[3:27:07] [music playing]
[3:27:45] Mayor Demings: Good afternoon everyone.
[3:27:47] Let me welcome all of you back to the Orange County Budget
[3:27:50] Commission on July 16th, 2026.
[3:27:56] We are now in the afternoon portion
[3:27:59] and we will now reconvene as the Orange County Community
[3:28:03] Redevelopment Agency commonly known as the OBTCRA.
[3:28:15] I'm going to call on Vanessa Pinkney.
[3:28:19] She will be coming forward and presenting this item
[3:28:23] this afternoon.
[3:28:24] After her presentation we will call
[3:28:26] members of the board for any questions or comments.
[3:28:30] >> Good afternoon, Mayor Demings, administrator Brooks,
[3:28:41] commissioners.
[3:28:41] I am Vanessa Pinkney manager of the OBTCRA.
[3:28:50] Today I will be presenting to you a proposed budget for Fiscal
[3:28:56] year 2026-27 for the OBTCRA.
[3:29:07] It's going to give you an overview of the OBTCRA, Where
[3:29:17] we are and then I will propose the requested action.
[3:29:22] Very quickly, the OBTCRA was established in 1994
[3:29:29] an initial 30 year term.
[3:29:30] That 30 year term was not very productive
[3:29:32] and so that term has been extended another 30 years
[3:29:37] to the year 2049.
[3:29:39] The updated CRA plan is under final review.
[3:29:49] We just have to go to the LBCRA for review
[3:29:56] and then that will be brought to you for final approval.
[3:30:00] As you know the BCC is managed by the OBTCRA.
[3:30:06] These are the current Board of Directors.
[3:30:08] We have several board of directors.
[3:30:10] 3 or 4 live in the neighborhood.
[3:30:13] Some work within the neighborhood
[3:30:15] and we have of course Commissioner Michael Scott
[3:30:17] serves on our board, as well.
[3:30:22] The OBTCRA area encompasses 759 acres.
[3:30:27] 37% of those are in the county and you will see that
[3:30:30] on the map in the orange and 63% encompasses the city of Orlando.
[3:30:35] Boundaries are from colonial to I-4 bounded on the east and west
[3:30:42] by Rio Grande and Westmoreland Drive.
[3:30:50] And now to get into the project updates of where we've
[3:30:54] been since we last saw you and spoken
[3:30:56] with you this current year we have
[3:31:00] been able to make significant roadway improvements
[3:31:04] to West Central Boulevard from Westmoreland to Rio Grande.
[3:31:09] Total investment from CRA was $355,000.
[3:31:13] That project is 100% complete.
[3:31:20] We did that with the city of Orlando
[3:31:22] and we are currently working with Orange County Public Works
[3:31:25] Division who is going to manage the installation of a new mast
[3:31:29] arm at OBT and Michigan.
[3:31:31] The CRA investment is $877,000 and simply put,
[3:31:38] they have let me know that they have ordered the structure.
[3:31:42] They are simply waiting for it to arrive
[3:31:44] and it will be installed.
[3:31:46] We are continuing to work on residential development.
[3:31:51] We work on areas of redevelopment.
[3:31:53] We work on -- we are working on new development.
[3:31:59] We work on renovating current properties.
[3:32:03] And so with that, we are still in partnership
[3:32:10] with habitat for humanity.
[3:32:12] We are moving along.
[3:32:14] We have an agreement.
[3:32:17] This board has transferred four of those CRA properties
[3:32:20] to habitat to begin that building from to begin building
[3:32:25] on those sites.
[3:32:26] That was the four and the survey plans have been completed
[3:32:32] and concept plans are underway.
[3:32:34] What you see is a very rudimentary concept plan
[3:32:37] and what is great about this concept
[3:32:39] is not only do we want to bring affordable housing,
[3:32:44] but we are working with habitat to elevate
[3:32:47] the design of the projects and we
[3:32:50] want to offer a sampling of different types of housing.
[3:32:54] We have some townhomes.
[3:32:56] We have a small cluster of cottage homes
[3:33:00] and we have a few duplexes.
[3:33:03] Right now, we are estimating approximately 23 new homes
[3:33:10] planned for that area of Holden Heights and that is on Woods
[3:33:14] Avenue between 22nd Street and 24th Street.
[3:33:17] So it is two blocks of new development there.
[3:33:26] And again, just briefly going over our renovation of homes,
[3:33:34] we have a partnership with Rebuilding Together
[3:33:37] Central Florida.
[3:33:37] We've worked with them for the last 2 or 3 years.
[3:33:40] This year the CRA has invested $126,000 to update six owner
[3:33:47] occupied homes within the CRA.
[3:33:49] As you can see here, this is a before and after of a roof.
[3:33:55] We have a number of homeowners who just are not
[3:33:59] able to bring their homes up to the standard
[3:34:02] and make that level of repair and so
[3:34:05] through that partnership we are able to help our residents
[3:34:08] stay in their homes, be able to afford
[3:34:13] and be able to even acquire insurance.
[3:34:15] So that is very important to us, that we are here
[3:34:21] for our legacy residents permit this is just
[3:34:25] a little more snapshot but you can see it is
[3:34:28] a massive change in the before.
[3:34:30] This is the same kitchen.
[3:34:33] That was renovated.
[3:34:35] In the middle you will see there was a terrible water leak.
[3:34:39] There was mold.
[3:34:41] There was a lot of things going on.
[3:34:43] So the kitchen remodel and the plumbing repair and to the right
[3:34:47] there you see a very usable, very nice looking kitchen
[3:34:52] and again, we are very proud and very happy again
[3:34:57] to support our residents who have been here
[3:34:58] and who are doing the very best that they can sometimes
[3:35:01] with a very limited income.
[3:35:03] So we are able to help them and finally we
[3:35:07] show you a little bathroom conversion
[3:35:10] because we do have a lot of our residents are aging in place.
[3:35:13] They want to stay in their homes and to be able to take out
[3:35:16] the bathtubs and replace them with a shower and the ability
[3:35:24] to -- chairs in different things that they can be able
[3:35:27] to continue to bathe themselves and take care of themselves
[3:35:30] in their own homes.
[3:35:31] So that is very important to us.
[3:35:35] One of our great successes this year
[3:35:38] has actually been the implementation
[3:35:41] of the commercial development.
[3:35:45] The CRA has completed a business development grant
[3:35:49] program for a small businesses along the Orange Blossom Trail.
[3:35:53] They range anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000,
[3:35:57] which is within our purview of being able to approve.
[3:36:04] Today we have -- at the time of the presentation was made,
[3:36:11] we had eight local businesses and had awarded about 735 000.
[3:36:16] To date we have about 3 or 4 more
[3:36:19] so we are nearer to the million dollar mark
[3:36:22] and we've had some great success stories.
[3:36:25] We have some local businesses that
[3:36:29] have already been put in place.
[3:36:30] We are encouraging new businesses to come to the area
[3:36:34] to incentivize them to come to the area and like on the Right,
[3:36:40] we have the Lager House .
[3:36:51] Some of you have visited that business.
[3:36:54] And most importantly they have the Canning
[3:36:55] they were sending over to Lakeland to be done.
[3:36:58] With the help of this grant they were
[3:37:00] able to bring that Canning here locally
[3:37:01] and so to expand on what we are able to offer our community.
[3:37:05] It's a good thing.
[3:37:09] And here is a few more of other grant recipients.
[3:37:15] We have a young man who does a V --
[3:37:23] AV storytelling and helps with marketing.
[3:37:27] We have Sweetie's ice cream.
[3:37:33] Formerly.
[3:37:34] They've completely renovated and it gets a lot of activity.
[3:37:38] Especially with this heat we are having.
[3:37:40] I think everybody is very interested in having
[3:37:42] a little ice cream.
[3:37:43] And there on the right side we have Orlando City Deli.
[3:37:46] One of their issues was they did not
[3:37:48] have seating in their establishment
[3:37:50] so people double down it was a take and order online
[3:37:54] or take and go but there is a lot
[3:37:57] of people who work in that area and sometimes
[3:37:59] they just want to come and sit down, relax, have something.
[3:38:06] So they've added new furnishings and new equipment
[3:38:08] so they can provide more offerings in there hoping
[3:38:11] to expand that business in the future
[3:38:13] but for now this does give them more than they
[3:38:16] were able to offer before.
[3:38:20] And now we will move into the proposed budget for fiscal year
[3:38:26] 2026 -27.
[3:38:32] This is a layout showing the fund
[3:38:37] revenue contributions from Orange County at 1.5 million.
[3:38:40] City of Orlando 1.3 giving us a subtotal.
[3:38:44] It shows the interest that is earned
[3:38:46] from the monies in the CRA Trust Fund.
[3:38:50] The 5% statutory deduction.
[3:38:53] That is mandatory through the CRA,
[3:38:59] and the cash brought forward.
[3:39:03] So we had a lot of rollover because a lot of our funds
[3:39:06] are allocated.
[3:39:06] We have some projects in the pipeline
[3:39:09] but they aren't short term.
[3:39:11] Some of them are not short term projects
[3:39:13] so we are holding on to those.
[3:39:16] For that.
[3:39:18] And so that shows a balanced budget presented to you today
[3:39:23] of $8,306,175 and now we will show you a breakdown of how we
[3:39:33] have allocated those funds.
[3:39:35] We have a couple of neighborhood enhancement projects
[3:39:38] that we will continue to maintain.
[3:39:40] Those are a retention pond that we keep as an amenity
[3:39:45] and that is directly behind the homes
[3:39:47] we are building on Woods Avenue and we also
[3:39:52] have entryway features that we are updating
[3:39:55] and we will continue to maintain those.
[3:39:59] So total neighborhood enhancements are 800 $0.
[3:40:02] The Woods Avenue construction, we've talked to this board
[3:40:08] before about the portion of Woods Avenue near Miller
[3:40:10] that was partially completed but we want to turn that
[3:40:14] into a complete street so we have
[3:40:15] been able to acquire some right of way from the business owner
[3:40:19] there and we are currently working with the City of Orlando
[3:40:22] on the drainage so instead of it being an open drainage ditch,
[3:40:28] it's going to be closed drainage so the planning is
[3:40:31] being done for that.
[3:40:33] We also have the actual construction of the roadway.
[3:40:38] So we are starting to set funds aside
[3:40:42] as construction costs increase.
[3:40:45] Started off as maybe $700,000 is probably going to be roughly $2
[3:40:50] million when we get there but we would just set aside and we will
[3:40:54] just phase the funding in .
[3:40:59] Roadway maintenance of OBT from I-4 to colonial is ongoing.
[3:41:02] We have a $350,000 contract with the maintenance crew.
[3:41:08] They do a very good job at keeping the trash cans empty,
[3:41:13] keeping the rubbish off of the roadway trimming the grass
[3:41:20] and keeping the trees -- sometimes there may be trees
[3:41:24] from other properties that hang over the sidewalk.
[3:41:26] Keeping the crack weeds -- the weeds in the sidewalk cracks .
[3:41:34] Cleaning the trash cans and bus shelters.
[3:41:36] Those types of things.
[3:41:37] So while we aren't able to make a whole lot of improvements
[3:41:41] and we aren't able to install landscaping again,
[3:41:51] it really does go a long way with cleaning the area keeping
[3:41:54] the area tidy and nice and we have seen other business owners
[3:41:57] come out and start to make improvements on their property .
[3:42:04] Just be inspired by it looking cleaner and seeing
[3:42:08] that there is investment into their community
[3:42:10] and it causes them to kind of step up.
[3:42:13] We have a sidewalk maintenance and repair A $50,000
[3:42:19] because sidewalks are an ongoing issue for us sometimes.
[3:42:23] They raise.
[3:42:24] They crack permit different things
[3:42:26] and we need to have some money set aside
[3:42:28] so we can address those as quickly as possible
[3:42:31] to avoid any kind of safety issues.
[3:42:34] Street light maintenance permit the maintenance along that
[3:42:37] corridor along the CRA is maintained by oh you see and we
[3:42:48] pay them about $13,000 to be then On our behalf.
[3:43:02] We have the mural program.
[3:43:04] We are working with Orange County staff
[3:43:06] and we understand there is a process.
[3:43:10] We are working on agreements with the artists about three
[3:43:15] locations.
[3:43:25] We recently learned we are going to be partnering with Westlake
[3:43:28] District because they have a mural program so we learned
[3:43:31] yesterday how we could leverage so we could expand the program
[3:43:35] and it really is to beautify the area and encourage the residents
[3:43:43] and encourage people to come and have a reason to come to OBT
[3:43:58] Because unfortunately OBT still does struggle with a stigma.
