The Marion County Commission will consider a new ordinance on Sept. 16 that would allow the county to publish legal notices only on its own website, rather than through independent outlets.
The meeting agenda claims the measure will “increase accessibility and transparency.” Let’s be clear: making government the sole publisher of its own legal obligations doesn’t enhance transparency—it removes independent oversight.
To advertise this very hearing, the county had to publish its notice in the “Ocala Star-Banner.” But if this ordinance passes, future ordinances could be enacted with notice posted only on the county’s website…