[3:35:43] [captioner present]

[3:52:15] [music playing]

[3:53:07] >> Good afternoon everyone.

[3:53:09] Welcome all of you back to the Orange County Board of County

[3:53:12] Commission budget work session of July the 15th 2026.

[3:53:16] We are now in the afternoon portion,

[3:53:21] and we'll be hearing from several departments who

[3:53:23] will be presenting momentarily.

[3:53:27] This morning I do want to also recognize Nanette Mello did

[3:53:33] the invocation.

[3:53:34] And I'm going to invite her to --

[3:53:38] we're going to take a quick photograph.

[3:53:40] Whenever we have persons who come

[3:53:45] from provide the invocation, we give them a little certificate

[3:53:49] of our appreciation.

[3:53:50] We're not going to slight her at all.

[3:53:53] I'm going to come down from the dais and make this presentation.

[3:53:57] Then we will start our meeting.

[3:54:23] [ambient conversation]

[3:55:41] >> Thank you all for indulging us for just a moment.

[3:55:43] We are going to move forward now to our health Services

[3:55:46] department.

[3:55:47] We have the privilege of having the famed, The renowned Dr. Raul

[3:55:56] Pino, director of our Health Services Department

[3:55:58] who is going to be coming and will be leading off

[3:56:00] this of the presentation.

[3:56:01] Doctor Peeno, you are recognized.

[3:56:05] >> Thank you, mayor, commissioners, the controller.

[3:56:08] Thank you very much for the opportunity

[3:56:10] to present our budget.

[3:56:12] As you know, we'll go through our operating budget,

[3:56:17] the proposed capital plans, potential programs and services

[3:56:21] at risk, as well as offer you a summary at the end.

[3:56:24] In our organizational charge, we have not seen changes.

[3:56:29] But I want to thank our executive team for the work

[3:56:32] that they do every day.

[3:56:34] Diane Summers from Animal Services.

[3:56:36] Probably doesn't go a day or a week without they

[3:56:39] call the cardiologist.

[3:56:43] Increasing quality of the services

[3:56:45] that we provide at corrections.

[3:56:47] The district nine medical examiner

[3:56:49] who has been with us for over ten years now,

[3:56:54] doctor Joshua Stephanie, doctor Hall, very integral.

[3:57:07] Doctor Zuver from the office of the medical director for EMS

[3:57:11] services, increasing quality and county services

[3:57:15] through EMS, our medical planning with Jessica Rodriguez,

[3:57:18] and the whole program we offer to our community

[3:57:21] for early detection and treatment and prevention

[3:57:23] for individuals who don't have the ability to pay

[3:57:27] or don't have insurance.

[3:57:29] Our mosquito control program with Steve Harrison,

[3:57:32] they just moved to a new facility.

[3:57:34] Thank you for your support with that.

[3:57:38] Also the provision of disease borne, mosquito disease borne

[3:57:43] diseases, and Claudia, are fiscal and operational support

[3:57:48] who oversees our right hand.

[3:57:51] And John Goodrich.

[3:57:52] The mayor said he has the best county administrator.

[3:57:57] I have the best deputy director in the county.

[3:58:02] For the proposed budget, we have seen changes in our budget.

[3:58:09] I'm going to explain to you where the changes are.

[3:58:12] In general we have seen a 4% increase.

[3:58:15] For personal services, our changes are about 3.8 million.

[3:58:22] We have salaries and benefits and other elements.

[3:58:27] It's going to come up to a $58.5 million.

[3:58:30] Our operating budget has increased by 1.3 million

[3:58:34] to 72.7.

[3:58:36] And our total budget is increasing by $5.1 million

[3:58:41] to 131.2.

[3:58:43] We have seen a significant increase

[3:58:46] in our grants, which is about 24% increase.

[3:58:49] I'll explain that to you in details.

[3:58:52] But that's also a big portion of that 4%

[3:58:55] that we see in our general budget.

[3:58:58] Our staffing remains very flat.

[3:59:02] Only three positions that are required by law since we

[3:59:06] did the changes to the Animal Services Ordinance.

[3:59:08] We are adding some staff.

[3:59:12] On the grants, I just want to give you an overview.

[3:59:17] Opioid Settlement funds has a balance now --

[3:59:20] this is cumulative -- of $21 million.

[3:59:24] You'll see that's a lot of money paramedic

[3:59:27] but the Opioid Trust Fund is very unstable.

[3:59:33] We don't know how much we're going to get

[3:59:35] or we're going to get at.

[3:59:36] And we always like to have operations

[3:59:38] funded for the next five years.

[3:59:40] This is about five years of funding,

[3:59:43] what we keep in reserve there in case anything changed.

[3:59:46] Some of those funds are still in litigation at the federal level.

[3:59:50] So changes could happen earlier.

[3:59:52] Our HIV grants are $12.2 million annually.

[3:59:58] Our general fund, this is what we

[4:00:01] provide support for the PCAN network and the Health

[4:00:05] Department.

[4:00:06] That's about $4.9 million.

[4:00:07] And Animal Services Trust Fund is about $300,000.

[4:00:12] This is what we use to support nonprofit organizations that

[4:00:15] provide services and care for pets around the county.

[4:00:19] Another important driver in our budget every year

[4:00:25] is the Medicare and Medicaid expenses

[4:00:28] the county is mandated by the state

[4:00:29] and the state decides what that amount is.

[4:00:31] That amount for this year is $28.6 million.

[4:00:35] It has been a 40% increase in the last five years

[4:00:41] on the amount that we have to provide.

[4:00:44] Just to give you an idea, in 2021, we provided $20 million.

[4:00:51] Six years out or almost $9 million over.

[4:00:55] So it's a fund that keeps increasing.

[4:01:00] It's a regulation that has mandated funding.

[4:01:04] On the three positions as I explained to you,

[4:01:06] we really needed four, but we were

[4:01:09] able to reclassify position within our 16 positions

[4:01:12] so that we have to come for one less.

[4:01:15] And we came to you and the proposal

[4:01:18] took a veterinarian and two vet technicians.

[4:01:21] This is to deal with increased services

[4:01:24] that we foresee coming with the new shelter

[4:01:28] that thankfully we will have in a year.

[4:01:33] In operating highlights, as I mentioned to you,

[4:01:41] we keep a straightforward approach

[4:01:43] as indicated by the administration.

[4:01:45] But we also have identified opportunities

[4:01:48] where we can provide support.

[4:01:51] Three secure three year grants of $700,000 to provide long

[4:02:01] acting injectables of the jail.

[4:02:02] We also apply for a three year 1.2 million grant

[4:02:05] to bridge medication injectables for opioid use disorders.

[4:02:10] These are the medications that have

[4:02:12] been very successful in offering recovery for individuals.

[4:02:18] But they are very costly.

[4:02:20] But we are offering for free to many of our residents.

[4:02:24] We also continue to renegotiate our contract

[4:02:27] with the hospital in the way that we provide services

[4:02:30] for correctional facilities.

[4:02:31] And in corrections we also have transitions from services

[4:02:35] that were provided by contractors.

[4:02:37] And now we have the capacity to provide ourselves.

[4:02:40] Because we are seeing an increase and stabilization

[4:02:47] in our workforce.

[4:02:48] The mosquito control program is also

[4:02:51] another area where we are using new technologies

[4:02:56] to offer a service.

[4:02:58] Is a software that was developed by our GIS providers

[4:03:04] inside the county collaboration with Mosquito Control.

[4:03:06] It gives us the ability to see in real time

[4:03:11] where we apply products what products are getting applied,

[4:03:15] which vehicles are out, and also give us the ability

[4:03:18] to coordinate with the population that may be placed

[4:03:21] at risk by the products that we use

[4:03:24] and in coordination with them.

[4:03:27] The drug office also has seen an increase in the opioid response

[4:03:33] that we provide.

[4:03:35] We're expanding the medications the use

[4:03:37] that we provide to residents.

[4:03:39] And we have a partnership different providers

[4:03:41] around the country.

[4:03:43] Those are receiving funds from the Opioid Trust Fund.

[4:03:46] And we are offering case management

[4:03:50] for individuals connected through the jail

[4:03:52] system and local emergency departments.

[4:03:55] We also are in the process of creating a new service

[4:04:00] at the East Side Clinic.

[4:04:02] The project is called the General Column

[4:04:07] but it will probably be something else more completely.

[4:04:11] It's basically what it's going to do

[4:04:13] it's going to be a 23 hour observation bay for individuals

[4:04:17] you may come out of the hospital and want to initiate treatment

[4:04:22] immediately for individuals who may have refused to be

[4:04:27] transported to the hospital after an overdose,

[4:04:30] but are okay by EMS to receive these services.

[4:04:36] This means no one needs to wait anymore

[4:04:38] to receive treatment for opioid assistance, drug use treatment

[4:04:43] if they decide to do that.

[4:04:44] We will start immediately in this facility.

[4:04:49] We will be with you when the time comes.

[4:04:51] I will give you a tour.

[4:04:52] But we're making renovations to make this successful

[4:04:55] for our residents.

[4:04:56] And correctional Health, we are also always improving.

[4:05:01] We have simplified our formulary to offer more straight line

[4:05:06] services from the medications, but also

[4:05:09] for inventory purposes and expenses.

[4:05:11] We have removed some drugs that we

[4:05:14] have multiple presentations of the drug to be more efficient.

[4:05:19] It's resulting in about a 32% reduction in the formulary

[4:05:23] without compromising care.

[4:05:24] It makes it more streamlined.

[4:05:27] And these help us to decrease the Number of weekly

[4:05:35] prescriptions by 6% from about 41,000 to about 39,000.

[4:05:39] Believe it or not every week we give about 39,000 medications

[4:05:42] in the jail.

[4:05:44] Also we have made some medications

[4:05:46] that are generic available to our inmates

[4:05:50] through commissary so they don't have to use the providers.

[4:06:00] We foresee some risk coming to our grants,

[4:06:04] especially as you heard in the news a few weeks back,

[4:06:07] there was an issue with the program

[4:06:09] in the state that has been reinstated, at least for a year.

[4:06:15] We don't k what the future of it is --

[4:06:23] without compromising the most essential services to the people

[4:06:25] that are HIV infected in our community.

[4:06:29] As I mentioned to you, our medication costs,

[4:06:34] Medicaid costs continue to increase.

[4:06:38] Will continue to increase.

[4:06:39] That continue to affect our budget.

[4:06:43] In the capital improvement plan, you

[4:06:46] are very familiar with two projects that were involved.

[4:06:51] The medical Examiner's office as well as the new shelter,

[4:06:56] the new animal shelter.

[4:06:58] For this year we are asking for $31 million in our NCIP.

[4:07:04] With the animal services facility,

[4:07:06] we have been keeping you updated as much as we can.

[4:07:09] They are moving a lot around.

[4:07:11] It looks like nothing is happening.

[4:07:13] But this is preparing all the essential services, sewage,

[4:07:19] water, electricity.

[4:07:20] It'll be done by the fall in 2027,

[4:07:23] and new facility will be about 123,000 square footage.

[4:07:30] And right now the allocation is about $85 million.

[4:07:33] After some consideration, $7 million

[4:07:37] we're back to the capital fund because they were not necessary

[4:07:42] as the process comes below was initially calculated.

[4:07:47] And it will have capacity for 265 dogs, about 200 cats.

[4:07:55] The medical examiner approximates

[4:08:00] the total of about $28 million.

[4:08:03] This is going to duplicate the capacity

[4:08:05] that the medical examiner has.

[4:08:06] We are prepared for the future as the population

[4:08:09] grows in our county.

[4:08:10] Remember that we also service Osceola County, which

[4:08:16] already provided 21% of the cost to Orange County.

[4:08:22] That has been fully paid and it's with Orange County

[4:08:25] right now.

[4:08:26] As you know, there are potential issues coming along,

[4:08:34] not for this year, for the year after.

[4:08:36] With initially in the November 3rd, 2020,

[4:08:40] ballot for the constitutional amendment on the homestead

[4:08:44] issue.

[4:08:45] And if approved by taxpayers, you

[4:08:48] could see some challenges to our budget in 2028.

[4:08:55] It's estimated by county government that will

[4:08:58] affect about 10% of our budget.

[4:09:00] These are the areas more likely could

[4:09:03] be affected as they are not in code, meaning

[4:09:07] these areas are not either in county, federal, or state law.

[4:09:11] It's basically the primary care access network.

[4:09:16] These include services that we provide

[4:09:18] to our client, secondary services,

[4:09:21] any support of the county office to all the community health

[4:09:26] centers.

[4:09:27] And secondary care, this is an important area.

[4:09:33] This is the work that we do when people do not

[4:09:36] have health insurance.

[4:09:37] To give you an example, negotiating

[4:09:40] with the hospital at cost, we were

[4:09:43] able to provide chemotherapy for a female last year that

[4:09:46] did not have the funding.

[4:09:48] That was a safe measure that would provide these services

[4:09:52] at no increased cost, just the medication costs

[4:09:55] in the negotiation with AdventHealth.

[4:09:59] That was something that we were able to do as a great service

[4:10:03] to our community paramedic and public health,

[4:10:05] we support the Department of Health with about $1.3 million

[4:10:09] a year.

[4:10:10] That goes to essential services that

[4:10:12] are provided to our community from STDs

[4:10:15] to other infectious diseases.

[4:10:18] And also our mosquito control program is not in code,

[4:10:25] not for no reason this county was called Mosquito County

[4:10:29] before it was called Orange County.

[4:10:32] This is an essential service to our community.

[4:10:34] Not only for the prevention of disease,

[4:10:38] mosquito borne diseases, which are many,

[4:10:41] increasing as the temperature changes.

[4:10:43] We've seen an increase in the number

[4:10:44] of species that are living in our area,

[4:10:48] but also the business of this county, which is tourism.

[4:10:56] For summary, the art department has implemented a number

[4:11:04] of measures to try to control costs and reduce the expenses,

[4:11:09] or at least limiting the rising health care costs,

[4:11:14] reducing hospitalization and enhancing

[4:11:15] on site care for promotion health services.

[4:11:18] We have expanded services at our correctional facility

[4:11:21] while lowering the cost per inmate.

[4:11:25] And the potential state and federal

[4:11:28] impacts that we could see in the future,

[4:11:30] those are some of the challenges and the opportunities

[4:11:33] that we have ahead of us.

[4:11:35] Thank you.

[4:11:39] >> All right, Dr. Pino.

[4:11:41] I have one question.

[4:11:42] I'm one of the earlier slides comment

[4:11:44] you talked about the Medicaid expenditures

[4:11:46] that the county is paying.

[4:11:48] They seem to be going up and up and up.

[4:11:51] Let me ask you a question.

[4:11:54] If the state of Florida participated

[4:11:56] in the federal Medicaid expansion programs, expanded it

[4:12:02] here in the state, would that have any impact

[4:12:06] on closing the gap in what we're spending

[4:12:12] and on Medicaid expenditures?

[4:12:17] >> Yes.

[4:12:19] >> I thought so.

[4:12:24] >> More people will be covered.

[4:12:26] Less would be needed for those who are not.

[4:12:28] >> I'm going to open it up for questions and comments from

[4:12:31] members of the board.

[4:12:34] Commissioner Wilson.

[4:12:38] >> I can't tell if I'm hitting my button or not.

[4:12:41] Just assume I am.

[4:12:44] They're going to replace the data soon

[4:12:48] comment which is good because I think we're all

[4:12:50] operating on one power up here.

[4:12:52] Sometimes it works.

[4:12:54] Sometimes it doesn't.

[4:12:56] Sometimes we talk about critical municipal services

[4:12:59] common local services, for little people, your team.

[4:13:04] I say this -- you're talking about health services,

[4:13:11] our mosquito control column which is a tremendous health

[4:13:16] protector, taking care of the least among us and the most

[4:13:20] fragile medically among us.

[4:13:23] And then you combine that with things

[4:13:25] that are mandated by the state.

[4:13:27] And so what that means is should we meet a budget shortfall,

[4:13:33] the state mandated things presumably

[4:13:36] would require us to satisfy those first.

[4:13:38] It begs the question --

[4:13:41] I saw the programs at risk.

[4:13:44] I want to make sure people understand--

[4:13:47] I had a conversation over the with somebody

[4:13:49] about mosquito control because they thought

[4:13:51] it was about convenience.

[4:13:52] And they were like, just buy your own Off.

[4:13:55] You don't understand.

[4:13:57] Mosquito borne illness has killed more people

[4:13:59] in the history of mankind than almost anything else.

[4:14:02] Understanding that that is an investment

[4:14:04] in keeping people alive.

[4:14:06] You said this is also for people who visit here.

[4:14:08] We have more people who visit this area than anywhere

[4:14:11] else in the world.

[4:14:11] Are there any revenue possibilities for you

[4:14:14] all to use that come from that revenue stream

[4:14:17] come a tourist revenue stream, versus the things that we know

[4:14:20] are at risk right now because of this proposed legislation?

[4:14:24] >> So there are ways that we could qualify the mosquito

[4:14:30] in County code.

[4:14:32] That could protect the program.

[4:14:35] Because it would allow you as the amendment

[4:14:37] goes as it is to invest with the revenue that you may generate.

[4:14:44] That's a possibility.

[4:14:46] To your point, mosquito control program

[4:14:49] is not just about mosquito biting you and having

[4:14:53] less nuisance in that sense.

[4:14:56] Every time there is a disease coming from any of the tropics,

[4:15:00] we get a referral from the health department.

[4:15:02] They deal with an segment of the area.

[4:15:06] They develop a radius around the house

[4:15:09] where the individual lives in that area

[4:15:10] is treated specifically intensively

[4:15:12] to monitor the mosquitoes in the area that

[4:15:16] could transmit that disease.

[4:15:17] Recently we have seen -- we heard about Zika five years ago.

[4:15:25] Oda was here last year.

[4:15:28] Those are new tropical diseases that are coming up

[4:15:31] as the temperatures elevate.

[4:15:33] >> Climate, yeah.

[4:15:34] And I think to the extent of some of these health issues

[4:15:39] that we feel like, having served here during COVID

[4:15:43] and trying to make sure that we are planning for the worst

[4:15:47] and hoping for the best, I cringe to think about any cuts

[4:15:52] at all, understanding the impacts that those may have.

[4:15:56] I think I asked about the tourist revenue stream

[4:15:59] just because we understand that we have tourist development tax

[4:16:02] dollars that come in.

[4:16:03] Is always how they discussed here

[4:16:04] within these really tight boundaries based on legislation.

[4:16:08] But we don't often articulate well

[4:16:11] how many benefits our visitors get by all the other investments

[4:16:16] that we make that do not come from those revenue streams.

[4:16:20] And they think every single person here from all your team

[4:16:24] here are included.

[4:16:25] I think about the fact that we have

[4:16:28] Narcan at the airport in case somebody overdoses

[4:16:30] and that if you happen to let your dog out of your hotel room

[4:16:34] then they get lost and ended up in Orange County Animal

[4:16:38] Services, we the most incredible team take care of them there.

[4:16:45] Those are benefits that go rarely described

[4:16:47] and not funded by the dollars that

[4:16:48] are channeled into the efforts to promote tourism.

[4:16:54] I'm trying so hard to make these connections because we are going

[4:16:57] to have to get creative and we're

[4:16:59] going to have to be able to also explain our current investments

[4:17:02] and the importance of those in keeping people alive

[4:17:05] and keeping people safe.

[4:17:07] I think the other part that Medicaid expansion question,

[4:17:14] was there any appetite any time over these last couple of years

[4:17:19] for the state to pick up that tab?

[4:17:21] I know the answer to this question.

[4:17:24] The mayor is laughing because we struggle with this every year.

[4:17:26] I just want to make sure that for this year,

[4:17:28] I think there's an opportunity for us to talk about again,

[4:17:31] this is an unfunded mandate.

[4:17:33] We all agree that health care is necessary.

[4:17:37] But if we don't have state assistance with state mandates

[4:17:41] and they take away the one revenue source that is stable,

[4:17:44] I am not sure how --

[4:17:46] and there was no plan.

[4:17:48] They didn't study it.

[4:17:49] They had no idea how to take care

[4:17:51] of folks who energy assistance.

[4:17:54] I believe government were here for that health safety welfare

[4:18:00] piece.

[4:18:00] That is our primary duty is to make sure that we are keeping

[4:18:04] people healthy and safe.

[4:18:06] You do a fantastic job of it.

[4:18:08] So thank you.

[4:18:09] I don't have any other questions other

[4:18:11] than I think I want to do a hard hat

[4:18:14] tour when we are at that place for the animal services.

[4:18:16] And I would love to see--

[4:18:18] I think you said that 24 hour program.

[4:18:22] I would love to hear more about that also.

[4:18:26] It is brilliant.

[4:18:27] As somebody who has looked at some

[4:18:28] of that research about that first 24 hours out,

[4:18:31] it's the most dangerous time.

[4:18:33] Thank you for always continuing to look for those opportunities

[4:18:37] to save people.

[4:18:37] I appreciate it.

[4:18:45] >> Thank you.

[4:18:45] >> Thank you for the presentation.

[4:18:48] You are one department that I will always

[4:18:51] advocate for to get more money for because you're

[4:18:54] in the business of you are taking care of the people who

[4:18:59] without the care can end up without a life peer am I

[4:19:04] I have some specific questions very quickly.

[4:19:08] I know that district nine of the medical examiner

[4:19:11] includes Osceola.

[4:19:12] Does Osceola cover 100% of their costs, so none of those costs

[4:19:17] are picked up by Orange County >> That's correct.

[4:19:21] The percentage of the total budget, which we see 21%

[4:19:25] of our case volume come from Osceola.

[4:19:28] They cover 21% of our budget.

[4:19:30] If it goes up, it goes down, it moves with it.

[4:19:35] >> Thank you.

[4:19:36] There were some concerning legislation

[4:19:38] that was in Tallahassee this year regarding the state taking

[4:19:43] over animal services.

[4:19:45] So that was concerning the legislation.

[4:19:48] I think it may come back if we start talking about the property

[4:19:52] tax reform passing.

[4:19:55] And I wanted to make sure because one thing that tourists

[4:19:59] don't like seeing one of those streets

[4:20:00] is stray dogs and stray cats.

[4:20:03] We have an organization that was receiving

[4:20:06] TNR, which is the spaying and neutering of stray cats.

[4:20:11] They are called Cata-ppaloosa .

[4:20:20] They reduce our street population

[4:20:21] in Orange County by thousands of cats

[4:20:23] because they trap feral cats.

[4:20:24] They get them neutered.

[4:20:25] They get them spayed.

[4:20:26] Animals that run the streets can spread the disease

[4:20:29] to other healthy animals as well as to people.

[4:20:33] They impact tourism.

[4:20:34] I know their funding is about $2,500 a month that they were

[4:20:37] receiving through Pet Alliance.

[4:20:39] But I wanted to put it on your radar

[4:20:41] because they are providing an important service.

[4:20:43] And their service is for free to us.

[4:20:46] They are just trying to recoup the funds

[4:20:48] for getting those stray cats spayed and neutered

[4:20:51] so that they don't contribute to the continued increase

[4:20:54] in stray cat population.

[4:20:56] >> More than willing to talk today about the possibility

[4:20:58] of including it in the future if we have the resources.

[4:21:02] We do have a TNR program.

[4:21:05] We have one animal services.

[4:21:08] We have done this year about four of those.

[4:21:11] And we also work with another organization care aligned to.

[4:21:17] We brought about $5,700 a month, and that covered just about

[4:21:24] another 95 spay neuter operations at the East Side

[4:21:28] clinic that has operated.

[4:21:30] >> And that is the one that they were using was the East Side

[4:21:33] Clinic through Pet Alliance when Pet Alliance was rent out

[4:21:35] the facility?

[4:21:37] >> They don't rent.

[4:21:38] They get it for free.

[4:21:39] >> Thank you for doing that.

[4:21:40] I think that group is spaying and neutering

[4:21:43] ten cats a week so 40 cats a month.

[4:21:46] It's a significant population when

[4:21:48] you talk about having cages for the 200 in your new facility.

[4:21:52] That will fill up very fast if we are losing our TNR funding.

[4:21:58] We will send some more information to you

[4:22:00] on >> Willing to support the activity if we

[4:22:03] have the resources and we can do something about it.

[4:22:05] >> Thank you.

[4:22:06] And then I just wanted to bring up --

[4:22:09] when we talk about on slide 23 when it talks about the impact

[4:22:12] to people, just so that we have factual narrative that can be

[4:22:19] used to comment if you could go to slide 23,

[4:22:21] those were the potential programs that would be at risk

[4:22:23] with a reduction in services.

[4:22:27] What I just wanted to -- when you see these,

[4:22:33] what is that primary care access network,

[4:22:37] are you providing life saving services to people that access

[4:22:40] that care?

[4:22:41] >> Yes, we provide preventative services for people who have no

[4:22:45] other sources of health insurance.

[4:22:48] >> If we lose that program, are we talking about increasing --

[4:22:54] families seeing an increase in the loss of family members

[4:22:58] to death because they are untreated?

[4:23:00] >> For sure, not only us, also supports,

[4:23:05] all the community centers.

[4:23:09] It's also a coordinated approach to services where we cannot

[4:23:14] provide somebody else can provide a.

[4:23:15] So it's a whole network of services

[4:23:17] that we provide to people who don't have insurance.

[4:23:20] >> Thank you.

[4:23:21] And then of course, that secondary one

[4:23:23] with providing access to care for people who are experiencing

[4:23:26] diseases like cancer

[4:23:28] >> Surgeries, cancer, you name it.

[4:23:34] >> That third one regarding public's health,

[4:23:36] talking about some vaccinations, is tuberculosis still active

[4:23:41] in our society?

[4:23:43] >> Very much so.

[4:23:46] >> I have seen that in the news, that tuberculosis rates are

[4:23:49] increasing.

[4:23:50] Is tuberculosis a lethal >> Untreated, yes.

[4:23:55] >> And then with mosquito borne, I have had chikungunya when I

[4:23:59] was in the Caribbean.

[4:24:00] It was one of the most painful life experiences

[4:24:02] I've had in your joints.

[4:24:05] But are there diseases that can be

[4:24:08] spread by mosquitoes that could result in the death of humans?

[4:24:12] >> Yes, just one that is always here, dengue.

[4:24:16] >> So 100% of the potential programs and services that could

[4:24:20] be at risk for reduction in revenue or program cuts are

[4:24:25] actually life saving programs in our community.

[4:24:29] >> Absolutely.

[4:24:29] That's why they're funded.

[4:24:32] >> Thank you, Dr. Pino.

[4:24:36] >> On the animal services side, I saw a story --

[4:24:41] I think it was yesterday somewhere

[4:24:44] in the news about coyote.

[4:24:47] Do we have another coyote in our shelters?

[4:24:51] >> We do-- it is normally for the Florida Department

[4:24:56] of Wildlife.

[4:24:57] But yes, there are coyotes.

[4:25:03] >> In Orange County Animal Services does a great coyote

[4:25:07] presentation.

[4:25:07] Water Park does have a lot of coyotes.

[4:25:10] They come out and do services and presentations

[4:25:12] to help keep residents safe from human animal conflicts.

[4:25:17] >> Very good.

[4:25:22] Commissioner.

[4:25:32] >> Thank you for the presentation and thank you

[4:25:35] for always being accessible to us into my office.

[4:25:38] I just wanted to follow up with what Commissioner Semrad

[4:25:42] waw was looking into in the secondary care.

[4:25:45] You said here that all of these services

[4:25:49] are critical services, right?

[4:25:52] Oncology, cardio.

[4:25:57] So where are these services provided?

[4:26:00] >> The services are provided as part of the pika network,

[4:26:03] depending on who has the specialization.

[4:26:05] It could be AdventHealth, Orlando Health.

[4:26:07] It could be whatever the person may decide or whatever

[4:26:10] the services.

