Orange County to hold 2 public meetings on $9 billion budget

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County commissioners are proposing a $9.01 billion budget for the new fiscal year. Commissioners will hold a public hearing Thursday at 5:01 PM in the Board of County Commission Chambers at the Orange County Administration Center so taxpayers can weigh in before any final decision.

Commissioners say they need to allocate money for transportation, affordable housing, public safety and more.

The county’s proposed public safety budget calls for $1.1 billion for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Fire Rescue and the corrections department. The money will pay for salaries and equipment, some new positions and jail operations.

Commissioner Mayra Uribe said fire services and public safety have to be top priorities.

“I think public safety is the most important part of this entire budget session because when you hear the sheriff say, ‘I need 25 more deputies’ and he can’t hire them, that’s an issue,” Uribe said.

OCSO officials are expected to meet with county commissioners in early 2027 to try to work out funding for those deputies.

The county’s proposed transportation budget includes $200 million for roads, $115.5 million for LYNX, and $15 million for SunRail. Over five years, $100 million would go to the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program.

Uribe said $9 billion is a large budget, and the county can always tighten it up.

“I think Americans now are doing much more with less, and you would expect that out of your local government,” Uribe said.

District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott said affordable housing and transportation have to be top priorities for the coming year.

“Diversification. Obviously, expanding our SunRail system. You know the county takes that over from Lynx,” Scott said.

Orange County plans to dedicate $19.5 million to its Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the new year, continuing a commitment to invest more than $160 million over 10 years, ending in 2030.

Lawanna Gelzer is running against Mike Scott for the District 6 seat this November. She said affordable housing and holding the government accountable are two of her priorities.

“So accountability is important. Not continuing to give money to the same organizations that have failed us over the years,” Gelzer said.

Commissioners said if voters pass Amendment 3 this November to cut property taxes on primary homes, that could reduce Orange County’s property tax revenue by $165 million in 2027 and $275 million in 2028, and that would lead to cuts in services.

Commissioners will hold a second public hearing on the budget on Thursday, Sept. 24 also at 5:01 p.m.

The final budget will go into effect Oct. 1.