[3:44:02] With the mural program it may give an opportunity
[3:44:05] and then we can create you know hey come to OBT
[3:44:10] and see all the murals we have here program.
[3:44:19] It can be a destination of sorts.
[3:44:24] Then the hardscape program looking at a way we
[3:44:28] can beautify our buildings and bring some color to the area.
[3:44:40] Our residential development projects total $4.2 million.
[3:44:45] We have a potential multifamily housing
[3:44:49] project that has been proposed to the Development Board.
[3:44:53] We are reviewing that.
[3:44:58] They have a financial gap and they are
[3:45:01] requesting that we assist them.
[3:45:05] As you know the job of a CRA is to remove slum and blight.
[3:45:09] This is the former parliament property
[3:45:11] that has been vacant for some time now
[3:45:13] and I know we've had discussions.
[3:45:16] We would like to see something happen.
[3:45:18] This will be the largest project for the CRA
[3:45:27] if the board decides to approve an incentive For this project.
[3:45:49] We have money set aside for marketing and communication.
[3:45:55] We need to market the CRA.
[3:45:58] People don't understand what the CRA is.
[3:46:01] Time and time again on a state level
[3:46:04] they don't think CRAs are being utilized properly.
[3:46:11] We need to show them what we are really doing .
[3:46:17] We are dealing with roadway improvements.
[3:46:19] Lighting.
[3:46:20] Safety issues.
[3:46:22] Renovations.
[3:46:24] There is so much that we are doing
[3:46:28] and we need to be able to get that
[3:46:29] out and let the community know.
[3:46:31] We have money set aside for crime prevention.
[3:46:42] We have 368,000 towards administration.
[3:46:57] So our subtotal of planned expenditures
[3:47:01] are a little over $7 million.
[3:47:04] We continue to maintain future capital outlay for any
[3:47:08] additional projects that will come on and the total proposed
[3:47:14] funding for the year is $8,306,175.
[3:47:29] Here is a categorization of the same numbers we just
[3:47:33] went through breaking them down into the categories
[3:47:35] we used with OMB.
[3:49:40] >> How long have you been with the OBT cra now?
[3:50:11] >> Next month is 35 years.
[3:50:15] >> She's been with them a long time now.
[3:50:16] Since the inception?
[3:50:16] >> Not quite since the inception.
[3:50:16] >> And so with the administration costs how many
[3:50:16] employees do you have?
[3:50:16] There are four.
[3:50:16] And the building that you all work out of you
[3:50:16] own that building?
[3:50:17] >> We lease.
[3:50:55] >> Okay.
[3:50:56] I'm going to go to Commissioner Wilson
[3:50:56] and she will be followed by Commissioner Gomes Cordeiro
[3:50:56] and Commissioner Scott.
[3:50:56] >> Thank you so much.
[3:50:56] I agree with you about CRAs being
[3:50:56] something that is a confusing topic to the public.
[3:50:56] Understanding your experience in the community
[3:50:56] you are working in what would be the best way for us to try
[3:50:56] to make sure we are describing it in educating and inviting
[3:50:58] people to the conversation about the function of CRAs?
[3:51:48] >> In the part of the plan where we have worked with local
[3:51:50] businesses we did create little commercials and snapshots.
[3:51:50] We are using those on social media.
[3:51:50] We are going to put those all on YouTube.
[3:51:50] Some of the younger folks have told me
[3:51:50] all about Geotag dropping.
[3:51:50] I was still learning but it will help people who are obviously
[3:51:50] going to events in the area and targeting
[3:51:50] those people at that time to let them know I don't you
[3:51:50] stop at the lager house after an event
[3:51:50] or stop by Sweetie's for a little ice cream
[3:51:50] after this event that you currently have.
[3:51:50] Between YouTube and social media and we've
[3:51:52] even talked about maybe a billboard or so.
[3:56:47] They have more support and are bringing more volunteer support
[3:56:51] than our five men staff can provide
[3:56:52] so they are using relationships with people
[3:56:55] who are very well grounded and connected in that community.
[3:57:03] >> Awesome.
[3:57:04] I have to say that I like the missing middle
[3:57:06] project that you have.
[3:57:07] Very good.
[3:57:08] And then my other question is, in slide number 17,
[3:57:14] you mentioned the mural program and I
[3:57:19] like what you Said about letting others now what CRA is.
[3:57:29] Where are you doing this project?
[3:57:33] >> We have one at 28th and Michigan.
[3:57:37] It is a mechanic shop and so it is one wall facing there.
[3:57:47] I think one of the more exciting ones is --
[3:57:50] I can't remember the actual address
[3:57:52] but there is a driving school and they
[3:57:56] have two walls that kind of have a V shape
[3:57:58] and the V kind of points toward OBT
[3:58:02] so we will be able to utilize two walls
[3:58:04] and we are hoping to make something very impactful there.
[3:58:07] That driving school I think is 160 Driving Academy.
[3:58:12] What they do there is they train 18 wheelers to drive.
[3:58:19] They use that whole interior.
[3:58:23] They take them out on the road eventually
[3:58:25] but they use that interior and they have a very large space
[3:58:28] and they are super excited about having something very
[3:58:32] eye catching and we know about it is not
[3:58:35] going to be signage for them.
[3:58:37] Is going to be something that is beautiful
[3:58:39] and something that either resembles
[3:58:42] the history of OBT, orange County or something like that.
[3:58:48] But we don't want anything graffiti looking.
[3:58:51] We want high level, beautiful murals
[3:58:55] because again out there it is pretty much gray on gray.
[3:58:59] Gray road.
[3:58:59] Gray concrete.
[3:59:02] >> Awesome.
[3:59:03] Yes.
[3:59:03] Okay and my last question is on the other slide, which
[3:59:08] is the proposed project, I wanted
[3:59:13] to ask you on the administration Line
[3:59:17] 368 that includes the staff and leasing of your renting
[3:59:22] your office?
[3:59:23] It does include it in this?
[3:59:26] Okay.
[3:59:28] >> Our administrative budget is made up of two different
[3:59:32] resources so CRA as well as our MSTU.
[3:59:38] That's not our complete budget but CRA
[3:59:42] does pay the largest portion.
[3:59:44] >> Got it.
[3:59:45] Thank you so much.
[3:59:49] >> Commissioner Scott.
[3:59:51] >> Thank you for the presentation.
[3:59:53] I don't have any questions.
[3:59:55] Just some points to highlight for the board.
[3:59:59] The grants that we've done over the past year or so
[4:00:03] have really allowed these small businesses
[4:00:05] in and around the area to grow.
[4:00:07] Some of them were home based businesses.
[4:00:10] Some of them had challenges that they could not overcome
[4:00:12] and so we have seen in the instance of Orlando Brewery,
[4:00:18] City Deli right across the street from Orlando Police
[4:00:21] Department, Darkmaster bringing pallets
[4:00:25] just the change in their business
[4:00:26] and the ability to contribute to the community
[4:00:28] and sometime soon I think we are still working on the timeline
[4:00:31] because we went for some state funding
[4:00:33] with the Desire Foundation.
[4:00:35] You will see a micro grocery that
[4:00:39] will help address some of the food insecurities and the food
[4:00:43] desert in and around the community.
[4:00:44] The Desire Foundation right there across from the Health
[4:00:49] department and the birth certificate office of Vital
[4:00:56] statistics does usually monthly --
[4:00:59] I can't describe it as a food drive
[4:01:02] because there is so much more.
[4:01:04] There is clothes.
[4:01:04] There is Pampers.
[4:01:05] There is air freshener.
[4:01:08] Everything you need.
[4:01:09] Haircuts to help these communities
[4:01:11] and so it's been a great joy working with OBT next CRA
[4:01:15] and we've been able to do some good and amazing things
[4:01:18] and as she shared today when you look at the housing
[4:01:21] opportunities that we'll be able to provide it's just amazing.
[4:01:24] Like I said, we've had our challenges
[4:01:28] trying to figure out what is the best need for those
[4:01:30] in and around the community and it has been phenomenal.
[4:01:33] So Vanessa, I appreciate you and your team.
[4:01:37] I have no questions.
[4:01:39] We talked quite frequently so thank you for the work you
[4:01:41] and your team do.
[4:01:47] >> Commissioner Semrad.
[4:01:48] >> Thank you.
[4:01:49] Thank you Vanessa.
[4:01:51] You are only involved with this CRA right?
[4:01:54] So I tried to look up quickly and I
[4:01:56] think we have a CRA for Orlando Eatonville Winter Park alpaca
[4:02:00] Winter garden Oakland Maitland.
[4:02:03] Did I miss any?
[4:02:06] High drive and Oakland is not?
[4:02:09] Okay.
[4:02:09] So we have multiple that go across the county
[4:02:12] and I think you are right.
[4:02:14] Advertising the CRA is difficult to do
[4:02:17] because it has concepts that we don't normally
[4:02:21] talk about on a regular day so therefore
[4:02:24] into people so from what I understand from a is that when
[4:02:28] people agree to come in to one it basically freezes
[4:02:32] the taxable base value right?
[4:02:33] So it freezes it there and then any incremental increase goes
[4:02:39] into paying for improvements?
[4:02:43] >> Within that same boundary area.
[4:02:47] >> And so it can be affordable housing.
[4:02:48] It can be streetscapes.
[4:02:50] It can be infrastructure.
[4:02:52] It can be all sorts of great aspects
[4:02:54] that make our community stronger, more
[4:02:58] resilient and more flourishing.
[4:02:59] So how much of your CRA is funded by property taxes?
[4:03:05] Do you know?
[4:03:09] That's what I'm trying to get.
[4:03:12] Yes.
[4:03:13] It's not a trick question.
[4:03:19] >> So property taxes is the revenue source for CRAs.
[4:03:22] Are you asking me that residential question
[4:03:25] again or just in general?
[4:03:28] >> None of this is a trick question.
[4:03:30] Do you by chance know how much is residential
[4:03:32] and how much is commercial in your area?
[4:03:34] >> I do not.
[4:03:37] >> Okay but both are impacted because with residential
[4:03:39] and with our commercial there is a cap --
[4:03:44] >> We definitely have more commercial that comes in.
[4:03:47] What we have noticed is a continued increase
[4:03:51] comes a lot from the warehousing in that area.
[4:03:55] >> And so if we lose that taxable income,
[4:03:58] what happens to your CRA and all the projects like the affordable
[4:04:03] housing and the infrastructure and the streetscapes
[4:04:05] and everything that goes into redeveloping this area
[4:04:08] to a place that people are proud to live in and contribute to?
[4:04:12] >> Like everyone else we will have cutbacks but fortunately we
[4:04:15] are able to apply sometimes for state funding for different
[4:04:20] areas, so we will seek funding from wherever we can but we are
[4:04:26] prepared to make some cutbacks if we have to on maybe projects
[4:04:32] going forward.
[4:04:33] We may not be able to reach double our reach might not
[4:04:37] be as far as we would like it to be before 2049.
[4:04:41] >> I just also really want to say that when we talk about
[4:04:44] a CRA in certain areas they're done to redevelop those areas
[4:04:50] because they need that redevelopment and that taxable
[4:04:53] value of those properties is -- it could be less a winter park
[4:04:59] CRA I'm trying to say has a higher taxable value on property
[4:05:02] so when the property tax reform hits we are going to see that
[4:05:07] those CRAs still have a taxable base but they are going to be
[4:05:11] others that are almost depleted to nothing and those are
[4:05:13] our more vulnerable communities so we begin to talk about safety
[4:05:16] issues.
[4:05:17] We begin to talk about flooding issues.
[4:05:19] We get to talk about roads that don't work any longer so I'm
[4:05:23] concerned about the CRAs and their way to fund
[4:05:26] and I think it's also just important
[4:05:27] to note that most of your projects
[4:05:31] are done through a bonding system.
[4:05:33] Correct?
[4:05:33] When you do projects you use >> We have not bonded anything.
[4:05:40] >> You do no bonds?
[4:05:41] That is good news because long term bonding doesn't impact it
[4:05:44] but it still impacts you incredibly
[4:05:46] in the short and mid-term where you lose a huge chunk of revenue
[4:05:50] that is used to directly improve residents quality of life.
[4:05:54] >> It very well could.
[4:05:56] I think we are all just kind of waiting fingers crossed to see
[4:06:02] what the residents decide.