[4:26:11] We also coordinate with the providers.

[4:26:14] Whatever we can get are the cheapest, we also go there.

[4:26:17] But yeah, normally the negotiated approach,

[4:26:20] whatever the client may want.

[4:26:22] >> So that means if they have no insurance,

[4:26:25] they could still participate in the medical services,

[4:26:31] and then from there, they would receive the basic --

[4:26:37] >> The pika is more about primary care,

[4:26:40] general approach to health.

[4:26:42] And then the secondary care is more

[4:26:44] if they need hospitalization, if they need surgery,

[4:26:47] if they need physical therapy, whatever the necessity may be.

[4:26:52] >> That's good.

[4:26:54] Thank you, Dr. Pino, for everything.

[4:27:00] >> All right.

[4:27:01] Dr. Pino, thank you, sir.

[4:27:04] Great job.

[4:27:07] >> Can I just say one thing?

[4:27:08] I've already looked at your report.

[4:27:09] Thank you for all you do.

[4:27:11] Thank you for what you do with the project

[4:27:14] opioid, Dr. Tie, everybody because it's

[4:27:17] really make an impact.

[4:27:19] And I know every dollar you do is going to the fullest amount.

[4:27:22] Your team treats people with medical services

[4:27:26] with such dignity that they just absolutely love it.

[4:27:29] I hear nothing but great things from people who

[4:27:31] need health services from you.

[4:27:33] >> Thank you.

[4:27:34] Mayor, if you'd allow me a minute,

[4:27:37] I would like to thank the commissioners

[4:27:39] for all the support that you have

[4:27:40] provided to Health services.

[4:27:42] This may be the last time that we

[4:27:43] see each other in this kind of environment for some,

[4:27:47] and also, to Byron and Danny for their support and guidance,

[4:27:56] and, for your trust.

[4:27:58] It's been great to work with you and for you.

[4:28:01] >> Thank you.

[4:28:02] We are going to move forward to the one and only

[4:28:07] Joseph Kunkel from our public works.

[4:28:11] >> Thank you, mayor.

[4:28:16] Good afternoon.

[4:28:17] I'm here to present the Public Works

[4:28:19] budget for fiscal year 26, 27.

[4:28:21] I have a large part of my public works team

[4:28:25] here with me for support.

[4:28:36] Our presentation will follow the standard outline

[4:28:40] starting with the organizational chart moving to the pros 26, 27

[4:28:43] budget, some highlights.

[4:28:44] Moving on to the Capital Improvement Program column

[4:28:47] and looking at some services at risk,

[4:28:48] then finishing up with our summary.

[4:28:51] Moving into our organizational chart,

[4:28:55] I heard Doctor Pino say he has the best Deputy Director.

[4:29:00] He may have one of the best deputy directors,

[4:29:02] but I have two of the best deputy

[4:29:05] directors in our organization.

[4:29:09] The first of those on the chart as you see is Brett Blackadar.

[4:29:19] Working on that side is our roads and drainage division,

[4:29:24] stormwater management division, Michael Drazek is their manager.

[4:29:27] Traffic engineering Division, the well-known Humberto

[4:29:30] Castillero as well as our newest member to our leadership team

[4:29:36] at Orange County Public Works is Taneya Simpson,

[4:29:41] recently replacing Ralph Acre as our support division manager.

[4:29:47] The second half of our duo, our top duo

[4:29:50] includes our county engineer and Deputy Director Susan Ussach.

[4:29:54] Included in her side of the house

[4:29:57] is production and permitting.

[4:29:59] That has Raymond Williams as manager of our engineering

[4:30:02] division, helping our capital projects.

[4:30:04] Highway Construction Division is led by Ken Leming.

[4:30:08] They do administration for us for those construction projects.

[4:30:11] We have developed engineering division which

[4:30:14] reviews all the DRC and a lot of permits as well headed

[4:30:17] by Dale Mudrak.

[4:30:20] Transportation Division who initiates a lot of studies

[4:30:22] and does a lot of other activities

[4:30:24] is led by Brian Sanders.

[4:30:26] At Public Works, we work together

[4:30:31] to pursue and complete plan common,

[4:30:35] construct, operate, and maintain safe transportation

[4:30:38] and stormwater infrastructure framework we are pretty

[4:30:41] proud of being able to do all those things on an annual basis

[4:30:44] for the Orange County residents.

[4:30:47] I think it goes without saying that we work 24/7, 365,

[4:30:54] all year, all day, all weekend, and nighttime.

[4:30:58] That could be something as simple as attending community

[4:31:00] meetings and public get togethers as well as inspection

[4:31:04] of projects that go into the night time

[4:31:07] or required to do nighttime inspections,

[4:31:09] as well as things such as the sinkhole that

[4:31:12] occurred in Maitland somewhere around 2 a.m.

[4:31:16] Our staff got a call about the sinkhole occurring in Maitland

[4:31:20] at a county owned facility.

[4:31:21] We responded and went out in the middle of the night

[4:31:24] to work on that issue.

[4:31:26] Also, one of the other items that is a 24/7 activity is

[4:31:34] our traffic signal operations.

[4:31:36] Regardless the time of day, or traffic signal technicians

[4:31:39] will respond to a downed signal, day or night, after storm.

[4:31:44] Will respond.

[4:31:45] Any time of the day they will go out

[4:31:47] and work on signals and signal operations.

[4:31:49] You may not be as aware of that we collaborate

[4:31:52] with a number of different divisions and departments

[4:31:54] across the county.

[4:31:55] For example, Fire Rescue has an optical system

[4:32:00] attached to our Signalization.

[4:32:02] One there's maintenance and activities required

[4:32:04] for that optical system, our traffic

[4:32:07] signal ops folks go out and work on those repairs.

[4:32:10] Likewise, we have a number of design contract administration

[4:32:16] construction administration contracts

[4:32:18] that we do for the departments as well, including

[4:32:20] parks and recs for their trails, EPT for water quality projects,

[4:32:26] and community development block grant projects.

[4:32:29] Public works and appliance, amazingly

[4:32:32] enough over 27000 311 inquiries coming to public works a year.

[4:32:40] That's over 500 per week, 100 is a.

[4:32:45] Most of those go to roads and drainage

[4:32:48] and also go to traffic and engineering.

[4:32:50] But then they get responded to by other divisions.

[4:32:54] We still have almost 6000 miles of pavement

[4:32:58] that we need to maintain, over 2000 retention ponds,

[4:33:01] and we are approaching 700 signals

[4:33:03] that are our responsibility.

[4:33:05] Our development engineering group

[4:33:07] reviews a number of permits as I mentioned.

[4:33:10] As the first part of June, they have reviewed 4500 permits.

[4:33:14] They're on pace for 6000 this fiscal year.

[4:33:20] Moving on to our proposed budget for fiscal year 26, 27,

[4:33:25] our funding sources have remained pretty much the same.

[4:33:27] We still get a good share of our operations,

[4:33:31] almost all our operations monies come from the state sales tax.

[4:33:35] You can see that on the right, $186 million.

[4:33:38] Our capital program CIP, we use gas tax,

[4:33:42] impact fees, miscellaneous construction funds.

[4:33:45] And then some CRA funding as well

[4:33:46] goes into our capital program.

[4:33:50] As for our proposed budget, we're

[4:33:53] seeing a slight increase for our personal services

[4:33:56] in line with the direction that we are provided.

[4:33:59] And we are making up for that additional cost

[4:34:02] in the personal services through our operating budget

[4:34:05] so that we are resulting in a one

[4:34:08] tenth of 1% change for our budget this year

[4:34:11] and our staffing will remain the same at 577.

[4:34:15] I'm at the distribution of our budget,

[4:34:21] it's clear that roads and drainage

[4:34:24] is the largest division, has the largest number of staff,

[4:34:27] and has the widest range of responsibilities

[4:34:29] in the operating side.

[4:34:31] They have the largest amount of funding inside of public works.

[4:34:34] There are things that they handle

[4:34:37] that include paying the street light bills for all the street

[4:34:42] lighting across Orange County.

[4:34:44] They also have more traditional types

[4:34:45] of activities including sidewalk repair, street repair,

[4:34:48] maintenance of pipes and culverts comet inlets, cleaning

[4:34:53] channels, and small canals.

[4:34:54] Also in the higher end of our budget

[4:34:58] is stormwater management, traffic engineering,

[4:35:01] are the two operations groups.

[4:35:03] They have varied responsibilities

[4:35:06] outside for the operations and maintenance of all

[4:35:09] the infrastructure that we have, as well as

[4:35:13] our fiscal and operational support.

[4:35:15] They provide funding for all of our intergovernmental indirect

[4:35:24] costs as well as the facilities and maintenance

[4:35:28] costs for all the locations that we have either our main campus

[4:35:32] or our satellite campuses.

[4:35:33] The other divisions have a similar responsibility

[4:35:38] with personnel services costs as well.

[4:35:45] Moving on to some highlights, you

[4:35:48] may ask how do we reduce our budget.

[4:35:50] There's a couple things we did.

[4:35:53] We sharpened our pencil and looked

[4:35:54] across a number of different lines,

[4:35:56] making smaller changes here and there

[4:35:57] to reduce the impacts of our budget.

[4:35:59] We look specifically at the rolling stock

[4:36:02] and heavy equipment needs that we have for this year

[4:36:04] and looked at what we can defer and be able to move

[4:36:07] into future budget years.

[4:36:08] We looked really closely at the historical expenditures

[4:36:11] on our overtime.

[4:36:13] In some scenarios we were able to the budgeted over time.

[4:36:16] We also looked at travel and training

[4:36:19] and reduced some of those costs.

[4:36:21] We are focusing on certain leadership training program

[4:36:24] this year.

[4:36:25] We have an internal public works leadership

[4:36:29] program that we are providing to our staff.

[4:36:31] That is being done through insight internal

[4:36:35] to public works.

[4:36:36] A bit of a good news perspective is our in-service contract

[4:36:42] pricing.

[4:36:43] Last year's budget we anticipated

[4:36:46] some of the term construction contracts coming in much higher.

[4:36:51] It's hard to predict sometimes what's

[4:36:53] going to happen in the construction industry.

[4:36:55] We have had a handful of contracts come in

[4:36:57] lower than expected, particularly

[4:37:00] on the stormwater side.

[4:37:01] So as we move forward through those multi-year bids,

[4:37:06] we are seeing some reduction in the contract pricing for some

[4:37:10] of those term contract activities paramedic also

[4:37:14] we were able to utilize our in-house paving operations.

[4:37:22] This is a plus.

[4:37:23] It's a partnership between our operating side and our capital

[4:37:26] side.

[4:37:27] We use in-house paving to do some

[4:37:29] of the smaller paving projects last year that

[4:37:31] received some funding from our capital program.

[4:37:34] It saved us about $2.5 million being

[4:37:39] able to use our crew as opposed to going out under the contract

[4:37:42] price.

[4:37:43] A second bonus this year is that we're

[4:37:44] going to be using our in-house paving

[4:37:46] crew to pay for the parking lot in our main complex.

[4:37:50] That should result in some savings

[4:37:52] to that capital expense on the facility side.

[4:37:57] You may also have heard about this modular roundabout

[4:38:01] that we installed recently in Wyndham Lakes at Rodrick Circle.

[4:38:07] It's the largest in Florida and the second

[4:38:10] in the state of Florida.

[4:38:12] It went in in about three weeks as opposed

[4:38:17] to multiple months for installation.

[4:38:20] So the installation time was much shorter.

[4:38:23] The total costs were about half compared

[4:38:27] to a regular construction of a roundabout.

[4:38:29] There is some time for fabrication.

[4:38:32] But once it's installed, it gets installed very quickly.

[4:38:35] And that quick installation reduces disruption

[4:38:38] for the neighborhood when the roundabout is installed.

[4:38:44] So we were proud of this approach and innovative idea.

[4:38:48] Something else that we've done recently

[4:38:51] is that we have combined projects

[4:38:54] as part of a road resurfacing program, we went in last year

[4:38:59] and did a road diet design and installed

[4:39:05] some of the other items associated with road diet,

[4:39:09] including access control and pedestrian crossings,

[4:39:12] then use the resurfacing to finish off the project.

[4:39:15] We combined two projects into one

[4:39:17] for some significant efficiencies

[4:39:20] with that Rio Grande project.

[4:39:23] And we continue to look at those types of activities

[4:39:25] in our division and department.

[4:39:29] Lastly, we also want to highlight

[4:39:32] if you will the funding challenges that are still there.

[4:39:35] We recently got a FEMA grant.

[4:39:38] We weren't notified -- it was over a year ago that we were

[4:39:42] going to get some funding for the Bonnybrook subdivision pump

[4:39:44] station.

[4:39:45] It took quite a while for that funding to come forward.

[4:39:48] FEMA funding is still unpredictable,

[4:39:51] but we will continue to look for opportunities to apply

[4:39:56] for those types of grants.

[4:39:58] Additionally we have applied for some safe streets

[4:40:00] for all and some other transportation and safety

[4:40:03] grants.

[4:40:04] Those have become extremely competitive.

[4:40:07] We thought we had a very good request last year for our safety

[4:40:14] program for our high injury network projects.

[4:40:19] At the end of the day, we were told that the grant request

[4:40:23] was just too much.

[4:40:25] There's too many requests going around.

[4:40:27] We need to look at applying for smaller grants, which

[4:40:31] we did this year.

[4:40:32] We'll see how that turns out.

[4:40:34] I don't think it needs to be said that we have been looking

[4:40:38] for dedicated funding sources for transit

[4:40:40] for a number of years now, as well as looking for funding

[4:40:45] to meet the funding gaps that we have in our transportation

[4:40:49] program.

[4:40:50] Moving on to that transportation program, our capital improvement

[4:40:55] projects, we're requesting $264.4 million this year.

[4:40:59] And here is the split of the projects

[4:41:02] into different categories.

[4:41:04] Once again be in roadway major projects are the big projects.

[4:41:09] The insanity of the funding inside our proposed program.

[4:41:14] We also include 44-ish million dollars for our resurfacing

[4:41:19] program, about $1 million more than last year,

[4:41:23] as well as the drainage improvements in ATSP.

[4:41:30] Program fundings are about the same.

[4:41:32] Note that our traffic calming, traffic signals, bike program,

[4:41:38] as well as sidewalks program is higher this year.

[4:41:41] Those two groupings of projects are

[4:41:44] receiving about $19 million more than we did last year.

[4:41:48] Over the course of all of our interactions for any

[4:41:53] of the infrastructure for sales tax initiatives,

[4:41:55] we consistently heard the need for sidewalk, ADA,

[4:42:01] and bike and ped safety.

[4:42:04] We responded with some additional funding for those

[4:42:06] this year.

[4:42:07] A new mandatory part of our budget

[4:42:12] process going to the transportation

[4:42:13] Mobility Advisory Commission, Transmac.

[4:42:16] We refer to them this year and they did a recommendation

[4:42:19] on March 12th to recommend approval of the capital program

[4:42:24] that we presented.

[4:42:27] That came over to the BCC sometime in March.

[4:42:29] They also followed up with a submittal

[4:42:31] for some recommendations to BCC.

[4:42:34] One of the things that has been discussed consistently

[4:42:37] with Transmac has been prioritization and project

[4:42:42] phasing, project scheduling for the capital program.

[4:42:45] So we are looking at coming back sometime this year

[4:42:50] with a presentation in BCC.

[4:42:53] We are scheduling a meeting with Transmac

[4:42:56] in August to go over the prioritization proposal

[4:43:02] that we are putting in place.

[4:43:06] Requested and we are looking at a matrix that

[4:43:10] is going to utilize current data to address the necessity

[4:43:16] and prioritization of not only our major projects

[4:43:20] but also our programs, bridge program, sidewalk

[4:43:24] program, traffic safety program, and Vision zero

[4:43:28] as well as traffic calming.

[4:43:30] We're going to be looking at all those programs

[4:43:32] and coming up with some prioritization based

[4:43:34] on current actual data, then utilizing that

[4:43:37] as part of our future planning program

[4:43:39] as well as to come up with a more accurate projection

[4:43:44] of project's schedule.

[4:43:48] Moving into the remainder of the capital program,

[4:43:52] I want to start off with some of our outside partners

[4:43:55] before I get into the projects that we have internally.

[4:43:57] We have a number of partnership projects with dot,

[4:44:00] the first being State Road 50.

[4:44:03] This is an agreement that we entered into,

[4:44:07] a reimbursement agreement we entered into with Dot that

[4:44:10] will advance portions of State Road 52 years,

[4:44:13] and then consolidate that time frame for the construction

[4:44:17] of those improvements out on State Road 50,

[4:44:20] and it will result in a reimbursement

[4:44:23] back to Orange County.

[4:44:24] We also have a number of projects.

[4:44:27] Those are local agency program projects with the Dot.

[4:44:31] Lab projects generally consist of trails and intersection

[4:44:35] projects that we work on.

[4:44:38] The majority of the funding is in the trails program.

[4:44:41] You may recall we recently double

[4:44:43] dashed there was recently finished

[4:44:46] the Apopka, Lake Apopka Extension Trail in West Orange

[4:44:51] County as well as the last segment

[4:44:53] of the Shingle Creek Trail coming forward with Lap funding.

[4:44:57] We have some vertical projects with private development,

[4:45:01] new independence is underway.

[4:45:03] It's fairly far along and we'll be

[4:45:06] I'm sure completed either way this year,

[4:45:08] first part of next year, as well as a very desperately

[4:45:12] needed Fleming through an extension and connection

[4:45:15] to Orange County to support a part of Orange County and Lake

[4:45:19] County.

[4:45:20] Moving on to our resurfacing program Palma

[4:45:22] I will start off the CIP there.

[4:45:24] You may remember last year I went into a long discussion

[4:45:27] about resurfacing and compared it to the roof of your house

[4:45:30] and a whole bunch of other things,

[4:45:32] but need to just say that all those things still apply.

[4:45:36] If you remember that, kudos to you.

[4:45:38] I wanted to identify one thing particularly.

[4:45:41] That is milling and resurfacing is around $250,000 per lane

[4:45:47] mile.

[4:45:49] Recycling is a step up.

[4:45:50] That comes up to about 400,000 per lane mile.

[4:45:53] If we get to degradation that you see in that left corner,

[4:45:58] upper right left picture, a lot of times

[4:46:02] you are going into full depth replacement.

[4:46:04] That comes out to be about three times the cost.

[4:46:07] The whole vision of the resurfacing program

[4:46:10] is not to get to that level of degradation,

[4:46:13] to try to address these resurfacing as it comes forward.

[4:46:18] This year we are planning 175 lane miles for fiscal year 27.

[4:46:24] We are still not getting close to reaching that almost 400 lane

[4:46:28] miles to hit that 15 year cycle, which

[4:46:31] is desired industry standard.

[4:46:34] Right now we're looking at about a 34 year cycle

[4:46:37] to resurface all our roadways.

[4:46:40] However with this upcoming fiscal year,

[4:46:42] will be looking into other preservation treatments as well

[4:46:45] to see if we can possibly extend and expand the budget

[4:46:50] for the resurfacing program here in --

[4:46:55] talking about costs with resurfacing and construction

[4:46:59] in general, this slide shows the cost increases

[4:47:03] over the last 5 or 6 years or so for our road program.

[4:47:09] This is a standard two lane improvement or modification

[4:47:14] with design, study, right of way,

[4:47:18] mitigation, and construction.

[4:47:20] You see over the last five years there's

[4:47:21] about a 72% increase in the total costs.

[4:47:26] Not too surprised that the last two years,

[4:47:29] you're looking at about a 30% increase.

[4:47:34] However if you look at resurfacing and this

[4:47:36] is where you can see the big jump that occurs.

[4:47:38] One of the big challenges that we have with resurfacing.

[4:47:42] That is over the last 3 or 4 years,

[4:47:45] there's been a tremendous increase in the cost associated

[4:47:47] with resurfacing.

[4:47:50] It's one and a half times the cost

[4:47:55] from 2019 and over double the cost from 2021.

[4:48:02] There has been a tremendous rise in the resurfacing program cost

[4:48:06] associated with resurfacing.

[4:48:09] With resurfacing behind us, now I'm

[4:48:13] going to look at the major roadway program.

[4:48:16] I'm going to start off with identifying the projects that we

[4:48:19] have funding available and projects

[4:48:21] that are either moving forward or currently in construction.

[4:48:24] E trail is coming to a close and should

[4:48:28] be coming up this fiscal year.

[4:48:30] All American Boulevard and Kennedy Boulevard

[4:48:32] is a joint project on the west side.

[4:48:35] That has received notice to proceed

[4:48:37] and has started some work.

[4:48:40] As well as Ficquette Road in Western

[4:48:46] Orange County has started construction.

[4:48:48] Later this year we expect Reims Road is going out

[4:48:51] to bid, had gone out to bid.

[4:48:53] We expect it to start this year.

[4:48:54] And then the Taft Vineland Road project

[4:48:56] which we are collaborating with dot on

[4:48:58] will also start this fiscal year.

[4:49:01] We're looking at projects that are in the design phase,

[4:49:06] we have orange Avenue, Vineland Road,

[4:49:10] and Innovation Way are all in their design phase

[4:49:13] and we'll continue to get funding for the design phase.

[4:49:16] Lake Underhill is a project that we are bringing back

[4:49:20] and initiating this year.

[4:49:21] And then en oda road, we have our phase one contract

[4:49:29] for design to occur this fiscal year.

[4:49:33] Projects that have moved along and are either

[4:49:35] in right of way phase or going into the right of way phase

[4:49:37] this year include Avalon Road, Woodbury Road, Kennedy Boulevard

[4:49:42] East, and Tradeshow Boulevard down by the Convention Center.

[4:50:10] [audio out]

[4:51:33] We have I know what's going on between stormwater drainage.

[4:51:36] I listed a few that are going on this year that are newer.

[4:51:40] Cottondale drive is in East Orange County

[4:51:42] and we are looking to have that be under construction shortly

[4:51:45] after the start of the fiscal year.

[4:51:48] Orlo Vista drainage, we have some associated

[4:51:50] secondary drainage in that area that

[4:51:52] is going to be a project this next fiscal year

[4:51:54] as well as replacing Oakland Terrace in the Doctor Phillips

[4:51:58] area.

[4:51:59] We have seen some drainage in the past.

[4:52:01] We have a number of other projects

[4:52:02] across the county that are still in play that I did not list.

[4:52:06] We have our major watershed plan updates moving forward

[4:52:10] and coming to a close.

[4:52:11] And then we have stormwater pump station

[4:52:14] upgrade that I mentioned earlier in the Bonnybrook subdivision.

[4:52:17] Overall there's about $20 million

[4:52:19] in those drainage improvements we have and master study.

[4:52:25] Looking at another portion of our safety

[4:52:27] program, the intersection sidewalk and Ada.

[4:52:30] Including in this one, we have a couple of bridges.

[4:52:33] The one in note coming forward is designed for the I drive

[4:52:36] pedestrian bridge.

[4:52:37] That we have the Rock Springs Road complete Street project,

[4:52:42] which is slightly different.

[4:52:44] It came through the MPO.

[4:52:46] There was some grant funding for that.

[4:52:47] It's a lap project.

[4:52:49] That's something in the Apopka area

[4:52:51] we're looking at some intersection improvements as

[4:52:53] well as some access management.

[4:52:54] That was a through a study by Metro Plan Network moving

[4:52:57] forward to construction.

[4:52:58] We have our county wide programs with sidewalk Ada

[4:53:02] and the median tree program.

[4:53:05] Certainly last but not least is our accelerated Transportation

[4:53:09] Safety program.

[4:53:11] They'll be getting an update a little bit later in August.

[4:53:15] We are calling it mid-term, but it's a little bit more

[4:53:19] than midterm that'll be providing

[4:53:20] an update on the activities associated

[4:53:22] with our accelerated safety transportation safety program.

[4:53:26] For next year we are looking at providing some lighting sidewalk

[4:53:31] projects.

[4:53:31] And then we are including funding

[4:53:34] for the Seidel roundabout.

[4:53:37] It is finished and going through construction right now,

[4:53:40] that will be funded next year.

[4:53:45] And then some traffic calming up in the tangerine area.

[4:53:49] That is what we have.

[4:53:52] This slide tells what we don't have.

[4:53:56] This is a fiscal year CIP shortfall.

[4:54:00] There is a lot of information on here.

[4:54:02] We try to squeeze the next five years onto one slide.

[4:54:05] I think the big takeaway from here is that there is some gray

[4:54:09] -- and it's supposed to be blue, but it turned out to be gray

[4:54:13] on the slide.

[4:54:14] Funding that we have in place for anticipated budget

[4:54:18] as well as the shortfalls when we look at the projected needs.

[4:54:23] There's a lot of numbers and items there

[4:54:26] but you've seen a lot of this information previously either

[4:54:29] in our stormwater utility fee or the infrastructure Sales Tax

[4:54:36] initiative.

[4:54:36] Moving on to the next slide, this

[4:54:38] may be a little more easy to follow.

[4:54:41] This is the total budget shortfall by fiscal year.

[4:54:46] You can see that the total budgets of available monies

[4:54:51] are going down as we progress into fiscal year 31.

[4:54:56] And then you can see that the total project

[4:54:58] funding is going slightly down over the five year process.

[4:55:05] But most scary is that the red shortfall increases

[4:55:14] every year year over year.

[4:55:16] As we move forward with our CIP, we

[4:55:20] are seeing our funding go down.

[4:55:22] We are seeing the shortfalls increase.

[4:55:24] And we are seeing the construction costs for projects

[4:55:28] go up.

[4:55:31] This is looking again at the same data

[4:55:34] but looking at it by the categories.

[4:55:36] What I did was I combined roadway safety with Vision Zero.

[4:55:41] Those two categories together to help things out.

[4:55:44] You can see that over the next few years

[4:55:46] we are looking at making roadway safety

[4:55:48] and the Vision Zero projects a priority by providing

[4:55:51] some additional funding.

[4:55:52] However, you can look at the stormwater capital

[4:55:55] and see that there is a huge shortfall.

[4:55:58] That is one of the reasons why we were looking at pursuing

[4:56:01] that stormwater utility fee.

[4:56:03] You can look at these shortfalls on the roadway

[4:56:06] and the rehabilitation projects.

[4:56:07] That was the reason we were looking

[4:56:10] to pursue separate funding or dedicated funding

[4:56:13] for the transportation program.

[4:56:16] With those funding shortfalls, here

[4:56:19] are some of the projects that are not moving forward

[4:56:22] and will be on hold.

[4:56:24] The first one, projects that have started or completed

[4:56:33] study, but there is no funding for moving forward

[4:56:37] and the design right of way or construction.

[4:56:39] That includes the Western portion

[4:56:41] of Lake Underhill, Chickasaw to icon trail, Hancock, icon trail,

[4:56:52] the tiny road, Edgewater drive study, and the Valencia College

[4:56:56] Lane project.

[4:56:56] Our Hiawassee road pedestrian safety study currently

[4:56:59] is not funded in our program.

[4:57:03] Looking at projects that design has been complete

[4:57:08] or is underway, but does not have

[4:57:11] funding for right of way or construction,

[4:57:14] that includes those eastern portions

[4:57:17] of Richard Crotty Parkway, and then Schofield Road.

[4:57:25] We have funding for design but we have not

[4:57:28] put funding for right of way or construction as at this point.

[4:57:34] We have not been directed to do such.

[4:57:38] We were stuck with that.

[4:57:40] And then those projects that there's

[4:57:42] either right of way in place or right

[4:57:44] of way being acquired in the city and designs are complete

[4:57:46] but there is no funding for construction

[4:57:50] is, again, that first part of Richard Crotty Parkway.

[4:57:53] We've only funded up through that right of way acquisition

[4:57:55] process.

[4:57:56] Kennedy Boulevard East is in a similar scenario

[4:57:59] where there is funding for future right of way

[4:58:02] but no funding for construction.

