By Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore
Orange County is a diverse and dynamic community. District 2 encompasses Tangerine, Zellwood, Apopka, Wekiwa Springs, Lockhart, Lee Road, Rosemont, North Pine Hills, and Ocoee.
The current budget was developed utilizing the following guidelines by Mayor Jerry L. Demings. The county prioritized initiatives such as affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, mental health, economic development, environmental preservation, and public safety. New positions were based on a needs analysis prioritizing life, health, and safety considerations or the necessity to fulfill service obligations for new or current programming. Strategic objectives include public safety and health, a sense of community, economic development, infrastructure, efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and sustainability.
Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore.
A major revenue resource is from property taxes. Our total property values for 2024 are $218 billion. Property tax revenues are expected to equal $969 million – an approximate increase of 7.8 percent over the FY 2023-24 budget.
Operating Budget Highlights include $433.9 million for Public Safety which includes an additional $11 million for school resource officers. The transportation department’s operating budget is $182 million and the capital program for public works is $268 million which is used to construct new roadways, intersections, improve pedestrian safety, sidewalks, streetlights, and other transportation capital expenditures. A $50-million state-of-the-art training facility is being constructed for Orange County Fire Rescue. We look forward to the grand opening early in 2025.
Affordable Housing has $16.1 allocated for 2025 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This brings the county’s total investment in affordable and workforce housing to $83.8 million over six year and $160 million over 10 years. Several projects are in progress in the Apopka and Pine Hills communities.
Green PLACE Program is one of the most impactful conservation initiatives in the budget. In 2021 the board approved $100 million to preserve our natural habitats. So far, the county has acquired 24,000 acres and opened more than 18,000 acres for public recreation.
Community and Family Services is part of the county’s core mission. The adopted budget includes $150 million. These programs address social challenges, child welfare, and services to preserve a high quality of life to enrich a diverse population. This includes after-school programs, summer youth programs that offer a haven, and community programs to provide outreach services. As Parks & Recreation celebrates its 100th anniversary of serving residents at 113 parks and trails, the division hosts your recreation programs and activities.
We are looking forward to the renovation of the West Orange Trail Bridge across US 441 in downtown Apopka.
Mental & Health Services has received $49 million annually for mental and behavioral health services. The county is closing the gap by providing more than $10 million in additional county general fund dollars and using various federal grant sources.
The Economic Environment includes the Orange County Convention Center and the visitors and businesses it attracts. Over 1,200 local businesses depend on the center’s events. Funding comes primarily from the fees the center collects for services, and the TDT proceeds are utilized to cover any operating shortfalls. No property taxes are used for the convention center.
I did not mention the great work of our Utilities Department with water, sewer, reclaimed water, and solid waste. These are large operations that must meet all their operational and capital expenses through charges and impact fees. They are often accounted for in what is known as enterprise funds.
One of the key components of Orange County’s economic development is the Travel and Tourism Industry. In 2023, Orange County welcomed 74 million visitors, generating $92.5 billion in economic impact. Nearly 43 percent of the region’s workforce works in tourism. The county has invested in accommodations, technology, and amenities to allow the area to remain one of the top convention destinations. Tourist Development Tax dollars were $350 million in FY 2023. Universal Studios is moving forward with “Epic Universe”, a new theme park opening in 2025 that will bring 14,000 new jobs to the region. In addition, the new Reedy Creek or Central Florida Tourism Oversight District recently approved a new development proposal by Walt Disney Companies to spend up to $17 billion, which may include an entirely new theme park at Disney World.
The county budget is large and complex. Rest assured that competent staff, the comptroller, and commissioners provide superior guidance and oversight. As many of you have seen, we have recently provided oversight and accountability for the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Happy New Year.
