Marion voters extend school tax, re-elect County Commissioners Kathy Bryant and Carl Zalak

Marion County voters have renewed the special 1 mill property tax to support public education.

With all precincts reporting, 64.95 percent of the votes (94,214) were in favor of extending the tax four more years.

The 1 mill has generated, on average, about $25 million each year. The money helps pay for school security; art, music, physical education and vocational teachers; and 102 classroom teachers who are needed to help the district comply with state-mandated class size caps.

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Meanwhile, incumbent County Commissioners Kathy Bryant and Carl Zalak comfortably secured new four-year terms on Tuesday.

Bryant faced a challenge from write-in candidate Gina M. Capone. Bryant took 93.06% of the vote (120,683 votes.)

Zalak faced two write-in candidates: Brian Christian Donnelly and Seth Posner. Zalak took 90.10% of the vote (115,779 votes.)

On social media, Bryant and Zalak thanked the voters.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County, Florida school tax is renewed four more years