via our online application.
Online Application
Or, download the forms below.
- Application
This form can be printed or saved as a PDF. Please email form to CommissionAdmin@MarionFL.org upon completion.
Already an advisory board member?
Visit our advisory board information & training page for important information & training materials.
Access the advisory board member handbook here.
Expand the banners below to learn more about each advisory board currently serving Marion County.
Responsibilities: The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee reviews the established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations & the county comprehensive plan. The committee recommends specific initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value. Recommendations may include the modification or repeal of existing policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations or comp plan provisions: the creation of exceptions applicable to affordable housing; or the adoption of new policies, procedures, regulations, ordinances or comp plan provisions.
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee shall consist of 11 members. The term of service on the committee shall be for three years. Members are appointed by resolution of the county commissioners. The composition of the committee shall be as follows:
- One citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to F.S. 163.3174;
- One citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments;
- One citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction; and
- One citizen who represents essential services personnel.
Responsibilities: Review and make decisions under the Marion County Land Development Code regarding citizen requests for variances or special exceptions. Hear and decide appeals concerning interpretations of the Land Development Code by the Zoning manager. Alternate members may act in the temporary absence or disability of any regular member or may act when a regular member is otherwise disqualified in a particular case that may be presented to the Board of Adjustment.
Board of Adjustment shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the county commission for a term of three years & two alternate members, designated as such, each for a term of three years. Such alternate members may act in the temporary absence or disability of any regular member.
- No member of the Board of Adjustment shall hold any other public position or office in any municipality or county government in Marion County.
- Members of the Board of Adjustment shall be residents & registered voters of Marion County.
Responsibilities: Code Enforcement Board members shall have the power to adopt rules for the conduct of its hearings; subpoena alleged violators & witnesses to its hearings; subpoena records, surveys, plats & other documentary evidence; take testimony under oath; issue orders having the force & effect of law, commanding whatever steps are necessary to bring a violation into compliance and establish and levy fines pursuant to county ordinance.
Code Enforcement Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the county commission. All members shall be residents of Marion County & shall serve without compensation. Members serve three-year terms.
- Applicants should have experience or interest in zoning & building control.
- Alternate members attend meetings when one or more regular members are unable to attend.
Responsibilities: The Dog Classification Board conducts dangerous dog classification hearings & presents recommendations to the director of Marion County Animal Services for final determination.
The Dog Classification Board shall be comprised of five members & one alternate, who shall be appointed as follows:
Each county commissioner shall appoint one member to the Dog Classification Board and the chair, with the concurrence of a majority of the other county commissioners shall also appoint the alternate member.
- The Dog Classification Board shall be comprised of members who do not currently sit on any other elected or appointed board in Marion County, & who, to the extent such are available for appointment, demonstrate by training, education, experience or employment, both an interest in animal welfare & control, & the objectivity & demeanor to fairly hear dog classification cases.
- The terms of the members shall coincide with the then-current term of the associated county commissioner who appointed each regular member.
- The term of the alternate member shall be for a four-year term from the date of appointment.
Responsibilities: The advisory board shall primarily be advisory to the county commission & shall also report all approved recommendations to the county commission. The advisory board shall study & make recommendations concerning issues surrounding levels of service including response time benchmarks; career & volunteer staffing levels; deployment models & other related items as requested. The members shall participate in the development and annual review of a long-range master plan & capital improvement plans & budgets. The members may review, & make recommendations relating to long & short-term department budgetary planning & operational programs.
Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the county commission and the Marion County Fire Rescue medical director as follows:
- One member shall be a representative of the full-service hospitals in Marion County & serve a four-year term.
- One member shall be a representative from one of the five municipalities in Marion County & serve a four-year term.
- Five members shall be individually appointed by respective commissioners.
The county commission shall confirm and appoint the recommended members. Each appointed advisory board member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing commissioner & member terms shall run concurrently with that of the appointing commissioner.
Responsibilities: may participate in the preparation of the annual budget, make recommendations regarding capital expenditures, operations, programs, staffing & proposed budget increases or decreases. Provide information & assistance to residents of the district & the county regarding district business. Provide a forum for residents of the district & other interested parties to discuss district business.
The Golden Hills Turf & Country Club MSTU for Road Improvements Board shall have five members.
- Members shall reside within the boundaries of the MSTU. All members serve without compensation. The county commission shall confirm & appoint the recommended members.
- Each appointed advisory board member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing commissioner & member terms shall run concurrently with that of the appointing commissioner.