[4:58:04] And Texas Avenue and Woodbury Road

[4:58:06] both are in that same funding situation.

[4:58:09] Looking at the potential program services at risk,

[4:58:15] I don't think this is a new slide.

[4:58:17] I know I've seen it a number of times today.

[4:58:20] I don't need to do a deep explanation other than these are

[4:58:24] not necessarily my recommendations

[4:58:26] but just potential items that can be problematic or create

[4:58:31] some issues or areas that may be possible for some funding

[4:58:37] reductions.

[4:58:38] We looked at some very specific items inside public works

[4:58:44] and our mowing schedule over the years.

[4:58:47] We've increased our mowing schedule

[4:58:49] on landscape activities and our medians and canals

[4:58:53] to where we are on about a two week schedule.

[4:58:56] We can certainly look at modifying that schedule

[4:59:01] to reduce the costs but extend the mowing periods

[4:59:06] so then you would have higher grass in the summertime

[4:59:10] when you get into those 2020 or 2024 business days cycles

[4:59:19] for mowing.

[4:59:20] Our road resurfacing program is not something

[4:59:22] that I certainly want to move forward,

[4:59:24] but it is something that we would look at if we had to.

[4:59:28] And that would go into that paving cycle

[4:59:31] that we've talked about.

[4:59:32] One item that we provide some -- some funding comes through some

[4:59:38] of our programs is for LYNX, mainly in the I-drive area.

[4:59:44] But something that could be certainly impacted

[4:59:45] would be the County Ride transit services, reduced and or impact

[4:59:52] their service schedules.

[4:59:54] Capital drainage, that's one of the areas

[4:59:59] that we've identified a fairly large program using

[5:00:02] the stormwater utility fee.

[5:00:05] If there is funding issues associated

[5:00:08] with that, that could extend some

[5:00:10] of those timelines for those capital drainage

[5:00:13] projects to move forward.

[5:00:15] Vision Zero and sidewalks I would hate to touch,

[5:00:18] but those are items that are out there that funding is areas

[5:00:25] that could be impacted as well.

[5:00:28] Those would be based on future evaluations.

[5:00:32] And then if we get into a directed scenario

[5:00:35] that we had to do personnel cuts and make some modifications

[5:00:41] to our Manning tables, we would look

[5:00:45] to evaluate those vacant positions

[5:00:47] that we have available.

[5:00:48] Most of our vacant positions have

[5:00:51] to be in roads and drainage and stormwater.

[5:00:54] As we cut those positions, we may

[5:00:56] need to consolidate some of our maintenance units

[5:00:59] to provide services and full crews to be

[5:01:03] able to find at least an acceptable level of services

[5:01:05] as best we can.

[5:01:08] That would impact the timing associated with those 27,000 311

[5:01:16] requests that come into public works every year.

[5:01:19] There are a couple of things that we have identified that we

[5:01:21] didn't think really cannot be reduced or totally reduced.

[5:01:25] That would be our Ada improvements.

[5:01:28] We typically have to identify that we have an Ada

[5:01:31] program in place to be eligible for the federal funding

[5:01:34] that we get through LAP.

[5:01:37] Our bridge maintenance program, we

[5:01:39] are not going to compromise bridge maintenance and public

[5:01:41] safety in any regards.

[5:01:43] If we do have contractual obligations

[5:01:45] particularly for construction, I suppose they could be canceled.

[5:01:50] That would be disastrous to stop a project

[5:01:52] in the middle of construction.

[5:01:54] So we would say that those need to occur as well.

[5:01:56] And then one other item that came up to my mind

[5:02:00] is that we would not compromise our response

[5:02:03] time for signal issues.

[5:02:06] If there's a signal that is out and it

[5:02:09] gets routed to our traffic operations team,

[5:02:14] then they would respond any time of day or out

[5:02:17] of time or whatever.

[5:02:18] That would be an area that we would not want to reduce.

[5:02:22] In summary, our operating budget is 191 million.

[5:02:26] Our capital project budget is 264 million.

[5:02:30] No new positions requested.

[5:02:32] Budget growth is one tenth of 1%.

[5:02:37] We're going to continue to invest

[5:02:39] in resurfacing as best we can.

[5:02:41] Safety, mobility, drainage are priorities for us.

[5:02:43] We'll also look at maximizing efficiency

[5:02:45] through either innovative technology

[5:02:47] such as the module roundabouts, or looking at some

[5:02:51] of the collaborative projects.

[5:02:53] That is my presentation for today.

[5:03:01] >> With that, let's see.

[5:03:06] They all lit up.

[5:03:15] >> Everybody likes to talk about public works.

[5:03:17] >> Usually I look to my right first because Commissioner

[5:03:19] Wilson is district one.

[5:03:21] But I'm going to look to my left first.

[5:03:24] Commissioner Semrad.

[5:03:28] >> Thank you, mayor.

[5:03:29] That was fun.

[5:03:30] Thank you, Joe, for the presentation.

[5:03:34] On slide 12, I noted how to reduce the budget.

[5:03:40] Congratulations on achieving that.

[5:03:41] What I was a little concerned about

[5:03:44] is I saw some of those budget reductions

[5:03:46] seemed like it was taking away from programs that were offered

[5:03:50] to help staff continues to develop over

[5:03:53] the years of their career.

[5:03:55] Education and certificates and training and such.

[5:03:58] I just wondered, what is the consequence if in your industry

[5:04:04] people don't stay current of trends in such

[5:04:10] that you see happening in public works?

[5:04:13] >> There's a couple of things.

[5:04:16] We looked at historical usage of the travel and training

[5:04:21] budgets combined.

[5:04:23] But there are some things that we absolutely

[5:04:30] continues to maintain.

[5:04:32] We maintenance traffic certifications

[5:04:34] that our field staff have.

[5:04:36] There are some other certifications

[5:04:37] associated with construction inspections

[5:04:39] that we will continue to do those.

[5:04:41] There is our professional engineering requirements

[5:04:44] that we will continue to do those.

[5:04:46] We will also look at continuing to offer CDL license

[5:04:52] string to staff.

[5:04:54] It may not be as many as the past,

[5:04:56] but it will still be some available for staff

[5:04:59] to be able to get that CDL license

[5:05:00] so they can move from an equipment operator

[5:05:02] one to a two, three, or possibly four.

[5:05:05] Some are still staying in place.

[5:05:07] What we are looking at was some of the other generalized

[5:05:13] training with either conference or subject specific training

[5:05:21] or things like stormwater design or some of our other inspection

[5:05:28] activities that we have internal staff that

[5:05:32] are experienced and can share some of those things.

[5:05:35] So we're not looking to compromise

[5:05:36] any of the certifications that our staff have.

[5:05:39] But we are looking at trying to bring in and do

[5:05:42] some internal training.

[5:05:44] >> Thank you for the explanation.

[5:05:46] And then I just had another question regarding, again,

[5:05:52] the slide where it talks about what other programs at risk.

[5:05:56] Could you just put that one up and could you

[5:05:58] provide an example to us of what you mean by a public safety

[5:06:04] risk?

[5:06:05] It's number two on that slide.

[5:06:10] >> I guess I need to do that.

[5:06:14] >> So right --

[5:06:18] >> This one?

[5:06:21] >> No, it was the other one with the bullet points.

[5:06:24] >> This one?

[5:06:27] >> No.

[5:06:27] I should have written it down.

[5:06:29] This one right here.

[5:06:29] When you see something like it says programs

[5:06:31] that could be reduced or would be at risk

[5:06:33] and it says bridge maintenance, parentheses public safety,

[5:06:39] could you give us an example something

[5:06:41] that would happen with a bridge that could result

[5:06:43] in a public safety issue?

[5:06:46] >> We have biennial reports, reports that we get from

[5:06:54] the DOT.

[5:06:54] They look at a number of different things associated

[5:06:57] with the bridge.

[5:06:58] Some of them are truly esthetic, things

[5:07:02] that you can see that just don't look well, but still

[5:07:06] may approached.

[5:07:07] And then there's some things that

[5:07:11] are operations and maintenance repairs and upkeep.

[5:07:14] That may be some small squall line

[5:07:18] where there's little patches or pieces of concrete that

[5:07:20] come out.

[5:07:20] Or there may be some scaling on the piles, which happens

[5:07:24] over the course of time.

[5:07:26] >> Could that result in safety issues for cars using those

[5:07:29] bridges?

[5:07:30] >> It can.

[5:07:31] We get these reports every two years.

[5:07:34] You address those things more immediately so

[5:07:37] that scaling on that pile doesn't

[5:07:39] get so bad that the reinforcement bars are exposed

[5:07:43] and can collapse.

[5:07:45] So yes.

[5:07:46] And one thing we are not willing to compromise

[5:07:49] and we're not going to produce in our budget

[5:07:51] is how we are looking at our bridge maintenance and safety

[5:07:55] programs.

[5:07:56] We're making sure that we get some of the things settle down

[5:07:59] or may be some things that we can say,

[5:08:02] that it's more maintenance related items

[5:08:04] and we can push those out for a fiscal year.

[5:08:07] But if there is something that comes

[5:08:09] in that is more of a structural component,

[5:08:14] that would either get an immediate response

[5:08:16] or we would close the bridge or would

[5:08:19] look at doing those repairs and modifications as quickly as we

[5:08:23] can.

[5:08:24] It depends a little bit on the force receive.

[5:08:31] There's no coming back from the Comptroller

[5:08:34] that's going to discuss some of that.

[5:08:36] >> It sounds as though some of the things that you are

[5:08:39] describing, that could happen if these things aren't maintained

[5:08:42] are catastrophic.

[5:08:45] >> Absolutely.

[5:08:45] That's the intention of getting these reports every two years,

[5:08:48] making sure we are addressing those accordingly,

[5:08:50] looking at the items that are most important to get done,

[5:08:54] and making those decisions.

[5:08:56] Is this an item that we have to do today

[5:08:58] or is this an item that we can schedule with some other work?

[5:09:01] Or is this an item that we can postpone for a year or so

[5:09:05] and bring it back based on budget availability?

[5:09:09] >> Thank you, Joe.

[5:09:12] >> Commissioner Gomez Cordero.

[5:09:16] >> Okay.

[5:09:18] Thank you for your presentation and always

[5:09:22] being accessible on your team.

[5:09:25] Your engineers are so amazing.

[5:09:26] Thank you.

[5:09:27] I wanted to say thank you also because you did put here

[5:09:31] the critical programs that --

[5:09:33] I like it.

[5:09:35] Thank you so much for doing that.

[5:09:36] That was excellent.

[5:09:37] I probably signal issues, we call you

[5:09:40] and then you take care of it.

[5:09:44] Thank you so much.

[5:09:47] What I wanted to say?

[5:09:50] The mowing schedule that you said it couldn't be reduced

[5:09:53] and you know that we received so many calls because the ordinance

[5:09:58] is 18in.

[5:09:59] But the county is the one that had the --

[5:10:03] that would be a problem, right?

[5:10:06] >> Yes.

[5:10:07] That's one of the reasons we identified that.

[5:10:11] If there are budget constraints and there

[5:10:13] is a decision or determination that we

[5:10:15] need to look at what things can we

[5:10:19] do to reduce certain areas of our budget,

[5:10:22] the mowing cycle can be impacted.

[5:10:25] We can look at that and say we are going to go from 12 or 1824

[5:10:31] business day.

[5:10:32] And that would reduce your cost by however much

[5:10:36] depending on how you go.

[5:10:38] We wouldn't reduce it and eliminate it.

[5:10:40] We do need to come out and maintain the rights of way

[5:10:44] and mow the medians and those other common grass areas.

[5:10:47] But there is certainly the chance

[5:10:49] that that could be something that we would look at and have

[5:10:52] to make a determination that these are the things

[5:10:55] that we need to do.

[5:11:03] >> But anyway, thank you for the presentation.

[5:11:07] >> Thank you, Commissioner.

[5:11:08] >> Commissioner Uribe.

[5:11:12] >> How are you?

[5:11:14] Party over here.

[5:11:15] Mayor likes to go to the right because that's

[5:11:17] where we party the.

[5:11:18] Anyway, I did have a question.

[5:11:20] One that stood out to me very quickly was econ ,

[5:11:29] Chickasaw to Lake Underhill that you said was unfunded that was

[5:11:33] on the slide --

[5:11:34] I have it right here -- slide number 35.

[5:11:39] What price tag is that having nowadays?

[5:11:43] When I was elected in 2018, it had a number of.

[5:11:47] I was just curious to see if that number has grown

[5:11:49] or if it's still the same.

[5:11:50] >> I'll have to get back to you on what the price tag is.

[5:11:54] I know the big challenge with that piece from Chickasaw over

[5:12:00] --

[5:12:00] >> Right away.

[5:12:02] >> Right away is one but then the canal on the other side

[5:12:04] and the impacts that creates is the other.

[5:12:07] Closing that open air canal, do you know

[5:12:10] we have issues with drainage.

[5:12:12] >> We'd have to almost eminent domain a little too.

[5:12:16] >> I'm sure.

[5:12:18] We typically try not to go into yards

[5:12:22] and do take down walls and replace walls and impact rear

[5:12:27] lots.

[5:12:30] But that particular project may require

[5:12:35] some right of way acquisition along the southern side as well.

[5:12:39] The bigger challenge is how are you

[5:12:41] going to move from the open area east and then close that canal?

[5:12:45] That and the long term maintenance of the boxed canal

[5:12:49] creates a number of different challenges.

[5:12:53] >> Sorry for going for that question first because actually

[5:12:55] I want to thank your staff.

[5:12:57] Brett, even when a 91 year old man threatened

[5:13:01] to bring his gun out when they were going to tear down an oak

[5:13:04] tree and he smiled because he remembers,

[5:13:05] we all rushed out and had to call the Sheriff's office

[5:13:07] because you guys were laying out sidewalks just Felipe.

[5:13:18] >> (indiscernible)

[5:13:19] >> Not in that way.

[5:13:20] Not when we have to have the Sheriff's office and everything

[5:13:22] come out because Brant was serious.

[5:13:24] You can't do guns.

[5:13:25] We don't do guns.

[5:13:27] But what I'm saying is the reason

[5:13:29] why I was so impressed was communication

[5:13:32] and how quickly your team and even the contractor

[5:13:35] all came together and actually found a beautiful solution being

[5:13:39] able to pivot around this huge beautiful oak tree

[5:13:43] and give still some nice landscaping to my very

[5:13:48] older Gatlin area.

[5:13:49] And at the same time still successfully do the sidewalk.

[5:13:53] I want to give kudos to Brett.

[5:13:55] I would also like to give kudos to Susan because whenever we

[5:14:00] talk sidewalks -- and I have an Enfield district.

[5:14:04] Some people don't have a lot of yards.

[5:14:07] They argue and don't want sidewalks.

[5:14:08] But then when I took a sidewalk issue that was literally

[5:14:13] where kids were waiting for the bus on the road

[5:14:15] because there was no sidewalk, they

[5:14:17] came in and had probably one of the safest

[5:14:20] areas in our community because it stopped the cars from parking

[5:14:25] on the side because once you've used car lots and mechanics

[5:14:28] and actually made a safe place for kids.

[5:14:31] I've actually gotten phone calls personally thanking me for that.

[5:14:34] That is when this works.

[5:14:37] And then lastly, Ed, who is here,

[5:14:42] him being the shield to go into Rio when that was a tough

[5:14:46] conversation, but knowledge is --

[5:14:52] truth and knowledge has validity in communities.

[5:14:57] You give that community although we can't solve anything,

[5:15:00] you are honest.

[5:15:01] We are honest with them and let them know

[5:15:02] and we are responsive and continue to be.

[5:15:04] And so those are the great things

[5:15:08] that happen in our community that many people don't

[5:15:10] get to hear the stories of.

[5:15:11] I want to thank your staff.

[5:15:12] Where is that angel Jeff Charles?

[5:15:15] Is he here?

[5:15:16] He is an angel.

[5:15:18] He's like an angel that goes around

[5:15:21] because he has the most calming personality that

[5:15:24] has been able to deal with anybody irate.

[5:15:29] And not only gets them from here but they end up

[5:15:31] hugging when they're done.

[5:15:32] That's why I call him an angel.

[5:15:34] That is super important.

[5:15:35] My question is, as I've been doing all the research

[5:15:39] on our budget, when I found out that the communication utility

[5:15:42] fee that got put into general fund,

[5:15:45] I know you've been here for a long time

[5:15:47] and you left and came back.

[5:15:49] I don't know, Byron, since that predates you

[5:15:53] how long that's been happening.

[5:15:54] I understood that was Mayor Jacobs that is --

[5:16:01] switch to that.

[5:16:03] >> It's been a while, Commissioner.

[5:16:07] Really just to allocate it to something,

[5:16:11] we could allocate it to public works,

[5:16:13] but then we could allocate -- >> I know it was originally

[5:16:17] established.

[5:16:18] I've been talking to a lot of people in communications.

[5:16:20] What hurts me is your deficit financially.

[5:16:24] Even if we talk ten years of let's just say 10 million

[5:16:29] a year, that would have been $100 million

[5:16:31] that could have gone against that 276 million in the whole.

[5:16:36] And so as much as we prioritize and know how important you all

[5:16:40] are to not have even those little resources to assist

[5:16:46] is very frustrated.

[5:16:47] I've got one last thing.

[5:16:49] When it comes to the grass thing is

[5:16:53] something we hear all the time.

[5:16:54] Are we responsible for that on dot roads also?

[5:16:57] How does that work?

[5:17:01] >> There are three double dashes that what you were saying, Ed?

[5:17:03] There are three locations that we have in the dot

[5:17:06] and they pay us similar to grass.

[5:17:09] Otherwise, no.

[5:17:12] Generally we have gotten away from those responsibilities,

[5:17:18] accepting any of those responsibilities for landscaping

[5:17:20] and maintenance of any of the dot rights of way.

[5:17:23] There is just a couple that we did

[5:17:26] agree to do because of their location and relationship

[5:17:29] to stuff we were already doing.

[5:17:32] But generally the answer is no.

[5:17:35] >> Because that's to me, I gotta tell you financial,

[5:17:40] it seems like one of the worst financial situations to be in.

[5:17:44] Because you cut it and it rains and it grows.

[5:17:48] Everyone calls us and says, when are they

[5:17:51] going to come cut on Conway Road?

[5:17:53] When are they going to come cut on retention pond?

[5:17:56] Every day that it rains it just-- so even when they cut,

[5:18:01] a week later it's up again.

[5:18:03] And then how do we work with municipalities?

[5:18:06] Do we also maintain theirs on the county right of way?

[5:18:10] Or do we actually give them that funding for them

[5:18:12] to maintain it themselves?

[5:18:14] >> So there's two types of functionally classified roadways

[5:18:21] in the county.

[5:18:22] There are those that are orange County maintains

[5:18:25] the full right of way, right of way line to right of way line.

[5:18:29] For those roadways, we cut the grass.

[5:18:33] Byron may know this one, but line more road is a road that we

[5:18:39] have -- we mow the grass all along both sides of Whitemoor

[5:18:44] Road.

[5:18:44] It's functionally classified as road

[5:18:46] that Orange County maintains, but it's actually

[5:18:49] two municipalities.

[5:18:50] It's partly in Winter Park.

[5:18:52] Those are ours to maintain.

[5:18:54] I know there's other roads that are functionally classified that

[5:18:57] were functionally classified later.

[5:18:59] I was around, but this is not something

[5:19:03] that I'm as familiar with.

[5:19:04] We maintain the road infrastructure

[5:19:06] and the associated drainage only,

[5:19:10] and the municipalities are responsible for maintaining

[5:19:13] the sidewalk or the signage or the grass.

[5:19:19] George and our roads and drainage division

[5:19:22] is familiar with all those tweaks and ins and outs

[5:19:25] as to who maintains what.

[5:19:27] We have a pretty good working relationship

[5:19:29] with municipalities, at least clarifying

[5:19:33] that this is ours to maintain or this is the cities or towns

[5:19:36] to maintain.

[5:19:37] So if you have a specific example-- >>

[5:19:41] I could give you a whole bunch of specific examples.

[5:19:45] I think it's a difficult task.

[5:19:48] It's probably the only good time is winter when it freezes.

[5:19:51] But I was going to ask, Byron, our CR

[5:19:55] is allowed to use funding to maintain those roads when

[5:19:58] we look at Winter Park has gathered?

[5:20:01] Because I feel bad because it seems like we always looked at.

[5:20:06] It's constantly our fault. That is the trend I see.

[5:20:09] How long is the county going to do this?

[5:20:13] I honestly don't even see as a landscaper

[5:20:15] how that even financially makes sense because you are just

[5:20:19] doing strips.

[5:20:20] I'll have to have a deeper conversation.

[5:20:25] >> There's larger zones across the county.

[5:20:29] You get into multiple acres that you are maintaining.

[5:20:32] That is where the profitability is is that you have the larger

[5:20:36] areas and you can -- >> You see them on the turnpike when

[5:20:40] they're doing big sections.

[5:20:41] When I look at the medians and the islands and stuff like that.

[5:20:46] And we are not really doing that as much.

[5:20:49] When we do create them, are we doing more of a tree?

[5:20:54] I know in OBT it's palm trees.

[5:20:57] It's not really grass.

[5:20:59] It just seems like a futile financial hole

[5:21:02] that you can never ever get right.

[5:21:06] >> There's a number of challenges with the landscaping

[5:21:09] and mowing contracts.

[5:21:13] That is something that Ed and his team

[5:21:16] have been working through ever since I came back

[5:21:21] on the cost associated with those.

[5:21:24] It's like you said, Commissioner.

[5:21:30] >> So yes, if that activity, Department vacation is included

[5:21:37] in that CRA's play -- plan --

[5:21:43] >> Winter Park has grown their CRA.

[5:21:46] >> They'd have to be included -- you only do CRA expenditure

[5:21:49] on what's in the plan.

[5:21:51] But if they have some beautification effort

[5:21:54] included then they can tie it to improve the area,

[5:21:58] yes, it could be eligible for CRA funds.

[5:22:02] >> I'm just trying to find solutions.

[5:22:03] It's almost better to have the HOA going >> Commissioner, six

[5:22:10] minutes.

[5:22:11] >> That's not fair.

[5:22:12] I have a solution.

[5:22:12] Let's go to Florida native plantings and all of these areas

[5:22:16] so we don't have to worry about expending water.

[5:22:18] We don't have to worry about the type of mowing maintenance.

[5:22:20] We don't have the type of pesticides and runoff.

[5:22:23] It makes no sense to me why we use things that are not

[5:22:26] native to Florida and then we wonder

[5:22:28] why we are spending so much money maintaining it.

[5:22:31] So that Florida Pernicious Peanut

[5:22:34] is a ground cover used in areas that can use sandy soil.

[5:22:39] There's 3 or 4 other kinds that makes no sense to me why we

[5:22:41] continue to use the same --

[5:22:43] it's two minutes.

[5:22:44] Wait a minute.

[5:22:45] Stop.

[5:22:46] >> I agree.

[5:22:49] >> I'll get her to talk to you.

[5:22:52] >> Part of the problem we have with our medians and to some

[5:22:55] extent even some of the roadsides is our giganto fat

[5:23:01] oversize road plants all over the county.

[5:23:04] You look at this.

[5:23:07] The CIP budget.

[5:23:08] Public works, I don't know how you do it.

[5:23:10] You do more with less every single year.

[5:23:12] They're exactly right as far as looking at this

[5:23:14] and giving me anxiety about the amount of revenue sources.

[5:23:18] I apologize on behalf of my board

[5:23:20] for not being able to carry the stormwater fee

[5:23:23] conversation any further.

[5:23:25] I'm sorry we didn't get our impact fees caught up

[5:23:27] like we should have.

[5:23:28] I am sorry that we haven't been able to do better for you.

[5:23:31] We've got to get better with the design.

[5:23:34] What we know is if you look at the capital improvement amount

[5:23:36] of money, the biggest chunk of it -- it suppresses transit.

[5:23:40] It suppresses pedestrian safety.

[5:23:42] All of that.

[5:23:44] It is that specific mile of road lane.

[5:23:48] It's expensive.

[5:23:49] From what we put out there, even if the developer pays

[5:23:52] for it in the beginning, it's ours forever after.

[5:23:54] I think the approach to design has

[5:23:58] to be show me exactly why right now you

[5:24:02] need a big fat road in all this land.

[5:24:04] Because I think the problem is we have been very land rich

[5:24:09] but we have less and less to work with as time goes on.

[5:24:13] I quite frankly what we have learned

[5:24:15] is if we are not getting any more funds or grants or monies

[5:24:18] for safety, one way we know for sure

[5:24:20] if we're keeping pedestrians, cyclists,

[5:24:23] and drivers safe is to make sure they are going slow.

[5:24:27] And the only way we can really make sure they're going slow

[5:24:30] is to not give them gigantic fat fast roads.

[5:24:34] I see a lot of benefit in approaching design automatically

[5:24:39] a different way than Orange County has done it

[5:24:41] for that long term maintenance piece, for the short term,

[5:24:44] and then understanding that we are not getting

[5:24:46] what we need from impact fees.

[5:24:47] I would say especially look at Schofield Road.

[5:24:51] We don't have any money.

[5:24:52] We don't have any development that's actually partnering

[5:24:55] with us to do that right now.

[5:24:56] And stop giving out building permits.

[5:24:58] We're not going to be able to get people in and out of there.

[5:25:00] Until we're able to get people in and out of there,

[5:25:02] I don't understand how we could be considered

[5:25:04] burdensome to the developer.

[5:25:07] There needs to be like a walk out from the building department

[5:25:12] because there's no cohesion between the resources that we

[5:25:15] need that you have to have to provide access into and out

[5:25:19] of a new development and what we are actually getting from that

[5:25:22] developer in order --

[5:25:23] Schofield Road is a perfect example.

[5:25:25] How many years has it taken to get Flemmings Road done?

[5:25:29] That's not your fault because we were

[5:25:31] relying on private development interests

[5:25:33] under the current regulatory scheme, which is insufficient.

[5:25:36] It is insufficient.

[5:25:37] Has put you in a horrible place and I'm sorry for that.

[5:25:40] I'm going to keep fighting for it,

[5:25:42] but just know any place that we can

[5:25:43] say we've got to tighten it up, put a native grasses,

[5:25:46] slow people down, it's going to look better,

[5:25:51] we can make that decision purely based on the fact

[5:25:54] that we've been completely defunded.

[5:25:56] Even if they don't believe us on the rest of those issues.

[5:26:02] >> We will take your considerations

[5:26:06] into consideration.

[5:26:08] >> Thank you.

[5:26:19] >> That was good.

[5:26:20] That was good.

[5:26:20] You have one minute.

[5:26:22] >> One question, it's because it came to my mind, Commissioner.

[5:26:33] What about the econ 2D?

[5:26:36] Are you going to finish that because it is still there?

[5:26:38] >> Lake Underhill to econ 2D, that design is moving forward

[5:26:46] and we are looking to bring that project and fund it at least

[5:26:51] through design, which is the next stage.

[5:26:54] >> Thank you.

[5:26:56] >> Excellent, 3:15, thank you, Joe.

[5:27:00] We finished up on time.

[5:27:02] We are going to move now to--

[5:27:06] >> (indiscernible)

[5:27:07] >> We are going to go to Community and Family Services.

[5:27:14] Ms Thomas is going to come and at least to lead off with that.

[5:27:25] >> Good afternoon, commissioners.

[5:27:28] It is a pleasure to be here before you

[5:27:32] to present the budget for the community and Family Services

[5:27:36] Department.

[5:27:38] I am Van Thomas, the department director

[5:27:44] for just over three years now.

[5:27:45] Very excited to have made it that far.

[5:27:47] This is our presentation outline.

