ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Commissioners selected a map Tuesday night that will shape the future of thousands of residents. Last November, voters decided to add two county commission seats, going from six to eight districts. Tuesday night, commissioners selected the so-called 7B map with eight new districts for the future.
What You Need To Know
Orange County commissioners selected Map 7B for new district boundaries
The change increases the number of districts from six to eight
Taxpayers will fund the addition of two new commissioners and renovations
31 initial plans were whittled down to just two ahead of the decision. A main question in the debate was where Winter Park fit into the countywide jigsaw puzzle.
Map 1A would have put Winter Park in a new district with Maitland, Eatonville and unincorporated Pine Hills. Map 7B connects Winter Park to the county’s more rural east side. The new map is similar to the district map that was in effect before the decision.
After a long discussion, commissioners settled on Map 7B by a five to two vote. Mayor Jerry Demings shared his thoughts. “Some people did not support the map that was selected, but I am hopeful that we will move forward together.”
Seven Charlestin grew up in Pine Hills and spent the last few months making sure Pine Hills residents were heard throughout the redistricting process. Charlestin helped draw Map 7B.
“We came together to make a map that will be equitable for all of Orange County, and we believe it was the most popular map throughout the districting process,” he said.
Several residents spoke against Map 1A. They said that since Winter Park is a wealthier community than Pine Hills, it could dominate Pine Hills politically if they are in the same district.
Dr. Latanya Nichols, the president of the Pine Hills Community Council, favored Map 1A and thinks Pine Hills leaders could have worked with Winter Park to develop common plans for the future.
“I have had the opportunity to sit down with Winter Park Council. We are very similar in our wants and our needs,” she said. “They are very strategic in going about putting those needs in writing and going after funding and other resources to make them happen.”
County commissioners say they chose Map 7B because it offers the most equitable representation to the most residents.
Taxpayers will pay the bill to add the two new commissioners. County officials say each commissioner will have an annual operating budget of $700,000. Additionally, it will cost $1.5 million to add two new offices and to renovate the commission chambers.