ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In a 6-1 vote, Orange County commissioners approved the recommended list of 13 proposed projects and programs to get tourism tax dollars, with Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad voting in dissent.

The projects totaling $812 million included one project added by Mayor Jerry Demings after a citizen advisory task force issued its recommendations.

Over the summer, a 34-member TDT Task Force reviewed and recommended uses for future unallocated TDT revenues. The group recommended 12 projects, but Demings added the UCF soccer stadium and track facility in an Oct. 8 memo, bringing the total to 13.

Commissioners heard from 78 speakers during public comment, which lasted more than an hour.

A major point of discussion was the addition of the UCF project, which the task force had not recommended. Under the mayor’s proposal, the project would receive $46 million in TDT funds to construct a new championship-caliber track and field complex and renovate and expand the existing soccer stadium.

Commissioners also discussed the Orange County Convention Center. The task force did not recommend moving forward with the proposed Phase 5B at this time because construction is underway on Phase 5A, and members decided to wait until that work is completed.

“The reason why people come here is they perceive they get value, and when they come here, it’s not just about the convention center. It’s about everything else that we have to offer — the customer service, our theme parks, the cultural tourism events, eco tourism. All of those other reasons bring people here and make us competitive,” Demings said.

Commissioners also talked about the task force’s recommendation to look into ways to use tourism tax revenues for public transportation and affordable housing. Under Florida law, TDT revenues cannot currently be used for those purposes.

Outside the commission chambers, a group of local workers’ unions, elected leaders and businesses gathered before the meeting to ask the board to pause and further review the finances of the projects before making a final decision.

A large number of public commenters asked the mayor and commission to wait longer before making a decision, citing the elections in two weeks and a new commission taking office at the end of the year. They said extending the timeline would give the incoming commission an opportunity to weigh in.

“I want to ask you all to respect the work of the task force enough to understand that we did not deliver a mandate asking you to spend all available money we voted on, which projects generally to move forward for further consideration,” said Ella Wood a member of the TDT Task Force. “We explicitly didn’t consider how much and, in fact, didn’t know anything about the funds available until the last day.”

Others, including TDT Task Force co-chair and former Orange County mayor Linda Chapin, urged commissioners to move forward.

“We have an experienced board of county commissioners who have spent many hours, weeks, months, years dealing with these issues,” Chapin said. “It is time for a decision based on that experience and all the goodwill that can be generated by the mayor’s proposals. I urge you to go forward today.”

The recommended 13 projects and programs total $812 million.

Orange County Application Review Committee ARC Grant program: $75 million between 2029 and 2033
Orange County Natural Resource Tourism Infrastructure Grant Program: $50 million over 10 years, starting in 2028.
Orange County Eco-Tourism Grant Program: $50 million over 10 years, starting in 2028
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs: Increase from 5% of the first four cents to 6% starting in 2027, or a boost of about $3 million annually starting in 2027
Dr. Phillips Charities Eatonville Museum of Culture and History: $60 million beginning in 2027
Creative City Project’s Immerse Festival: $12.5 million total, with $4.75 million coming from its existing blockbuster grant and $7.75 million from future TDT revenue
8 Waves I am Children’s Museum: $25 million beginning in 2027
Orange Audubon Natural History Museum at Apopka Birding Park: $12 million beginning in 2027
Florida Citrus Sports Parking Structure: $52.5 million beginning in 2028
City of Ocoee Forest Lake Golf Club and Conference Campus: $30 million beginning in 2028
Town of Eatonville CRA, Eatonville Heritage Tourism District: $20 million beginning in 2028
UCF Soccer Stadium and Track Facility: $46 million beginning in 2029
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Master Plan: $350 million bonded by the city of Orlando, reduced from a previous $400 million request.