Submitted By: William Cayro
presenter
Presentation By: William Cayro
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Department: Recreation and Parks
FORMAL TITLE:
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Budget Resolution 2026-162 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to accept and appropriate funding from the Fort King Heritage Foundation for professional concept plan design services for the Fort King Visitor and Education Center in the amount of $6,400
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Fort King National Historic Landmark consists of approximately 42 acres jointly owned or leased by the City of Ocala and Marion County. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 24, 2004.
The Fort King Heritage Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) is a Florida-registered not-for-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization comprised of citizens dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the historical significance of the Fort King Historic Site.
Since 2012, the City of Ocala, Marion County, and the Foundation have been parties to a memorandum of understanding that assigns responsibility for the capital fundraising to the Foundation.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The Foundation is preparing to launch a capital fundraising campaign for the future construction of the Fort King Visitor and Education Center. Development of a concept plan is an initial step necessary to advance the project and support future fundraising efforts.
The City has a continuing contract with Architecture Studio, Inc. for professional architectural and related design services. Staff has prepared a contract work order under the existing continuing contract to obtain the concept plan.
Completion of the concept plan will provide the Foundation and the City with the documentation needed to pursue future grant opportunities and private fundraising efforts for construction of the Visitor and Education Center.
The cost of professional services necessary to prepare the concept plan is $6,400. The Foundation will reimburse the City for the full cost of the professional services.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact. The Fort King Heritage Foundation, Inc., will reimburse the City for the concept plan design services.
Revenues 001-366-000-000-16-36651 $6,400
Expenditures 001-021-140-572-57-31010 $6,400
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
BUDGET RESOLUTION 2026-162
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET TO ACCEPT PAYMENT FROM THE FORT KING HERITAGE FOUNDATION FOR THE DESIGN SERVICES OF THE FORT KING VISITOR AND EDUCATION CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,400
WHEREAS, the Fort King National Historic Landmark consists of approximately 42 acres jointly owned by the City of Ocala and Marion County and was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 24, 2004, by then-Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton; and
WHEREAS, on May 31, 2014, the Fort King National Historic Landmark was officially opened to the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ocala, in partnership with the Fort King Heritage Foundation, desires to obtain architectural and engineering design services for the future construction of a proposed 5,000-square-foot Visitor and Education Center, which will further the City Council’s goals of promoting economic development and enhancing the quality of life in Ocala; and
WHEREAS, the Fort King Heritage Foundation agrees to reimburse the City for the full cost of design at $6,400.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, duly assembled in regular session, that the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget be amended as follows:
SOURCE:
001-366-000-000-16-36651 Fort King Heritage Grant $6,400
USE:
001-021-140-572-57-31010 Professional Services - Other $6,400
This resolution adopted this ______ day of ______________________, 2026.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Ire J. Bethea Sr.
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Reviewed for accounting accuracy & completeness:
By: _________________________________
Peter A. Lee
City Manager