[4:06:04] >> I'm trying to get from you because you are an expert
[4:06:07] in the CRA if there is one fact I could carry into the community
[4:06:10] and say if this passes this is how it impacts you the most what
[4:06:14] would you say to the people of the CRA that you represent?
[4:06:18] >> For our CRA residents, because if this is passed
[4:06:23] it's not going to just have an impact on CRA.
[4:06:26] It's going to have an impact on all of us countywide.
[4:06:29] The services are going to be needed
[4:06:31] and we are going to pay for it one way or another
[4:06:34] so if it is not through the property tax,
[4:06:38] it's still going to have to be taken care of so again,
[4:06:44] yes there are a lot of CRAs but I will tell you
[4:06:47] the thing about the OBTCRA is that we are true to what
[4:06:52] CRAs were created to do.
[4:06:54] To eliminate slum and blight.
[4:06:55] We have a lot of slum and blight and like I said,
[4:07:01] the first 30 years I have seen our CRA tank twice
[4:07:07] below the baseline.
[4:07:09] So we adapt.
[4:07:11] We do what we can with what we have and like I said,
[4:07:20] we will utilize other opportunities.
[4:07:23] And we are the only CRA in the state still
[4:07:26] that is split between two different municipalities.
[4:07:30] All those other CRAs that you referred to,
[4:07:34] they are within different cities and so
[4:07:37] how those cities will deal with it is one thing.
[4:07:40] >> So what I just heard you say is that if this property tax
[4:07:44] reform passes and CR is like yours are impacted,
[4:07:48] we can expect to see in our community more slum and blight.
[4:07:52] Is that correct?
[4:07:54] >> That would be my assumption.
[4:07:55] If we are not able to directly do what we've continued to do,
[4:08:02] we will revert .
[4:08:08] And opt and the mayor has been here.
[4:08:11] I've known him the whole time I've been here
[4:08:13] and he can tell you we know what OBT was before.
[4:08:16] It may not be where we want it to be
[4:08:18] but it is a whole lot better than it was before
[4:08:20] and I would hate to see and I think
[4:08:23] it would be very tragic for us to rewind
[4:08:26] on some of those improvements that have been made
[4:08:29] and the investments that have been made so I think it's
[4:08:32] important that the constituents know not just within the CRA
[4:08:37] area but that will impact us all over as a community.
[4:08:43] >> Absolutely and to my colleagues on the board,
[4:08:48] we all know tourism destinations that can be labeled with slum
[4:08:53] and blight don't sell on an international marketplace
[4:08:55] and across the country so I think that is something to be
[4:08:58] conscious of, that the less of CRAs and funding can also impact
[4:09:04] our local economy.
[4:09:05] Thank you very much for all you do.
[4:09:10] >> Commissioner Uribe.
[4:09:11] >> Hey there.
[4:09:12] I just had a few follow up questions.
[4:09:17] Why are we trying to pursue tourist development
[4:09:25] tax (Indistinct) and also have you
[4:09:29] all pursued any of the Vision Zero?
[4:09:31] I mean I live off of OBT so I travel all the time
[4:09:33] and I see how bad the sidewalks are.
[4:09:36] I've seen people in wheelchairs get stuck.
[4:09:38] Have we actively pursued any Vision Zero funding from DOT?
[4:09:52] >> No.
[4:09:52] They do allocate a portion to us and I
[4:09:54] have met with FDOT and FDOT has continued to add things
[4:10:02] in the area and I have continued to challenge and look
[4:10:05] at their budget because we are taking on a little more.
[4:10:08] Every time they add more we are taking
[4:10:10] on more to maintain so they are reviewing their budgets.
[4:10:14] >> Have we pursued any actual grants because I know
[4:10:16] there's grants out there for Vision Zero and we know that OBT
[4:10:19] south of I-4 has gotten significant funding from dot.
[4:10:25] I mean you've got crosswalks.
[4:10:27] Lighted crosswalks.
[4:10:28] Lights to stop people.
[4:10:30] Who are you?
[4:10:31] I would like to help with this so
[4:10:32] knowing that I serve on the DOT board
[4:10:38] I would like to help because you can't help but notice
[4:10:42] the influx of more pedestrian walkers
[4:10:45] north of I-4 and the fact that you can't even
[4:10:47] safely go on the sidewalk in that area
[4:10:49] knowing we have an active CRA, have we ever leveraged that?
[4:10:55] Because with all these sidewalk fundings --
[4:10:57] we were putting sidewalks where people didn't even want
[4:11:00] sidewalks yet we can't fix your sidewalks.
[4:11:02] It just doesn't make sense.
[4:11:08] >> If you are talking within the CRA because it's state highway,
[4:11:11] the state did come in and make some --
[4:11:15] they have installed some sidewalks within the CRA area.
[4:11:19] One of the issues within see a area is because the property
[4:11:22] lines are so close to the road where there is not a lot of room
[4:11:26] to expand the sidewalks or really do
[4:11:29] the types of improvements that are needed to those sidewalks
[4:11:32] but in terms of replacing them, they have replaced some.
[4:11:39] We have replaced some.
[4:11:40] We have added some decorative measures along the CRA.
[4:11:44] Sidewalks but the CRA has definite
[4:11:48] in terms of land that kind of impedes upon the sidewalks
[4:11:54] there.
[4:11:55] >> I'm not talking about expanding.
[4:11:56] I'm just talking about the sidewalks you have right now.
[4:11:59] The striping on the street.
[4:12:01] Just basic stuff that is done all over the state of Florida.
[4:12:03] Why is it not being done north of I-4?
[4:12:07] I would like to know.
[4:12:08] I'm going to host Secretary Purdue August here in Orlando
[4:12:12] and we have a meeting coming up July 30th.
[4:12:14] I would like to take this request directly
[4:12:17] to Secretary Tyler because that just doesn't make any sense.
[4:12:22] I see too many people walking.
[4:12:24] I see too many kids.
[4:12:26] Wheelchairs.
[4:12:27] You name it and it doesn't make any sense.
[4:12:29] It just seems like a different world once you go under I-4.
[4:12:33] >> Yeah.
[4:12:35] FDOT did last year make improvements to the sidewalks.
[4:12:40] They refreshed the crosswalks.
[4:12:42] So yeah but it would be interesting
[4:12:45] and please include me.
[4:12:47] >> If you could please follow up with my office.
[4:12:50] Thanks.
[4:12:55] >> Certainly.
[4:12:56] >> All right.
[4:12:59] You've got something else, Commissioner?
[4:13:03] Okay.
[4:13:04] That was the final question.
[4:13:05] We do have an action item and we do see it before us at this time
[4:13:12] and that Commissioner Scott serves on the CRA board.
[4:13:16] We will entertain a motion from him.
[4:13:21] >> Second Wilson.
[4:13:23] >> We have a motion and a second.
[4:13:24] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[4:13:32] Opposed, no.
[4:13:34] Motion passes and it is unanimous.
[4:13:39] >> Thank you.
[4:13:40] For all those I won't be able to see you
[4:13:41] next time around I wish you all the best in mayor
[4:13:43] I've appreciated working with you all these years through all
[4:13:46] the different things we've done and one thing I can say
[4:13:48] and I just want to say this real quick.
[4:13:50] Has always remained the same.
[4:13:52] He is accessible.
[4:13:54] Always professional, kind and I really
[4:13:59] appreciate working with you.
[4:14:00] I have in my prayers with you.
[4:14:10] Going back to really being a street
[4:14:13] cop working narcotics and everything else
[4:14:15] and all those other things.
[4:14:16] It's come a long way.
[4:14:19] With that, thank you all for your presence.
[4:14:22] We're going to move to the next item on the agenda
[4:14:24] for this afternoon.
[4:14:34] We will now adjourn as the Orange County Community
[4:14:39] Redevelopment Agency and reconvene
[4:14:42] or convene as Orange County International Drive community
[4:14:47] Redevelopment Agency governing board
[4:14:53] and miss Krista Tereshinski assistant project
[4:14:57] manager for neighborhood services
[4:14:58] is going to lead us off this morning.
[4:15:01] Welcome.
[4:15:03] >> Thank you mayor.
[4:15:03] You said that wonderfully.
[4:15:05] I am here to present the international Drive Community
[4:15:10] Redevelopment Agency.
[4:15:14] Fiscal year budget work session.
[4:15:16] Today's presentation will provide a background summary.
[4:15:19] The redevelopment area and plan.
[4:15:22] The program highlights the proposed fiscal year 2026 27
[4:15:29] Budget Year Overview.
[4:15:33] The CRA was completed in 1998 for a terms 30 years.
[4:15:38] The original focus was improving transportation light
[4:15:41] throughout the I-drive community but in 2021 the CRA plan
[4:15:46] was updated to add four new focus areas including
[4:15:49] affordable and attainable housing, economic development
[4:15:55] community programs and beautification
[4:15:57] and esthetics while still maintaining the transportation
[4:16:00] initiatives.
[4:16:01] You the Board of County Commissioners
[4:16:04] serves as the governing board and we
[4:16:06] have an advisory committee that was established
[4:16:08] in 2002 to assist with determining
[4:16:11] which projects move forward and how the funds are spent.
[4:16:16] The advisory committee consists of seven representatives
[4:16:19] starting with the 2026 chairperson Sarah Nemes
[4:16:27] representing efficient transportation for the community
[4:16:30] of Central Florida.
[4:16:31] Vice chair Chris Mueller as the mayor's representative.
[4:16:35] Carmen Peterson representing the University Boulevard Property
[4:16:38] Owners Association.
[4:16:40] Derek Baum representing the I-drive Resort Area Chamber
[4:16:45] of Commerce.
[4:16:46] Brian Small representing the I-drive Master Transit
[4:16:49] and Improvement District.
[4:16:50] Shirley Washington representing the Tangelo Park Civic
[4:16:54] Association and our newest member
[4:16:56] is Laura Kelly at large representative John.
[4:16:59] Many of these advisory committees
[4:17:01] are attending virtually and our business partners
[4:17:03] in the audience are here to support their recommendations.
[4:17:07] The redevelopment area consists of 7315 acres
[4:17:13] surrounding International Drive and Universal Boulevard.
[4:17:17] On the Western side the border is I-4.
[4:17:21] On the north it staggers through the Orange County and City
[4:17:26] of Orlando line with the exception
[4:17:28] of the small area in gold, which was originally
[4:17:33] part of Orange County but was annexed into the city of Orlando
[4:17:36] in 2002.
[4:17:37] On the eastern side north of 528 is Florida's Turnpike
[4:17:41] and south of 528 the line staggers between International
[4:17:46] Drive and the Williamsburg community.
[4:17:48] To the south, Westwood Boulevard southern Lake.
[4:17:53] The CRA plan helps to identify the focus areas, the intent
[4:18:00] of each focus area and how the funding is distributed
[4:18:03] amongst the different focus areas.
[4:18:04] In 2021 in addition to adding the four new focus areas
[4:18:08] we also added a funding cap of $22 million.
[4:18:11] Any funds collected over $22 million
[4:18:15] are then divided with 75% returning back
[4:18:19] as a rebate to the general funds at the same percentage
[4:18:23] in which it was collected.
[4:18:25] The other 25% is added to the original $22 million
[4:18:29] to remain with the CRA.
[4:18:31] All while maintaining the sunset date of September 30th of 2028.
[4:18:37] Program highlights since the inception
[4:18:40] of the program include 20 transportation projects that
[4:18:44] have either been completed or in progress
[4:18:46] including the widening of Jean-Luc Parkway
[4:18:50] and International Driveway.
[4:18:52] We've had two new connections that
[4:18:54] were very important to help international drive
[4:18:56] motorists reach the major expressways more efficiently.
[4:18:59] We have repaired 29 low income homes
[4:19:02] with an investment of $3 million in the Tangelo Park community.
[4:19:06] We have assisted over 800 employees to improve
[4:19:09] their English skills .
[4:19:12] We have constructed a new community center for the Tangelo
[4:19:16] Park residents and install new wayfinding signs
[4:19:19] throughout the CRA boundaries.
[4:19:21] The proposed fiscal year 26-27 budget totals $156.1 million
[4:19:31] which is a reduction of 35.8% over the current budget.
[4:19:35] This is primarily due to the capital improvement projects.
[4:19:38] This fiscal year we had a couple projects
[4:19:41] that are in construction and had a larger amount of funds
[4:19:44] whereas next year most of those projects
[4:19:46] are in early design and planning phase
[4:19:49] and have a lower funding need.
[4:19:51] Under the transportation Focus area
[4:19:54] we are requesting $22.3 million for the projects you see above
[4:19:59] and we will review each one universally
[4:20:02] starting with regional transit Connectivity project.
