MARION COUNTY
PARKS & RECREATION
About
The Marion County Parks & Conservation Program
Marion County residents will have an opportunity to decide whether the county should be authorized to fund future parks, trails, clean water protection, and land conservation projects through a countywide referendum on Nov. 3, 2026.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to place the measure on the November general election ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would authorize the county to issue up to $140 million in general obligation bonds and implement a countywide ad valorem tax levy of up to 0.35 mill to support eligible projects.
Official Ballot Language
MARION COUNTY GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND REFERENDUM FOR PARKS, TRAILS, CLEAN WATER PROTECTION, FARMS AND FORESTS
To acquire and improve lands and conservation easements for parks, trails, and recreational facilities, preserve and protect natural lands, farms, forests, and quality of drinking water sources, springs, rivers and lakes, shall Marion County issue bonds up to $140 million principal amount, maturing within 20 years of each issuance, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal rate, payable from countywide ad valorem taxes not exceeding 0.35 mils, with full publicdisclosure of all spending?
YES - FOR BONDS
NO - AGAINST BONDS
General Election
Countywide referendum during General Election: Nov. 3, 2026
Bond Issuance
Authorizes the issuances of bonds up to an aggregate principal amount of $140,000,000
Twenty-year Term
This is a 20-year authorization, for issue bonds and the tax levy
Optional Issuance
Authorizes the bonds, yet does not require the County to issue them
Board Approval
Each issuance requires a specific resolution approved by the Board of County Commissioners
Flexible Financing
The Board maintains full discretion to issue all, a portion or none of the bonds and can use a pay-as-you-go approach using the tax level revenues