Apopka City Council

Breaking News: Apopka City Council votes to form an Economic Development Department

A 3-2 result triggers the initiative, despite Mayor Nelson's nay vote

Commissioner Kyle Becker (center) speaks during the City Council meeting.

Posted Thursday, January 19, 2023 12:57 am

From Staff Reports

It's been a long time in the making, but an economic development department (EDD) is moving forward in Apopka.

By a vote of 3-2, the Apopka City Council approved the formation of an EDD. Commissioner Kyle Becker, who made the presentation for the formation of the department, along with Commissioners Nick Nesta and Diane Velazquez voted in favor, while Mayor Bryan Nelson and Commissioner Alexander H. Smith, voted against.

Becker, who has been a proponent of starting an EDD since being elected to office in 2016, was pleased with the outcome after receiving unanimous support at the December 21st City Council meeting to make the presentation.

"I don't want us to be resigned to the status quo," said Becker during the presentation. "We've got to be innovative. If we make this investment, it's a team effort. We all benefit from it."

This is a breaking news story and will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.

Keywords

Apopka City Council, Commissioner Kyle Becker, Economic Development, Apopka

Comments

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MamaMia

So we've got an economic developer and economic development department coming in sometime....whoopie, big deal They aren't going to achieve the value of their weight in salt, for this city, mark my words, just multiple six figure big money down the drain. The fire tower needs, the pension funds going down the drain, I guess those aren't more needed priorities, for Becker, Velazquez, and Nesta. Well, Becker is not going to have it his way, as this new economic developer to be, will not answer to ONLY the city council, as he wanted. Nesta is going to break the city financially too, if he doesn't stop with calling for independent consultants, and independent engineers everytime, especially for private, not public, property problems. The mayor tried really hard to work out a deal with the flooding at Clear Lake to help the residents, but most of them, seemed uncooperative, and hostile. They are going to bring it back another time to try to work things out. The cult bunch were present tonight, as always. Same ole' ones. The meeting went on for over six hours. I'm sure everyone needed a stiff drink after that circus.

Thursday, January 19, 2023 Report this
MamaMia

Commissioner Velazquez, I am hereby awarding you the Best Acting Academy Award for your performance at last night's city council meeting, for your great acting performance, of proclaiming you thought Becker was just doing a presentation, and did not know it would lead to vote last night. Yeah right, Diane.....you win the best acting award.

Thursday, January 19, 2023 Report this
MamaMia

When former Mayor Kilsheimer hired that visioning bunch to get the city center started, I thought it was overdo, and too costly, but when I look at this new department Becker shoved down everyone's throats, at least the previous visioning bunch had a set price, but this is nightmare, that will include six figure salaries, with annual 6 percent annual raises that accrue each year, with each new EDD member a healthcare cost of about $ 8200 dollars or so a year the city will have to pay for each, plus what the city's share of their paid-in pension costs are, costs of their workman comp. insurance, sick time, vacation, vehicle use, and God knows what else, their other perks and benefits. Real smart Becker, all to satisfy your inflated ego! Plus figure in the constantly rising inflation, oh and COL monies too, that also accrue. It will help drive up all the city residents' property taxes, but at least Commissioner Velazquez won't have to pay any ad valorum taxes on her home, each year, so she could care less about Apopka resident's increasing property taxes, if the council members keep voting in unnecessary crap!

Thursday, January 19, 2023 Report this
MamaMia

Also, Gov. DeSantis and his war on Disney World....experts are indicating residents of Orange County and Osceola County are going to have to pay huge tax increases, because of his crap!

Thursday, January 19, 2023 Report this
Todd B.

Mama Mia.

You certainly seem to be someone who only wants the best for Apopka. Thank you for your always positive comments and support for all the members of the Apopka City Council. I am sure with your desire to see Apopka always striving to be a better place for us all

to live, work and play in, things will only get better. Thank you for helping move Apopka forward and and taking us from the 80’s to the future. Your words help many understand how some around here think and act. God Bless

Thursday, January 19, 2023 Report this
MamaMia

Todd, You are very welcome. Thank you for your kind words. Happy New Year to you too! XOXOXOs........

Friday, January 20, 2023 Report this