[5:27:50] Will be covering all these topics today,

[5:27:53] starting with our organization chart .

[5:28:01] I would like to invite my dream team managers who

[5:28:04] comprise the Senior leadership of community and Family Services

[5:28:08] Department to stand.

[5:28:10] They are all present today.

[5:28:14] We have doctor Traci Salem as well as

[5:28:20] LaVonne Williams, Esquire, who are

[5:28:23] the department deputy directors reporting through Traci,

[5:28:29] Chastain with the Citizens Commission for children,

[5:28:33] cooperative extension manager Kevin Kam,

[5:28:37] recently promoted to an extension for the highest level

[5:28:42] that there can be for our extension.

[5:28:48] We're very proud of them.

[5:28:50] The fiscal and operational support manager, Yolanda Brown.

[5:28:54] Our Head Start manager, Sonja Hill.

[5:28:58] Our mental health and homelessness manager,

[5:29:01] Isabel Klier-Graham, otherwise known as Lisa.

[5:29:07] And our Youth and Family Services manager

[5:29:09] is Barbara Williams, PhD.

[5:29:14] Reporting through Lavon Williams are Yvette Reyes of our Citizens

[5:29:18] Research and Outreach Division, our community action manager,

[5:29:22] Jonathan Kohn, our parks and recreation manager Kyle Kent,

[5:29:28] and last but not least, our regional history

[5:29:31] center manager, Ms. Aela Santana.

[5:29:37] These are the folks who work with our 1100 almost community

[5:29:44] and Family Services team members to provide

[5:29:47] a human and social services and community

[5:29:50] services here in Orange County.

[5:29:56] Next, we are going to go over some highlights of the proposed

[5:30:02] budget for the coming fiscal year.

[5:30:04] As you can see from the pie chart,

[5:30:09] we receive a little over half of our resources

[5:30:12] through the General Fund, $124.8 million,

[5:30:18] 54% of our total revenues.

[5:30:22] Second would come the Parks Fund and impact fees, $68.7 million

[5:30:28] or 30% of our resources.

[5:30:33] The federal and state grants that we get, some of them

[5:30:37] are listed there, the largest being the Head start grant,

[5:30:41] but also we receive USDA Community Services block grant,

[5:30:46] low income heating and emergency assistance energy program,

[5:30:52] the emergency shelter programs that we operate through Great

[5:30:57] Oaks Village, and the family and children's

[5:31:03] counseling programs that we operate all

[5:31:06] receive a proportion of great from the, all of which

[5:31:12] is supplemented by general fund revenues.

[5:31:15] I'll talk a little bit more about that later.

[5:31:18] We also receive some gift funds primarily

[5:31:25] for trees in the parks and recreation Division,

[5:31:31] as well as for great Oaks village.

[5:31:34] We have listed some of the general fund programs.

[5:31:39] You'll recognize many of them listed here for your reference

[5:31:43] as well.

[5:31:50] Looking at this another way, we can break down

[5:31:53] what our personal services budget is as compared

[5:31:58] to the operating budget.

[5:32:00] And you see that dollar change is 1.9 million for our staff

[5:32:06] and salary related costs, while the operating budget went down

[5:32:12] by 1.1 million, which netted an $800,000 change in our budget.

[5:32:24] Of course we received the award from the mayor and county

[5:32:27] administrator that we were striving toward a status quo

[5:32:31] budget.

[5:32:31] We did our level best to try to keep it that way.

[5:32:36] We did make some internal efficiencies changes

[5:32:41] and noted some things we might be

[5:32:43] able to do a little bit differently

[5:32:45] in order to conserve funds.

[5:32:51] We feel like we've presented to you a great budget that

[5:32:54] allows us to continue those very important services that

[5:32:58] are within our purview.

[5:33:01] On the staffing front, we have increased I a mere three new --

[5:33:10] increased by a mere three new positions.

[5:33:13] Those are on our parks and recreation team.

[5:33:16] We end up with 998 proposed positions

[5:33:18] total for our department in terms of full time and some part

[5:33:25] time roles as well.

[5:33:30] Those three positions that are new

[5:33:32] and proposed in the budget, as I mentioned, are featured here.

[5:33:40] They are all three in Parks and Recreation Division.

[5:33:43] We are looking to add two additional parks services

[5:33:50] specialists for Tangelo Park which

[5:33:54] will be opening our new Park gymnasium

[5:33:58] and also Community Action Center there a little

[5:34:02] bit later this year.

[5:34:04] We also feel a strong need to add a warehouse supervisor.

[5:34:09] This is our largest department warehouse

[5:34:14] with many tools and equipment, chemicals

[5:34:17] and the like that are necessary for the stores

[5:34:21] to operate our very large park system.

[5:34:29] Additionally by way of a staffing update,

[5:34:33] we have made great progress in terms of our hiring.

[5:34:37] We have a mere 92 vacancies when we last took stock of this

[5:34:43] on June 24th.

[5:34:46] That represents only a 9% vacancy

[5:34:50] rate, which is very good by almost any measure.

[5:34:53] We've worked very hard to attain this rate of vacancy.

[5:34:58] And we have many positions that are

[5:35:01] in the process of being hired even now.

[5:35:06] So hopefully we'll be taking this even lower

[5:35:09] within the next month or so.

[5:35:12] We have used a lot of new tools to help improve our ability

[5:35:16] not only to attract talent and staff

[5:35:20] but to retain them as well.

[5:35:25] Now we will go over to our -- a few operating budget highlights,

[5:35:34] one of which I would like to reiterate for your recollection

[5:35:37] is that last year I outlined for you in my proposal to make

[5:35:43] a significant addition to our ability to provide very much

[5:35:48] a quality customer service approach to both serving

[5:35:54] our customers but also the collection of data,

[5:35:58] and being able to connect their eligibility for various programs

[5:36:02] through a much simplified process that is easier

[5:36:06] for our customers.

[5:36:09] We nicknamed this project the Magellan Project.

[5:36:13] We proposed a pilot that would enable

[5:36:15] us to test this new system out on a few of our divisions

[5:36:23] and to be able to make connections for customers

[5:36:27] through all the programs that they might

[5:36:30] be eligible for through one simple application process,

[5:36:35] making a streamlined approach for them,

[5:36:39] for us, and being able to collect more data regarding

[5:36:44] their outcomes and the different places

[5:36:49] that they touch within our system.

[5:36:53] And I'm just happy to be able to report

[5:36:55] that we have made significant progress on moving

[5:36:57] this project forward.

[5:36:59] We are in the process now of selecting the builder software

[5:37:06] builder we'll design this system for us.

[5:37:12] We hope to have it in operation within the next 12 to 18 months

[5:37:17] if not sooner.

[5:37:21] We created some efficiencies by reallocating some dollars

[5:37:27] from several different programs to be

[5:37:30] able to use for the acquisition of this system and the work

[5:37:35] that it will take to build it.

[5:37:37] And we are very excited that we anticipate piloting it

[5:37:42] with the Citizens Commission for Children Division of Health

[5:37:46] and Homelessness, and we are finding

[5:37:50] that our builders may be proposing ways

[5:37:52] that we can add other divisions as well sooner than we

[5:37:57] had otherwise anticipated.

[5:37:58] We will be keeping you posted on our progress as we develop this.

[5:38:06] Also in our citizen Resource and Outreach division,

[5:38:11] we have reassigned some dollars that we

[5:38:14] had set aside prior to COVID to develop a new housing

[5:38:18] program in order to recruit Empire

[5:38:24] to new veteran services officers.

[5:38:27] This would not require additional new dollars.

[5:38:31] However, the program that we had intended to create

[5:38:37] got delayed because of the COVID-related work

[5:38:45] that we needed to do to distribute housing assistance

[5:38:50] dollars.

[5:38:51] That team was overwhelmed by those tasks, did not get

[5:38:55] to develop this shared housing.

[5:38:58] And since then, we have come up with other ways

[5:39:00] of achieving the same goal that we

[5:39:03] had planned to through that particular program.

[5:39:06] So these dollars we now propose to use

[5:39:10] to bring the additional veteran services officers that there is

[5:39:15] a clear community demand for.

[5:39:17] It enables us to locate them in other areas

[5:39:22] with more depth, such as Lake Baldwin and Lake Nona areas.

[5:39:31] Also in our Citizens and Outreach division,

[5:39:35] we have had the pleasure of being

[5:39:38] able to add the Office of Tenant Services.

[5:39:42] They continue to do their excellent work

[5:39:46] and are very well connected.

[5:39:48] It's a very good fit with the outreach and other programs

[5:39:52] that we run within community and family Services Department.

[5:39:56] You can see some of the statistics

[5:39:59] here for work that they have done in the past year.

[5:40:02] They look forward to some upcoming partnerships that we

[5:40:07] will solidify with memorandums of understanding,

[5:40:14] such as the Orange County Library system and also with

[5:40:19] Community Legal Services, both of which have proven to be

[5:40:23] amazing resources for the team in the way that they do

[5:40:29] their outreach to citizens, as well as the way they're able

[5:40:35] to connect citizens with the legal services that they need

[5:40:41] in order to hopefully sustain their housing and resolve other

[5:40:47] legal housing land -- housing related issues.

[5:40:54] Citizens Commission for children has continued its dynamism

[5:40:57] in terms of all the things that small but mighty team

[5:41:02] accomplished over the course of the year.

[5:41:05] You can see here some of their outcomes

[5:41:07] that we are highlighting.

[5:41:09] Almost a thousand youth completed paid internships.

[5:41:15] There were 1.2 million meals at least served

[5:41:18] to children and their families.

[5:41:20] 2500 were more ready for school through the supplies

[5:41:26] and clothing.

[5:41:28] They got immunization and their sports physicals for free.

[5:41:32] And more than 11,000 youth were served through our after school

[5:41:39] zone programing, job rates, all the Oak Middle --

[5:41:49] OCPS middle schools.

[5:41:51] Through our children's services funding,

[5:41:53] our programing continues to grow.

[5:41:55] We are looking at adding to that that

[5:41:57] is provided the innovation programing that

[5:41:59] is provided for young people.

[5:42:02] Life skills training and of course we

[5:42:05] must accommodate the new commission districts

[5:42:08] that will soon be established.

[5:42:13] We don't do this alone.

[5:42:15] In fact we primarily do this work through the partnerships

[5:42:20] that we have with community organizations.

[5:42:24] Specifically there's a total of $37 million

[5:42:29] that is invested through nonprofit partnerships

[5:42:34] with contracts over 139 of them, and over 340 programs

[5:42:45] that result from that 139 contracts.

[5:42:48] You can see some of them listed here.

[5:42:51] I'm going to flip through just to demonstrate the number

[5:42:55] that we are looking at here.

[5:42:58] Those that are highlighted in the orange

[5:43:01] are new ones from this last fiscal year

[5:43:05] that have been established.

[5:43:07] We have small.

[5:43:09] We have large.

[5:43:10] We have grassroots.

[5:43:11] We have institutions such as OCPS.

[5:43:16] You can see foundations.

[5:43:19] There's a wide range of programs that are available.

[5:43:24] And some of these programs actually

[5:43:28] help to support the operations of other divisions

[5:43:33] within our department but also serve children and families.

[5:43:39] We must talk a little bit about these Citizen Safety Task

[5:43:43] force that has been in operation for some years

[5:43:46] now under the leadership of Mayor Demings, of course.

[5:43:54] We received $2 million annually to supplement

[5:43:56] these programs that are geared towards violence prevention

[5:44:00] and focus on young people.

[5:44:03] We are proposing a couple of new things for this year.

[5:44:08] One of them is adding to a successful new program

[5:44:11] that we established through Citizen Safety Task Force

[5:44:16] funding, the credible Messengers program.

[5:44:20] We intend to add two new ones that will likely be part time.

[5:44:24] We hope to focus on the east side, where

[5:44:29] we know we need to add some capacity,

[5:44:31] and of course we do have our new commission districts

[5:44:35] the as well.

[5:44:37] Also we will be implementing youth violence prevention mini

[5:44:43] grants.

[5:44:44] We do expect to serve at least 3500 youth

[5:44:49] through these programs.

[5:44:52] And then there is our mental health and homelessness team.

[5:44:57] Talk about small but mighty.

[5:44:59] They are in charge of about 59 --

[5:45:06] 39 and 1/2 million dollars.

[5:45:10] They operate primarily out of contracts for their services

[5:45:13] that we provide.

[5:45:16] The service providers are nonprofits.

[5:45:19] Many of them are listed here.

[5:45:21] One new one that is depicted is the Hope center.

[5:45:25] There is much that is going on right now in the mental health

[5:45:30] and homelessness arena.

[5:45:31] We have been innovative.

[5:45:33] We have expanded our ability and capacity

[5:45:37] to serve the unhoused population as well as those who

[5:45:42] have serious mental illnesses.

[5:45:45] And there is a briefing that will be scheduled

[5:45:48] for the commission in October.

[5:45:51] One of your October meetings, Ms. Lisa Graham

[5:45:58] will be going and a fair amount of detail

[5:46:03] in the assortment of things her her team

[5:46:04] were responsible for coordinating and planning.

[5:46:08] However, in the meantime, I will let

[5:46:11] you know that in terms of mental health related accomplishments,

[5:46:15] the Hope center, the new contract that you

[5:46:19] saw on the prior list, a modular approach

[5:46:22] to therapy for children, served 166 youth this year.

[5:46:29] Devereux implemented Multisystemic treatment,

[5:46:32] which resulted in a 66% reduction in youth Baker acts.

[5:46:40] That's involuntary commitments for mental health treatment --

[5:46:48] since the program began enrolling young people.

[5:46:52] Those are quite successful early results for those two programs.

[5:46:57] In addition, we have our behavioral health outreach

[5:47:02] services for individuals and education

[5:47:06] that we do and provide for law enforcement relating

[5:47:10] to crisis intervention.

[5:47:12] We are proud to say that there was an 8.7% reduction in Baker

[5:47:20] Act and Marchmont Act commitments

[5:47:23] from the previous fiscal year, and the 213 first responders

[5:47:29] were trained in crisis intervention.

[5:47:34] Access to care for high risk pregnant mothers, healthy start

[5:47:42] coalition in partnership with the Nurse Family Partnership

[5:47:45] Group was able to help at least 23 mothers who were in care.

[5:47:58] In the homelessness arena, some accomplishments.

[5:48:03] Our outreach services expansion which

[5:48:06] connected individuals experiencing homelessness

[5:48:07] with shelter, benefits, and supportive services,

[5:48:12] was augmented by our contract with Grand Avenue Economic

[5:48:17] Developments outreach team.

[5:48:19] We were able to respond to 61 encampments.

[5:48:24] Access to permanent housing through our engagement

[5:48:28] of landlords, our affordable housing, and new housing

[5:48:33] navigation efforts it was very successful.

[5:48:36] An example being the new housing Connector program

[5:48:41] that has housed 236 individuals in this last year, just amazing.

[5:48:49] You know how difficult that is to do

[5:48:52] to provide affordable options for people who need them.

[5:48:56] So we are very proud of that tool

[5:48:59] and are making great use of it in our citizens

[5:49:05] resource and outreach.

[5:49:07] And Anderson also our housing development team

[5:49:13] in the PEDS Department are also now contracting

[5:49:18] with Housing Connector for their services.

[5:49:23] In addition, we are developing and have developed

[5:49:27] some bridge housing options both for individuals and families who

[5:49:31] are experiencing homelessness.

[5:49:33] And Samaritan Resources efforts are an example of that.

[5:49:38] They were able to transition 43 families from bridge housing

[5:49:43] to permanent housing.

[5:49:46] Also our access to employment and education

[5:49:51] was improved by the addition of first step staffing to the tools

[5:49:57] that we use for that purpose.

[5:50:00] Total number of clients who are currently employed is 16.

[5:50:07] They came from the 32808 zip code

[5:50:12] and are starting out at pay rates of $17 an hour on average.

[5:50:19] So what are we looking at that is new for mental health

[5:50:24] and homelessness?

[5:50:25] Here are a few examples.

[5:50:28] We have got Golden Rod Village.

[5:50:31] We're very excited about this brand new facility that

[5:50:35] is planned in district three.

[5:50:39] We are looking at a 150 bed housing navigation

[5:50:45] center, beautifully designed and hopefully in place by 2029.

[5:50:54] We're also pursuing the purchase of a hotel that

[5:50:57] could be a mixed use facility for supportive and market rate

[5:51:02] housing.

[5:51:03] And we are going to experiment with an overnight shelter

[5:51:08] bus for chronically unhoused persons.

[5:51:13] I mentioned that we have a pretty decent reliance double

[5:51:23] I believe it's 15% reliance in terms of our total resources

[5:51:26] on grant funds.

[5:51:29] These are the major ones that we receive.

[5:51:33] This particular slide highlights the general fund resources

[5:51:39] that are utilized to supplement the salary and expenses related

[5:51:44] to those grants.

[5:51:45] Just to reinforce for you that although we

[5:51:50] do receive federal and state funds,

[5:51:54] we do as a county also make investments

[5:51:57] in these particular programs.

[5:52:00] The largest one of which is our dynamic Head Start program.

[5:52:04] We receive over $16 million annually for that program.

[5:52:09] And the county more than matches, more than some

[5:52:15] of those funds to the tune currently of 5.6 million.

[5:52:23] CINS FINS, children services call for families in need

[5:52:27] of services, $1.1 million.

[5:52:29] That's a counseling program for youth and families.

[5:52:32] Our Great Oaks Village and Emergency shelters,

[5:52:36] for million dollar investment there well worth

[5:52:42] that investment for children who need a safe place to live.

[5:52:48] Juvenile assessment center for the work that they do to help

[5:52:52] kids get and stay out of trouble,

[5:52:57] 120,000 is what the General Fund contributes to that operation.

[5:53:01] And the Oaks program also housed at Juvenile Assessment Center

[5:53:07] location, $150,000 is our general fund contribution.

[5:53:14] Next we will move on to capital improvement program.

[5:53:21] The bulk of which will be presented by our dynamic Parks

[5:53:24] and Recreation Manager.

[5:53:27] But we do have just a few programs outside of that

[5:53:32] that we will cover first.

[5:53:35] The overall capital improvement budget for our department

[5:53:40] is 28.8 million.

[5:53:42] Is what is proposed for the coming fiscal year.

[5:53:50] There are very few projects that we'll focus on outside of parks

[5:53:52] are next.

[5:53:53] The first is building E at the John Bridges Community Center

[5:53:59] campus.

[5:54:00] This was I understand a collection of portables

[5:54:05] previously.

[5:54:06] We have gotten rid of those that are constructing

[5:54:09] an actual building that will house some

[5:54:12] of the operations for Community Action Division,

[5:54:16] as well as the head Start program.

[5:54:19] So we look forward to getting this building completed

[5:54:23] next year hopefully by October.

[5:54:26] That whole project cost is 2.9 million.

[5:54:30] But for the coming fiscal year, we anticipate spending about 500

[5:54:35] 000.

[5:54:40] Also we've talked a bit about Goldenrod Village.

[5:54:42] You see there that we are in the design phase.

[5:54:47] We actually have some decent designs

[5:54:50] that give us a clear sense of what we are going for there.

[5:54:55] That cost us 200,000.

[5:54:57] Total project cost anticipated is 26 million.

[5:55:02] We have applied for 5 million through Congressman Frost's

[5:55:07] office in federal funds.

[5:55:09] And we expect to complete that project in 2030 according

[5:55:15] to this slide --

[5:55:20] the 29 to 30 time period.

[5:55:25] Lastly is Great Oaks Village.

[5:55:27] Thanks to the generosity and discretion

[5:55:31] of the Children's Services Board of which Commissioner Wilson is

[5:55:36] part -- thank you very much -- we are looking at a total

[5:55:39] redesign of the dining hall and other portions of the facility

[5:55:47] that serves meals and the ability for some camaraderie

[5:55:53] there at Great Oaks Village.

[5:55:56] We are in the design phase, which is 5000 anticipated.

[5:56:03] And the total project cost for that project which will come out

[5:56:10] of GOV donation funds is 150,000.

[5:56:13] We hope to complete that project later this year.

[5:56:17] And so now we shall move on to the parks presentation portion

[5:56:24] of our budget presentation.

[5:56:26] I will then come back and talk with you

[5:56:29] about the impacts potentially of any reductions that

[5:56:35] were required to make our Community and Family services.

[5:56:39] Thank you.

[5:56:46] >> Thank you comment director Thomas.

[5:56:47] Good afternoon Mayor Demings, commissioners, controller,

[5:56:52] administrator Brooks.

[5:56:53] The presentation that I will proceed through,

[5:56:55] I will cover first a brief --

[5:57:44] The parks system has nearly 15000 acres maintained

[5:57:48] for the public to access, 13,000 acres for passive recreation

[5:57:54] sparks, picnicking, and ritual activities.

[5:57:59] Some of these highlights include 130 acres of athletic fields --

[5:58:02] that's 88 plus athletic fields, 11 public boat ramps,

[5:58:07] six splash pads.

[5:58:08] We will soon have two pools, one at Fort Gatlin and one

[5:58:11] at tangelo, 13 dog parks, and equestrian venue, Stadium,

[5:58:16] five family campgrounds, which see nearly 35,000 camping nights

[5:58:21] reserved each year.

[5:58:23] We also maintain 57 miles of main trails.

[5:58:27] These are paved pedestrian trails.

[5:58:30] These trails make connections throughout Orange County

[5:58:32] and into three surrounding counties, offering

[5:58:34] a very popular multi-modal recreation transportation

[5:58:38] system.

[5:58:39] As you are aware we also have 12 recreation centers

[5:58:43] in our system.

[5:58:45] Six of those are gymnasiums with collegiate courts,

[5:58:48] NBA sized courts.

[5:58:50] Six of these gymnasiums are prepared each year

[5:58:53] to serve in case there is an emergency need for shelters.

[5:58:57] We also serve the community to access relief

[5:59:00] from heat or extreme cold.

[5:59:02] With over 50 unique interior spaces,

[5:59:06] our partnerships and recreation centers

[5:59:08] make it possible for over 120 local nonprofit clubs

[5:59:11] and organizations to host gatherings and serve

[5:59:14] the community.

[5:59:15] All these wonderful spaces are the perfect setting

[5:59:19] for creating lasting memories and building community

[5:59:22] through activities and gatherings.

[5:59:25] I will review some of those.

[5:59:27] A favorite program of kids and parents

[5:59:29] alike for the fun and affordability are summer camps.

[5:59:32] We are currently operating 12 summer camps at present.

[5:59:35] We have after school programs that will pick up

[5:59:37] at 13 locations here shortly.

[5:59:41] A sense of achievement is a goal with all of our recreation

[5:59:45] programs and those offered by our sports partners.

[5:59:48] The division prepares nearly 90 athletic fields

[5:59:51] on a daily basis.

[5:59:53] These fields host over 7000 of our local kids

[5:59:56] who play soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse,

[5:59:59] and softball in leagues offered with our youth sports partners.

[6:00:03] The county officially partners with 13 youth partners

[6:00:06] to provide recreational and instructional support

[6:00:09] to school aged youth.

[6:00:11] There is 225 private sport clubs and travel

[6:00:14] teams that routinely rent our facilities to train and play.

[6:00:18] Kids grow up and they keep on playing.

[6:00:22] Adult athletics in Orange County is robust.

[6:00:26] We host a variety of adult sport activities.

[6:00:28] Among these favorites are softball, inline hockey, tennis,

[6:00:33] pickleball, disc golf, and basketball

[6:00:35] throughout the county.

[6:00:38] Nothing slows down.

[6:00:40] Our maturing active adults in Orange County

[6:00:43] paramedic the Renaissance Senior Center and Marsh Street Senior

[6:00:47] Recreation Complex continue to be favorite destinations

[6:00:50] for recreation and fitness with Oliver 1900

[6:00:52] Senior Adult fitness memberships between these two centers

[6:00:56] and 1900 hours of senior volunteers.

[6:00:58] It is evident that our mature adults

[6:01:01] are living life to the full.

[6:01:02] Many senior adults also invest their time

[6:01:05] back into the community through our Adopt a Park programs

[6:01:10] and two nonprofit friends of corporations that

[6:01:13] assist their favorite park.

[6:01:16] Special events in the parks are one of our favorite ways

[6:01:20] to give back to the community.

[6:01:21] Music festivals like the Mayor's Jazz

[6:01:24] Festival at Cypress Grove Park, the Bluegrass Festival

[6:01:27] its Christmas Park line up right alongside our family fun events.

[6:01:31] Some of those are award winning movies in the parks,

[6:01:34] Pine Castle pioneer Days, and our crazy cardboard Canoe

[6:01:39] Regatta at Kelly Park.

[6:01:41] Lastly holiday events are a favorite for everyone.

[6:01:44] We don't want you to miss our 48th Annual Cracker Christmas

[6:01:49] at Fort Christmas Historical Park this December.

[6:01:52] Our sixth gymnasium recreation centers

[6:01:56] and two senior recreation centers

[6:01:58] all feature a personal fitness facility

[6:02:00] with treadmills, free weights, and resistance machines.

[6:02:04] There are actually nine across the county where

[6:02:06] you can achieve fitness or with the same membership pass.

[6:02:10] It's easy to stay fit.

[6:02:12] You don't have an excuse if you live in a far reaching area

[6:02:15] of the county.

[6:02:15] Colored.

[6:02:16] School aged children is eligible for a free youth membership

[6:02:21] so they can gather right after school and on weekends

[6:02:25] with time set aside specifically for their age group.

[6:02:28] There are nearly 6900 youth enjoying

[6:02:30] this special membership.

[6:02:33] Now I'd like to celebrate with you

[6:02:35] some of your recently completed parks capital projects.

[6:02:38] Barbara Park now features a new state park designed

[6:02:42] by and for skaters of all ages.

[6:02:44] The Mayor and Commissioner Uribe opened this too much fairy

[6:02:47] affair in == to much fanfare in February.

[6:02:53] A new parking lot and a traffic roundabout.

[6:03:00] Little econ Greenway trail gap has been completed.

[6:03:03] This short section of the little Econ Greenway

[6:03:05] is a step towards completing the connection between Forsyth Road

[6:03:08] and a future crossing of State Road 436 to the Katy Way Trail.

[6:03:16] Horizon West Regional Park was popular

[6:03:18] before we could even get the gates open and more so

[6:03:22] since the ribbon cutting officially

[6:03:25] conducted by the Mayor and Commissioner Wilson in February.

[6:03:29] This playground is out of this world.

[6:03:30] It is the highest elements we have.

[6:03:32] And there is more to come.

[6:03:34] We'll talk about that in a moment.

[6:03:37] Lake Apopka loop Connector trail one

[6:03:40] of the most beautiful sections of our mainline trails.

[6:03:43] This was opened in February of this year

[6:03:44] thanks in large part to the wonderful collaboration

[6:03:48] from Orange County Utilities and Public Works.

[6:03:52] With the completion of this loop connector trail

[6:03:54] it is now possible to circumnavigate

[6:03:56] the entirety of Lake Apopka on a network of trails that

[6:04:00] goes from Orange County into Lake County and returns

[6:04:03] to our trailheads.

[6:04:06] Now let's highlight several of your current and ongoing CIP

[6:04:10] projects.

[6:04:13] Watermark Park Project is a new project

[6:04:17] for Horizon West Community.

[6:04:19] Features a playground, shade trees, open play areas,

[6:04:23] and a picnic pavilion all with direct access

[6:04:25] for the kids at Panther Lake Elementary School.

[6:04:27] We are finalizing progress on that

[6:04:29] and it should be open before the year's end.

[6:04:32] Our ongoing efforts to increase safety for players on our fields

[6:04:36] and improve our power consumption efficiencies

[6:04:38] was played out this year at Downey Park.

[6:04:41] Youth and adults on five diamond fields

[6:04:43] will be playing on a new LED support lighting.

