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With Baseball Stadium Proposal, Marion County Commission Decides On Sales Tax Voting Method

A majority vote on sales tax in Marion County will decide whether or not Ocala will begin construction for the proposed minor league Tampa Yankees baseball stadium.

The county commission has yet to determine the type of voting method to be used.

Using either traditional or mail-in ballots, the ordinance will discuss options for voters to vote on tax sales, which is in reference to the March 18 referendum on sales tax that could be used for the construction of the proposed baseball stadium.

The county attorney will submit an ordinance on Dec. 17 discussing the method by which the community can vote for the sales tax.

Wesley Wilcox, Marion County supervisor of elections, said he believes that nontraditional voting methods have proven to be more effective.

"Nontraditional types of election, nontraditional timing of election ... has increased participation," he said.

Commissioner Kathy Bryant agreed with Wilcox and said mail-in ballots may show greater voter participation.

"It sounded like to me your mail-in process will garner a better turnout," she said.

If the ordinance is passed at the first public hearing in March, a second public hearing and a final reading of the ordinance will follow.

Hanna is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
Peta-Gay is a reporter for WUFT News who may be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org