Contentious South Apopka Town Hall meeting delivers a range of emotions and opinions on annexation

Emotions ran high among South Apopka residents and landowners during a heated town hall meeting on Tuesday at the John H. Bridges Center.  During the two-hour event, citizens voiced mixed opinions on possibly being annexed into Apopka. It was the third meeting held by the Apopka City Council on annexation, but the first in a town hall format.

Leroy Bell, Chairman of the Apopka Area Concerned Citizen's Council, spoke out during the meeting in favor of annexation due to the poor living conditions and its health effect on residents. 

"We got a dump landfill right behind this community, and this community has a history of people dying from different cancer clusters and respiratory issues," said Bell. "We got places that got old beat-up block buildings infested with mold, and they are not doing anything."  

Some residents at the meeting who were against annexation explained that their opinions were based on concerns about an increase in tax payments.  

The Apopka City Council, and Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore (far right), listen to a speaker during the town hall event.

Leise Roper, a South Apopka resident living in the county since 1977, said she doubts an annexation will contribute to any changes to the community other than increased taxes. 

"It's going to cost us more in taxes, and they're not going to do anything for us anyway," said Roper. "They have never done anything in South Apopka the 40-something years I've lived here, and I don't want that change. We can't afford that. People on this side are low-income." 

Residents at the meeting voiced questions regarding previous remarks made by Commissioner Alexander Smith that suggested that residents would be charged $14 a year in higher property taxes. 

"I got the $14 figure from the information that was provided to us from the administration," said Smith.

Smith said that depending on the property value if a property is annexed to the City of Apopka, South Apopka residents would no longer have to pay for unincorporated fire tax, which is $165, an unincorporated taxing district which is $132.86, or special assessment for streetlights which is currently costing $46.60. 

"Everything has a cost, and it's just a matter of determining what you are willing to pay for," said Smith. 

Smith also said that residents would get better services - fire, police, garbage sanitation, and better access to elected officials. 

"I firmly believe the government closest to you can provide you with the best services when we are more accessible, and then you can hold us accountable," said Smith to attendees. "By being a city resident, that means you can vote for your city commissioners and your city mayor, so if we're not doing what you expect us to do as a city resident, then use your power of the vote and vote us out of office and get somebody to do it."

Sylvester Hall, an Apopka resident in favor of the annexation, said he believes that the neglect South Apopka has experienced is linked to the history of racism and an agenda to reverse the clock. 

"This has been going on too long, I am tired of seeing black neighborhoods abandoned and deliberately put in that state of poverty, and now it's time to correct the wrong, and they're coming up with all kinds of excuses," said Hall. "It's time for every black community that was disenfranchised to be rebuilt, and it's time for them now to come back and put those communities back up with the '21st century.'" 

Commissioner Diane Velazquez suggested that the fairest way to make a final decision would be by a ballot where the public could vote.  

"For me and my service, if you want an annexation, I will try to make sure that I support that annexation," said Velazquez. "It is not up to me to decide if you should be annexed. I want to hear the voices, and I want to hear the residents. I want you to understand what it would be like to be annexed into the city. It's important."

Commissioner Nick Nesta explained to the public that it is crucial to know that annexation can lead to gentrification. Still, at the same time, it can also lead to multigenerational wealth. Nesta said he believes another workshop is necessary to dig deeper into the benefits and unintended consequences of annexation before making final decisions.

"There is a lot that can be done here with a better workshop," said Nesta. "I would like to do better and really get a decisive way on how to move forward the best." 

Mayor Bryan Nelson explained that there would be a capital loss for the annexation and operating costs. 

"The operating losses that the annexation part of Orange County would be about 2 million dollars. The capital, including the fire station, is about four or five million dollars."  

Commissioner Becker said if annexation were to pass, it would take time, and the council would have two to three years of runway to budget appropriately so that it's not as aggressive as a one-time hit for residents. 

"If we as a council say we want to put it on the ballot and it goes to get voted on by the public, it's going to be a couple of years before this takes place fully," said Becker.

District 2 Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore (who represents Apopka and South Apopka) said she wouldn't stand against the annexation because the decision is up to the residents but that they must consider all the factors. 

"I'm here for you, the county is here for you, but it is truly your decision. I just would encourage you to think through every aspect of it, the emotional, the history, the finances, your own property," said Moore. "You really do have to look and weigh all those different issues."