[6:04:48] Barbara Park is on track for a new recreation

[6:04:51] center and gymnasium.

[6:04:52] The seventh such center serving the county.

[6:04:55] Design of this new facility continues

[6:04:57] and we are anticipating an opening date sometime in 2028.

[6:05:03] Silverleaf neighborhood Park, master planning

[6:05:07] was recently completed.

[6:05:08] Now the project will be moving towards design.

[6:05:11] This is a community driven plan.

[6:05:12] With top amenities designed to mimic those of Watermark Park.

[6:05:20] Downey Park new skate facility is

[6:05:22] close to being awarded for construction.

[6:05:24] We anticipate an opening in the fall of 27.

[6:05:27] This will feature some of the favorite streetscape elements

[6:05:31] that our community frequently request.

[6:05:35] Mary Demings and Commissioner Wilson

[6:05:38] broke ground on the next phase of construction

[6:05:41] for Horizon West Regional Park.

[6:05:43] On June 18th phase one B was launched and includes a splash

[6:05:47] pad, additional parking capacity,

[6:05:50] and a watercraft launch and Julie Hartley.

[6:05:52] We're looking forward to a ribbon

[6:05:53] cutting in late summer of 27.

[6:05:57] The Magnolia Park Solar Panel project

[6:06:01] for the Magnolia Eco Tourism Center

[6:06:04] is being bid for construction.

[6:06:10] And Horizon West Trail phase one A is being bid.

[6:06:16] This will connect eventually horizon West Trail systems

[6:06:19] to the West orange Trail.

[6:06:23] Timber Bridge Preserve is currently

[6:06:27] in the permitting phase.

[6:06:28] We are working through the recent comments

[6:06:30] in 20 resolution early in 2027.

[6:06:35] Lake Eleanor Community Park is in final design

[6:06:39] and anticipated for construction in 2029.

[6:06:45] Work is ongoing to restore much of the previously built out area

[6:06:50] on the east side of Blanchard Park com

[6:06:53] where we'll be adding the new passive recreation

[6:06:55] areas for families to gather.

[6:06:59] A hundred years of parks and recreation

[6:07:03] means there's facilities that are just outdated.

[6:07:05] Replacing some of these outdated and inoperable and under

[6:07:09] restrooms are an existing priority for us.

[6:07:13] New universally accessible designs

[6:07:15] are underway for both campgrounds at Trimble Park

[6:07:18] and Camp Joy and for the day use restroom at Moss Park.

[6:07:24] The Parks and Recreation Master Plan update

[6:07:27] applies to the entire park system countywide.

[6:07:29] We anticipate an award for that contract before the year's end.

[6:07:33] Then we will begin community and stakeholder outreach

[6:07:36] to gauge overall needs.

[6:07:40] Orange county's portion of the Shingle Creek Trail

[6:07:44] is in district six and district one, starting at Sand Lake

[6:07:48] and running to the orange, Osceola County line.

[6:07:51] Phase one segments two and three have been awarded

[6:07:54] and construction will begin this year.

[6:07:56] This section is largely comprised of elevated boardwalk

[6:07:59] along beautiful sections of Shingle Creek

[6:08:01] and as always with our trail projects

[6:08:02] this work is coordinated through Orange County Public Works.

[6:08:05] We appreciate that very much.

[6:08:09] Waterloo Park North is in the bidding phase,

[6:08:12] still on track with that top ranked amenities

[6:08:14] for the community our playground,

[6:08:16] basketball court, walking paths, and a multi-purpose open space

[6:08:20] area.

[6:08:22] Waterloo Park South also the neighborhood park,

[6:08:27] similar amenities including top amenities

[6:08:30] such as the playground, picnic pavilions, multipurpose court,

[6:08:34] and walking loop.

[6:08:38] For fiscal year 26, 27, our proposed capital projects

[6:08:43] are conservative and focus on our goal

[6:08:45] now of maintaining safe, clean, and fun parks

[6:08:49] where our community can create lasting memories.

[6:08:51] As our parks system is turning the corner from its 100 year

[6:08:55] birthday, it's an ongoing effort of ours

[6:08:57] to maintain safe play structures, buildings, fields,

[6:09:01] and parks.

[6:09:02] Our budget reflects these recurring capital needs.

[6:09:05] Some of those reflected here are trails and asphalt repairs

[6:09:09] throughout the county.

[6:09:11] Our work with the National Pollutant discharge areas

[6:09:13] that are scattered throughout our parks,

[6:09:15] but ongoing work and repairs and rebuilds

[6:09:19] of boardwalks and bridges, and our public boat ramps.

[6:09:23] Constant use of pools, splash pads,

[6:09:25] and in and out of the public areas and surfaces

[6:09:28] is a constant demand, which we need to address,

[6:09:32] as is gymnasiums, athletic surfacing, roofs, lightning

[6:09:36] protection, and then with the constant demand on playing

[6:09:40] fields and playgrounds, there is work

[6:09:42] to be done each year on those as well.

[6:09:45] These might not be glamorous projects,

[6:09:47] but they are necessary to meet the level of service

[6:09:50] that our community has come to appreciate

[6:09:51] and for Orange County.

[6:09:53] Our plant safety and efficiency work

[6:09:57] continues with a lighting upgrade

[6:09:58] proposal for another of our popular youth baseball

[6:10:01] complexes.

[6:10:02] This year at George Bailey Park.

[6:10:06] Lastly as mentioned earlier in the presentation,

[6:10:11] construction on phase one B of Horizon West Regional Park

[6:10:14] began in June.

[6:10:16] Where requesting additional funding

[6:10:18] to construct a combined services building near the Pavilion

[6:10:22] and event area on the east side of Park.

[6:10:25] This partnered approach to serving the community

[6:10:27] will feature a mini station for sector two of the Orange County

[6:10:31] Sheriff's Office, alongside a public restroom and parks

[6:10:34] Maintenance office.

[6:10:37] Thank you for your time and I will

[6:10:40] let this time turn it back over to Director Thomas.

[6:10:50] >> It's always amazing to consider all the our parks

[6:10:54] and Recreation Division does and the broad scope

[6:10:58] of the facilities and trails and fields that they manage,

[6:11:07] very spectacular asset for our county and a long held

[6:11:12] for the -- long held investment.

[6:11:18] We return to our assignment of also

[6:11:21] imagining a world where we unfortunately

[6:11:24] have to implement reductions.

[6:11:27] In our considering this, we feel that it

[6:11:35] is going to hit us perhaps most heavily in some

[6:11:40] of the costs associated with our programing.

[6:11:43] As I have mentioned, more than half of our budget

[6:11:48] pertains to general revenue funds.

[6:11:51] We are looking at not being able to hire additional staff,

[6:11:57] and probably hiring freezes if we

[6:12:01] are required to make a significant reduction.

[6:12:03] This would have an impact throughout our department.

[6:12:09] I have already described how hard

[6:12:11] we have worked to hire, retain, and train our staff.

[6:12:17] When it comes to programing, we can pretty much

[6:12:21] go down the list of nearly all the programs that

[6:12:24] were on that first pie chart where

[6:12:27] we listed the general revenue funded programs,

[6:12:31] and even some of our grant programs

[6:12:33] could potentially be affected.

[6:12:36] The eviction prevention programs in the community,

[6:12:41] which we lovingly refer to as epic, is an example.

[6:12:45] This is a crisis funding for households

[6:12:49] that are having trouble sustaining their rent.

[6:12:53] Our veterans services, our family

[6:12:58] and children's counseling programs

[6:13:01] would likely be impacted.

[6:13:04] Some more of those are listed here.

[6:13:07] Great Oaks Village, Children's services programs

[6:13:10] that are funded through the Citizens

[6:13:14] Commission for children, funding levels of over 30

[6:13:19] million their in total. $2 million citizens Safety Task

[6:13:24] Force paramedic these are programs

[6:13:27] that I don't necessarily anticipate we will be proposing

[6:13:30] to eliminate, but we would have to consider a level of funding

[6:13:37] that could go to the programs.

[6:13:39] We have family preservation and stabilization as well as

[6:13:44] our pregnant and parenting teen program,

[6:13:49] the parenting supports another example

[6:13:52] of a potential reduction.

[6:13:55] We have made strides in our planning and efforts related

[6:14:00] to human trafficking that would have

[6:14:02] to be rethought to some extent.

[6:14:05] And the work that our citizens review panel funds,

[6:14:11] including child care slots and food insecurity initiatives,

[6:14:16] would have to be rethought.

[6:14:19] Our neighborhood centers for children

[6:14:21] are very well utilized programs and spread

[6:14:26] throughout the county.

[6:14:29] We would perhaps have some difficulty

[6:14:31] in the levels of investment that we

[6:14:35] could make in their programs, not to mention the after school

[6:14:41] zone that currently operates out of all of the middle schools.

[6:14:48] We would have to look hard at that.

[6:14:51] Those programs contribute to preventing juvenile delinquency

[6:14:55] because if they give children something

[6:14:58] to do during that downtime between school

[6:15:01] and when working parents return home.

[6:15:06] And the cooperative extension, regrettably there

[6:15:11] are counties in the state that are rethinking

[6:15:13] their partnerships with IFIS because of concerns

[6:15:20] about funding.

[6:15:21] I would hope that that would not be the case for us,

[6:15:25] but it is a program that does receive some support

[6:15:32] from our general revenues.

[6:15:35] We just need to think about the relative priorities of all

[6:15:39] of these things that we do.

[6:15:43] Climate efficiency program, we are

[6:15:45] very proud that we helped seniors

[6:15:47] stay comfortable in their homes by helping

[6:15:49] them replace their Hvac systems and make other life saving

[6:15:53] home improvements.

[6:15:55] Our community centers are these jewels

[6:15:59] that are well utilized within many of our communities.

[6:16:05] Well used by the county and well used

[6:16:08] by citizens for their own activities and events.

[6:16:12] We would really have to look at the hours perhaps,

[6:16:18] maybe the level of security that we

[6:16:21] are able to supply, again, rethinking our operations there.

[6:16:29] And we make a large investment in mental health

[6:16:32] and homelessness, some of which I described to you earlier.

[6:16:36] Again, we would need to perhaps do less

[6:16:40] than we plan to do going forward if we have

[6:16:45] less funding available to us and perhaps

[6:16:48] one or more new initiatives will have to be delayed.

[6:16:53] The Head Start program, which we know and love

[6:16:58] and I should say award winning, we

[6:17:01] were notified of five more awards

[6:17:05] just this week for that program.

[6:17:07] They're making a presentation to you

[6:17:10] also in October, their annual report.

[6:17:16] You will certainly hear about it then if not beforehand.

[6:17:19] In any event, this is largely federal funded, what I showed --

[6:17:26] but I showed you that $5 million of federal revenue helped

[6:17:30] supplement the operations of that amazing program.

[6:17:34] And then of course, our manager Kyle Kent

[6:17:39] has just outlined for you the vast amount of work

[6:17:43] that goes into operation of our parks and Recreation division.

[6:17:50] That's a very dynamic and will utilize

[6:17:55] team that has a very diverse set of responsibilities

[6:18:01] for the vast property management facility management

[6:18:07] and programing that is managed their paramedic there would be

[6:18:13] a collection of things we would have

[6:18:15] to consider related to the parks and Recreation operation.

[6:18:20] From deferring some things that we currently have planned to

[6:18:27] reductions in hiring and the like

[6:18:32] would need to be considered.

[6:18:41] And on top of all that, like other parts

[6:18:46] of the county's operation, we have some unfunded mandates

[6:18:49] that are things that we would have

[6:18:51] to pay for regardless of any other kinds of reductions

[6:18:55] that we would have to consider.

[6:18:59] One are the health mandated costs

[6:19:02] for the medical examinations we are

[6:19:08] responsible for paying for for abused, abandoned, and neglected

[6:19:12] children.

[6:19:13] We bear the total cost for those at the state's behest.

[6:19:18] Similarly the juvenile detention center, we invest $4.2 million.

[6:19:26] We in other counties are required

[6:19:29] to share the cost of juvenile secure detention

[6:19:32] with the state of Florida.

[6:19:35] That comes out of our budget.

[6:19:41] In summary, I would say that even though this has been and is

[6:19:49] a status quo year, we in community and family services

[6:19:54] are very excited about all that we have initiated.

[6:19:58] And we look forward to continuing

[6:20:01] the implementation of our brand new Magellan concept.

[6:20:06] We will continue to work on our strategic plan.

[6:20:11] We have made great progress there.

[6:20:15] We've already achieved seven of the 60 goals

[6:20:19] that we've established for ourselves,

[6:20:23] or I should say 60 strategies that we're pursuing.

[6:20:27] And we have got almost 40 more that

[6:20:31] are in very active development.

[6:20:33] We are excited about what our teams are doing their.

[6:20:37] And we are making strides in our ability to measure and monitor

[6:20:42] our service delivery and the outcomes related to them.

[6:20:47] We have a very committed and dedicated staff.

[6:20:50] And I hope that you can recognize

[6:20:54] the diversity of the visions, operations, and programs,

[6:20:59] that we are responsible for that we do embody our slogan of where

[6:21:06] joy lives, hope grows, and health happens for the Orange

[6:21:12] County community.

[6:21:14] With that, Kyle and I invite any questions that you may have.

[6:21:22] Hopefully we can address those at this time.

[6:21:25] Thank you.

[6:21:28] >> All right.

[6:21:30] It's working.

[6:21:32] Commissioner Scott, you're up first.

[6:21:36] >> Never a first.

[6:21:38] I won the lottery today.

[6:21:41] >> Good afternoon.

[6:21:42] >> Thank you, everyone.

[6:21:43] I have no questions.

[6:21:44] I just want to say thank you.

[6:21:47] I probably thought about half of you about once a week

[6:21:49] depending on what the request is.

[6:21:50] And so I just wanted to publicly say thank you

[6:21:53] for what you've done.

[6:21:54] Veteran services, head start.

[6:21:56] Event and her team, thank you.

[6:21:59] You guys have been phenomenal.

[6:22:00] You've had some complex math problems across the district.

[6:22:04] You guys always find a way to make sure

[6:22:07] that the folks are informed and taken care of.

[6:22:10] I sincerely appreciate you guys.

[6:22:13] >> We are very happy and proud to be so relevant

[6:22:17] to the priorities that you and the other commissioners have

[6:22:21] when it comes to serving members of the community.

[6:22:26] >> Commissioner Semrad.

[6:22:30] >> Thank you, Mayor.

[6:22:33] Thank you.

[6:22:34] I want to ask a comment when you talk about the reduction --

[6:22:38] I'm sorry.

[6:22:39] I didn't mean to not say thank you

[6:22:41] because you guys do so much with not always a lot of resources.

[6:22:46] The parks program, I am so impressed with how much you

[6:22:51] contribute to the quality of life of our community

[6:22:54] and of people.

[6:22:56] At the Senior Center I go to, I am so impressed by seeing people

[6:23:01] doing Tai Chi and swimming lessons and prevention --

[6:23:06] there's so much.

[6:23:08] Thank you to all of your team.

[6:23:10] I have a question, Kyle, for you in a minute

[6:23:15] for something I saw on the news pertaining to savor.

[6:23:17] Can you tell us what are the veteran services

[6:23:19] that you provide?

[6:23:20] What are services when you say we

[6:23:23] could see a reduction in them?

[6:23:25] What types of services are those that we are helping veterans

[6:23:29] with?

[6:23:30] >> One of the ones that is most popular is helping veterans

[6:23:33] learn what it is they qualify for and literally hand-holding

[6:23:38] them through the system of acquiring those services.

[6:23:43] Not only veterans themselves but their family members

[6:23:47] and dependents paramedic it is a system

[6:23:51] that can be very difficult to understand and navigate.

[6:23:55] And sometimes your first try is not very successful.

[6:24:00] You have to keep coming back to it

[6:24:03] and be very persistent in following up.

[6:24:07] That's probably the single largest.

[6:24:11] But there are other kinds of ways that we help

[6:24:17] build connection for veterans.

[6:24:20] In terms of counseling type services that they may need,

[6:24:27] mental health services, connection with other veterans.

[6:24:34] We have events of different sorts.

[6:24:38] We are well resourced and have connections with other veteran

[6:24:44] focused resources.

[6:24:46] There is a pretty wide range actually.

[6:24:51] We have an excellent reputation as well,

[6:24:55] which serves as a real benefit to Orange County residents.

[6:25:00] But we do have residents from other counties

[6:25:04] that seek out our services because of how thorough

[6:25:08] and relatable the work that our staff does.

[6:25:13] People know that we care and we know what we were doing.

[6:25:16] And we are successful at helping them navigate to a greater

[6:25:22] extent than some other existing veteran services programs

[6:25:26] that are out there.

[6:25:27] >> I'd like to say in district five office hours,

[6:25:30] sometimes when we hear from veterans who are struggling

[6:25:33] to find housing or are unhoused, a lot of times

[6:25:36] it's because it's because they couldn't figure out how

[6:25:39] to access services and how to access the programs that they

[6:25:42] need.

[6:25:42] And I think it's important to reference

[6:25:44] that when we talk about the tax reform

[6:25:46] and if it passes that we begin to look at not being

[6:25:49] able to care for people who went and fought for our country when

[6:25:53] they come back damaged from the service.

[6:25:57] So I think that is important to share.

[6:26:00] I saw in the news that Sanford was

[6:26:04] going to have to consider selling some of their parks

[6:26:07] or charging admission in order to keep the parks open

[6:26:11] if the property tax reform passes.

[6:26:13] That is something that might have to happen in Orange County.

[6:26:18] >> Selling parks?

[6:26:20] >> Selling or charging admission to keep all the parks open

[6:26:23] and sustain the way that they need to be common

[6:26:26] if the property tax reform passes I'm saying.

[6:26:29] >> Sure.

[6:26:30] I think our first focus would be to facilitate the community's

[6:26:32] access to the parks.

[6:26:34] And then facilitate communities access to programs.

[6:26:38] Certainly depending on how drastic things turn,

[6:26:42] there might be an enterprise style approach

[6:26:44] to some of the services aspects of it.

[6:26:47] But the county right now only charges entry at two facilities.

[6:26:50] That's Kelly Park and Moss Park.

[6:26:53] Not anticipating changing those or charging

[6:26:57] entry for other facilities.

[6:26:58] Along with our master plan we have a fee study underway.

[6:27:02] The last time we conducted a fee study for how much it costs

[6:27:06] to provide services and provide a field turnover or a room

[6:27:09] rental was in 2006.

[6:27:11] With that coming back to us, that

[6:27:15] might give us some direction to bring back and ask

[6:27:17] for direction from the board.

[6:27:19] Right now we are not anticipating changing fees

[6:27:22] or access.

[6:27:22] We're certainly not selling any properties.

[6:27:25] >> But that is a consideration, to your point, Commissioner.

[6:27:30] It very much is a possibility.

[6:27:31] As we look at those fees and those costs.

[6:27:34] Not selling, the second part of your request.

[6:27:39] >> To the programs and services.

[6:27:41] >> And more will be revealed once we have a fee study that

[6:27:43] says what it costs to provide that.

[6:27:45] >> Thank you.

[6:27:46] One last question from us.

[6:27:47] When you talk about the programs for youth that you provide

[6:27:51] and that is to help reduce child delinquency behaviors,

[6:27:57] how does that impact -- if those programs go away,

[6:28:01] is there anything that you know in your industry that leads

[6:28:04] to an increase in crime in our communities?

[6:28:08] >> This is anecdotal for me at the moment,

[6:28:12] although I bet we could stir up some studies that would make

[6:28:18] a more credentialed view.

[6:28:23] But I believe that we would see an increase if we were not

[6:28:28] able to offer after school and other programs

[6:28:32] such as what parks is able to make available.

[6:28:36] What do kids have to do otherwise?

[6:28:41] They are more likely to divert themselves

[6:28:45] to activities that would not be as healthy for them,

[6:28:51] some of which might be crime.

[6:28:55] >> Thank you.

[6:28:56] Of course everybody understands that an increase in crime

[6:28:59] impacts the tourism economy significantly

[6:29:01] where you begin to then see people opting out

[6:29:04] of coming to Orlando for fear of public safety while they visit.

[6:29:09] Thank you.

[6:29:16] >> I see Alameda from the Veteran Services Office.

[6:29:20] Come to the mic for just a moment.

[6:29:27] >> Talk about some of our superstars.

[6:29:31] We are loaded with them.

[6:29:35] >> She's a veteran herself.

[6:29:39] How many veterans are we currently serving

[6:29:41] through our Veterans Service office?

[6:29:43] >> We serve approximately about 24,000 out of about 71,000.

[6:29:58] >> (indiscernible)

[6:29:59] >> Yes, sir.

[6:30:00] >> Does he have all his benefits?

[6:30:02] >> Not yet.

[6:30:03] >> Not yet.

[6:30:04] I'm working on them.

[6:30:05] >> Some you've got to work hard on.

[6:30:09] I understand.

[6:30:10] How are things going there with the office?

[6:30:16] >> Right now we are doing good.

[6:30:19] I would say that staffing is a little challenging because we

[6:30:24] lost a few due to retirement.

[6:30:27] So we are trying to make up and really

[6:30:31] provide enough DSOs to manage.

[6:30:35] We have three locations, the main office

[6:30:37] and Lake Nona and Baldwin.

[6:30:41] Having the staffing to do that would allow us to help more

[6:30:44] beverages and get out into the --

[6:30:48] help more veterans and get out into the community.

[6:30:50] We're always hearing I didn't know you existed.

[6:30:52] We are trying to --

[6:30:55] >> I hear that sometimes and we encounter people who are

[6:31:00] on the street.

[6:31:01] Sometimes they are homeless and they say their veteran.

[6:31:06] Sometimes they don't know whether --

[6:31:08] >> And sometimes they are not.

[6:31:10] I'll be honest with you.

[6:31:12] With that we do have veterans that are on the street,

[6:31:15] but that is by choice because a lot of those veterans

[6:31:19] are receiving benefits and we help them all the time.

[6:31:21] When they don't get their check, you will see them in the office.

[6:31:25] But as long as things are going and they field reps

[6:31:29] are able to reach them wherever they are living

[6:31:31] in the community, it is just by choice

[6:31:34] and it's not that they don't have funding or money.

[6:31:37] They have the money.

[6:31:38] It is just choice.

[6:31:40] >> Sometimes I don't know if they have other issues but they

[6:31:44] are dealing with.

[6:31:46] Thank you.

[6:31:47] >> Thank you.

[6:31:49] >> I just wanted to ask if there are services that you all

[6:31:52] provide that I didn't think of in response to commissioners

[6:31:56] question?

[6:31:58] >> Those services, we do have veterans that are in need

[6:32:03] of dental services.

[6:32:05] Let's say a veteran that is 100% service connected

[6:32:08] gets dental service from the VA.

[6:32:10] Those who are not from the state as

[6:32:14] given multiple programs a lot of money.

[6:32:18] And we can submit referrals to those programs

[6:32:23] for those veterans to get them into service.

[6:32:25] Because nothing beats a great smile.

[6:32:27] It makes you feel like a person when your teeth are great.

[6:32:35] Other programs that SSPF, you work closely with them.

[6:32:42] We have veterans who may have substance and mental health

[6:32:45] issues they may need request for assistance through

[6:32:49] our domiciliary programs at both Lake Nona and Lake Baldwin ,

[6:32:56] as well as Careersource and other agencies that we provide

[6:33:00] referrals to for employment.

[6:33:03] >> Thank you.

[6:33:06] >> Thank you.

[6:33:07] >> All right.

[6:33:08] Commissioner Gomez Cordero.

[6:33:13] >> Thank you, mayor.

[6:33:14] Good afternoon, team.

[6:33:15] I have to say that I have been part of this team more

[6:33:18] than ten years.

[6:33:20] Before it became a commissioner I was already

[6:33:22] part of community action.

[6:33:24] And also the panel advisory, Angela down there,

[6:33:30] and I love it.

[6:33:31] Thank you for everything you all do because I think you all

[6:33:36] are one of the main services that we

[6:33:39] need for what is going on in.

[6:33:42] Let's put it that way.

[6:33:49] Can you give me like very short, what does the pilot

[6:33:54] Magellan going to be about?

[6:34:00] >> One of the newer movements in our human services world

[6:34:03] and really beyond that is the use of technology to help avoid

[6:34:08] access to services from residents.

[6:34:12] Also we could use that to make connections

[6:34:16] between different kinds of services

[6:34:19] easier so that perhaps one application process,

[6:34:25] you can determine a person's eligibility

[6:34:30] for any of the programs that we provide.

[6:34:34] And that is our goal is to get to where that will be the case.

[6:34:40] We also will be able to collect data

[6:34:43] that helps to tell us how we are doing in that regard

[6:34:48] and how resources are being utilized.

[6:34:54] We expect that this is going to break down

[6:34:59] the silos that currently exist not only

[6:35:02] in how our customers access our services,

[6:35:07] but also between ourselves internally

[6:35:11] and it will make it easier and more streamlined

[6:35:15] for us to serve a person without having to shuttle them so often

[6:35:21] among our different programs.

[6:35:26] We think it's going to be a game changer for us.

[6:35:30] >> Thank you.

[6:35:32] I have a question for Kyle.

[6:35:36] I see that in your presentation and slide 65,

[6:35:43] you said about the restroom replacement.

[6:35:48] And I remember in 2020, 21, there

[6:35:54] was a replacement already remodeling.

[6:35:57] Was that the >> Moss Park is a large park.

[6:36:02] We have a group campground.

[6:36:04] We have regular campground.

[6:36:05] And then we have a day use area. use The area.

[6:36:07] restaurant we Yes are speaking Ma'am.

[6:36:09] of here is the day use area.

[6:36:10] >> That's what I wanted to know.

[6:36:12] And then I wanted to ask you also, like for example,

[6:36:18] the service at risk, I know you also,

[6:36:21] for the park and recreation requested to supervisors.

[6:36:26] And a warehouse specialist.

[6:36:29] On the parks supervisor.

[6:36:31] Do you think maybe because of all of this

[6:36:36] you're going to put one supervisor to supervise

[6:36:39] more than one park instead of one for each?

[6:36:43] Or you don't get into that?

[6:36:45] >> For the 114 parks that already exist,

[6:36:48] we have roughly 32 man sites and then those serve to operate

[6:36:53] the others as satellite parks.

[6:36:55] We have a support section that oversees a lot of our pocket

[6:36:59] parks but there's 32 man sites.

[6:37:03] They spread themselves out and they service

[6:37:05] multiple other parks as well.

[6:37:07] They have a hub they work from.

[6:37:09] That already exists.

[6:37:15] >> Okay, thank you.

[6:37:16] Thank you for all you do.

[6:37:17] Thank you >> We'll go to commissioner Wilson and then

[6:37:22] commissioner summary.

[6:37:23] And the Sheriff is on deck outside.

[6:37:26] We are running probably about ten minutes behind.

[6:37:30] So we're going to try to catch up if we can.

[6:37:34] >> Thank you mayor.

[6:37:35] I have the same question.

[6:37:37] I am concerned about the spread thin.

[6:37:41] First of all, I should just say, this group,

[6:37:44] it is an incredible --

[6:37:47] I mean the heart, the, it is an incredible group.

[6:37:51] I just want to let you know the leadership,

[6:37:53] from the top down, and then your teams.

[6:37:57] Thank you so much for everything you do.

[6:37:59] It is the heartbeat I would say, for the county.

[6:38:03] Thank you.

[6:38:04] Thank you.

[6:38:05] Got the Magellan question out of the way.

[6:38:08] But I think we could maybe get some information now,

[6:38:11] whenever it's possible.

[6:38:12] I understand there's been ongoing development of what's

[6:38:15] going to come next.

[6:38:16] So we can let people know about the four phasing piece of that.

[6:38:21] We don't often think of our residents as customers.

[6:38:24] But that customer service aspect is critical especially

[6:38:28] when we think of case management or family services.