[4:20:06] This is a project managed by Lynx
[4:20:10] and funded through the I-drive CRA
[4:20:12] to provide extended hours and an increased
[4:20:15] frequency of the transit operations
[4:20:17] in the I-drive corridor.
[4:20:19] This project was brought to you by the commissioners who
[4:20:24] found a lot of our employees start early in the morning
[4:20:27] and go late beyond midnight and dark existing transit operations
[4:20:31] not conducive to the hospitality industry.
[4:20:34] By adding extended hours and increasing the frequency
[4:20:38] we found that the employees are spending more time at work
[4:20:41] making money or home with their families
[4:20:43] rather than riding a bus.
[4:20:47] We implemented the project in December of 2021
[4:20:50] and we've had an increase in stop usage of over 50%
[4:20:55] since that time and an average increase
[4:20:58] in ridership of at least 12% on an annual basis.
[4:21:02] The requested funds of $2.5 million
[4:21:05] will continue the extended service to routes eight, 37, 42
[4:21:15] next fiscal year.
[4:21:17] The Kirkman Road extension was opened
[4:21:20] and during this fiscal year we continued
[4:21:22] to close out our punch list items
[4:21:24] to prepare to transfer the road from maintenance to Orange
[4:21:27] County.
[4:21:28] The requested funds of $3 million
[4:21:29] will be utilized for rebate that was already
[4:21:33] determined as part of the roadway agreement that
[4:21:35] is due one year after it turns over to maintenance permit just
[4:21:40] south of Kirkland Road trade show Boulevard was originally
[4:21:44] a two lane roadway designed just to carry freight
[4:21:47] for the convention center's north south building
[4:21:50] but as the Kirkland Road extension came down
[4:21:54] south to Universal Boulevard it soon became evident
[4:21:57] that we needed more than just a two lane road.
[4:22:00] The requested project allows for two lanes
[4:22:03] in each direction for general use, a dedicated transit
[4:22:09] lane in the center all while maintaining
[4:22:11] the freight lanes needed for the convention center.
[4:22:15] We are currently finalizing design plans as 90%
[4:22:18] and we plan to have those design plans
[4:22:21] by the end of the fiscal year.
[4:22:23] In addition we've worked with Duke Energy
[4:22:25] to ensure that all of the improvements on trade Show
[4:22:28] Boulevard has the least amount of impacts to the utilities
[4:22:31] that were existing.
[4:22:32] The requested funds of $5.7 million
[4:22:35] will complete the permitting and mitigation stage
[4:22:40] and allow us to repair the writing and mitigation easement
[4:22:44] agreements with owners on either side of the road.
[4:22:46] This also provides an important connection of transit
[4:22:50] all the way from the city limits down south to the destination
[4:22:54] Parkway and allows us to improve for the future areas
[4:22:59] in the super stop that exists just south of Destination
[4:23:05] Parkway.
[4:23:06] The Tangelo Park pedestrian Traffic Calming program
[4:23:10] has approved the replacement of bus shelters and trash
[4:23:17] receptacles throughout the Tangelo Park neighborhood.
[4:23:20] We heard from residents that the existing bus shelter
[4:23:25] design was not conducive to what was needed.
[4:23:28] A lot of the stops are very small
[4:23:31] and the roof is very curved so that when it rains,
[4:23:35] it funnels down on either side and leaves a very small area
[4:23:40] in the center for people to stand and wait
[4:23:42] for the bus shelters.
[4:23:45] Links provided the amount of funds
[4:23:47] that would be needed to redo those bus shelters that they
[4:23:52] would have put forth toward the project and the CRA funded
[4:23:54] the additional amount to replace them instead of just refurbish
[4:23:58] them.
[4:23:59] In addition, the neighborhood warranted speed radar signs
[4:24:04] and in light speed limit markings
[4:24:06] on the two main roadways.
[4:24:08] The inline speed limit markings have been installed
[4:24:11] but the speed radar signs are on backorder
[4:24:15] and we anticipate those to be installed
[4:24:17] by the end of the fiscal year.
[4:24:19] The requested funds of $300,000 will be used to install
[4:24:22] additional marked pedestrian crosswalks both near
[4:24:25] the elementary school and on the main walkway between the Baptist
[4:24:29] Church and the new community center we plan to open in just
[4:24:32] a couple months.
[4:24:33] Pedestrian enhancements throughout the CRA
[4:24:37] include the activation of three new pedestrian traffic
[4:24:41] signals including two new set traffic
[4:24:44] signals on international drive and one much needed traffic
[4:24:47] signal at Universal Boulevard and Lake K.
[4:24:53] I'd like to draw your attention to the image you
[4:24:55] have in your presentation.
[4:24:57] This shows the newest mast arm that was installed
[4:25:00] and it is the longest mast arm we have installed
[4:25:04] on International Drive.
[4:25:05] The design that was used allowed us to have less impacts
[4:25:09] to the four corners, less right of way needed
[4:25:14] and it required less downtown for the roadway
[4:25:16] to have the installation.
[4:25:18] In addition, international drive just north of Sand Lake Road
[4:25:23] we are conducting a pedestrian study
[4:25:25] to upgrade the sidewalks to the newest Ada standards
[4:25:29] and provide a more enhanced pedestrian crossings
[4:25:32] across International Drive.
[4:25:34] The requested funds of $5.2 million
[4:25:37] will be used to implement the recommended improvements that
[4:25:41] come from the study.
[4:25:42] We will upgrade two bus pull offs that are currently
[4:25:46] on international Drive.
[4:25:47] They are heavily used by our longer articulated busses
[4:25:51] so that the back end does not block the through traffic.
[4:25:55] And lastly, funding will be utilized
[4:25:59] to upgrade traffic signals on Central Florida Parkway
[4:26:02] to enhance both traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
[4:26:05] The international drive pedestrian overpass
[4:26:08] at International Drive at Sand Lake
[4:26:11] finalized its conceptual analysis with you
[4:26:14] the board approving to move into the design stage.
[4:26:18] This fiscal year we have advertised the design scope
[4:26:22] to get the right consultant to build this overpass
[4:26:27] throughout the intersection.
[4:26:29] The original concept plans recommended both stairs
[4:26:33] and elevators on all four corners
[4:26:36] and joining everybody in the center to more efficiently cross
[4:26:40] both bicycles and pedestrians.
[4:26:43] We are currently in preliminary right of way discussions
[4:26:47] with property owners on all four corners.
[4:26:49] They've been great partners and are aware of the project.
[4:26:53] We would like to request $5 million
[4:26:55] to progress this project into the next stage
[4:26:58] and fund the rest of the design phase next fiscal year
[4:27:04] and it will also allow us to enter into the independent peer
[4:27:08] review.
[4:27:08] The peer review is a by fDOT for all category two
[4:27:13] complex structures.
[4:27:14] As you saw in the original conceptual analysis,
[4:27:18] this is not just your average bridge.
[4:27:22] It is a unique complex structure so
[4:27:24] with that we are required to do an independent peer review along
[4:27:27] with our design phase.
[4:27:29] In addition it will help us to prepare
[4:27:31] the right of way and easement agreements
[4:27:34] and processing those agreements with the property owners.
[4:27:39] The International Drive Bus Rapid Transit System
[4:27:42] is also a joint project with Lynx.
[4:27:45] This will provide a more premium robust transit system
[4:27:50] along international drive.
[4:27:51] As well , we did the conceptual analysis in the past prior
[4:27:59] to COVID and are now beginning the professional engineering
[4:28:03] phase.
[4:28:03] We have hired a consultant and they
[4:28:05] will prepare the rest of the study environmental requirements
[4:28:08] to complete the initial study and review
[4:28:11] the need for dedicated lanes that was initially done
[4:28:15] with the Transit lane project.
[4:28:17] We will reengage our stakeholders
[4:28:18] that were very involved in the conceptual analysis
[4:28:22] to ensure that all the elements we have in place
[4:28:24] are ready for our request with the Federal Transit
[4:28:29] Administration.
[4:28:30] The request of 100 thousand dollars
[4:28:34] will allow us to expand our scope
[4:28:37] and add additional technology and roadway connections that
[4:28:39] did not exist when we did the original conceptual analysis.
[4:28:45] Items like Kirkman Road Extension
[4:28:49] is a good example of items we did not
[4:28:52] know existed when we did the original feasibility study.
[4:28:54] A little bit of extra funds will allow us to do a full analysis.
[4:28:59] Under the affordable and attainable Housing Focus area
[4:29:04] we are requesting $1.38 million for the two projects
[4:29:09] you see above starting with the Tangelo Park Housing Repair
[4:29:14] Project.
[4:29:14] This housing repair project is very similar to the housing
[4:29:18] repair projects throughout the rest of the county.
[4:29:20] It is income based and helps to provide improvements
[4:29:24] to one or more rooms in a residential home giving priority
[4:29:30] to people with elderly, disabled or known safety violations.
[4:29:36] Each person files for an application
[4:29:38] and it is determined what the needs are for their homes
[4:29:41] based on income and what the specific home needs are.
[4:29:45] Three homes are currently under construction
[4:29:47] and we have additional residents in the preplanning stage.
[4:29:52] The requested funds of just over $1 million
[4:29:55] will allow us to continue this program into fiscal year 2027
[4:29:59] and allow additional funding for additional residents
[4:30:02] to be improved upon.
[4:30:04] The housing infill project continues
[4:30:07] to build capital to incentivize a future mixed income
[4:30:11] residential property within the CRA limits.
[4:30:15] The requested funds of $325,000 will be added to the previous
[4:30:21] funds and previous budget years to continue our planning efforts
[4:30:27] to have a small nest egg available when the right
[4:30:29] property and developer comes along.
[4:30:31] In the economic Development Focus area
[4:30:35] we are requesting just over $1.5 million for the projects
[4:30:39] you see above on the screen beginning
[4:30:42] with English first speakers of other languages.
[4:30:46] This program assists employees that work within the I-drive CRA
[4:30:50] to learn English.
[4:30:52] Whether they are a beginner or more advanced English speaker.
[4:30:56] We currently have two employers that are hosting programs
[4:31:00] this fiscal year and we are actively searching
[4:31:02] for new and post locations.
[4:31:05] This program is brought by a partnership with Orange County
[4:31:09] Public Schools Adult Education and I
[4:31:12] would like to draw attention to the picture of the unique setup
[4:31:16] that we have in with the Orange County Public Schools.
[4:31:22] These utilize both laptops and headphones allowing employees
[4:31:26] to have different skill set levels.
[4:31:28] If somebody comes in with no English skills at all,
[4:31:33] they can be sat in the same classroom
[4:31:34] as somebody who wants to work on verbs and adverbs
[4:31:37] so you don't have to have separate classroom sessions.
[4:31:40] As long as an employee has at least 25 people with an interest
[4:31:44] we can host a location right there.
[4:31:46] The funds of $250,000 will allow us to continue the program
[4:31:52] into fiscal year 2027.
[4:31:54] This program has been about three years now
[4:31:56] and it has been found to be very successful and a program
[4:32:00] that a lot of the employees enjoy in the CRA.
[4:32:05] The culinary pilot program has developed a curriculum
[4:32:09] this fiscal year to include both a classroom and hands on kitchen
[4:32:14] prep through partnerships with Florida Restaurant
[4:32:18] and Lodging Association, Central Florida Hospitality and Lodging
[4:32:23] Association, rosin College of Hospitality Management
[4:32:29] and Careersource.
[4:32:30] We begin our stakeholder engagement
[4:32:32] with stakeholders in the area to ensure
[4:32:34] that the curriculum we chose has the right elements
[4:32:38] to help the employees to have the greatest
[4:32:40] impact and growth within their hospitality industry.
[4:32:44] The requested funds of $300,000 will help us to continue
[4:32:48] the program into next fiscal year and find host locations
[4:32:53] throughout the CRA.
[4:32:54] Under the community cultural and Institutional Focus Area we are
[4:32:59] requesting $250,000 for the Tangelo Youth Service Program.
[4:33:04] This is a developed curriculum based program
[4:33:08] to provide after school and summer program
[4:33:11] within the Tangelo Park community.
[4:33:14] Previously they used to have the program at the elementary school
[4:33:18] and it was discontinued.
[4:33:20] Universal Orlando offered to sponsor the program temporarily
[4:33:25] until we can grow our own Orange County program.
[4:33:31] Using the CRA funds we have hired a consultant
[4:33:34] to oversee the program and manage the operations for 40
[4:33:39] to 50 elementary aged students.
