By Merriee Gasser, The Center Square
In Summary:
Orange County’s approved budget allocates more than $1.1 billion to public safety, including $470 million for the Sheriff’s Office operating budget. It also allocates $19.5 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. County officials estimate that Amendment 3, if voters approve it, could reduce property tax revenue by $275 million by 2028.
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Orange County commissioners passed a $9 billion budget Thursday night, with $1.1 billion approved for public safety.
Related: Apopka adopts $237 million budget after months of debate.
The $1.1 billion public safety budget covers the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue and Corrections. The sheriff’s operating budget of $470 million represents an 11% increase from the current year and a 36% increase from fiscal year 2024, the county says.
Those budget increases come as the county has warned it will lose an estimated $275 million in property tax revenue by 2028 if Amendment 3 passes in November.
“While the proposal would reduce property taxes for qualifying homeowners, it would also significantly reduce a major source of funding for local government services,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in the county’s budget document. “Residents would continue to expect the same level of service; however, Orange County would have fewer financial resources available to meet the growing demand for public safety, infrastructure, and other essential services. Property taxes help fund services residents rely on every day, including public safety, roads, parks, libraries, stormwater infrastructure, and environmental programs. Revenue reductions of this scale could require difficult decisions regarding service levels, capital projects, and future investments. The Sheriff and Fire Rescue are directly impacted because they have their own dedicated unincorporated property tax millage that is used exclusively to fund their operations.”
Orange County anticipates a 7.4% increase in its countywide taxable value in 2027, generating approximately $1.115 billion in property tax proceeds. The county currently has the 11th-lowest countywide operating tax rate in the state.
“As we continue to navigate rising inflation and increasing costs, property taxes remain one of Orange County’s most significant and reliable sources of revenue, providing critical funding for public safety, public facilities, and essential services that support our community,” the county said.
The budget allocates $19.5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The county expects the fund to have helped create or preserve over 10,000 housing units by the end of 2028.
The budget also includes over $823 million, a 32.3% decrease, for Economic Environment, which covers the Convention Center, the Office of Economic Development, Community Development and Veterans Services.
The county anticipates $5 billion in economic impact from the 185 events scheduled at the Orange County Convention Center this year and is riding on the coattails of 2025’s record tourism. Central Florida received 76.7 million visitors last year, and tourist development tax collections reached $384 million, according to budget documents.
Key Points:
- Commissioners approved a budget of approximately $9 billion.
- More than $1.1 billion is allocated to the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, and Corrections.
- The sheriff’s $470 million operating budget is 11% higher than the current year’s.
- The Affordable Housing Trust Fund receives $19.5 million.
- The county projects a $275 million property tax revenue loss by 2028 if Amendment 3 passes.