[6:38:32] All the things.

[6:38:35] Keep us in the loop and we can help advocate

[6:38:39] and continue to pursue what you're looking for.

[6:38:41] Which is a streamlined experience.

[6:38:43] My question comes the next one is a Parks and Rec question

[6:38:47] but it may also require some administrative advice here.

[6:38:53] I've been asking this all day.

[6:38:54] In our parks, we were just talking about Moss Park

[6:38:58] and the camping.

[6:39:00] I know they have a visitor log.

[6:39:03] They are international visitors that come in

[6:39:06] and they said every state in the country and most of the nations

[6:39:11] that travel here have signed in to visit

[6:39:14] some of these locations.

[6:39:16] Which by definition then under Florida

[6:39:20] Legislative qualifications makes our parks

[6:39:25] eligible for tax funding, should they

[6:39:28] be able to evidence the visitation.

[6:39:30] I understand we have dedicated funding right now.

[6:39:33] I would like to know about the possibility

[6:39:35] or thought in dedicated funding, especially

[6:39:40] in these areas we know there's been preservation.

[6:39:45] Very unique.

[6:39:46] I think Moss Park is one of those.

[6:39:49] Magnolia Park, definitely.

[6:39:51] Christmas.

[6:39:52] There's many of these that we know

[6:39:54] should be evaluated for a revenue source.

[6:39:58] We are struggling right now thinking about what could be

[6:40:01] and the idea of losing services.

[6:40:05] I realize those services may not be able to fall

[6:40:09] but if we can pull some of those funds

[6:40:12] from what I would say are the things that do fall into the TDC

[6:40:16] definition legislatively, people are literally

[6:40:21] coming and including them in their vacations.

[6:40:23] If we can do that so that we know

[6:40:27] that we use the services piece.

[6:40:30] Any thoughts?

[6:40:33] >> It's a wonderful idea.

[6:40:35] >> We probably need to do a better job of documenting that.

[6:40:38] Do you all have good records?

[6:40:44] >> I will say I've talked to them at Butler.

[6:40:47] It was a couple of years ago.

[6:40:49] We just kind of do it casually.

[6:40:51] Can you just make sure it's someplace that it's

[6:40:53] pretty centrally located.

[6:40:55] They do guided hikes.

[6:40:57] People come in with groups.

[6:41:01] >> You know the other thing, I have been tracking that.

[6:41:06] They don't go through because you don't have to sign in

[6:41:14] or whatever.

[6:41:15] And

[6:41:16] >> We are looking at technology that will do things that we

[6:41:19] didn't think were possible before.

[6:41:20] Without a sign in log.

[6:41:22] And still be able to capture that kind of data

[6:41:25] to support that.

[6:41:27] We think we have a way to do that.

[6:41:30] >> You're pursuing it on behalf of your incredible work

[6:41:33] and the effort to try to make sure that we're holding

[6:41:36] on to the quality that we know are the important pieces.

[6:41:41] Thank you.

[6:41:42] >> Thank you.

[6:41:45] >> Commissioner Uribe and then Commissioner Simrad.

[6:41:51] >> I wanted to ask, I'm looking at all of these groups

[6:41:54] and things that we fund, 237.1 million.

[6:41:58] I'm a little disheartened because there

[6:42:02] are plenty of times when our office needs resources

[6:42:04] and I didn't know we were funding

[6:42:07] all of these organizations and to what extent

[6:42:11] and what they can offer our residents.

[6:42:15] Is that all we give or do we give more than --

[6:42:20] I've seen numbers higher.

[6:42:23] >> I would say that when you look at the county overall,

[6:42:28] there is certainly the prospect that there is more.

[6:42:31] I know for instance in yesterday's agenda,

[6:42:36] the planning and Development Department

[6:42:40] presented some grants for some nonprofits.

[6:42:45] As one example.

[6:42:47] And other parts of our department give grants as well.

[6:42:54] That particular section pertains to what the children's

[6:42:58] services funding or the C.c.c.

[6:43:02] Division oversees.

[6:43:04] And Commissioner, with your help and inspiration in fact,

[6:43:10] we were able to design a system specifically

[6:43:14] for use of a commissioners that your aides

[6:43:19] could use to look up resources that we fund.

[6:43:25] >> I appreciate that.

[6:43:29] What I'm trying to do is come up maybe

[6:43:32] with somebody from your team, I'm

[6:43:35] looking at these organizations that I know we're

[6:43:37] getting requests for help.

[6:43:38] And there have been some that have been a little critical, who

[6:43:41] have not helped us.

[6:43:43] We've brought it up to them, that organization itself.

[6:43:47] I just feel like when we're using tax dollars to fund

[6:43:51] programs to help residents, we've

[6:43:54] got to make sure it's a bit more seamless.

[6:43:57] I appreciate that.

[6:43:58] I'm going to brag on Kyle for a moment.

[6:44:02] I've got to tell you Kyle, when Matt

[6:44:04] left I had a little bit of anxiety

[6:44:07] because he's really created a little clutch with us.

[6:44:09] We were so dependent on him and how he did things

[6:44:13] and how he took care of things.

[6:44:14] I want to commend you for your hard work and dedication.

[6:44:18] To go beyond the scope when it comes to that.

[6:44:23] I also wanted to address Commissioner Wilson.

[6:44:25] On the parks and TT.

[6:44:28] We actually got Congressman Soto and Senator Smith.

[6:44:32] Writing letters of support for Lake Conway.

[6:44:36] For TT funding.

[6:44:38] To requested.

[6:44:39] It is happening.

[6:44:41] It's happened to other places.

[6:44:42] And you're absolutely right, when

[6:44:43] we do pioneer day is, we meet so many people that

[6:44:47] come from out of town who love to go to festivals and things

[6:44:51] like that.

[6:44:52] I'm excited to see us quantify that because I believe

[6:44:56] we are a town with so much culture

[6:45:00] that people want to do more than just the norm.

[6:45:04] They want to visit the local spots and things like that.

[6:45:08] But I've got to tell you, as a parent who

[6:45:12] put her child in your summer camp for the first time ever,

[6:45:16] and I did have anxiety.

[6:45:18] I'm a helicopter mom.

[6:45:20] I'm going to admit it.

[6:45:21] I love to watch what's going on.

[6:45:23] My child is absolutely so happy and gets

[6:45:27] excited to go to camp every day.

[6:45:29] And your staff at Meadow Woods, and I'm sure

[6:45:32] all the Orange County, are phenomenal, great supporters.

[6:45:37] That is a big plus.

[6:45:38] And Josh, over at barber, and his team in Cypress Grove,

[6:45:45] top notch.

[6:45:47] We honestly have some of the best dedicated, and Renaissance

[6:45:53] center.

[6:45:54] The employees, you could ever ask for a.

[6:45:59] I've never had anybody -- they are there to serve.

[6:46:02] How can we help, what can we do.

[6:46:04] They come in, they get involved.

[6:46:05] That just shows your leadership with your team

[6:46:10] and of course Mandy, is Mandy around here?

[6:46:13] She's a selfie queen.

[6:46:15] It's just so impressive.

[6:46:18] And I just don't think you guys get

[6:46:20] to hear that enough and just know that we really appreciate

[6:46:24] you all because you give us a place

[6:46:27] to celebrate our communities and I know I have an event coming

[6:46:31] this weekend.

[6:46:32] Back to school and food drives and Halloween and Christmas

[6:46:35] and everything we do.

[6:46:36] It's just been a pleasure to work with the best

[6:46:39] team in the state.

[6:46:41] Thank you.

[6:46:45] >> Thank you so much.

[6:46:47] >> Thank you mayor.

[6:46:48] I'm very quick.

[6:46:49] Kyle, I forgot to reference the TT for the Christmas..

[6:46:54] The Fort.

[6:46:56] And the Christmas Historical Society

[6:46:59] is more than willing to try to do the process.

[6:47:02] They just need a little bit of assistance.

[6:47:06] They're ready and willing.

[6:47:09] It has a great tourism draw there.

[6:47:15] >> We recently took a trip together.

[6:47:20] >> That's amazing to hear.

[6:47:21] Thank you for doing that.

[6:47:22] I also wanted to say that, pertaining to just the team you

[6:47:27] work with, every single time that district five does a food

[6:47:31] distribution at a park, they open the park

[6:47:35] and they're there to greet us but they also

[6:47:38] roll up their sleeves and they help distribute the food.

[6:47:41] And then there's a citizen group that created the district five

[6:47:45] park protectors and they've removed several tons of debris

[6:47:49] from parks in district five.

[6:47:51] And 100% of the time your employees

[6:47:53] have rolled up their sleeves to help.

[6:47:55] Not just help do the process but to actually participate

[6:47:59] and in every single one that they weren't working,

[6:48:03] we still always have two people that

[6:48:05] come from Parks and Rec that are just purely volunteering

[6:48:09] their Saturday morning to do that.

[6:48:12] I just think it's great.

[6:48:16] Thank you.

[6:48:19] >> They had a all staff meeting this morning and I know some

[6:48:23] of our staff will be here, are watching,

[6:48:26] because I invited them to do so.

[6:48:29] So hopefully they can hear all of the accolades that you all

[6:48:33] are -- we appreciate them very much.

[6:48:37] >> All right, thank you all very much.

[6:48:39] We are going to move forward.

[6:48:42] I know the Sheriff and his team are out there.

[6:48:48] >> They're next door.

[6:48:50] >> A presentation of today.

[6:49:01] You all can stay if you want. (laughs)

[6:49:11] they're rushing out of here.

[6:49:19] Sheriff, come on up.

[6:49:21] Come on down.

[6:49:23] You're up, sir.

[6:49:35] Sheriff, we're running a little behind.

[6:49:39] I know we talked about the children,

[6:49:43] it runs a little long it seems.

[6:49:46] I said whenever we talk about the children it always

[6:49:48] runs a little long.

[6:49:54] >> I reviewed last year's presentation.

[6:49:55] I was standing at this podium for two hours.

[6:50:00] Even though my presentation was only 20 minutes.

[6:50:11] >> Let's hope you won't be here for two hours.

[6:50:12] Welcome, Sheriff.

[6:50:15] >> Good afternoon Commissioner, mayor, happy to be here again.

[6:50:19] I'll dispense with the pleasantries

[6:50:21] because I know I've been watching you guys,

[6:50:23] you've been sitting here all day.

[6:50:25] Thank you for what you do.

[6:50:26] Thank you for your strong support of the public safety.

[6:50:29] We really appreciate you.

[6:50:31] So, I'll get started.

[6:50:33] This is the overview.

[6:50:34] We're going to do some highlights.

[6:50:35] I always like to brief you guys and show you

[6:50:37] a little highlight video of the great work we're doing out

[6:50:40] there.

[6:50:41] Talk about our citizen feedback survey that we recently did.

[6:50:44] Of course crime statistics.

[6:50:47] The budget.

[6:50:48] And our priorities.

[6:50:52] >> 911 what's the location of your emergency?

[6:51:02] [video playing] Things like nine years old .

[6:51:37] [video playing] Bam so, could it be more prouder.

[6:52:43] I know you are as well.

[6:52:47] Before we put together our budget,

[6:52:51] we go to hundreds of meetings every single year

[6:52:55] and one of the things that people

[6:52:58] tell us is, you guys do a great job, we love you.

[6:53:03] But we need more of you.

[6:53:05] We don't see enough of you.

[6:53:06] So we decided to ask the residents.

[6:53:08] We did a survey.

[6:53:10] 75% were 35 and older.

[6:53:13] This was Geocoded for unincorporated Orange County

[6:53:15] only.

[6:53:16] Each survey user, we are only allowed to do it once.

[6:53:20] I tried myself to do it a couple of times and I could not.

[6:53:23] It locked me out.

[6:53:24] This is what the people said.

[6:53:26] At 98.1%, the residents say the Sheriff's office

[6:53:29] plays an important role keeping families safe.

[6:53:32] No surprise there.

[6:53:35] 96.9% residents say deputy visibility and active presence

[6:53:39] are important.

[6:53:40] Again, this is the theme we hear over and over again

[6:53:44] around our communities.

[6:53:45] And 91.5% of residents support growing the Sheriff's office

[6:53:49] to keep pace with Orange County.

[6:53:52] Nine out of ten people.

[6:53:55] That's pretty telling.

[6:53:57] When we put together our budget we based a lot of this on,

[6:54:00] do our residents want from the Sheriff's office.

[6:54:04] They want to see us.

[6:54:05] They want us out there.

[6:54:06] Just want to go over our staffing levels.

[6:54:09] We are at 1939 sworn positions.

[6:54:13] We're requesting 27 sworn.

[6:54:16] We aren't requesting any civilian personnel

[6:54:19] in this budget.

[6:54:20] For a total positions of 2753.

[6:54:23] And I no vacancy rates always come up.

[6:54:26] Right now, out of the 1939 authorized positions ,

[6:54:35] we had 70 vacancies.

[6:54:37] That is 3.67%.

[6:54:41] And with the conditional hires, we are --

[6:54:48] all those people I offered a job to over the last several months,

[6:54:53] make it through that process, we will be (indiscernible).

[6:54:59] Here is our recruitment retention

[6:55:01] over the last four years.

[6:55:03] We've hired 826.

[6:55:05] This is just sworn deputy sheriffs.

[6:55:11] And retired, 596.

[6:55:13] And we added 148 new positions over that time.

[6:55:18] Over these past four years we are easily

[6:55:21] keeping up with retirements.

[6:55:22] We are keeping up with attrition.

[6:55:27] And new positions.

[6:55:29] You see the trend.

[6:55:31] We really started beefing up our recruiting efforts to catch up.

[6:55:37] Remember, several years ago I came to you,

[6:55:40] we were at like 200 vacancies.

[6:55:42] So we had closed that gap, as you can see.

[6:55:46] There are plenty of people who want

[6:55:47] to become a part of the Orange County Sheriff's Office

[6:55:50] and we don't see that stopping anytime soon.

[6:55:54] And the retirements have flattened out.

[6:55:57] That 2022 number, that was right after COVID.

[6:56:02] Right after George Floyd incident.

[6:56:05] A lot of things were going on in our nation and a lot of deputies

[6:56:11] were up for retirement.

[6:56:13] As you see in 23 and 24, the state of Florida

[6:56:16] allowed sworn deputy sheriffs to extend their drop three years.

[6:56:21] To eight years.

[6:56:22] So that really slowed down retirements.

[6:56:25] And with the solid efforts of our recruiting units

[6:56:30] we were able to catch up.

[6:56:32] I know you're all interested in this.

[6:56:34] I came to you in 2023.

[6:56:36] We had 91 vacancies and 200 and something positions.

[6:56:40] And we only have two current vacancies

[6:56:43] and that's basically with conditional offers

[6:56:45] that we have out there.

[6:56:48] I know the county, you haven't received

[6:56:51] any of those nasty grams about 911 calls not being answered.

[6:56:55] That's because they're full.

[6:56:57] Now, busy, they're very busy.

[6:57:00] You'll see here in a minute, the calls for service

[6:57:03] continue to arise.

[6:57:04] So we are very proud of that number as well.

[6:57:08] Want to go over our crime stats.

[6:57:11] This is the first 25.

[6:57:14] Couldn't be happier.

[6:57:15] Crime is going down 15% over that year.

[6:57:20] In all categories really.

[6:57:22] And year to date this year, down again.

[6:57:25] Slightly up in homicides.

[6:57:26] We have a very small number of homicides.

[6:57:30] Last year at this time we had 14.

[6:57:32] This year at this time we are at 15.

[6:57:35] But my estimation is that's one too many, in my philosophy.

[6:57:42] We don't want any violent crime.

[6:57:45] And I may have said this last year but,

[6:57:49] what does drive down crime?

[6:57:52] The great work of the men and women at the County Sheriff's

[6:57:56] office, all the work we do in our community.

[6:57:59] Engaging with our nonprofits.

[6:58:01] Talking to all of our kids.

[6:58:02] All of that adds up.

[6:58:03] And finally technology.

[6:58:05] All in my opinion causes these great crime reductions.

[6:58:10] And our homicide unit, couldn't be more proud of them.

[6:58:15] The national clearance rate for murder is 61% and we were at 85%

[6:58:19] last year.

[6:58:20] I'm going to give you a snapshot of how many people

[6:58:23] we actually arrested in a year.

[6:58:25] It's a lot.

[6:58:26] 1.6 million people live here.

[6:58:29] 76 million residents.

[6:58:31] The vast majority are good, law abiding citizens.

[6:58:36] Residents and visitors that love,

[6:58:38] trust, and respect law enforcement

[6:58:39] and abide by the law.

[6:58:41] We have people out here who want to commit crimes

[6:58:44] in our neighborhood and want to do harm

[6:58:46] to the people in our community.

[6:58:52] Here's another snapshot.

[6:58:56] Again in 2021.

[6:58:58] It kind of dipped.

[6:59:01] Comparing it to other years because of COVID.

[6:59:05] Everyone was inside.

[6:59:08] Universal and Disney was shut down.

[6:59:15] Crime began to spike and by adding positions

[6:59:19] every single year, by all of the efforts of the men

[6:59:23] and women in the Sheriff's office,

[6:59:25] utilizing technology and engaging with community.

[6:59:28] Arresting bad guys.

[6:59:30] We continue to drive the crime down.

[6:59:32] This is interesting and you probably have already

[6:59:35] seen similar trends.

[6:59:38] Overdose deaths, we, we down period continue to go down.

[6:59:44] That's a combination of things.

[6:59:47] That's a combination of the prevention programs

[6:59:49] that we're all a part of.

[6:59:51] Start with the DEA.

[6:59:53] The -- I think when people heard that,

[6:59:58] they were like wait a minute, I can use it one time and die?

[7:00:01] I think that resonated with people.

[7:00:05] As well as the local prevention programs here and the fact

[7:00:11] that all of our deputies, firefighters, they carry Narcan.

[7:00:16] You can buy it at Walgreens.

[7:00:19] Honestly, the users know that.

[7:00:21] They have it readily available.

[7:00:23] All that continues to drive fentanyl overdoses down.

[7:00:27] Now is that stopping the drugs coming into our community

[7:00:32] from other areas?

[7:00:34] No, absolutely not we are still seeing massive cocaine seizures

[7:00:39] all throughout the United States.

[7:00:41] So this is what I talked about.

[7:00:46] As our population continues to increase,

[7:00:49] as our visitors continue to increase,

[7:00:52] so will our calls for service and that will --

[7:00:56] I have no doubt.

[7:00:58] With the development and growth, that number

[7:01:01] will continue to rise.

[7:01:02] We want to keep up with that growth.

[7:01:06] Because of the calls for service.

[7:01:08] We are very busy.

[7:01:11] Our deputies are answering 41 calls per hour.

[7:01:16] Extremely busy.

[7:01:18] And they're doing a great job.

[7:01:21] But it just goes to show you that we're not

[7:01:24] just parked in our cars.

[7:01:26] We are actually doing stuff.

[7:01:29] So the program we started several years ago,

[7:01:32] as some of you know, we were one of the only Sheriff's offices

[7:01:36] in the state who were not responding to traffic crashes.

[7:01:39] We used to get this complaint over and over again.

[7:01:43] Our residents waiting hours and hours for FHP

[7:01:46] to come and right the crash report.

[7:01:48] We started doing it ourselves and you see the number of crash

[7:01:52] reports we have done.

[7:01:53] Since we've started.

[7:01:55] Over 200.

[7:01:56] That helps.

[7:01:57] That's a service to our residents that they deserve.

[7:02:00] They shouldn't have to wait for a state agency

[7:02:02] to come to Orange County and do a crash report.

[7:02:05] Here's that tourist impact I told you about.

[7:02:09] 76 million visitors.

[7:02:11] That equates to a 200 -- and you all know this.

[7:02:14] 210,000 average daily population increase.

[7:02:18] If you count our residents only, we are two deputies per 1000.

[7:02:24] That is the standard throughout the country.

[7:02:26] But if you add in our visitors, it's 1.67 deputies per 1000.

[7:02:33] The city of Orlando has about three officers

[7:02:37] per 1000 residents.

[7:02:40] So, this is the budget that I submitted to you guys on May

[7:02:46] 1st.

[7:02:46] It reflects our operational needs based on service demands.

[7:02:51] And the growth and the calls for service.

[7:02:56] We know that there is an amendment freeze out there.

[7:03:05] So to be available to us is 470 million.

[7:03:12] And 439 million for law enforcement.

[7:03:16] 30 million for court.

[7:03:19] And that's a 11% increase.

[7:03:22] Really that only covers salary increases.

[7:03:28] Mandatory increases for FRS.

[7:03:31] Anticipated health insurance cost.

[7:03:35] And this is the second year in a row we are not receiving

[7:03:40] any capital funding as well.

[7:03:43] That available budget, that was basically given to us.

[7:03:50] It represents 3.51% increase.

[7:03:54] As for fleet operations and support, software system

[7:03:59] renewals, and insurance and risk management.

[7:04:02] But again, based on what we believe,

[7:04:08] we believe we need more than that.

[7:04:10] And that's why that budget was originally submitted.

[7:04:13] Based on operational needs.

[7:04:15] Based on growth.

[7:04:16] Based on calls for service.

[7:04:17] In this budget we are only requesting

[7:04:20] the two behavioral response unit deputies per program.

[7:04:23] It's been very successful.

[7:04:26] Deputies responding to people who are in crisis.

[7:04:29] We want to expand that unit.

[7:04:31] And then the 25 patrol deputies, which is unfunded at this point.

[7:04:38] I'll talk about our priorities and our priorities drive,

[7:04:42] as well as the increase in services and the calls

[7:04:47] for service and our operational needs.

[7:04:50] This priority drive, we want to reduce violent crime.

[7:04:54] We want to reduce burglary and theft.

[7:04:58] After those nightclubs have been a source of frustration

[7:05:02] for our residents.

[7:05:04] They have been a source of violent crimes.

[7:05:08] We've seen some real success in that and of course

[7:05:11] our super speeder law update.

[7:05:14] And we talk about our community engagement.

[7:05:16] Over the last four years we've been

[7:05:18] able to reduce homicide by 43%.

[7:05:20] Violent crime by 29%.

[7:05:22] We are hitting those priorities.

[7:05:25] This is what we're striving for.

[7:05:27] We want those numbers to continue to decrease.

[7:05:31] We don't want them to stay stagnant

[7:05:33] and we certainly don't want them to rise.

[7:05:35] And again our property crimes.

[7:05:38] Auto theft decreased.

[7:05:41] Residential, auto, all seeing large decreases.

[7:05:47] We are hitting that mark and those are our priorities.

[7:05:52] I talked about the after Hours club.

[7:05:54] After our successful legislation that was passed.

[7:05:58] Making selling alcohol a felony.

[7:06:01] A lot of people think it's not really that big a deal

[7:06:04] it is a big deal when people are at these clubs drinking

[7:06:07] until 4 or 5 in the morning.

[7:06:09] All kinds of crime happens there.

[7:06:11] It attracts a criminal element.

[7:06:14] And they commit crimes and shootings.

[7:06:17] And so this has really helped us.

[7:06:20] We've made over 60 felony arrests we're hoping these bar

[7:06:25] owners come a -- holding them accountable.

[7:06:29] And the property owners, most of them live out of state

[7:06:33] and they see that and they're evicting these folks.

[7:06:35] As soon as we shut down one, another one opens right back up.

[7:06:38] And the super speeder law, it's just people speeding, well,

[7:06:43] this is the number one complaint in Orange County Sheriff's

[7:06:46] Office.

[7:06:46] Speeding.

[7:06:47] This is the complaint that people care about the most.

[7:06:50] Traffic congestion and speeding.

[7:06:52] It's what we hear the most.

[7:06:55] And so, there were people in the legislature who fought us.

[7:07:00] Who said no.

[7:07:02] They want to drive 100 miles an hour

[7:07:06] on I-10 to get to Tallahassee.

[7:07:07] We said no.

[7:07:08] 2500 people a year die in Florida because of traffic

[7:07:12] crashes related to speed.

[7:07:13] And so what has happened?

[7:07:15] Over the past -- ever since we've started.

[7:07:19] We've arrested 328 drivers.

[7:07:22] But, more than five going over 120 miles an hour.

[7:07:27] But what we're seeing issue here is a decrease people are not

[7:07:32] going that fast deputies are finding --

[7:07:35] there is still speeders out there.

[7:07:36] But they're not reaching the speeds over 100 miles.

[7:07:40] Why is that important?

[7:07:42] We want everyone to go the speed limit

[7:07:44] but when they're going 100, 120, 150,

[7:07:47] no one's going to survive that crash.

[7:07:50] We've all seen that.

[7:07:53] And so of course, as many of you know,

[7:07:58] community engagement is a hallmark of this agency.

[7:08:01] We believe this community engagement

[7:08:05] has helped us drive down crime.

[7:08:07] People see us out there.

[7:08:09] We engage with them.

[7:08:10] We have different activities that we do.

[7:08:13] You see them all.

[7:08:15] There's so many programs.

[7:08:16] It's hard to remember them all.

[7:08:18] I really do think that helps us build trust within the community

[7:08:23] and certainly we cannot stop doing that.

[7:08:28] If you're thinking that, that would be a huge problem.

[7:08:33] Especially in our more challenging communities.

[7:08:35] It's something we are very very proud of.

[7:08:38] And we receive a lot of accolades and credit for things

[7:08:41] that we're doing.

[7:08:43] And with all those arrests we made we see a lot of drug money

[7:08:46] and we are putting it right back into the community.

[7:08:49] As you see since 2020, 2.6 million.

[7:08:53] Back into nonprofits that we all love.

[7:08:56] Human trafficking.

[7:08:57] Mentoring programs.

[7:08:59] Domestic violence and drug prevention programs.

[7:09:02] We believe this is working.

[7:09:06] We believe it's having an impact.

[7:09:10] I know you guys have many questions for me

[7:09:14] so I'm going to end right there and go back to this slide

[7:09:20] so you all can look at it.

[7:09:40] >> We will open it up for questions.

[7:09:41] Members of the board.

[7:09:43] We'll start with Commissioner Michael Scott.

[7:09:47] >> Twice in a row got to go first Sheriff I have four

[7:09:52] questions for you.

[7:09:53] The first question is, I think it

[7:09:56] was last year we gave you guys some funding for enhanced 911.

[7:10:00] I think that's why you were able to send a link.

[7:10:03] Can you tell us how that's working?

[7:10:06] >> Yes.

[7:10:07] It was live 911.

[7:10:08] We tested it and it wasn't as effective

[7:10:10] as we thought it would be.

[7:10:13] >> Okay.

[7:10:14] >> Okay so we ended that program.

[7:10:17] >> And then the Florida Police Department,

[7:10:20] are you guys still evaluating that?

[7:10:25] >> Absolutely.

[7:10:25] We met with a drone company recently.

[7:10:28] They're going to do a pilot program with us.

[7:10:31] And at around your convention area.

[7:10:34] That happens to coincide with the big huge law enforcement

[7:10:37] conference that's going to be there.

[7:10:39] But they're going to leave it there for several months.

[7:10:42] And so we're in talks with them about that.

[7:10:46] I will say that we are very interested in that.

[7:10:49] We're looking at that closely.

[7:10:52] To be able to get eyes on a call very quickly.

[7:10:58] With a drone operator watching that video.

[7:11:02] It could be a game changer.

[7:11:04] And so I do say that and I will also say that a drone,

[7:11:11] and those other pieces of technology,

[7:11:12] it will never replace a deputy out on the street because AI

[7:11:18] and drone, they can't tell right from wrong.

[7:11:21] They don't have that human brain.

[7:11:24] Law enforcement is being very cautious regarding AI,

[7:11:30] and rightly so.

[7:11:32] It's done a lot of good things.

[7:11:33] But we have to tread lightly.