[4:33:42] The program will begin in the Baptist Church
[4:33:44] as it is held today and then as we continue our construction
[4:33:48] through the community center, once it
[4:33:52] is open in just a couple of months
[4:33:54] we will transfer over to the community center.
[4:33:56] Once we are in the community center
[4:33:58] we do anticipate that number to grow a little bit.
[4:34:01] We did our initial assessment based on how many students come
[4:34:04] to the Baptist church right now but the Baptist church is quite
[4:34:08] a distance from the elementary school .
[4:34:12] So once it is next door we may see
[4:34:15] an increase of those kindergartners first grade
[4:34:17] second grade that are a little farther to traverse today
[4:34:21] to get to the Baptist School.
[4:34:23] The requested funds of $250,000 will allow us to continue
[4:34:28] the program next fiscal year and to assess what the needs are.
[4:34:32] As I said, this will be conducted in the community
[4:34:37] center and as you can see from the images,
[4:34:40] we've made great progress throughout 2026
[4:34:44] throughout the construction of this development.
[4:34:47] We have solar panels on the top end
[4:34:50] to the side of the community center
[4:34:51] and it will also have a swimming pool in the back for the youth
[4:34:56] to take advantage of.
[4:34:57] We anticipate having a grand opening in just a few months.
[4:35:02] We will provide the date when it's available.
[4:35:07] The last focus area is beautification and esthetics.
[4:35:11] We are requesting $295,000 for the projects you see listed
[4:35:16] beginning with the Sand Lake Road I-4 beautification.
[4:35:19] This is a continuation of FDOT's current project
[4:35:28] at the intersection of I-4 and Sand Lake.
[4:35:31] The project was to install a new diamond and new ramp
[4:35:33] so that we can eliminate the left turns of Sand Lake Road
[4:35:37] onto Turkey Lake.
[4:35:39] Both the diverging diamond and the new ramp
[4:35:41] are open and have been very successful at redirecting
[4:35:44] traffic.
[4:35:53] FDOT hired some off duty officers
[4:35:57] at the intersection of Sand Lake and Turkey
[4:35:59] like to ensure people don't continue that left turn
[4:36:01] and they are starting to learn the new pattern.
[4:36:04] This will follow the FDOT project
[4:36:07] at the end of their project and provide a more enhanced
[4:36:11] landscaping and hardscape plan.
[4:36:12] We are currently advertising our design scope
[4:36:15] to get the right consultant to do the project
[4:36:17] and preparing our stakeholder and FDOT engagement
[4:36:23] to ensure the recommendations made in the conceptual analysis
[4:36:26] that our Planning Division did has the right pieces that
[4:36:29] are needed for the final design and construction.
[4:36:32] The requested funds for next fiscal year include $100,000
[4:36:37] to finish the design plans into 2027 and be ready in 2028 when
[4:36:47] FDOT is done to progress to construction.
[4:36:50] The Tangelo Park neighborhood sign Project
[4:36:53] installed two new signs for the Tangelo Park community.
[4:36:56] We had one major sign just north of Sand Lake Road which
[4:37:00] is on both sides of the road that you see in the image,
[4:37:04] and there was a secondary sign installed on the northern side
[4:37:07] coming from the city limits.
[4:37:09] That was a smaller sign but it also
[4:37:12] cross-connects as a bench for our transit
[4:37:16] stops so what you see in the picture is the main entrance
[4:37:19] and then there is a secondary sign in the back entrance.
[4:37:23] The signs were installed and we have also prepared a landscaping
[4:37:26] agreement with Universal Orlando so that they
[4:37:30] will maintain all of the beautiful trees and landscaping
[4:37:34] that we put around the signage and keep them up to date
[4:37:39] and efficient.
[4:37:41] The requested funds of $5,000 will electrify the signs during
[4:37:45] low light periods and help us fund the utility bill throughout
[4:37:48] the fiscal year.
[4:37:51] Overall, you will see a balanced budget with $156.1 million
[4:37:57] on both the revenue and expenditure side.
[4:38:00] I'd like to draw your attention to a couple
[4:38:03] items on the expenditure side before we wrap up
[4:38:05] our presentation including the CRA rebate totaling just
[4:38:10] under $13.3 million, which will be
[4:38:16] rebated into the general funds in the future capital outlay.
[4:38:20] The future capital outlay right now
[4:38:22] is currently just over $117 million
[4:38:24] and that may seem like a lot of funds but as we spoke about,
[4:38:30] we are getting near the end of the CRA
[4:38:33] and you will find that we have approximately 5.39
[4:38:37] in annual operation project total
[4:38:41] as well as our capital improvement projects.
[4:38:48] Currently this lists all of our capital projects
[4:38:50] that we have started and if we wanted
[4:38:53] to take all of those capital projects to the finish
[4:38:56] line through construction right now that
[4:38:58] is estimated at about $171.8 million permit that doesn't
[4:39:04] include the Sunshine Corridor or the operations
[4:39:07] and maintenance that might come from the projects
[4:39:10] after work completed.
[4:39:11] So as you see, we still will continue
[4:39:15] to prioritize our projects and determine
[4:39:17] which ones are best needed for the community redevelopment
[4:39:21] and where we want to utilize our funds.
[4:39:24] We will return to you the board in a few months
[4:39:28] to continue our discussions on the sunset Date.
[4:39:33] Our requested action for today is to approve and adopt
[4:39:42] the resolution of the international Drive Community
[4:39:44] Redevelopment Agency regarding the proposed fiscal year 2026-27
[4:39:52] budget of the International Drive Community Redevelopment
[4:39:55] Agency.
[4:39:55] At this time I would like to turn it back over
[4:39:57] to you for questions from either myself or the representatives
[4:40:00] in the audience that represent the large village that
[4:40:03] helps to make the CRA possible.
[4:40:11] >> All right.
[4:40:11] Quick question when you talk about the Tangential Park
[4:40:13] housing repair program and 1,055,000 that you are
[4:40:18] requesting for that, what would be the maximum per home that
[4:40:24] an individual will qualify to receive?
[4:40:29] >> Each project is assessed on an individual basis and I will
[4:40:33] look to my housing team.
[4:40:35] I think they have a representative.
[4:40:37] There he is.
[4:40:39] I will have Mitch come up.
[4:40:41] I don't know that we have a max or if we evaluate it
[4:40:44] on a case by case basis.
[4:40:51] >> Good afternoon, mayor and commissioners.
[4:40:54] I think we've been averaging under 100 000.
[4:40:57] 75 to 80,000 but we do have some homes that really need total
[4:41:01] rehabs and those can go up to 150 000.
[4:41:07] >> Okay.
[4:41:08] So is that the established Max if it is a total home rehab?
[4:41:13] 150 grand?
[4:41:15] >> Yeah.
[4:41:16] I would have to check with staff in terms of our absolute cap
[4:41:21] but I've seen --
[4:41:24] I sign a lot of the contracts that come through.
[4:41:26] I know that we've been averaging a pretty good average in Tangelo
[4:41:31] Park but I have seen homes that have come up.
[4:41:35] >> It just seems like we have to have some kind of cap.
[4:41:37] Otherwise 1,055,000 will go very quickly and we are talking about
[4:41:46] Tangelo Park and maybe some of the homes out there have over
[4:41:50] the years been improved and they may be worth $275,000
[4:41:54] or something like that.
[4:41:58] But usually the ones who are higher
[4:42:03] end you know they can afford to put something in too.
[4:42:08] In any case it's just a question.
[4:42:12] Commissioner Wilson followed by Commissioner Scott
[4:42:16] and Commissioner Semrad,
[4:42:19] >> Thank you so much.
[4:42:20] It was great to see you Saturday.
[4:42:21] It was interesting.
[4:42:22] I ran into you then I talked to our resident who
[4:42:25] came up and introduced herself we went through the program
[4:42:28] and works at one of the Rosen properties.
[4:42:31] It was complimentary of it and apologized for her English
[4:42:36] and like we just had a conversation
[4:42:38] and I don't speak Spanish so actually you're winning.
[4:42:41] I will say that I was blessed to be here during the time
[4:42:46] that we expanded these uses, and to see some of the projects
[4:42:52] in Tangelo Park and things that benefit
[4:42:54] the existing residential community.
[4:42:56] It is really exciting to know what
[4:42:58] is coming in the future for other parts of these projects.
[4:43:02] It's also very exciting but we are
[4:43:04] getting close to that 2028 day.
[4:43:06] You said we are coming back to maybe talk about what next
[4:43:09] so I believe I made a pitch for it back then
[4:43:16] and I'm going to do it again.
[4:43:18] If you look at the map of the CRA,
[4:43:22] the part that is right there below Tangelo Park --
[4:43:33] if you dip down there below 528 all those little residential
[4:43:37] areas down there, that is Williamsburg and Williamsburg is
[4:43:42] another established older community.
[4:43:45] Working class and some elderly residents
[4:43:47] and they have been very much I believe
[4:43:49] impacted by the development that has been beneficial to many
[4:43:53] in other parts of the county that is right over that line
[4:43:56] and there was not an opportunity to expand
[4:44:00] to assist some of the projects they need and we've really
[4:44:03] struggled there to afford everything from speed tables
[4:44:06] to extra stop signs.
[4:44:08] It took three commissioners to get a light
[4:44:12] and that had been warranted I think
[4:44:14] in 2012 in the Williamsburg.
[4:44:19] I know that this part of the district
[4:44:21] is going to be turned over to a new commissioner in November
[4:44:24] and I will continue to pursue this because I still
[4:44:27] work for all the people in Orange County
[4:44:29] but I think there is really a great opportunity seeing
[4:44:33] the success the CRA has had in the expanded uses in all
[4:44:38] of the areas that they have been in since the inception
[4:44:40] to try to see if we can bring in the Williamsburg area,
[4:44:45] if that's possible.
[4:44:47] My last question was, will the study for the bus rapid transit
[4:44:53] or the studies that have gone into bus rapid transit in that
[4:44:58] area --
[4:45:00] I know there was talk in the past about an expansion
[4:45:04] of I-drive itself and it concerns me knowing
[4:45:06] that the shade trees along this stretch
[4:45:09] are finally actually giving some shade
[4:45:11] and people actually do sort of try to walk along their and just
[4:45:15] see there has been a lot of effort
[4:45:17] made into the crosswalks and other options.
[4:45:21] I feared that if we widened more and take out those trees that we
[4:45:26] are actually going to be undoing that work that has been done
[4:45:29] on the pedestrian accessibility, and I mean that in a way
[4:45:34] that I don't want to walk out in the sun right now or really
[4:45:37] most of the year here in Florida unless there is some shade.
[4:45:39] So has there been a look at trying
[4:45:41] to make sure that those are going to be kept
[4:45:43] or if they are going to be designed around?
[4:45:46] >> So there is two different projects.
[4:45:48] The Transit lane project and then the bus rapid transit
[4:45:51] system.
[4:45:52] The transit lane project, currently the design plans
[4:45:57] show the widening from the center median
[4:45:59] so all of those trees that are along the sidewalks
[4:46:02] on the outside won't be as impacted as the ones that
[4:46:05] are in the center.
[4:46:06] They did look at the plans to reduce the least
[4:46:11] amount of impact to the trees but the best widening
[4:46:15] is to the center, which means some of that median
[4:46:19] is going to be impacted.
[4:46:20] The good news is that after the project is done,
[4:46:24] we can return back and freshen up and beef up the landscaping
[4:46:30] and we do also have the wayfinding signs that
[4:46:34] will help beautify it.
[4:46:36] And attached in conjunction with that project.
[4:46:39] The second piece is the bus rapid transit system.
[4:46:43] Those will have pull offs on the side of the road ,
[4:46:50] but they have been intricately looked at so we can put them
[4:46:53] in the best locations to have the least impact to everything.
[4:46:58] Driveways, drainage entries.
[4:47:02] Can help put those bus pull offs in the best locations.
[4:47:05] >> Great news.
[4:47:06] Anywhere that we can try to keep that coverage
[4:47:08] I mean all you have to do is drive along I drive
[4:47:12] corridor and the difference it makes in those areas
[4:47:14] where they have matured is indescribable
[4:47:17] until one is gone then you're like why does this look so
[4:47:20] barren it is because of that natural element that God created
[4:47:25] and that we protect and so that's my pull for that.
[4:47:32] >> Commissioner Scott.
[4:47:34] >> Thank you for the presentation.
[4:47:36] You guys have been busy.
