Will the new City Council keep South Apopka annexation alive?

I believe that the attitude of the individuals that are in South Apopka has changed, and they now understand the value of being a city resident.”

Apopka City Commissioner Alexander H. Smith

Picking oranges under the hot Florida sun was how Commissioner Alexander H. Smith spent his weekends and summers as a kid. He picked corn, cucumbers, and cabbage while working on the muck farms until he was in ninth grade. Then, he worked in the nursery industry until he left for college.  

According to Smith, that kind of work represents most of the community living in South Apopka. During his childhood, Smith lived in South Apopka in an area he describes as a migrant camp, where individuals either worked in the agriculture industry locally or traveled. South Apopka residents' work in the local greenhouses contributed to maintaining Apopka's status as the indoor foliage capital of the world.

"They made great contributions and great sacrifices, and so now is the time that the City can step up and do the humane thing of annexing South Apopka, so those residents can take advantage of all that the City of Apopka has to offer."

But after the March 8th municipal election, South Apopka residents wonder if annexation is still possible and if efforts will turn to action. While the mayoral debates preceding the municipal election addressed the possible annexation of South Apopka, Mayor Bryan Nelson mentioned annexation discussions would be taken up after the municipal election.

Nelson pointed to financial reasons as a determining factor to consider throughout the annexation process. At this time, no definite cost estimate is publicly known. 

"You just have to have all the facts on the table, and I think when you look at the costs… it will cost the people in South Apopka more money," he said.

But according to Nelson, not all South Apopka residents want to be annexed, as some do not favor additional code enforcement restrictions that would follow.

"It's a question of do we let the County do what should be part of their obligation or responsibility, or do we (the City of Apopka) want to take it on? And, if you are not happy with the status quo, that means you have to spend even more money."

Annexation would include adding unincorporated Apopka into the city's jurisdiction rather than Orange County.

"In other words, the City of Apopka would incur responsibility, resulting in significant economic effects," said Francina Boykin, the Vice President of the Apopka Historical Society, and a longtime Apopka resident and historian. At the February 15th community meeting about South Apopka, she explained why she wants South Apopka to be annexed into the City.

"I am a native of Apopka. I don't live in South Apopka. I live in Apopka - according to the postmaster. I often ask a question 'How do you define South Apopka?' I see the little carved-out area that the census says is a Census Designated Area. That came when we were begging for money for improvements in the area, and someone coined that term 'South Apopka'. That's the begging name."

She went on to describe the conditions in South Apopka.

"We did not have garbage [service] until about the mid-80s. What we did on my side of town - we burned trash. I was born in Apopka as I said...I've seen what's happened. I see what's happening now. Because of economics, revenues, no infrastructure... over a century of neglect by Orange County. People pretty much did what they wanted to do. Build where they wanted to build." 

Before the election, residents understood that annexation efforts were supported by many commissioners serving on the Apopka City Commission.

Nick Nesta also weighed in on the annexation as the newly elected commissioner to replace Commissioner Kyle Becker in Seat #4.

"The South Apopka annexation is a topic of conversation that should not be passively discussed," Nesta wrote.

Once he officially takes office, he said he plans to facilitate conversations within the community and educate residents about annexing South Apopka.

"From possible increase in taxes, to changes in services, we need to be meeting citizens at their churches, community centers and their homes to provide as many opportunities as possible to ask questions and explain the changes that annexation would provide," Nesta said. "From there, my goal is to have this on the ballot in November."

The annexation process consists of either a volunteer application or a forced annexation ordinance coordinated by the Apopka Community Development staff. Annexation of enclaves by an interlocal service boundary agreement, or ISBA, with Orange County, is another method and would involve negotiations between Apopka and Orange County to suit better the financial and jurisdictional needs of all involved parties.

Annexation is not a new concept or recently proposed idea for this area. Annexation discussions among city officials have extended back to the 1980s, even culminating in its inclusion as a ballot item in 1984. City residents voted in favor of annexation then, but the residents in unincorporated Apopka voted against it, dismissing efforts altogether. 

"I believe that the attitude of the individuals that are in South Apopka have changed, and they now understand the value of being a city resident," Smith said. He has continuously expressed his support and advocated for the annexation.

During the City Commission Forum, Commissioner Diane Velazquez stated that South Apopka annexation should be a priority for the next City Council.

"I think one of the priorities is the annexation and a workshop regarding the status of South Apopka," said Velazquez. That is one of the issues that we keep hearing over and over again. We should finally address South Apopka as one, because with the new districting right now, I understand that all of Apopka will be in one district, so it's time for our City to really sit down and address the south side of Apopka that is not part of our City."

According to Smith, South Apopka leaders plan to hold another meeting (following up on the February 15th community workshop) with interested stakeholders to determine the next direction in the annexation process.