[7:11:35] We do have a committee specifically

[7:11:37] looking at AI stuff.

[7:11:38] But back to the drone, yes we are

[7:11:41] going to do a pilot program and commissioners, it's just money,

[7:11:45] it all costs money.

[7:11:47] These tech companies, they provide some very good products.

[7:11:51] But it comes at a huge cost.

[7:11:55] The challenge for us is, we're always

[7:11:59] going to need a deputy Sheriff.

[7:12:02] We've got that drone program.

[7:12:04] But can we get rid of a deputy because we have a drone

[7:12:07] up there?

[7:12:08] No, the deputy is still going to have to go

[7:12:11] to that call in most cases.

[7:12:14] >> And then I recently learned about --

[7:12:19] I wasn't aware that the body camera Taser,

[7:12:27] I ended up with one company.

[7:12:30] I guess if you could give me a ballpark

[7:12:32] number of what that costs.

[7:12:33] I know it's almost like a monopoly.

[7:12:37] How does that?

[7:12:40] >> With our tasers, body cameras,

[7:12:42] it's $9.5 million a year.

[7:12:46] All of our deputies who wear uniform out there

[7:12:49] on the street, who are affecting an arrest,

[7:12:54] in units that typically don't wear uniforms,

[7:12:59] they all have body worn cameras.

[7:13:02] That's why when you see a critical incidence, when

[7:13:06] you see those things, we're able to see

[7:13:09] it's incredibly expensive.

[7:13:12] It's huge for trust building with our community.

[7:13:16] As you know.

[7:13:17] Having a less than (indiscernible).

[7:13:24] And of course that all goes into the evidence.com.

[7:13:29] It's incredibly expensive.

[7:13:31] But it's needed and I can't ever see going back.

[7:13:35] Because if we got rid of our body cameras

[7:13:37] and we had an incident, wait a minute, we had body cameras now

[7:13:40] we don't have body cameras.

[7:13:42] Now we don't know what the deputy did.

[7:13:44] It's one of those costs that we can't live without.

[7:13:50] >> This wasn't one of my original questions do you have

[7:13:53] one of the (indiscernible).

[7:13:58] >> Yeah.

[7:13:59] We had one before them.

[7:14:00] Which was bought with grant money.

[7:14:03] >> I have one more question.

[7:14:06] This is maybe the hardest.

[7:14:08] Obviously you've had folks come today and talk about ice.

[7:14:11] Can you summarize what the money received is

[7:14:16] and maybe there's some misunderstanding of what it is.

[7:14:19] But kind of clarifying what those dogs will do.

[7:14:24] >> I heard all the comments this morning and I assume some of you

[7:14:29] have questions.

[7:14:30] And there might be more.

[7:14:32] But I'll try and answer it.

[7:14:34] First I have to start with this, as you know,

[7:14:37] Florida State's that law enforcement shall use its best

[7:14:45] efforts to assist in immigration enforcement period

[7:14:50] so I'll start with that.

[7:14:51] I will also say that the enforcement of immigration

[7:14:53] is not our top priority.

[7:14:55] I have the data to prove that.

[7:14:58] You looked at that 15,000 arrests last year.

[7:15:02] We have only, since the program started,

[7:15:06] we have only made 101 arrests related to immigration.

[7:15:12] And those people also had local charges.

[7:15:15] If you look at your own jail stats.

[7:15:18] People in jail this morning.

[7:15:20] Their et there that have a detainer on them.

[7:15:23] That have nothing to do with us.

[7:15:27] There are 184 in your jail right now

[7:15:30] that have a local charges and a hold from ice.

[7:15:35] In other words, all of those people

[7:15:38] committed some type of crime in Orange County.

[7:15:41] Whether it's domestic violence.

[7:15:42] It could be a super speeder.

[7:15:45] They committed a crime in Orange County.

[7:15:46] They were brought to your jail.

[7:15:48] Where their fingerprints were ran.

[7:15:50] Their fingerprints were sent to the through the system.

[7:15:54] And Vermont ice facility up there says hold those people.

[7:15:59] None of that has anything to do with the Orange County Sheriff's

[7:16:02] Department.

[7:16:03] Now since we are by law using our best efforts

[7:16:07] to support immigration enforcement,

[7:16:09] we are part of the 287 program.

[7:16:11] What does that mean?

[7:16:14] The law also states we will assist.

[7:16:19] So Ice folks, they have contacted us.

[7:16:23] But we don't go on any raids.

[7:16:25] We don't initiate any type of self-initiated immigration

[7:16:31] enforcement.

[7:16:32] The people who are here illegally,

[7:16:35] who happened to come into our contact, they committed a crime.

[7:16:39] They were pulled over.

[7:16:41] We responded to a domestic violence call.

[7:16:42] Ice has called us to transport a handful of times.

[7:16:46] Ice has called us to assist with protests on their property.

[7:16:51] Which we have assisted them.

[7:16:53] They asked for us to assist them with crowd control training.

[7:16:57] Which they desperately need, as you

[7:17:00] can see throughout the country.

[7:17:01] And we're experts at it so we have assisted them.

[7:17:04] They don't call us that much for that assistance period

[7:17:08] but, as the Sheriff here in Orange County,

[7:17:11] the Sheriff of Florida, I will follow the law.

[7:17:14] I won't break the law.

[7:17:15] I will use my best efforts to assist immigration enforcement.

[7:17:19] So the money that you're talking about,

[7:17:22] yeah, there's $250 million grants available

[7:17:25] for agencies that are in the 287 G program.

[7:17:29] And so, we are receiving 10 million from the state.

[7:17:46] For one year of Parigramme program.

[7:17:50] Which I will explain that in a minute license plate readers.

[7:17:53] And radios. $10 million.

[7:17:56] First with the radios, each radio that they carry costs

[7:18:00] $12,555.

[7:18:07] That's the bulk of that 10 million.

[7:18:10] We originally asked for 25 million and they cut it in half.

[7:18:14] If you want to give me $10 million or $9 million

[7:18:18] to buy radios today, I'll give that grant back.

[7:18:22] Obviously we're not using those for immigration.

[7:18:25] We use those every single day.

[7:18:28] It's not a top priority program is basically --

[7:18:32] all of us at the Sheriff's office, all of our systems,

[7:18:37] computer aided dispatch, our records management system,

[7:18:42] evidence.com.

[7:18:43] Body worn cameras.

[7:18:45] All of our systems are siloed.

[7:18:48] For a deputy or detective or crime analyst

[7:18:52] to do an investigation, he or she

[7:18:55] is looking for someone who has committed a crime in our county

[7:18:57] or in another county in.

[7:18:59] Trying to find a phone number.

[7:19:00] We have to go through all these different systems.

[7:19:03] What does, it puts it all in one system.

[7:19:08] At the fingertips.

[7:19:10] It marries all that information that we have.

[7:19:13] Are we using it for immigration enforcement?

[7:19:16] No.

[7:19:17] Could it be used?

[7:19:18] Yes.

[7:19:19] But as you see by the numbers on the data,

[7:19:21] that's not our priority here in Orange County.

[7:19:24] But we will follow the law.

[7:19:25] I hope that answers your question.

[7:19:28] >> No, that was very thorough.

[7:19:29] I appreciate it.

[7:19:30] Now to my request.

[7:19:31] I noticed, and I'm not jealous, I promise,

[7:19:36] but I noticed you do annual spaghetti dinner with

[7:19:40] Commissioner -- just something to think about.

[7:19:49] Not a request now.

[7:19:50] But I was wondering as we bring new commissioners on,

[7:19:53] obviously we'll have four commissioners here.

[7:19:55] There will be time for them to learn.

[7:19:58] Would you consider doing something,

[7:20:00] it may not be spaghetti.

[7:20:02] For me it might be a fish fry.

[7:20:05] >> I like fish.

[7:20:06] >> Doing something for the districts.

[7:20:10] >> Absolutely.

[7:20:12] >> I know the chief goes around and does district meetings.

[7:20:15] And

[7:20:16] >> We attend hundreds of meetings.

[7:20:17] I attended one for Commissioner Cordero just a few weeks ago.

[7:20:23] Absolutely.

[7:20:24] Orange County, it's 1000mi².

[7:20:29] And so, again I get a lot of help from my staff.

[7:20:33] If someone requests me personally to go to a meeting,

[7:20:37] I rarely turn them down.

[7:20:40] >> I appreciate that.

[7:20:41] My final request, I've got to work on my resume,

[7:20:44] but I'm looking for a job.

[7:20:48] Since you have released the ice cream shop a.

[7:20:52] I get so many calls about the ice cream truck and the gaming

[7:20:56] truck.

[7:20:56] I feel like I may call center seasonal employee for you guys

[7:20:59] because I tell them how to request it.

[7:21:01] Is there any thoughts to be able to expand

[7:21:04] either one of those items.

[7:21:06] I do get quite a few calls.

[7:21:10] >> That comes with the expansion and personnel.

[7:21:15] >> Right.

[7:21:17] >> It takes personnel.

[7:21:19] Thank you for that.

[7:21:20] The ice cream truck and the gaming truck.

[7:21:23] We've got agencies all over the country asking us how we did it.

[7:21:26] My friend in Polk County copied us.

[7:21:30] Sheriff Judd has ice cream trucks too.

[7:21:33] People realize the importance of engaging with kids.

[7:21:39] When you're giving a kid an ice cream,

[7:21:41] it doesn't get any better than that.

[7:21:44] They get to see us in a different light.

[7:21:47] We are not in the neighborhood arresting someone.

[7:21:50] We're not giving someone a ticket.

[7:21:52] Nothing bad is happening.

[7:21:53] The cops are smiling at us and giving us ice cream.

[7:21:56] It's been a home run.

[7:21:59] >> Kudos, Sheriff.

[7:22:00] Appreciate you guys.

[7:22:03] >> All right.

[7:22:04] Commissioner Wilson?

[7:22:06] >> Thank you.

[7:22:08] Thank you all for the work you do.

[7:22:10] Thank you for coming and talking to me ahead of time.

[7:22:15] I appreciate that.

[7:22:17] One of the things we did talk about, obviously

[7:22:22] these various revenue sources.

[7:22:23] I think there's a general understanding that you

[7:22:25] can't leave money on the table.

[7:22:27] I don't want you to misinterpret the questions

[7:22:29] but I also think we are trying really hard

[7:22:32] to make every little minute of this budget

[7:22:36] hearing as transparent and publicly facing as possible.

[7:22:39] And the public has come here every two weeks

[7:22:43] for over a year now.

[7:22:44] Begging us to help get between them and aggressive ice tactics.

[7:22:51] One of the things I'm worried about when

[7:22:54] I'm looking at the statistics, about the crime numbers going

[7:22:57] down, is how many of those are just

[7:22:59] unreported because domestic violence

[7:23:02] victims are afraid to call.

[7:23:04] Because they know Orange County Sheriff's do enforce with ice.

[7:23:09] Has there been any analysis of that?

[7:23:13] >> That's almost impossible to capture.

[7:23:14] Underreported crime is an issue.

[7:23:18] Regarding everything.

[7:23:19] I would say regarding people who are here illegally.

[7:23:23] Women and men, they don't call for a variety of reasons.

[7:23:29] Immigration status is probably just one small reason.

[7:23:33] It's almost impossible to capture a number.

[7:23:37] We're not sure.

[7:23:39] And

[7:23:40] >> I fully understand that.

[7:23:41] I just want to make sure when we're talking about statistics

[7:23:43] in a time when we've seen over the last two days

[7:23:46] that this wouldn't happen here in Orange County

[7:23:48] because you do have the body cams.

[7:23:50] But then someone was shot, they were not the target

[7:23:54] of the ice operation.

[7:23:59] These are tragic stories.

[7:24:01] Once again I'm grateful for the training

[7:24:03] that your team undergoes.

[7:24:05] We do have the transparency for activities.

[7:24:10] I think what I want to try to do is make sure we talk

[7:24:14] about that trust relationship.

[7:24:15] There is a community of people who are very frightened right

[7:24:18] now of engaging.

[7:24:19] We do food drives.

[7:24:21] We noticed almost immediately after the DHS activity.

[7:24:26] The families that used to show up didn't show up at.

[7:24:31] And even some of the volunteers didn't show up.

[7:24:33] And I need to figure out how to bridge some of that trust.

[7:24:36] We've done as much as we feel like we can do.

[7:24:41] But you're our other link in that trust.

[7:24:44] Being able to understand why Orange County

[7:24:48] Sheriff was the highest requester

[7:24:50] in the state under that 287.

[7:24:55] >> No.

[7:24:56] We're not the highest requester.

[7:24:59] >> That was reported.

[7:25:00] That's why we're having this conversation.

[7:25:03] >> There's $250 million out there.

[7:25:07] All of their deputies -- go ahead come and finish

[7:25:11] your question.

[7:25:14] >> Know you're doing what I want to talk through this.

[7:25:17] I want to make sure there's no family out there that

[7:25:21] would hesitate to call you all in the case of an emergency.

[7:25:24] That is the priority.

[7:25:25] I want to make sure that our tax dollars are

[7:25:28] going in our criminal justice system to criminal justice.

[7:25:31] Not to civil federal enforcement.

[7:25:33] These are the things I need to hear from you.

[7:25:37] >> Going back to the crime piece, when I started in 2018,

[7:25:42] as compared to now, crime is down 43%.

[7:25:45] That's way before the 287 G. Way before the new state law.

[7:25:51] So crime has been trending down.

[7:25:53] And that goes back to the reasons I stated.

[7:25:55] All of you have been great at Orange County -- as it grows,

[7:26:03] adding personnel, and then all the different programs we had

[7:26:06] in the Sheriff's office has continued to drive crime down

[7:26:09] and when we talk about designated immigration officers

[7:26:12] in the 287 program, out of 1939 deputies, we have 160.

[7:26:18] That's 8% of our personnel.

[7:26:22] That have that training.

[7:26:24] And if you look at surrounding counties all of their deputies

[7:26:28] have that training.

[7:26:29] That may go to show you it's a different priority for them.

[7:26:33] It's just not our top priority.

[7:26:35] And here's the last thing I will say on that.

[7:26:38] Anyone I invite any one of you to come ride with our deputies.

[7:26:42] You can pick the deputy, the shift, the area,

[7:26:47] and you ask them.

[7:26:49] Are you out here looking for people who are illegal?

[7:26:53] Ask them and you will see the truth.

[7:26:58] Their priority is violent crime.

[7:27:00] Their priority are people who are selling drugs and killing

[7:27:03] our residents.

[7:27:04] Their priority is to drive property crime down

[7:27:08] and their priority is to engage with the community.

[7:27:11] We do that with every one.

[7:27:14] We don't pick a specific area.

[7:27:16] If you watch what we do on social media,

[7:27:18] it's 1000mi² as you know.

[7:27:21] But we hit all areas of the county in an effort to engage.

[7:27:25] I'm telling all of you, we will do

[7:27:29] what we can to continue to build that trust.

[7:27:32] Making people follow us.

[7:27:35] We've met with very nice people.

[7:27:39] >> I would love for you to facilitate --

[7:27:47] >> We've met with them several times.

[7:27:47] I watched the public comments specifically.

[7:27:48] I want to know what people are saying about the Orange County

[7:27:51] Sheriff's Office.

[7:27:52] About what's happening in our county.

[7:27:55] Very nice, passionate people.

[7:27:58] It seems more of that passion is directed towards Maine

[7:28:03] and other parts of our country.

[7:28:05] We are just not seeing those interactions here

[7:28:08] and I can tell you, the Orange County Sheriff's Office

[7:28:12] is not going to be involved in any of that

[7:28:14] and I certainly can't control what Ice or DHS does.

[7:28:18] But, our deputies know what their priorities are.

[7:28:22] And I'll end again, but I am the Sheriff, I will follow the law,

[7:28:29] I'm not going to break the law.

[7:28:31] We will follow the state law.

[7:28:32] It's just not a top priority for us.

[7:28:36] >> I appreciate you talking through that.

[7:28:38] I look forward to facilitating a meeting with some

[7:28:42] of the advocacy folks.

[7:28:43] It is purely a public safety point

[7:28:45] that I'm making as far as what I think

[7:28:48] can be a blind spot for a lot of us

[7:28:52] who are trying to understand why we don't have

[7:28:54] as many kids in some of our after school programs who

[7:28:57] are potentially children of immigrants.

[7:28:59] Across the board we've seen withdrawal

[7:29:02] from many really beneficial parts of society.

[7:29:09] So thank you for talking me through that.

[7:29:12] I appreciate it.

[7:29:14] I look forward to having more conversations about it.

[7:29:21] >> Commissioner Semerad?

[7:29:21] >> Thank you mayor.

[7:29:22] Thank you Sheriff.

[7:29:23] My neighbor is right there.

[7:29:26] His mother in law Stole our garbage can.

[7:29:32] >> I'm sorry.

[7:29:34] >> Sheriff, in the last presentation we heard from

[7:29:38] the community and family Services department and they

[7:29:43] referenced that if the property tax reform passes that they

[7:29:47] would need to look at potential reduction in sex trafficking

[7:29:51] programs in Orange County.

[7:29:53] As a Sheriff, would you think that if there's

[7:29:56] a reduction in those programs there

[7:29:57] could be an increase in that type of crime in our community?

[7:30:02] >> Absolutely.

[7:30:02] I will tell you I am willing to, and I have helped out

[7:30:08] many organizations, including the human trafficking and sex

[7:30:12] trafficking.

[7:30:13] And will continue to help them financially.

[7:30:15] As you know, we have many people signed up to the Metropolitan

[7:30:21] investigation.

[7:30:21] Our longest standing task force.

[7:30:26] Split half of their task force into human trafficking.

[7:30:30] Again, we are one of those communities that doesn't

[7:30:33] sweep that under the rug.

[7:30:35] I imagine you get funding for any program,

[7:30:38] it's going to have an effect.

[7:30:41] But we'll do what we need to do to continue

[7:30:43] to prevent that and stop that.

[7:30:46] >> To be clear, when we talk about an increase

[7:30:50] in our community, that involves our children, right?

[7:30:55] >> I can get you stats.

[7:30:57] But as far as human trafficking, yeah, we save,

[7:31:01] and I say save, we save about 50 children, juveniles a year.

[7:31:11] And usually that is , either that juvenile or adult was

[7:31:19] involved in sex work prostitution.

[7:31:22] Years ago we would just arrest them and take them to jail.

[7:31:26] But now we find out, hey, wait a minute,

[7:31:29] someone is actually giving them drugs and giving them

[7:31:32] money and a hotel.

[7:31:33] And getting them into that life.

[7:31:36] And using them as a sex worker.

[7:31:38] We are able to grab that kid.

[7:31:41] We are connected with those programs.

[7:31:44] We try to get that kid or adult out of that scene.

[7:31:50] Unfortunately some of them voluntarily go back.

[7:31:54] But we certainly will continue that.

[7:31:58] >> Thank you Sheriff.

[7:31:59] The mayor is going to cut me off soon.

[7:32:01] You have to answer shorter than that.

[7:32:03] In your statistics where you asked residents to come

[7:32:06] you know come with the questions.

[7:32:08] Did you ask them if they were willing to pay

[7:32:10] for a tax increase?

[7:32:12] >> No we did not.

[7:32:13] There were several comments that people wanted to pay.

[7:32:17] >> That's great too know, and that's great to share.

[7:32:19] I want to tell you that generally I'm

[7:32:21] supportive of what you're requesting.

[7:32:24] Generally.

[7:32:25] But when district five met with the Sheriff's department,

[7:32:31] it was about an $86 million dollar budget increase,

[7:32:34] it was like a gasp.

[7:32:36] We got word from the mayor to stay relatively stagnant

[7:32:40] in terms of the budget.

[7:32:42] And because we just endured a really nasty process

[7:32:44] with Doge telling us we had so much wasteful spending.

[7:32:51] Of taxpayer money.

[7:32:52] Which has now played into the state

[7:32:54] narrative of how local government uses and abuses

[7:32:58] taxpayer funds.

[7:33:00] And now we're battling to try to keep our budget.

[7:33:03] Which also impacts your budget.

[7:33:08] So I asked Byron if there was a way for us to --

[7:33:13] because I think generally Tallahassee is very supportive

[7:33:16] of your labor union.

[7:33:17] And I was asking Byron if there was a way because you have not

[7:33:21] only the mstu that you guys get, but also 500 million

[7:33:25] that comes out of the general fund.

[7:33:27] And I was thinking maybe what we can

[7:33:29] do is move you guys out of the general fund,

[7:33:32] put you into a separate line item.

[7:33:35] Reduce the county millage accordingly.

[7:33:38] So you can be funded.

[7:33:40] But there's all these technical aspects that came into it.

[7:33:43] In terms of the funding.

[7:33:44] I do believe you are an essential part

[7:33:48] from a public safety perspective.

[7:33:51] With tourism.

[7:33:52] Because we have 76 million additional people that you

[7:33:55] all are helping to keep safe.

[7:33:57] I do think that when we talk about TT and the use of it,

[7:34:01] I think the public safety should be included in that.

[7:34:04] To help pay for some of these programs.

[7:34:06] Additionally, I just wanted to let you know, if in the future

[7:34:10] if there is any way to use some form of technology

[7:34:13] to increase your revenue sources,

[7:34:16] not to replace officers, but red light cameras and other forms

[7:34:21] to increase your revenue intake so that the Sheriff's office can

[7:34:26] pay for more of this.

[7:34:27] Because quite frankly, the narrative

[7:34:29] of asking people to increase taxes

[7:34:32] when the state is offering to get rid of property tax reform,

[7:34:37] it doesn't align right now.

[7:34:39] The narrative is -- we have to find revenue sources.

[7:34:43] Can technology help with this?

[7:34:46] Can't d t help with this?

[7:34:48] >> I will remind the board that last year I asked this board

[7:34:51] to increase Mstu.

[7:34:54] I think maybe if they had we would

[7:34:56] be a little better off with the impending news

[7:34:58] that might come in November.

[7:35:00] Just my opinion.

[7:35:01] But I did ask for that last year.

[7:35:04] And I'll continue to ask for an increase.

[7:35:07] I saw that slide earlier that Kurt presented.

[7:35:11] That flat line of no increase in Mstu.

[7:35:15] I think this board needs to take a hard look at that.

[7:35:20] I'm here as your Sheriff to tell you what I need.

[7:35:23] And you all have a very difficult job of figuring out

[7:35:27] where that needs to come from.

[7:35:30] I don't envy you.

[7:35:31] I know it's tough and I saw some of the other presentations

[7:35:34] people talking about cuts.

[7:35:37] I can't say no that we're not going to respond to your house.

[7:35:41] I can't do it and I won't do it.

[7:35:44] When we ask for that huge budget,

[7:35:47] that's why we requested all those people.

[7:35:50] That's what we believe we need.

[7:35:51] And that's what the people want to see.

[7:35:54] As far as red light cameras, I'm a huge component

[7:35:57] of red light cameras.

[7:35:59] I believe they work.

[7:36:01] I believe they actually work.

[7:36:03] I know there's data on both sides that differ,

[7:36:05] but I think they work.

[7:36:07] I see people.

[7:36:09] They know.

[7:36:10] They don't want to hit that red light camera.

[7:36:12] You just approve those school zone cameras a few meetings ago.

[7:36:16] And I know the school board is also in partnership with us,

[7:36:20] looking at the cameras for school busses.

[7:36:24] For people who run around the school bus.

[7:36:27] Which I'm very supportive of.

[7:36:29] To help our kids out.

[7:36:31] All of that will generate revenue.

[7:36:34] I am in favor of that.

[7:36:37] >> One last question.

[7:36:38] What would be your narrative when

[7:36:41] he criticizes Orange County for increasing a budget,

[7:36:46] while he's saying all of this is wasteful.

[7:36:48] What would be your response, in the board's defense

[7:36:52] of a decision like that?

[7:36:55] >> I would say he can come to the Sheriff's office and see.

[7:36:58] We are very fiscally responsible at the Sheriff's office.

[7:37:03] We do a lot of things internally that

[7:37:06] probably upset some of our people, as far as spending goes.

[7:37:10] Because -- I always say, if that was your money,

[7:37:14] you wouldn't buy it.

[7:37:16] It's kind of like the philosophy we have.

[7:37:19] Yeah, I know you want it, but do you need it.

[7:37:22] We put this budget together.

[7:37:23] It's not that I want it.

[7:37:25] Gets that I need it.

[7:37:28] I said this last year.

[7:37:32] We are growing every single year.

[7:37:36] The visitors aren't going to slow down.

[7:37:39] I would tell him that the people want

[7:37:43] to see more law enforcement.

[7:37:45] We are being very fiscally responsible

[7:37:47] with the funds we have.

[7:37:49] We always have been.

[7:37:50] They are open to having him look at the budget.

[7:37:55] I think the county as a whole does a very good job of that.

[7:37:59] Some of the reports I've seen on that,

[7:38:02] and without the specifics to back that up,

[7:38:07] I really don't think --

[7:38:09] I think it's money that's needed.

[7:38:14] I know myself, probably the Florida Sheriffs Association

[7:38:19] will be doing some education about amendment three.

[7:38:25] Whether it can have an impact.

[7:38:28] And honestly, one of the reasons the governor

[7:38:32] is not campaigning for it is because he knows.

[7:38:35] Based on polling.

[7:38:37] It may not be popular with everyone.

[7:38:42] >> Lastly Sheriff, when -- if this goes, first of all,

[7:38:49] just the ballot language.

[7:38:50] I said this to the fire chief as well.

[7:38:52] If you read it, it talks about how

[7:38:55] the revenue that when we left from property tax,

[7:38:58] it should be used for an enlist these categories of funding.

[7:39:02] Including public safety.

[7:39:04] I think it sounds very misleading to voters

[7:39:07] because they don't really think it's a defunding of the police.

[7:39:11] They think it's still going to be used for that

[7:39:13] and people support that spending mechanism.

[7:39:16] I think you have an opportunity to educate voters that hey,

[7:39:21] it does impact our budget.

[7:39:23] Your budget.

[7:39:25] >> I know the language is not perfect.

[7:39:28] I know there's some lawsuits out there against the amendment

[7:39:32] and the language.

[7:39:34] Absolutely.

[7:39:36] >> Lastly, just yes or no, but when you pull somebody over,

[7:39:40] do you run them through immigration software >> No

[7:39:47] there's no immigration software database.

[7:39:49] It's the same thing that's been happening

[7:39:50] since I have been in law enforcement, when I started.

[7:39:54] We run it through the NCIC.

[7:39:57] Which is the database that's been around for many years.

[7:40:01] That tells us whether they have a warrant.

[7:40:04] And the thing that changed under this last administration

[7:40:10] is they took a lot of their ice detainers

[7:40:15] and put it into that system.

[7:40:17] So when a deputy or officer runs that person's driver's license,

[7:40:21] it could pop up if they have a detainer.

[7:40:24] That's when we call one of our designated immigration officers

[7:40:27] to come and investigate.

[7:40:28] And to communicate with Ice.

[7:40:31] And check their system..

[7:40:32] We want to make sure you have that.

[7:40:34] But more often than not, because I ask our deputies every day.

[7:40:39] And again I invite you to go ride with one of our deputies.

[7:40:41] You'll see them run people and you'll

[7:40:43] see that doesn't happen a lot.

[7:40:45] A lot of the people that have been --

[7:40:49] a lot of the criminals who are in our country illegally

[7:40:52] and committed some serious crime,

[7:40:54] a lot of those have been picked up and deported.

[7:40:56] And I ask deputies all the time, how often

[7:40:59] do you get one of those ice detainers?

[7:41:02] Almost never.

[7:41:03] More often than not, what happens

[7:41:05] is we arrest that person for a local charge,

[7:41:07] and when they get jail and their fingerprints are run,

[7:41:10] that's when Ice finds out.

[7:41:12] And that's when Ice decides they want to hold them.