Responsibilities: may participate in the preparation of the annual budget, make recommendations regarding capital expenditures, operations, programs, staffing & proposed budget increases or decreases. Provide information & assistance to residents of the district & the county regarding district business. Provide a forum for residents of the district & other interested parties to discuss district business.
The Hills of Ocala MSTU for Recreation Advisory Board shall have five members. Members shall reside within the boundaries of the MSTU.
- All members serve without compensation. The county commission shall confirm & appoint the recommended members.
- Each appointed advisory board member shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing commissioner & member terms shall run concurrently with that of the appointing commissioner.
Responsibilities: It shall be the duty of the commission to collect arrange, record, & preserve historical material & data, including books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, family histories, U.S. census records, papers & other objects & materials illustrative of & relating to the history of Marion County & of Florida; to procure & preserve narratives of the early pioneers, their exploits, perils, privations and achievements; to collect material of every description relative to the history of its Indian tribes & wars, & relative to its soldiers, its schools & churches, & other institutions.
The Marion County Historical Commission shall be composed of not fewer than 10 members.
- In selecting citizens to serve on the Historical Commission, the Executive Board shall consider the interest of such citizens in the history, cultural lore, development & institutions of Marion County as well as their interest in actively preserving & commemorating this heritage.
Responsibilities: In accordance with Part IV of Chapter 159, F.S. and Marion County Ordinance 80-3, encouragement of investment by private enterprise & the stimulation of construction & rehabilitation of housing through the use of public financing & the provision of low-cost loans to purchase affordable housing; i.e., to consider the financing acquisition, construction, & rehabilitation of housing in Marion County.
The authority shall be composed of five members, one of whom shall be designated chairman.
- No fewer than three members shall be knowledgeable in one of the following fields: labor, finance, or commerce.
- The terms of the members shall be staggered with each member serving a four-year term.
- A member shall hold office until his success or has been appointed & has qualified.
- Each vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Each member of the authority shall take & subscribe the oath or affirmation required by the State Constitution.
Responsibilities: Members consider industrial and manufacturing projects with appurtenant facilities & determine the appropriateness of financing such projects through the issuance of industrial development bonds. Members shall study the advantages, facilities, resources, products, attractions, & conditions concerning the county with relation to the encouragement of economic development in Marion County.
Members serve four-year terms, & the board shall designate not less than five persons who are residents & electors of the county as members of the authority.
Responsibilities: To review and make recommendations to the county commission in regard to adoption & amendment of the Land Development Code/Zoning Code. Prepare an annual report recommending amendments to the Land Development Code or Zoning Code.
Members shall be qualified electors in Marion County.
- Members should be representative of the technical fields related to land development regulations, including the ability to evaluate & recommend specific regulatory standards & criteria.
- The LDRC shall be composed of seven members appointed by the county commission.
- The areas of planning, environmental science, agriculture and the development industry should be considered in appointing members.
- Members serve four-year terms & no member shall serve more than three consecutive terms.
Responsibilities: Investigates & hears complaints regarding contractor’s competency, performance, negligence, conduct of work in violation of codes, misrepresentation, dishonest trade practices, allowing the contractor’s certificate to be used by any other person; may suspend or revoke a contractor’s certificate of competency; may issue letters of reprimand; may authorize Marion County Building Safety officials to withhold issuance of a building permit based on status of contractor’s license.
- License Review Board shall be composed of 11 members & 3 alternates.
- Whenever possible the membership shall consist of at least one general contractor and one contractor from each of the following areas: building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, aluminum, air conditioning, & roofing.
- At least three of the members shall be consumer representatives.
All members shall be appointed by and sere at the pleasure of the county commission. Members shall serve four-year terms.
Responsibilities: To educate & change the mindset of those negatively impacting our community & showcase Marion County's beauty. The task force will come up with a plan that the community can implement.
The Marion County Litter Task Force shall be composed of seven voting members.
- The task force also includes non-voting members from the community & partner to ensure that a comprehensive plan is presented before the county commission.
Whether or not the Litter Task Force becomes a permanent advisory board will be determined by the county commission in 2022.
- Marion County Hospital District Board shall consist of seven trustees appointed by the county commission.
- Trustees shall be qualified electors residing in Marion County for more than one year prior to appointment.
- Two members of the advisory board shall be members of the medical profession, licensed to practice medicine in the State of Florida, be members of the medical staff of a hospital operated by the Board of Trustees, be of different specialties, & shall not during their term as trustee, serve any other hospital as a director/trustee or exercise any management function of such other hospital.
