Government - The Apopka Voice

A woman walks along a street in the rural agriculture community of Immokalee on September 9, 2018 in Immokalee, Florida.

Weakened federal heat protection rules leave Florida workers sweating

About 2 million Floridians work outdoors without a government standard guaranteeing water, shade, and rest during dangerous heat. With Florida preventing cities and counties from adopting local requirements and a federal heat rule still unfinished, workers are pressing employers and retailers to join voluntary protection programs. more

By Nicolás Rivero, Florida Trib | 8/16/26

Commission takes on public-comment rules, board appointments and land-use changes

The Apopka City Commission will consider meeting procedures, public-participation rules, and several land-use proposals on Wednesday, August 19. The agenda includes a proposed child care facility on Chandler Road, enclosed car storage on East Keene Road, and a requested delay of the hearing on the Floridian Town Center hotel. more

From Staff Reports | 8/13/26

Orange County Clerk of Courts raises starting wage to $21 an hour

The Orange County Clerk of Courts will raise its starting wage for entry-level positions from $17 to $21 an hour beginning August 17. The increase reflects the office’s ongoing efforts to attract, retain, and fairly compensate employees. more

From the Orange County Clerk of Courts | 8/13/26

Developing Story: Nesta freezes most city hiring through October 1

Apopka has paused hiring for most vacant city positions through October 1 while officials examine staffing, departmental responsibilities and reporting structures. Recruitment for a community development director will continue as an exception. more

From Staff Reports and The City of Apopka | 8/12/26 | 1 comment

Battery, drug, and theft charges among 18 arrests listed by APD

The Apopka Police Department’s weekly report lists 18 arrests from Aug. 2-8, along with 1,442 calls for service, 35 crashes and 27 citations. The arrests included allegations involving battery, controlled substances, theft, resisting officers, a weapons offense and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. more

From the Apopka Police Department | 8/12/26

DRC to consider festivals, parking request and development plans

Apopka’s Development Review Committee will meet Wednesday to review four community-event applications and three development-related proposals. The agenda spans fall festivals and a 2027 run, along with an industrial special exception, an access-road extension and revisions to the Ridgebrooke subdivision plan. more

From Staff Reports | 8/11/26

Demings calls for local voices to guide Orange County tourism-tax spending

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is calling for residents and community stakeholders to help shape the next round of Tourist Development Tax investments. A citizens advisory task force will evaluate legally eligible proposals before presenting recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. more

By Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings | 8/11/26

Popular DROP program could be dropped for new public employees

A taxpayer advocacy organization is recommending sweeping restrictions on a popular retirement option used by nearly 31,000 Florida public employees. The proposal could set up a contentious 2027 legislative debate over pension costs, workforce retention and benefits for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other government workers. more

By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix | 8/11/26

Seven burglaries reported in Apopka during first week of August

The Apopka Police Department reported seven burglary incidents during the week of August 2 through August 8. Vehicle burglaries accounted for four of the reports, with two residential burglaries and one commercial burglary also recorded. more

From the Apopka Police Department and Staff Reports | 8/11/26

Two Kelly Park commercial proposals, downtown ADU head to Apopka Planning Commission

The Apopka Planning Commission meets Tuesday, August 11, to consider two Kelly Park-area land-use changes intended to support future commercial development. Commissioners will also decide a special-exception request for a downtown accessory dwelling unit. more

From Staff Reports | 8/10/26

Orange County awards $15,000 grant to youth wheelchair basketball program

Orange County has awarded Central Florida Dreamplex a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant. The funding will help expand its Orlando Magic Dreamers wheelchair basketball program for athletes ages 5 to 18. more

From the Orange County Newsroom | 8/10/26

In Case You Missed It: Ridge Phase III approved, election concerns, and Orange County leadership changes

Apopka commissioners approved the 363-unit Ridge Phase III apartment development after a month-long delay, while local political coverage examined the upcoming primary election and two significant Orange County races. Readers also followed Mike Crabb’s appointment to the County Commission and an opinion column warning that Apopka’s financial concerns remain unresolved. more

From Staff Reports | 8/9/26

In Case You Missed It: Ridge Phase III approved, election concerns, and Orange County leadership changes

Apopka commissioners approved the 363-unit Ridge Phase III apartment development after a month-long delay, while local political coverage examined the upcoming primary election and two significant Orange County races. Readers also followed Mike Crabb’s appointment to the County Commission and an opinion column warning that Apopka’s financial concerns remain unresolved. more

From Staff Reports | 8/9/26

New Multicultural Senior Center offers programs, resources and community connections

Orange County has opened a new Multicultural Senior Center in Pine Hills, creating a dedicated space where older adults can participate in programs, develop friendships and connect with community resources. The 17,000-square-foot facility also houses the county’s Office on Aging and offers activities ranging from computer classes and educational workshops to arts, games and wellness programs. more

From the Orange County Newsroom | 8/9/26

The Skytrax facility in Auburndale is where the Florida DOT plans to test its “flying car” technology — if it ever gets any.