[4:47:37] Kind of along the lines of what Commissioner Wilson was sharing,
[4:47:43] obviously it is slated to sunset.
[4:47:45] We have a lot of different things to factor
[4:47:47] but let's say property tax does not pass or it does.
[4:47:52] I would really like for you guys to evaluate
[4:47:55] what it would look like to expand the project
[4:47:57] to encompass Williamsburg and even to some degree Bonnybrook.
[4:48:00] All three of those communities are older
[4:48:02] not just in the sense of construction
[4:48:03] but in the sense of who has been there for 30 or 40
[4:48:07] years in some instances and those are the three communities
[4:48:10] that are most impacted by tourism
[4:48:14] as they come in for traffic and special events.
[4:48:17] I think now recently with the new theme park now
[4:48:20] the fireworks every night all those communities
[4:48:23] it's like can you hear the fireworks
[4:48:25] and you can see it so particularly if you are
[4:48:28] a new family and you have a child asleep
[4:48:30] and then boom boom boom and so making sure
[4:48:32] that we invest in all of those communities around the area.
[4:48:36] Not just tangelo.
[4:48:37] I'd like for you guys to kind of look
[4:48:40] at what that looks like as we start
[4:48:41] having the conversation of sunsetting the CRA.
[4:48:44] Other than that I don't have any concerns.
[4:48:46] I think you guys have done a phenomenal job of communicating
[4:48:49] and I'm just grateful.
[4:48:52] >> And just to be clear on the expansion whether it is
[4:48:56] Williamsburg or Bonnybrook, that's going to require some
[4:49:01] staff research and some other things.
[4:49:03] Met will have to come back for a full discussion.
[4:49:10] The only thing you are being asked to do now
[4:49:13] is to prepare for that, you know?
[4:49:16] Gather some information etc.
[4:49:18] And you will have to work with county administration
[4:49:21] for that conversation to occur at some point in the future.
[4:49:31] Commissioner Semrad.
[4:49:32] >> Thank you for your presentation.
[4:49:36] Commissioner Wilson and Commissioner Scott I
[4:49:38] also fully support going down into Williamsburg.
[4:49:41] This is a very healthy CRA.
[4:49:44] Of course we get a lot of commercial
[4:49:46] that is contributed into the tax base as well
[4:49:49] but also to remember that international drive you know
[4:49:52] connects on two different ends so there's
[4:49:54] four different directions.
[4:49:56] North south east and west.
[4:49:58] If you compare this total amount of the CRA
[4:50:01] to like OBT you can see the large discrepancy between that
[4:50:05] and I think that the larger the area
[4:50:07] is that the CRA can be used for, the more residents
[4:50:12] can benefit from hosting 76 million tourists per year
[4:50:16] into our economy so I definitely advocate
[4:50:18] for the extension of this CRA.
[4:50:20] What is your percentage between residential and commercial?
[4:50:26] >> I will look to Kurt for a specific percentage basis but I
[4:50:31] can tell you that most of our area is commercial,
[4:50:35] and the majority of the funds that come in is from
[4:50:40] the business portion of it.
[4:50:43] >> Yeah.
[4:50:44] I don't have an exact percentage but it is mostly
[4:50:46] commercial so actually yeah.
[4:50:50] It's over 90%.
[4:50:53] >> We have one residential single home community and we
[4:50:57] have probably about five apartment complexes within
[4:51:00] the CRA right now, so the bulk is business.
[4:51:07] >> Okay so then you will be in a little bit of a different boat
[4:51:10] than other presentations and other departments.
[4:51:13] Can you explain then to people watching and taxpayers
[4:51:16] because now people will be like why would property tax reform
[4:51:20] impact that if it's 90% business?
[4:51:22] Can you explain how that can still impact your?
[4:51:27] >> The key word -- cra is community development.
[4:51:32] As we talk about our five main focus areas
[4:51:35] while the incoming amount of money
[4:51:36] is not going to change the amount of resources
[4:51:40] and how it needs to be stretched going out will change.
[4:51:44] So when you look at each one of those focus areas
[4:51:46] starting with transportation, right now
[4:51:50] we are progressing into the future
[4:51:52] after almost 30 years working on the CRA.
[4:51:55] We started this with just the transportation initiative
[4:51:59] and we started with just filling extra potholes
[4:52:02] and filling in that extra buffer of maintenance that
[4:52:06] wasn't able to be funded for and we
[4:52:08] are progressing into full streets of Kirkman Road.
[4:52:12] So I hate to see us roll all the way back to 1998
[4:52:15] and go back to just maintaining the roadways
[4:52:19] and having to use our funds for other items
[4:52:22] instead of progressing toward the future.
[4:52:25] Other things include community outreach.
[4:52:31] Our economic development programs
[4:52:35] as you saw our culinary programs may become more auxiliary
[4:52:40] when we have to compete for bigger needs.
[4:52:46] >> So do you think like for example some of your educational
[4:52:49] programs where people learn to speak English,
[4:52:53] that helps them provide better service to our tourists which
[4:52:56] might impact repeat tourists or word of mouth recommendation
[4:52:59] that they got great service while they were in Orlando?
[4:53:02] Do you think that language barrier
[4:53:04] component is important for the CRA to >> Yes.
[4:53:09] The program has been very successful.
[4:53:10] We've done it at least three years now
[4:53:13] and every year we grow at the amount
[4:53:18] of interest and employees.
[4:53:20] So the ESOL program has been found
[4:53:27] to be an important element.
[4:53:29] Our upcoming pilot programs -- we hear over and over from
[4:53:33] the industry that there is not enough people that know
[4:53:36] the culinary and Hvac and that they are able to progress
[4:53:43] into higher positions once they are in their.
[4:53:45] So having those programs within the economic development
[4:53:48] allows the employees to grow, make more money and progress.
[4:53:53] >> And then lastly, do you help keep 76 million tourists safe
[4:53:59] while they visit us through your CRA efforts?
[4:54:03] >> We try.
[4:54:04] >> Do you?
[4:54:05] Yes?
[4:54:05] No?
[4:54:06] I say yes.
[4:54:08] I mean you are doing pedestrian improvements.
[4:54:09] You're doing a bridge improvement.
[4:54:11] You're doing road improvements.
[4:54:12] I think those are all safety features
[4:54:14] and I think it helps keep 76 million tourists safe
[4:54:17] while they visit us and I think that the property tax and
[4:54:21] how that reform happens still impacts commercial businesses
[4:54:25] and it still impacts your bottom line when it comes down to it.
[4:54:29] >> Yes.
[4:54:29] The CRA as well as our business partners
[4:54:31] do a great job with all those pieces.
[4:54:34] >> Thank you.
[4:54:39] >> Commissioner Uribe and then Commissioner Gomez Cordero.
[4:54:44] >> Thank you for the presentation.
[4:54:45] I did have a question.
[4:54:47] I know our CRA is in our unincorporated area.
[4:54:51] Correct?
[4:54:52] Legally have we ever looked at North I-drive .
[4:54:59] It's just so sad when you get to Sand Lake and I drive
[4:55:01] and you make a left going south and you
[4:55:03] make a right going north.
[4:55:05] It's like night and day.
[4:55:07] You know?
[4:55:08] >> I don't have the history on if we have ever reviewed
[4:55:12] integrating the city.
[4:55:15] I know that I drive business district goes into the city
[4:55:19] and has those broader elements but I
[4:55:21] don't have a lot of knowledge on the history of if we've ever
[4:55:26] considered broadening into the city.
[4:55:29] >> Yeah.
[4:55:29] Because I always say when people come and visit clearly
[4:55:32] that is tourist reporter they're not saying oh no I'm
[4:55:34] in the city limit.
[4:55:35] I'm in the county limit.
[4:55:37] What they do see is a different look and a different concern
[4:55:41] also by the hotel levels and things like that.
[4:55:44] So I know when the CRA was created was for transportation.
[4:55:48] I know the home builders have decided eight year
[4:55:53] contract with Vegas so that means they are not coming here.
[4:55:55] They cited transportation.
[4:55:57] Right?
[4:55:58] How realistically you know I hear
[4:56:00] a lot about using these funds for transportation,
[4:56:04] at least in the tourist corridor.
[4:56:07] Does that encompass you all like the B-Line in that area
[4:56:10] also or is it just county roads?
[4:56:13] >> Our boundaries do allow 528 and we are looking at projects
[4:56:21] that either end or begin in our boundaries.
[4:56:25] We are only allowed to put funds within the CRA boundary,
[4:56:32] so the project does have to touch it at the boundaries.
[4:56:37] So project such as the Sunshine corridor we did
[4:56:41] put that in our long range plan, but when
[4:56:46] you look at the current setup, they have it phased.
[4:56:51] For example sunshine corridor three eight
[4:56:53] only takes you from the airport to Orange Avenue
[4:56:56] so we would not Be associated to funding with that but then
[4:56:59] once you progress into phase B and C we have from Orange Avenue
[4:57:04] to the I drive and then leaving I drive to the south down
[4:57:10] to Disney Area.
[4:57:12] >> But you guys technically could make your boundaries
[4:57:14] as good as you want?
[4:57:16] >> As we progress our discussions of the CRA plan
[4:57:18] and how we change the plan and discuss our sunset date you know
[4:57:22] we can look at things like the suggestion to broaden out
[4:57:26] into other neighborhoods and see what you would like to do as far
[4:57:29] as the boundaries.
[4:57:30] >>.
[4:57:31] I mean for the sake of transportation
[4:57:33] and infrastructure I think it is so valuable to see that.
[4:57:38] I thought I read one that said you guys we could even
[4:57:41] go one mile outside of the boundary
[4:57:42] but I didn't know if it was fact or actually very strictly
[4:57:46] prohibited to within the boundary permit
[4:57:53] >> I don't see a legal representative to know that
[4:57:55] part.
[4:57:55] The statutes I've read I didn't see it
[4:57:57] but I don't know all of the statutes in and out.
[4:58:01] >> Okay.
[4:58:01] Thank you.
[4:58:09] >> Commissioner Gomez Cordero and then Commissioner Scott,
[4:58:12] you have the final word.
[4:58:14] >> Thank you for the presentation and everything you
[4:58:16] do.
[4:58:17] I was going to ask exactly the same thing about I-drive
[4:58:23] to see if there would be anything to consider there.
[4:58:29] Is CRA involved in the pedestrian bridge
[4:58:32] in the sand lake and I-Drive?
[4:58:38] >> Yes.
[4:58:39] Pedestrian overpass is a CRA funded project.
[4:58:43] We funded the original conceptual analysis
[4:58:45] and we are currently in design.
[4:58:47] We are funding the first about three quarters
[4:58:51] of the design in last fiscal year
[4:58:54] and then part of the requested funds for next fiscal year
[4:58:57] will finalize out the design.
[4:59:00] From there we will have to decide at a later date
[4:59:03] if we would like to fund the construction.
[4:59:07] >> Okay.
[4:59:08] Thank you and then my other question is,
[4:59:13] are you all going to -- at continuation.
[4:59:19] I have to appreciate that but I just wanted to know
[4:59:22] if it's going to be -- where is it?
[4:59:33] The English speakers of other language.
[4:59:36] Are you going to continue with that program?
[4:59:40] >> We plan to continue as long as employees have an interest.
[4:59:44] What we do is we look for host locations
[4:59:47] and in order to host a location you
[4:59:50] have to have at least 25 employees that would
[4:59:54] like to come to the program.
[4:59:56] That way it allows us to fund one teacher and one
[4:59:59] centralized location and it is open to any
[5:00:02] of the businesses that are within the I-Drive CRA.
[5:00:07] We've had a number of employees in the past to participate.
[5:00:10] Right now we have two employers that have active programs
[5:00:14] and then we are trying to get new host locations.
[5:00:18] >> Okay.
[5:00:19] So thank you.
[5:00:22] >> Commissioner Scott.
[5:00:24] >> I just had a thought when Commissioner Uribe was speaking.
[5:00:28] To her point like some of the business
[5:00:30] owners have a lot of concerns but more
[5:00:38] consistent is what is the electric.
[5:00:40] That has been the most consistent thing
[5:00:43] I've heard over the years is how it looks
[5:00:45] for our businesses versus similar businesses
[5:00:48] or different businesses as you cross the street so I just
[5:00:50] wanted to highlight that for you as well.
[5:00:53] Thank you for bringing that up.
[5:00:55] I appreciate it.
[5:00:57] Move requested action.
[5:01:01] >> Second.
[5:01:02] >> All right.
