From Sunshine Review
Marion County is one of 67 counties in Florida. Ocala is the county seat. As of 2000, the population was 258,916. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 303,442.
Marion County was created in 1844 from portions of Alachua, Mosquito (Orange), and Hillsborough counties. Until 1853, Marion County included most of what are now Lake and Sumter counties. The county is named after General Francis Marion of South Carolina.
The early settlers of Marion County came primarily from South Carolina. The county motto is "Kingdom of the Sun."
[edit] Evaluation of website
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites
[edit] The good
- Budget is available.[1]
- Board meeting minutes[2] and schedule[3] are all posted.
- County Commissioners are listed with contact information.[4]
- Building permits are available[5], as well as zoning information.[6]
- Audits are available,[7] along with financial reports.[8]
- Awarded contracts and details are available.[9]
- Local tax information is available.[10]
[edit] The bad
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
Marion County has reported $260,000 spent on lobbying since 2006 (see table).
Petaluma pays for services of the lobbying firm Alcade & Fay. [12]
Reported lobbying expenditures, 2006-2009 [13]
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying
|
| 2009
| $40,000
|
| 2008
| $80,000
|
| 2007
| $80,000
|
| 2006
| $60,000
|
[edit] Audits
For Marion County, the clerk or comptroller performs the internal audits.[14]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