Instead of installing more EV chargers, Florida DOT dreams of flying cars

Florida transportation officials reportedly want to use $197 million in federal electric-vehicle charging funds to develop an “Aerial Highway Network” with 32 aircraft landing and charging sites. The columnist argues that the proposal would divert money from urgently needed EV infrastructure to a technology that is not commercially available and would primarily benefit affluent travelers. more

By Craig Pittman, Florida Phoenix | 8/9/26

After a month-long delay, City Commission unanimously approves Ridge Phase III apartments

The Apopka City Commission unanimously approved the Ridge Phase III major development plan one month after delaying the project to seek more information about transportation and infrastructure. Commissioners said their concerns were focused largely on the city’s planning and communication rather than the developer’s compliance with existing requirements. more

From Staff Reports | 8/6/26 | 1 comment

Report: DeSantis administration delayed Medicaid review, hindered state auditors

A state Auditor General report found the Florida Department of Children and Families significantly delayed and hindered an audit of the state's Medicaid eligibility determinations following the COVID-19 public health emergency. DCF disputes the findings, saying it fully cooperated with auditors and calling the report's conclusions misleading. more

By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix | 8/6/26

Farmworker Association of Florida organizer Jeannie Economos contends Orange County’s decision to replace mailed paper sample ballots with a QR-code mailing for the primary election could disenfranchise thousands of voters. In this guest opinion, she urges the Supervisor of Elections to resume mailing paper sample ballots to every registered voter.

Opinion: Will this year’s primary election be compromised?

Farmworker Association of Florida organizer contends Orange County’s decision to replace mailed paper sample ballots with a QR-code mailing for the primary election could disenfranchise thousands of voters. more

By Jeannie Economos, Farmworker Association of Florida | 8/6/26

Nesta defends communications investment, says Monteiro hire will bring greater value to Apopka residents

Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta defended the city's investment in a new communications department Wednesday, saying that hiring Steven "Trooper Steve" Monteiro will improve transparency, strengthen public trust, and ensure residents receive more accurate and consistent information from City Hall. more

From Staff Reports | 8/5/26

Former Apopka Commissioner Kyle Becker endorses Terrell Thomas for Orange County Clerk

Former Apopka Vice Mayor Kyle Becker has endorsed Terrell Thomas for Orange County clerk of courts. Becker cited Thomas' plans to modernize court services, expand online access, and improve the clerk's office's efficiency and accessibility. more

From Staff Reports | 8/5/26

Judge orders Florida attorney general to rewrite Amendment 3 ballot language

A Florida circuit court judge has ordered Attorney General James Uthmeier to rewrite significant portions of Amendment 3’s ballot title and summary. Judge David Frank ruled that the property-tax measure’s title improperly promotes the amendment and that its summary makes misleading claims about taxpayer benefits and funding for public services. more

By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix | 8/5/26

APD report lists 33 arrests during week ending August 1

The Apopka Police Department listed 33 arrests, 1,430 calls for service, 97 citations and 26 crashes from July 26 through August 1. Charges included burglary with assault or battery, cocaine trafficking, aggravated assault, theft and controlled-substance possession; arrests are accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. more

From the Apopka Police Department | 8/5/26

Two years after Apopka’s financial wake-up call, the alarm is still ringing

Former City Administrator Jacob Smith warned in 2024 that Apopka’s revenue was not keeping pace with expenses and that every city department was inadequately funded. Two years later, the commission has tentatively returned to nearly the same millage rate it adopted in response to that warning. more

By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor | 8/4/26 | 2 comments

Florida Sheriffs Association is ‘significantly concerned’ about Amendment 3

The Florida Sheriffs Association is raising concerns about Amendment 3, warning that the proposed property tax reduction could lead to longer law enforcement response times and fewer resources for local services. Legislative analysts estimate the measure could eventually reduce local property tax revenue by as much as $12 billion annually. more

By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix | 8/4/26

APD reports three burglaries during weekly reporting period

The Apopka Police Department reported three burglaries during the week of July 26 through August 1. The incidents included two auto burglaries and one commercial burglary. more

From the Apopka Police Department and Staff Reports | 8/4/26

Nesta proposes Apopka government restructuring; former campaign manager expresses interest in chief of staff role

Apopka City Commission Meeting - October 7

Apopka City Commission Workshop & Meeting - …

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