- Appointments shall be for a four-year term.
- All terms shall expire on June 30 of the fourth year.
- Members may serve no more than two terms.
Responsibilities: Members participate in preparation of annual budget, review & comment on current & past programs, activities, operations, goals & objectives of the district & make recommendations on these or other issues to the county commission.
Must be a resident of Marion Oaks MSTU.
Responsibilities: Members participate in preparation of annual budget, review & comment on current & past programs, activities, operations, goals, & objectives of the district & make recommendations on these or other issues to the county commission.
Must be a resident of Marion Oaks MSTU.
The county commissioners each appoint one Marion County citizen. Appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing commissioner & their term runs concurrently with that of the appointing commissioner.
Responsibilities: Make recommendations to the county commission pertaining to the MSTU budget, activities, goals & objective; & other issues as directed by the county commission.
Members serve four-year terms. Must be a resident of Pine Run MSTU.
Responsibilities: To review & conduct public hearings on proposed rezoning of properties in Marion County & to make recommendations to the county commission in regard to adoption & amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code or Land Development Code elements or portions thereof.
The Local Planning Agency shall be composed of seven members to be appointed by the county commission.
- The areas of planning, environmental science and the development industry should be considered in appointing members.
- Applicants should have the ability to address issues relating to evaluation of development impact in diverse areas of the county.
- All members shall serve a term of four years.
- No member shall serve more than three consecutive terms.
Responsibilities: In accordance with F.S. 951.26 relating to community corrections programs, this is a public safety coordinating council for the county which is a consortium of one or more other counties to represent the geographical areas.
The membership of the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council shall consist of:
- The state attorney, or an assistant state attorney designated by the state attorney.
- The public defender, or an assistant public defender designated by the public defender.
- The chief circuit judge, or another circuit judge designated by the chief circuit judge.
- The chief county judge, or another county judge designated by the chief county judge.
- The chief correctional officer.
- The sheriff, or a member designated by the sheriff, if the sheriff is not the chief correctional officer.
- The state probation circuit administrator, or a member designated by the state probation circuit administrator, to be appointed to a 4-year term.
- The chairperson of the board of county commissioners, or another county commissioner as designee.
- If the county has such program available, the director of any county probation or pretrial intervention program, to be appointed to a 4-year term.
- The director of a local substance abuse treatment program, or a member designated by the director, to be appointed to a 4-year term.
- Representatives from county and state jobs programs and other community groups who work with offenders and victims, appointed by the chairperson of the county commission to 4-year terms.
Members serve three-year terms. The RLE Advisory Committee submits a letter to the county commission requesting ratification of the MSD Advisory Council members elected by the residents of RLE. The district board of said district shall appoint an advisory committee consisting of seven registered electors residing within said district, six to be residents of Marion County, Florida, and one to be a resident of Levy County, Florida, to serve for a term of one year or until their successors be appointed, for an annual term beginning on Dec. 1, 1969, & ending on Nov. 30, 1970, & for each annual period thereafter.
Responsibilities: To advise the county commission on all matters pertaining to the recreation services & facilities, street lighting & law enforcement in Silver Springs Shores Special Tax District.
Members are elected by the residents of Silver Springs Shores in November elections. Applicants must be registered voters and residents of Silver Spring Shores Special Tax District.
- If interested in qualifying, applicants must file a letter of intent with the Marion County Supervisor of Elections.
Responsibilities: The TDC meets at least once a quarter & may make recommendations to the county commission for the effective use of the tourist development tax revenues.
Applicants must be a registered voter of Marion County & must be an owner or operator of a motel, hotel, or other tourist accommodation in Marion County & subject to the tourist development tax.
Responsibilities: WellFlorida Council is a resource for county health departments, community-based organizations, government agencies & healthcare facilities. Well Florida is known for producing the county health needs assessments.
Members oversee Well Florida’s budget, advocate for WellFlorida’s services and may advise the county commission on health planning for their county, the region and the state. Meetings are held once a month at WellFlorida Council in Gainesville. Visit WellFlorida.org for more information & to view the calendar of county commission meetings.
- Members shall be providers or purchasers of health care services including physicians, dentists, nurses, health facility administrators, & members of governing bodies of health facilities.
- Members serve two-year terms.
- Applicant must own homestead property within Marion County.
- Applicant may not be a member or an employee of any taxing authority & may not be a person who represents property owners in any administrative or judicial review of property taxes.