[7:41:15] So very rarely.

[7:41:16] The data is in your own jail.

[7:41:19] There was eight people in there this morning on an Ice detainer.

[7:41:22] That's it.

[7:41:23] Eight people.

[7:41:25] Out of the 2500, 3000 people that are in there.

[7:41:31] The data proves it.

[7:41:32] It's not the priority.

[7:41:34] And to answer your question again,

[7:41:37] yes, there's not a special system

[7:41:39] that we run those folks through.

[7:41:42] >> Again I just want to say, generally I am supportive.

[7:41:45] But I am concerned that the narratives

[7:41:47] don't align at this time.

[7:41:49] When we talk about increasing local taxes while the state

[7:41:54] is slamming us for having too much money in taxes.

[7:41:57] So I'm concerned about that.

[7:42:01] >>, not our area, you're talking about this?

[7:42:05] >> Yea, but it's your narrative.

[7:42:07] It's how we respond.

[7:42:09] If we absorb, I think it's like a $46 million

[7:42:15] increase, at the same time we're being actively criticized

[7:42:19] by the state, the governors, that we have too much money.

[7:42:24] And we increase again.

[7:42:26] And I think it drives the narrative

[7:42:28] to justify for taxpayers to choose

[7:42:30] to defund local government.

[7:42:33] >> Again I will just say that I'm happy,

[7:42:35] we have an independent audit every year.

[7:42:39] I'm happy for any audit.

[7:42:41] Law enforcement's in a different position.

[7:42:43] We can't tell people know that we're not going to come.

[7:42:46] And to the point, the growth continues.

[7:42:51] It's not like we're getting smaller.

[7:42:54] And

[7:42:55] >> They didn't play that game with law enforcement.

[7:42:59] For political reasons.

[7:43:02] What I will tell you though, Commissioner Semerad,

[7:43:06] the Sheriff initially submitted a budget request of 508,000 --

[7:43:12] $508 million.

[7:43:14] As indicated.

[7:43:16] But to his credit, he reduced that to $470 million.

[7:43:22] After a conversation with us.

[7:43:25] He lives in the same world we live in.

[7:43:28] The same state that we live in.

[7:43:32] And the only thing we ask was okay,

[7:43:35] Sheriff, take a look at that.

[7:43:38] Because that is not something we can

[7:43:42] make happen and the current environment that we're in.

[7:43:46] So like all divisions of government, all we can do

[7:43:51] is take a tough look at our themselves from time to time.

[7:43:55] To reduce where they can.

[7:43:58] He did that.

[7:43:59] He came and he said this is what I need.

[7:44:01] Out of that $470 million.

[7:44:03] The Sheriff talked about the law enforcement municipal service

[7:44:08] tax.

[7:44:08] We are one of the few counties in Florida

[7:44:13] that has a law enforcement Mstu.

[7:44:16] We have a fire as well.

[7:44:19] Many counties don't have a specific taxing mechanism

[7:44:24] to fund their law enforcement.

[7:44:27] Their Sheriff's office.

[7:44:29] But we do.

[7:44:31] It's been decades since that law enforcement mstu paid

[7:44:36] 100% of the Sheriff's budget.

[7:44:40] The Sheriff, as he has indicated to you,

[7:44:43] his job is to come and tell us what he thinks that he needs.

[7:44:47] And as a former Sheriff, that's exactly what I did.

[7:44:52] But it's up to us, the Board of County Commission that

[7:44:56] has to fund the Sheriff, to figure out

[7:44:58] how we're going to fund that.

[7:44:59] And so what we've done for decades now,

[7:45:03] we have supplemented what law enforcement mstu brings in.

[7:45:09] And this budget, we are doing that period this time

[7:45:12] we are looking at our public service

[7:45:14] tax on communication tax.

[7:45:17] 136 million.

[7:45:19] And then we're supplementing that from our general fund.

[7:45:23] The non revenues that we bring in.

[7:45:26] And we're providing 93.5 million from that period between the 240

[7:45:33] with law enforcement Mstu.

[7:45:35] The 136 with the public service tax.

[7:45:39] And the 93.5 million that Kurt went over this morning.

[7:45:43] That gets him to 470 million.

[7:45:46] That's what he is requesting.

[7:45:50] And that's what we have put in this budget.

[7:45:53] He is sensitive.

[7:45:55] What he's saying to you, he's sensitive to the era

[7:45:59] in which we're living in.

[7:46:01] Where there's a property tax reform

[7:46:04] going on a ballot at the same time and the Sheriff is correct.

[7:46:08] He came last year and for the last several years

[7:46:13] and he thinks we ought to increase the law enforcement

[7:46:19] Mstu.

[7:46:20] But in the prior year we increased the fire Mstu.

[7:46:23] What we're trying to do is balance that out

[7:46:26] with affordability.

[7:46:28] What can our taxpayers afford in this county.

[7:46:32] And that's the balancing act that we all have to do.

[7:46:34] We have to be sensitive to everything

[7:46:36] that everyone comes in here and needs funding for.

[7:46:40] But we made a commitment.

[7:46:42] The Sheriff has the largest budget.

[7:46:46] First off.

[7:46:47] And we made that a priority Become a Sheriff.

[7:46:54] We have funded positions for the Sheriff.

[7:46:58] We have tried to work with the Sheriff to the best

[7:47:01] that we could.

[7:47:02] Provide him with the revenue that he needs.

[7:47:05] And they've done a good job here crime is down.

[7:47:10] That's indisputable.

[7:47:11] At a time when our population has grown,

[7:47:16] I can tell you looking at the booking numbers every year,

[7:47:20] and 2020, the total bookings in our jail, 28,442.

[7:47:31] 2021, (indiscernible).

[7:47:38] 2024, 35,000 hundred 13.

[7:47:43] 2025 41,876.

[7:47:45] It went up by a little over 600.

[7:47:52] What is that attributed to, a number

[7:47:56] of things but probably some immigration bookings in there

[7:48:01] that caused our numbers to go up.

[7:48:06] But, I've been around a long time.

[7:48:09] I remember when our population was down about 1.6 million.

[7:48:14] When our population was 900,000 and we booked 61,000 people

[7:48:20] through our jail.

[7:48:22] And so just in 2025, even with the numbers going up,

[7:48:27] we are still 20,000 bookings.

[7:48:29] And this is all law enforcement that books into our jail.

[7:48:33] Still 20,000 under where we were a decade and a half or so ago.

[7:48:42] I think there are good reasons why

[7:48:44] those bookings have gone down.

[7:48:46] There's some good law enforcement in there.

[7:48:49] But I don't want us to ever lose sight of what we

[7:48:52] spend on fixing broken people.

[7:48:57] Stopping people from becoming broken.

[7:49:00] All those children's programs that we

[7:49:02] have funded that we've talked about in this budget.

[7:49:07] With the money we're spending.

[7:49:11] People who are mentally ill.

[7:49:13] We increased our budget.

[7:49:15] We are taking care of people who have a substance abuse problem.

[7:49:20] We spend money to make certain that --

[7:49:25] without treatment some of these people will still continue

[7:49:28] to commit those crimes over and over again.

[7:49:31] It is not a silver bullet just to say you can do this.

[7:49:35] You cannot arrest your way out of a crime problem.

[7:49:40] You have to look at it holistically.

[7:49:42] The Sheriff and law enforcement is a big part of this.

[7:49:46] But all these other programs that we have talked about today,

[7:49:50] that you've seen, that you've heard about,

[7:49:53] we have to do those things as well.

[7:49:56] I just want us to have a fair conversation about it.

[7:50:01] To look at the bigger, broader picture

[7:50:03] of how we are keeping these numbers relatively down in terms

[7:50:07] of the bookings in our jail.

[7:50:10] And reducing crime at the same time.

[7:50:14] It has been an effective collaborative

[7:50:16] that we have as a community.

[7:50:17] And I wouldn't put what we're doing in our community

[7:50:23] up against any other community.

[7:50:24] The numbers look good.

[7:50:26] But, as the Sheriff said, when he

[7:50:30] talks to those families with those homicides

[7:50:32] that he talked about, every one of them

[7:50:37] wished that that didn't happen to them.

[7:50:42] And so we are here to support law enforcement.

[7:50:48] I appreciate the Sheriff being sensitive to where we are.

[7:50:52] At the end of the day, we've come to a happy place

[7:50:59] where we're funding the Sheriff, what he says now,

[7:51:04] after looking at the current landscape of what's happening

[7:51:07] in the real world time.

[7:51:10] And he said okay.

[7:51:11] 470 million is what I've got to have.

[7:51:14] Is that right, Sheriff?

[7:51:17] >> That's what we're told.

[7:51:19] I want all of the 500 million.

[7:51:22] But like you said.

[7:51:25] >> We can't make money.

[7:51:27] We are not the federal government.

[7:51:29] We cannot run a deficit.

[7:51:31] We cannot run trillion dollar deficit.

[7:51:33] Our budget has to balance.

[7:51:37] And that's a major part of my responsibility.

[7:51:41] It's to present to the board a balanced budget that allows us

[7:51:48] to do everything we need to do.

[7:51:49] Do we all wish we had more money?

[7:51:53] Absolutely.

[7:51:53] But we don't.

[7:51:55] And we may have less money next year.

[7:52:00] So we are preparing now.

[7:52:04] For the prospect that amendment three could pass.

[7:52:09] But we're going to need everybody

[7:52:12] to help with this process.

[7:52:16] And I believe that if we arm the people with factual information

[7:52:22] about the consequences of not providing those services, what

[7:52:28] will happen to this community.

[7:52:31] And listen, I firmly believe that when

[7:52:36] they are armed with information, they'll make the right decision.

[7:52:42] They'll make the right decision.

[7:52:44] Not everybody.

[7:52:45] Because right now this conversation about property tax

[7:52:49] reform is only, the only people that will really see those

[7:52:54] are those who own a home and live in a home.

[7:52:59] If you rent and you don't own that place,

[7:53:05] you're not going to see the reduction.

[7:53:08] If you're a commercial property owner,

[7:53:11] that's not part of this conversation today.

[7:53:14] And so that leaves out a lot of people who are not

[7:53:19] going to see the benefit.

[7:53:22] And so we have to make that up somewhere.

[7:53:26] So Sheriff, thank you.

[7:53:36] >> (indiscernible).

[7:53:37] >> I'm coming to you.

[7:53:38] But I wanted to respond to Commissioner Summers

[7:53:41] questions of the Sheriff.

[7:53:43] And kind of restate where we are with the conversation.

[7:53:54] >> Mayor, I appreciate the narrative.

[7:53:56] I didn't know that you went to him

[7:53:59] and said hey, what's the amount that you can do.

[7:54:02] And I hear the 470.

[7:54:04] Maybe there's an opportunity to get more funding

[7:54:06] through AI or technology or something like that.

[7:54:11] >> So we're going to work with the Sheriff.

[7:54:15] Revenues coming in strong.

[7:54:18] If the Sheriff finds himself, like any

[7:54:22] of the other subdivisions that we fund,

[7:54:25] if they find themselves in trouble,

[7:54:27] we're going to take care of them.

[7:54:30] That's the way it works.

[7:54:33] Commissioner Gomez?

[7:54:36] Then Commissioner and then Commissioner Wilson.

[7:54:41] >> Thank you mayor.

[7:54:43] Thank you Sheriff and all your team.

[7:54:46] The whole 200 and --

[7:54:52] 2753 employees.

[7:54:54] We honor you all and respect you.

[7:54:57] Thank you.

[7:54:57] I have a few questions.

[7:54:59] Very easy.

[7:55:03] In May you requested $508 million.

[7:55:09] 140 new positions.

[7:55:12] Today with the for 70 million, including the 27 you requested.

[7:55:19] And

[7:55:21] >> 25 are unfunded.

[7:55:22] I will be coming back to this board when I need that funding.

[7:55:26] Because I'm going to close that gap.

[7:55:30] >> That's what I said just a moment ago.

[7:55:32] That's the way we work.

[7:55:39] >> So the 470 does not include those positions that

[7:55:43] you're requesting?

[7:55:46] >> Just the two.

[7:55:47] 25 deputies are unfunded at this point.

[7:55:49] Around January, I will be coming back

[7:55:52] before you to request funding for those 25 deputies.

[7:55:57] I anticipate being full by -- >> I wanted clarification on that.

[7:56:04] I know you said you were responding to the commissioners,

[7:56:10] do you know how many of the traffic

[7:56:13] stops that you said had led to Ice arrests,

[7:56:18] do you know how many of them were traffic stops,

[7:56:22] but then it led to ice?

[7:56:25] Does anybody track those?

[7:56:27] >> We don't track those specifically.

[7:56:29] What we track is the number of people we arrest,

[7:56:32] who also happen to have an Ice detainer.

[7:56:38] And that was 106 out of almost 15000.

[7:56:45] >> Okay, thank you.

[7:56:47] >> Commissioner, we have data.

[7:56:49] When they book persons into our jail.

[7:56:52] The jail keeps data on them.

[7:56:56] What the charges are.

[7:56:57] And that's because the Sheriff isn't the only law enforcement.

[7:57:02] They all do, into the jail.

[7:57:08] >> My last question.

[7:57:11] Whose speed 150mph.

[7:57:14] With all this traffic going on.

[7:57:23] >> 528.

[7:57:24] Those are where we catch the ones that are going 150.

[7:57:26] 528.

[7:57:27] 528.

[7:57:28] 408.

[7:57:37] >> I'm going to ask, if they crash,

[7:57:43] >> You will not survive a crash going over 100 miles an hour.

[7:57:46] Most of them stop at.

[7:57:52] The number has decreased.

[7:57:55] The message has got out.

[7:57:57] They see it all over our social media.

[7:57:59] They see it all over the news that they're

[7:58:01] going to go to jail if you're going over 100 miles an hour.

[7:58:04] It's been a pretty successful campaign.

[7:58:06] So what I'm hoping, and what I think we'll see,

[7:58:09] is traffic fatalities as a result

[7:58:12] of speed, decline throughout the state period not just here.

[7:58:18] >> Because we have to protect our -- okay, thank you.

[7:58:25] >> Commissioner Garibay.

[7:58:27] >> Sheriff.

[7:58:28] First of all, I took the women's defense and I give it a two

[7:58:33] thumbs up.

[7:58:33] Your team was great.

[7:58:35] But it was great.

[7:58:36] I even made a video and I was in a room full of women

[7:58:39] and it was fantastic and I can't remember the gentleman as older.

[7:58:44] If you say his name, I'll know.

[7:58:49] >> Wayne -- >> It was really great.

[7:58:56] I also, even though Commissioner Scott was not

[7:58:58] trying to crochet on my spaghetti dinners,

[7:59:01] we have really, they have been incredible.

[7:59:05] First you bring your team and your team is amazing.

[7:59:09] But it's really been nice where it's a welcoming environment.

[7:59:14] Everybody is relaxed.

[7:59:16] It's not a pressure issue.

[7:59:19] I thank you for being a partner.

[7:59:23] I did want to ask you, two questions.

[7:59:26] What is our current response time when somebody

[7:59:31] calls for law enforcement?

[7:59:33] I know we have sectors.

[7:59:36] And I've been unfortunately on the longer side

[7:59:39] but I'm also in sector four which is a high intensity area.

[7:59:42] I don't want to be judgmental but do you have those numbers.

[7:59:48] Pretty much where we are.

[7:59:51] >> I don't have them in front of me.

[7:59:52] But we keep track of all different emergency calls.

[7:59:55] Calls where the suspect has already gone.

[7:59:57] We keep track of all of that.

[8:00:00] We can definitely get you that information based on the area.

[8:00:03] And sometimes it does depend on the area.

[8:00:05] I saw your presentation earlier.

[8:00:07] We have 5932 miles of road.

[8:00:11] It takes a while to get there.

[8:00:13] And again 8000mi².

[8:00:16] As this community continues to grow.

[8:00:20] We need more deputies.

[8:00:21] But we can provide any area response times.

[8:00:25] >> I was just curious.

[8:00:27] We hear that a lot.

[8:00:28] And when we talk to municipalities that's

[8:00:30] the reason for wanting their own city police

[8:00:33] and when I think of the work you guys do,

[8:00:38] I have to give you kudos for the amount of work you've put in,

[8:00:43] and your team, over the last couple of years.

[8:00:45] It's like night and day.

[8:00:47] It's really great to hear residents actually

[8:00:49] acknowledge they've been seeing a difference.

[8:00:52] I wanted to ask another question.

[8:00:54] How much -- I can't help but see in our visitor areas,

[8:00:59] our tourism areas, you guys have a high presence.

[8:01:03] Is that mostly off duty or is that you

[8:01:05] guys patrolling that area pretty intensely, do you know?

[8:01:10] >> It's both.

[8:01:10] Obviously all the theme parks, a higher number

[8:01:14] of off duty deputies.

[8:01:15] Disney funds the on duty deputies there,

[8:01:18] but they also fund well over $1 million

[8:01:22] in off duty deputies every year as well.

[8:01:25] You will always see a high presence in that area.

[8:01:30] >> We hear a lot and we all kind of agree that we would like

[8:01:33] to see some tourism dollars for public safety.

[8:01:36] You guys do do a lot out there.

[8:01:40] If we ever needed to request that information,

[8:01:42] do you have a little more detail about your presence

[8:01:46] or the amount of calls.

[8:01:48] I've been to the luncheons where they recognize officers

[8:01:51] every month.

[8:01:52] For going way beyond the call of duty.

[8:01:55] It would just be interesting to know.

[8:01:58] You know that data.

[8:02:00] We see it come up but we don't know it.

[8:02:03] Would be nice to really understand how much of an impact

[8:02:06] that is in that area.

[8:02:09] >> Yeah how about we keep all that data up here

[8:02:11] >> I just have to tell you.

[8:02:13] Your JAG unit.

[8:02:15] Your community folks.

[8:02:16] Your team has really stepped up.

[8:02:20] I feel to be more inclusive with the community.

[8:02:24] I know that has a lot to do with your leadership.

[8:02:26] But it's really refreshing to see.

[8:02:29] I've even seen --

[8:02:31] I mean I shop at Walmart.

[8:02:33] And I've seen your guys actually engage with the community.

[8:02:38] Really go out of their way to make people feel comfortable.

[8:02:41] Especially children.

[8:02:42] And I think that's really important nowadays.

[8:02:46] I heard you speak at the Nobel lunch.

[8:02:49] And it was very impressive.

[8:02:50] About how you talked to --

[8:02:54] law enforcement is love and anger.

[8:02:57] That trend across the country.

[8:02:59] It's difficult for you all to know.

[8:03:01] Right now you're a hero.

[8:03:03] Next time you'll hear something totally opposite.

[8:03:06] It's really nice to see you guys purposely

[8:03:08] engage with the community.

[8:03:10] And that has a lot to do with your leadership.

[8:03:13] And I'm a little biased.

[8:03:15] Even your water folks.

[8:03:19] The engagement has been phenomenal.

[8:03:23] I'm just talking about what I experienced as a commissioner

[8:03:27] with the team.

[8:03:28] And even when we've seen events go on where normally they

[8:03:31] would be kind of like not right but as long

[8:03:33] as everything is cool, they're cool.

[8:03:35] They don't purposely go and agitate the crowd.

[8:03:38] And I'll just say, recently we had a big soccer game.

[8:03:42] When Columbia was playing somebody.

[8:03:45] Right at the Florida mall.

[8:03:47] At one of the Columbia restaurants.

[8:03:48] We were so excited.

[8:03:50] And everybody was good.

[8:03:52] You guys let it happen.

[8:03:54] They were fine.

[8:03:56] There was no issue.

[8:03:58] And I got to see that firsthand.

[8:04:00] As just a person going out to dinner.

[8:04:04] I just wanted to say that.

[8:04:07] That was very impressive.

[8:04:10] >> We appreciate that.

[8:04:11] And I have a wonderful team.

[8:04:12] A lot of them are here.

[8:04:14] All of our deputies commonly get the philosophy

[8:04:18] and our philosophy, I tell them this all the time, I want --

[8:04:22] I like when the bad guy goes to jail,

[8:04:25] but we also have to take time to engage with our residents.

[8:04:29] Especially our kids.

[8:04:30] And I think we're seeing the results of that.

[8:04:35] >> I think we already beat the bag on the money part of >> I do

[8:04:42] have a question for all of you.

[8:04:43] >> Commissioner Wilson --

[8:04:44] Sheriff, just indulge us.

[8:04:47] Trying to get through this

[8:04:49] >> Quick procedural question, if we were to --

[8:04:56] could we even do that even though we're one short?

[8:04:58] >> The new law that just passed, you can only raise 0.0922.

[8:05:02] Because we're missing a board member.

[8:05:07] That requires unanimous vote of the board.

[8:05:10] And we've confirmed with the state that rule.

[8:05:15] So under the millage calculation,

[8:05:22] under the unanimous amount, it would be 0.0922,

[8:05:27] it's the only amount the board would be able to do this year.

[8:05:34] Next year the board goes to nine and it doesn't require --

[8:05:40] the law requires three fourths vote this year unfortunately

[8:05:45] the way the law is written, it only allows for a very small --

[8:05:52] >> It's $12 million.

[8:05:54] So you could do that and give us $12 million.

[8:05:58] And we could fund more deputies.

[8:06:01] >> I was curious about the procedural.

[8:06:02] I have one more technical question.

[8:06:04] I apologize.

[8:06:05] I forgot this came up at a community meeting.

[8:06:09] Seems to be coming up more often.

[8:06:10] The cameras people are seeing pop up around town,

[8:06:16] are any of those paid for or utilized

[8:06:19] by the Sheriff's department and what kind of data

[8:06:24] are you getting?

[8:06:25] >> Absolutely.

[8:06:27] We utilize flock cameras to reduce and prevent crime.

[8:06:31] I'll invite every single one of you

[8:06:33] to ride with one of our deputies.

[8:06:35] Especially the deputies and our --

[8:06:39] you can watch in real time how they actually use that camera.

[8:06:41] I'll give you an example.

[8:06:43] When I was riding not too long ago they were like hey,

[8:06:47] we know about this guy, he's wanted

[8:06:49] he keeps tearing us up with burglaries in this area.

[8:06:52] And we know between 6 and 7 every Thursday,

[8:06:58] he comes by the intersection.

[8:07:00] This is a criminal now.

[8:07:02] This is a person who's wanted.

[8:07:03] Still committing crimes.

[8:07:05] We know he goes through this intersection between 6 and 7:00

[8:07:08] every Thursday night.

[8:07:09] And I was like okay.

[8:07:11] I'll play.

[8:07:11] Sheriff do you mind sitting here with us?

[8:07:14] It might take an hour.

[8:07:15] He might come through.

[8:07:16] He might not.

[8:07:17] We were there five minutes.

[8:07:18] That flock camera notified the deputy on his computer

[8:07:21] in his car and we went down the road and arrested him.

[8:07:25] That's how they work.

[8:07:28] >> I understand that.

[8:07:29] What if that had just been his car and somebody was driving it.

[8:07:32] >> Then they're free to go.

[8:07:34] All that technology.

[8:07:36] Artificial intelligence.

[8:07:38] Facial recognition.

[8:07:39] That doesn't give us probable cause.

[8:07:41] That just points us in the right direction.

[8:07:45] We pull over that person and it's not them,

[8:07:48] then you're free to go.

[8:07:51] >> Yeah, I mean so we won't continue this now.

[8:07:58] >> Law abiding citizens have nothing to worry about.

[8:08:00] There's facial recognition on cruise ships.

[8:08:02] We are on camera right now in the public.

[8:08:07] >> I realize that.

[8:08:09] I realize cars are different.

[8:08:11] You don't have a right to privacy necessarily in your car.

[8:08:15] >> The flock camera, in the old days before flock cameras,

[8:08:18] what would have happened?

[8:08:20] We would have had to look for that license plate and search

[8:08:23] for that license plate.

[8:08:24] It's the same exact thing as a deputy Sheriff

[8:08:26] going there's a blue car.

[8:08:28] A BC123 that's the tag number.

[8:08:30] Give a human can see it, so can a camera.

[8:08:33] It just speeds it up.

[8:08:34] It's in the public.

[8:08:35] It's not like that person was in the backyard.

[8:08:38] It just speeds up the process.

[8:08:40] And again points us in the right direction.

[8:08:42] It doesn't give us probable cause if we can't arrest someone

[8:08:45] because their tag came up.

[8:08:47] But we can go investigate because that tag does belong

[8:08:49] to someone who's wanted and that person is committing crimes

[8:08:53] continually in our neighborhood.

[8:08:56] >> Okay thank you.

[8:08:58] I'm getting a nod from the mayor.

[8:08:59] Who's going to get the hook out in a second

[8:09:01] and pull me off the mic.

[8:09:02] I would love to maybe have a follow up on this one.

[8:09:07] I think there were legitimate privacy concerns.

[8:09:12] >> Yeah.

[8:09:13] Talk with you individually.

[8:09:16] I'm trying to get the man out of here.

[8:09:20] That's high dollars sitting out here.

[8:09:24] Anyway.

[8:09:25] Commissioner Scott.

[8:09:28] >> I have one quick question.

[8:09:30] Request for an update.

[8:09:33] I had this past year a really challenging ,

[8:09:38] they created different categories.

[8:09:40] We were able to track that and this was Nashville, Rio Grande.

[8:09:48] I want to say thank you.

[8:09:50] Took us about four months.

[8:09:54] Great stuff.

[8:09:55] We still have things to talk about.

[8:10:00] If you could talk about what you guys do and what you don't do

[8:10:03] when it comes to homelessness. >> Okay.

[8:10:10] Again, we've been doing this a long time.

[8:10:12] The law enforcement always seems to be stuck in the middle.

[8:10:16] Homeless.

[8:10:17] Unhoused.

[8:10:17] Whatever you want to call them today.

[8:10:19] But we do not arrest people simply

[8:10:21] because they do not have a home.

[8:10:23] Most of the people that are homeless that we arrest actually

[8:10:26] committed a crime.

[8:10:27] As you know, it's not against the law.

[8:10:30] The Supreme Court law ruled that it is not against the law

[8:10:34] to ask for money.

[8:10:35] If you can ask what the weather is, you can ask for a dollar.

[8:10:38] Where people get into trouble is they step into traffic

[8:10:42] and that's where we can take some action.

[8:10:43] But I will say we have a lot of business owners, residents,

[8:10:47] community members who complain about homeless people.

[8:10:51] Just because they're homeless.

[8:10:53] Honestly it's not fun to look at.

[8:10:58] But that's not against the law.

[8:11:01] In those areas where people are trespassing

[8:11:04] and they're on county property or they are private citizens

[8:11:10] or business owners property and we get direction to remove

[8:11:15] that person, that's what we do.

[8:11:19] >> All right Sheriff.

[8:11:21] Thank you for staying around.

[8:11:23] We're trying to get you out of here before you're here

[8:11:26] for two hours.

[8:11:27] At the end of the day, it's a long day for us.

[8:11:33] The members of the board.

[8:11:35] Just as a reminder, we will start tomorrow morning

[8:11:39] at zero 900 in the morning.

[8:11:45] We have constitutional offices.

[8:11:50] Byron,

[8:11:56] >> They have all indicated that don't need to be here if you

[8:11:58] don't want them.

[8:11:59] >> I was going to go.

[8:12:04] Sheriff we're done.

[8:12:06] Before we conclude, is there anything

[8:12:09] you would like to say at this point?

[8:12:14] >> No.

[8:12:15] I think it's been a very productive day.

[8:12:17] And tomorrow morning --

[8:12:28] >> They might want to hear what you're saying.

[8:12:28] The controller is typically here with us all of the time.

[8:12:32] Thanks for being here.

[8:12:34] If there's nothing further, we're

[8:12:36] going to stand adjourned at this time.

[8:12:38] Thank you all.

2026-07-15 Board of County Commissioners

Agenda

Transcript