[5:01:03] We have a motion and a second.
[5:01:05] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[5:01:08] Opposed, no.
[5:01:09] Motion passes and it is unanimous.
[5:01:11] Thank you so much for that presentation.
[5:01:13] We will now adjourn as Orange County International Drive
[5:01:17] Community Redevelopment Agency Governing board
[5:01:20] and reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners.
[5:01:22] At this time we are going to invite Mr. Mark tester
[5:01:28] the Executive Director from our convention center
[5:01:31] and Mr. Ray walls the deputy director.
[5:01:33] They're going to come forward to present the next item.
[5:01:41] >> Thank you, mayor and commissioners.
[5:01:44] Great to be here.
[5:01:47] Honored to present the budget on the Convention Center.
[5:01:50] We are going to be reviewing much as all
[5:01:52] the other departments have and I won't really
[5:01:54] be a labor that as you've seen this
[5:01:56] a number of different times.
[5:01:57] The one big difference with us is
[5:02:00] being not part of the general fund.
[5:02:02] Being an enterprise unit of the convention center.
[5:02:06] When you see revenue that is going up that is good.
[5:02:10] So the other stresses in the general fund
[5:02:12] are much different from where they are with us.
[5:02:14] But I will review our organizational chart.
[5:02:18] We have a five member executive team
[5:02:21] that has remained consistent with us.
[5:02:24] We'll be hearing from Ray Walls with TT in a minute.
[5:02:32] Deputy Director.
[5:02:33] I want to recognize Terry Devitt our longest
[5:02:36] director with the convention Center
[5:02:38] not only helping us build project five A
[5:02:41] but was the chairman of the biggest United Way campaign
[5:02:45] as a chairman in this last year so thanks Terry
[5:02:48] for your leadership.
[5:02:51] Our sales and managerial thing remains steady
[5:02:54] but we have Heather Peoples has been promoted
[5:02:57] as one of our new managers with our management team
[5:03:00] with the Convention Center.
[5:03:01] And so we are now going to review
[5:03:04] the revenue that is generated through our facilities.
[5:03:07] Again this is just the revenue generated through our four walls
[5:03:15] if you will and not anything related
[5:03:20] to TDT, which we will review.
[5:03:24] This shows that our business continues to be strong.
[5:03:27] We are proposing an increase of $10.3 million
[5:03:31] in total revenue generated through our facilities
[5:03:34] and for the first time asking for a budget of over $100
[5:03:38] million.
[5:03:39] We really look as a philosophy based on the events
[5:03:42] that we book.
[5:03:43] We are out competing for events around the country.
[5:03:45] We are looking together them, really
[5:03:49] looking 5 to 6 years in advance to put there and have
[5:03:53] a great flexibility.
[5:03:54] So a lot of variables coming when
[5:03:57] we develop a budget on how well they actually will come through.
[5:04:01] I bring that up because currently
[5:04:02] the budget that we have for this fiscal year 26, the events
[5:04:10] are coming incredibly strong.
[5:04:12] We are seeing incredible growth and I
[5:04:14] think that will continue into next year so really
[5:04:16] all of optimism with how well our events do
[5:04:19] once they get on site.
[5:04:21] Getting a lot of variables depending
[5:04:22] on where they are with economies or tariffs
[5:04:24] or other things is when they travel
[5:04:26] but what we've been seeing this year
[5:04:28] is really show after show incredible.
[5:04:32] Incredible how we are really responsible and wary
[5:04:39] of our expenses.
[5:04:40] As you will note, the increase to 7.9% so expenses
[5:04:47] are being outpaced by revenue.
[5:04:51] We are asking for $118 million revenue budget
[5:04:55] and again depending on how events work out
[5:04:59] being a worst case scenario with actually trying
[5:05:02] to spend much less than that we are requesting ten
[5:05:05] additional new FTEs and they will all be hourly employees
[5:05:11] to help service our events.
[5:05:13] Certainly we are seeing events that are longer,
[5:05:18] not only in length but longer.
[5:05:22] Certainly amateur athletics run longer and late.
[5:05:25] We need people to help service those events
[5:05:27] and of course our facilities are aging
[5:05:29] and we need to service and maintain them
[5:05:31] so of the ten events you will see
[5:05:32] we are asking two more for our incredibly busy parking unit.
[5:05:37] Six total insecurity with four security reps
[5:05:41] and two console operators to keep everyone safe and two
[5:05:45] people in trades to help maintain the facility
[5:05:50] with an incredibly busy year.
[5:05:53] One of the things that I've been reflective on now that we
[5:05:57] are here in fiscal 26, some six years from when we were in COVID
[5:06:05] I just remember this budget presentation in October
[5:06:08] or this time in 2020 was much different than we are right now
[5:06:13] and to be sitting here where we are in a fiscal year
[5:06:17] that we are currently going through
[5:06:19] is an incredibly proud moment not only for us
[5:06:24] but for the department and I just
[5:06:25] want to thank all of the incredible support
[5:06:27] that we've gotten through that time.
[5:06:29] One of the things that I think we can answer now in 2026
[5:06:35] is after COVID the question was would
[5:06:41] face to face events come back?
[5:06:42] Would they be relevant with the change on how people are meeting
[5:06:45] and that has been answered certainly
[5:06:47] this past fiscal year that yes.
[5:06:50] Face to face events remain very important.
[5:06:54] They are different.
[5:06:55] I could go on for a long time on the trends.
[5:06:58] They are younger.
[5:06:59] They are more female but the fact of the matter
[5:07:01] is that 40% of our trade shows and convention that market
[5:07:07] is incredibly healthy for us.
[5:07:10] Amateur athletics have continued to boom.
[5:07:12] Has continued to be strong so I think the answer to the question
[5:07:17] is that events have come back and secondly the answer has been
[5:07:22] how are we going to react as a community?
[5:07:25] Are we going to come back from where we were in COVID?
[5:07:28] What decisions and I think I think some of the decisions
[5:07:32] we made 5 or 6 years ago during COVID
[5:07:35] have helped us ensure that we continue to grow our calendar.
[5:07:40] That is certainly what we have seen in 2026.
[5:07:43] As you will note in this fiscal year,
[5:07:47] we are proposing an operating deficit
[5:07:49] and will continue to probably make
[5:07:51] that a strategy that there will be an operating deficit
[5:07:54] but as we are trending this year, this fiscal year that we
[5:08:00] are operating in and not the one we
[5:08:01] are talking about for next year's fiscal year
[5:08:03] but this one that we are in, there's
[5:08:05] very likely not going to be an operating deficit.
[5:08:10] Incredibly happy with where we are
[5:08:13] to build this great calendar to have 2.3 million people coming
[5:08:19] through this but showing up and doing well.
[5:08:21] The events have really done well and we really
[5:08:24] project next year to be also really strong in.
[5:08:27] We also have some more dates locked off for the expansion
[5:08:32] so the numbers will be a little bit stronger but overall
[5:08:36] incredibly optimistic of where we are as a community out
[5:08:40] competing for trade shows, conventions and special events
[5:08:45] across the country.
[5:08:46] Here is an example of some of the big events
[5:08:48] we've got coming in.
[5:08:50] I want to note that one of our great local events
[5:08:54] will be expanding into the West building,
[5:08:57] so using all of the North, South and going into the West building
[5:09:04] so that's a great opportunity for them to continue to grow.
[5:09:07] We have the National Automobile Dealers Association
[5:09:09] for the first time in a long time if not forever coming
[5:09:13] in February and bringing 25,000 people and then in May with
[5:09:17] the return of the triennial Mega manufacturing event plastics
[5:09:24] which runs every three years returning to us this may
[5:09:27] so a very big event.
[5:09:29] Certainly a lot of electric things
[5:09:31] we will be utilizing and a good event for the facility.
[5:09:38] A lot of optimism that revenues are increasing faster
[5:09:43] than expenditures and events are longer and larger.
[5:09:48] Certainly the amateur athletics but we
[5:09:50] still have some inflationary pressures still persist
[5:09:52] and we've got to keep working to make sure that we are spending
[5:09:57] every dollar wisely.
[5:09:58] We continue to do things that want
[5:10:03] to make us a more efficient.
[5:10:06] Our solar array in our north south building
[5:10:10] is now operational and we are seeing savings from that.
[5:10:12] We are also using AI to schedule more efficiently
[5:10:17] and have an equipment tracking software that
[5:10:20] utilizes Wi-Fi to help better take care of our equipment.
[5:10:27] Chairs and things in the facility.
[5:10:29] We continue to prioritize employee recognition
[5:10:33] and satisfaction.
[5:10:34] Thank you for your continued support on the 4% increase
[5:10:37] that our employees will see.
[5:10:39] We continue to meet quarterly with our employees for review
[5:10:42] and for our awards and also for trainings.
[5:10:46] We do that through our hospitality huddle this fall.
[5:10:53] You see a Rosen School of --
[5:11:00] UCF Rosen school of Hospitality is
[5:11:03] going to publish a report they did this fall.
[5:11:10] We have a number of plans and most
[5:11:12] of the ones that I'm going to review
[5:11:14] are multi-year plans that you have either
[5:11:18] seen in last year's budget or will continue
[5:11:21] to see over the next year but we have a total of $319 million.
[5:11:26] 230th that is for the Grand Concourse budget five a that we
[5:11:33] currently have underway and then 89.4 for the current north south
[5:11:38] and west buildings.
[5:11:39] One of the major projects we have in a multi-year that we are
[5:11:42] continuing to work through as we have availability
[5:11:44] is the renovation on the North South meeting rooms.
[5:11:47] We will be spending a total of 15.7
[5:11:51] in this next year's fiscal budget on that project.
[5:11:55] Another multi-year project is to renovate all of our food courts
[5:11:59] and restaurants in our North South building
[5:12:02] and we will be spending 5.4 in our next year fiscal capital
[5:12:08] improvement budget.
[5:12:09] Next is a project we recently had approved
[5:12:13] that will be also multi-year as we have availability
[5:12:16] is for the renovation of the 79 restrooms in our North South
[5:12:22] building with 7.8 million for next year.
[5:12:27] Another one we have been doing will happen for years to come
[5:12:31] and years before is our escalator
[5:12:33] as we replace escalators and elevators in both buildings
[5:12:38] and we will be spending 6.1.
[5:12:40] Of course we will be doing work as availability is there for us.
[5:12:46] Our major CIP project is the Grand Concourse.
[5:12:50] You all recall that you approved our guaranteed maximum
[5:12:55] price for construction in March and we began construction
[5:13:01] in earnest in April.
[5:13:03] They are doing piles as we speak and the foundations are
[5:13:09] scheduled to be completed this fall,
[5:13:12] and we remain on budget and on schedule.
[5:13:17] In summary again just things are positive.
[5:13:22] We continue to work hard in renovating our building
[5:13:29] and consignment with the opening of the Grand Concourse lobby.
[5:13:32] Now we will turn it over to Ray Walls.
[5:13:39] >> Thanks Mark and thanks commissioners chair McNamara.
[5:13:42] County administrator.
[5:13:43] Controller.
[5:13:43] It's good to be here today to talk to you
[5:13:45] about a subject that hasn't gotten much discussion lately.
[5:13:49] Tourist Development tax.
[5:13:51] I'll try to be swift like my friend Tim Armstrong was today
[5:13:55] but just quickly in terms of background for the public who
[5:13:59] are watching in case they're not aware,
[5:14:02] the tourist development tax is authorized
[5:14:05] by Florida Statute 125.0104.
[5:14:08] It is a tax on short term rentals of six months or less
[5:14:11] and its uses are limited in that statute with few exceptions
[5:14:17] those related purposes you see on the screen.
[5:14:20] Convention Centers.
[5:14:21] Tourism promotion.
[5:14:23] Sporting and Arts and other uses that attract visitors
[5:14:25] to the county.
[5:14:26] Orange County's Levy is 6%.
[5:14:28] It was enacted by voters back in 1978 at 2%
[5:14:32] and it has been increased four times since then by this board.
[5:14:36] There is just as a preemptive answer
[5:14:39] to the question, a prohibition on general revenues
[5:14:44] being used at all for the Convention Center.
[5:14:47] So no property tax no sales tax.
[5:14:51] Nothing of that kind can actually
[5:14:52] go toward the operation of the convention center
[5:14:55] so I just wanted to mention that while we were on that slide.
[5:14:58] The Orange County uses of the tourist development tax
[5:15:02] are split between the six pennies in different ways.
[5:15:06] Those first four pennies are governed
[5:15:08] by the tourist development plan as suggested by law
[5:15:11] or required by law.
