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See Member Benefits<\/a>Join Our Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n Messina and Moore Russell will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election after advancing from the August primary.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Their clearest disagreement concerned Amendment 3<\/a>, which would expand homestead property tax exemptions, if voters approve it in November.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI do plan to vote no,\u201d Moore Russell said. She questioned how the county would replace the lost revenue and said she was concerned about the effects on first responders and smaller municipalities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely voting yes,\u201d Messina said. He argued that county government could reduce costs while protecting public safety. Asked how he would respond if fire funding fell short, Messina said a small increase in the fire millage rate could be an option.\u00a0<\/p>\n Orange County estimates the amendment would reduce its property tax revenue by about $165 million in 2027 and $275 million in 2028. Those are county projections; Moore Russell cited the projected losses in opposing the amendment, while Messina questioned the assumptions underlying the county\u2019s estimates.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dunn focused much of the forum on how the candidates would manage county operations, control spending and approach their first 100 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n Moore Russell said her initial focus would be inside county government: appointing a transition team, assessing departments and filling senior vacancies. Messina said he would pursue bringing a proposed space academy to Orange County and convene developers to discuss redeveloping aging strip malls along major corridors.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their approaches to the county budget shared some ground. Messina proposed a forensic audit and a review of programs to determine whether they should continue receiving money. Moore Russell said she would use a zero-based budgeting approach and seek savings through technology and more efficient operations, regardless of whether Amendment 3 passes.\u00a0<\/p>\n On housing, Moore Russell emphasized increasing supply and shortening the time needed to obtain county approvals. She said the county should examine how staff interpret development rules, which she said can lead to costly delays. Messina proposed turning underused shopping centers into developments combining housing, stores and other businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both also identified transportation as an affordability issue. Moore Russell called for better connections between residents and jobs and expressed support for bus rapid transit. Messina proposed using technology to provide more direct trips rather than requiring riders to travel through a central bus hub.\u00a0<\/p>\n Moore Russell represented District 6 on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners before serving 12 years as Orange County\u2019s clerk of courts. Her last day as clerk was Aug. 31.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Messina has worked in technology businesses and holds an MBA from Harvard and a master\u2019s degree in city and regional planning from Rutgers<\/a>. He previously ran for county mayor in 2022, gaining 21.5% of the vote to 60.1% for Mayor Jerry Demings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Apopka Involved Voters will host a County Commission District 2 runoff forum featuring Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Victory Church, 509 S. Park Ave.\u00a0<\/p>\n Orange County is scheduled to mail domestic vote-by-mail ballots Sept. 25. The deadline to register for the general election is Oct. 5, and the deadline to request a mail ballot is Oct. 22. Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n Voters can check their registration, request or track a mail ballot, and find voting locations at voteorangefl.gov<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790159055_858_6.png\")
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