[5:15:13] The convention Center Operations,
[5:15:17] it's dead end capital.
[5:15:19] The city venues tourism promotion arts and film
[5:15:22] are all included in those first four pennies.
[5:15:25] The fifth cent is used just for debt payments
[5:15:28] and the sixth penny is split by ordinance.
[5:15:31] 50% for tourism promotion and 50% for the Kia Center debt
[5:15:36] and renovations that were recently approved.
[5:15:39] I do show this slide every year.
[5:15:41] I tell you it is my favorite chart every year because it is.
[5:15:45] When you look at this chart that we borrow from the Comptroller's
[5:15:48] office that shows TDT collections over time
[5:15:54] you can see the trajectory and growth of overnight visitation
[5:15:57] in Orange County, and particularly
[5:16:01] in the last 10 to 15 years the trajectory
[5:16:05] has really shot up just to show how quickly things have gone
[5:16:10] well here with a couple blips there obviously
[5:16:12] during COVID and during the 2009 housing crash
[5:16:15] but other than that, the revenue source has done well.
[5:16:21] The other reason I like this chart
[5:16:22] is that it is an indicator of other things
[5:16:24] that are going on that you can't necessarily see from the chart
[5:16:28] but it is a marker of all of the other things that are happening
[5:16:33] in terms of economic impact and direct money
[5:16:36] flowing into the county because everybody who pays this tourist
[5:16:39] development tax also pays 6.5% sales tax on their room
[5:16:43] stays when they come here whether they
[5:16:45] are staying in a hotel or Airbnb or something like that.
[5:16:49] So that is additional money coming in on top
[5:16:51] of the money on this chart.
[5:16:53] In addition to that all of the properties that those people
[5:16:59] stay at pay property taxes and non homesteaded
[5:17:02] property taxes so again hotels.
[5:17:04] Airbnbs.
[5:17:05] All of those property taxes are coming in
[5:17:08] as a result of this overnight stay
[5:17:09] so this chart tells a bigger story beyond just TDT.
[5:17:12] I can go on and on about the economic impact
[5:17:16] in terms of jobs and business and all those types of things
[5:17:20] that this chart can indicate and talk about.
[5:17:22] In terms of the revenue budget that we
[5:17:26] are going to present for next year,
[5:17:28] first let me talk about the fiscal year 26 TDT revenue
[5:17:37] budget.
[5:17:38] When I came and talked to you all last year in July
[5:17:40] we set that budget at $360 million for this year.
[5:17:44] In January this year we came back and moved that budget up
[5:17:49] to 385 million.
[5:17:51] Collections through May which the comptroller just
[5:17:53] announced the other day we're at 291 million for the year so far.
[5:17:59] That is 26 million or almost 10% ahead of last year's figures
[5:18:04] and so if you do the math on that
[5:18:06] and you know we didn't add any more to the next one.
[5:18:10] Everything just comes in flat for the rest of the year
[5:18:12] you know we would be well over $400 million for the year
[5:18:16] and so in a few weeks you're going
[5:18:18] to see a budget amendment come to you that actually increases
[5:18:21] this year's budget to over 400 million
[5:18:24] so quick moving revenue and doing quite well here
[5:18:28] just because of increased visitation and increased
[5:18:33] convention visitation and all the things going on
[5:18:35] in our community.
[5:18:36] It is all coming together and really
[5:18:40] driving the visitation here and this TDT revenue ultimately.
[5:18:52] Fiscal year 27 we are continuing our approach on budgeting
[5:18:56] at 400 million.
[5:18:57] We will monitor what happens and if we need to update it
[5:19:00] we will come back and ask for your permission
[5:19:02] to amend the budget and increase it.
[5:19:05] Let me just quickly walk you through the proposed expenditure
[5:19:08] budget for next year.
[5:19:09] You will see it is at 628.9 million.
[5:19:12] A large chunk of that -- let me preface this by saying
[5:19:18] there's going to be some changes to this budget as well over
[5:19:20] the next few weeks.
[5:19:21] Both this year and next year.
[5:19:24] Because we just closed on bonds for the 5A project and up
[5:19:32] to this point we've been funding the 5A project with cash from
[5:19:40] the TDT.
[5:19:41] I want to make you aware of that because the number
[5:19:45] you will see when you see the final budget in September
[5:19:47] will be slightly different.
[5:19:48] So the debt service budget is at 56.5 million.
[5:19:53] That is stable currently with where it was last year.
[5:19:58] Has that number stands now it includes mostly city venues.
[5:20:04] Debt remaining in it.
[5:20:06] It is set to mature in 2026 however as I mentioned
[5:20:09] we just closed on 300 million of new bond funds for the five A
[5:20:13] project so it's going to push that number up
[5:20:15] just a little bit so I don't have the number saved in my mind
[5:20:20] but it is 10 to 12 million that you will see go up in terms
[5:20:24] of the debt service number next year
[5:20:26] but included in that also was some refinancing
[5:20:29] of some existing debt that actually lowered our interest
[5:20:32] rate and will lower the bond payments on the existing debt.
[5:20:35] So all of that will get Trued up here in the next few weeks.
[5:20:42] In terms of the convention center expansion
[5:20:45] Mark mentioned the uses there.
[5:20:48] 230 million for the convention center 5A project that's going
[5:20:55] to revert to being paid for out of bonds pretty soon.
[5:21:00] The remaining piece will be ongoing renovations
[5:21:03] and small equipment purchases.
[5:21:05] Things like computers and vehicles.
[5:21:07] The visitor Orlando funding is going
[5:21:10] to be set at a $115 million budget next year.
[5:21:13] That is the 30% of TDT collections less than 5 million
[5:21:22] for Arc grants that gets taken out of that.
[5:21:27] Included is $10 million for sports incentive payments.
[5:21:30] So the net visit Orlando funding for next year
[5:21:32] for marketing purposes will be $105 million budget Paramount
[5:21:37] the city venue's payment is going up to 60.3 million
[5:21:41] next year.
[5:21:42] 27 million of that is the Camping World Stadium
[5:21:46] payment for their renovation that was most recently approved
[5:21:49] so the city issued that debt and the county
[5:21:53] gives them money to make payments for that debt
[5:21:56] and so that is what that 27 million
[5:21:58] is and the other piece is the 33.3 million for the Kia Center
[5:22:03] which is 50% of the sixth penny that I mentioned
[5:22:07] which will go for renovations and the final payment
[5:22:09] up there of the construction debt there.
[5:22:11] The application review committee budget includes 20.1 million
[5:22:15] and this is just the amount we anticipate
[5:22:18] spending on existing grants that have been approved by the Board
[5:22:23] and so that number may fluctuate up or down based
[5:22:26] on what actually happens there.
[5:22:30] The convention center operations.
[5:22:32] This is the subsidy that Mark mentioned.
[5:22:35] As you can see, we have 17.4 million budgeted for this year
[5:22:40] and 16.2 million budgeted for next year and it says if needed.
[5:22:44] There is a strong likelihood we won't need any of that money
[5:22:47] this year.
[5:22:50] As of the controller's May financial statement,
[5:22:54] we were over $10 million to the positive so far this year
[5:22:58] so we are going to work on keeping that number as
[5:23:01] high as possible, but this budget obviously
[5:23:07] reflects what would happen if we needed it.
[5:23:10] The arts budget is 5% of the first four pennies
[5:23:14] plus $2.5 million.
[5:23:15] That is a fixed amount so that is all done by formula
[5:23:20] and this is for cultural facilities grants that
[5:23:23] get managed by United Arts.
[5:23:25] The TDT is a conglomeration of several things. $10 million
[5:23:31] of it is UCF Stadium renovations which is 10 million a year
[5:23:35] until they reach $90 million.
[5:23:37] About $750,000 of this will be operating funding
[5:23:40] for the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and the remainder is
[5:23:44] accounting for the sports incentive payments,
[5:23:47] which could fluctuate up or down.
[5:23:50] The History Center and other is $5 million next year.
[5:24:00] Film incentive payments are $5 million.
[5:24:04] This was recently approved for five years for 25 million.
[5:24:08] This year was the first year.
[5:24:11] Next year is the second year of the 5 million.
[5:24:15] And just to end on talking about the reserves here,
[5:24:22] this chart shows reserves over time since April of 2017.
[5:24:27] You can see that we have added the stabilization
[5:24:31] target that the Comptroller recommended of 300 million.
[5:24:34] That is that top line permit that top yellow creamy line
[5:24:39] we will call it.
[5:24:40] But you can see that we are well above that line and today as
[5:24:44] of the last financial statements,
[5:24:47] we are sitting at about $430 million in reserves.
[5:24:51] So healthy there.
[5:24:53] In summary the TDT revenue budget
[5:24:57] is coming in strong at 400 million.
[5:24:59] We're going to continue to review that for possible updates
[5:25:02] in January.
[5:25:03] Obviously the expenditure budget covers
[5:25:05] all required and approved expenditures
[5:25:07] from the Board of County Commissioners
[5:25:09] and reserves remain funded in excess
[5:25:11] of targets per so Mark and I will
[5:25:13] be available for any questions you might have.
[5:25:17] >> All right.
[5:25:22] We will move to the Q&A part here.
[5:25:25] We are going to start with Commissioner Semrad.
[5:25:32] >> Hi.
[5:25:33] Thank you for the presentation.
[5:25:38] Sorry, mayor.
[5:25:40] You cut me a little off guard.
[5:25:44] I'm a little discombobulated.
[5:25:45] When is that I know we haven't been talking about TDT
[5:25:50] but it's about to come because July 21st is the first TDT task
[5:25:57] force meeting so it will kick up in the news.
[5:26:00] We've been reviewing the convention center budget
[5:26:02] and in 2025 in capital projects, you had like 356 million.
[5:26:12] Did any of that go towards the convention center expansion?
[5:26:18] Can you explain that?
[5:26:22] Because I'm having a hard time understanding the operational
[5:26:26] budget when you receive a TDT award for which was like a half
[5:26:32] $1 billion how then it is also still --
[5:26:34] because then it seems like you are getting a lot of TDT
[5:26:38] because you are getting TDT into your capital budget
[5:26:44] as well as into TDT in the amount of half a billion
[5:26:49] so I'm having a hard time understanding the numbers.
[5:26:52] >> Right.
[5:26:52] So capital is not a factor in the operating subsidy piece.
[5:26:56] That is separate because you're investing capital.
[5:26:58] It becomes an asset and you have something for that investment.
[5:27:02] In terms of the 2026 budget, it does include expansion money.
[5:27:09] >> This was the 2025 one.
[5:27:12] >> Yes.
[5:27:12] Same.
[5:27:13] And that goes back to what I mentioned.
[5:27:15] We just issued the debt for the project.
[5:27:17] That debt allows us to go back and reimburse ourselves
[5:27:21] for money that has already been spent
[5:27:23] since the beginning of the project
[5:27:25] so there is going to be some accounting that happens
[5:27:27] to move that money around.
[5:27:30] >> I understand that but if you have that fluff in your budget
[5:27:33] to spot yourself that cash in advance,
[5:27:36] it seems like you've got too much money because the rest
[5:27:39] of the departments don't have that type of cushion.
[5:27:47] >> When the board approved the funding that then showed up
[5:27:50] in the commissioner's budget.
[5:27:53] It's there in the budget and then they go through.
[5:27:56] It's showing the total amount.
[5:27:59] They haven't gotten the total amount (Indistinct)
[5:28:03] the bond issues and so forth but it's
[5:28:06] just showing the total amount that in the time
[5:28:11] the board approved $560 million it was not $560 million there.
[5:28:18] So what you are seeing is just that total number.
[5:28:21] You are not saying the money.
[5:28:24] >> Okay.
[5:28:25] I'll follow up with you Byron, just so I understand how
[5:28:30] that all works.
[5:28:31] I've asked each department head to talk
[5:28:33] about how the property tax reform might
[5:28:35] impact your operations.
[5:28:37] Could you explain that?
[5:28:43] >> We do rely on TDT, so as long as TDT remains strong we will
[5:28:50] continue to do well.
[5:28:51] >> Thank you Mark but I think you would agree that
[5:28:54] your success depends on the police being able to respond,
[5:28:59] fire being able to respond.
[5:29:02] Emergency services.
[5:29:03] Transportation links right?
[5:29:05] Like all those macro environments.
[5:29:07] >> We operate with the entire community certainly.
[5:29:11] >> So all of those departments, they have indicated things like
[5:29:16] the property tax reform can result in more slum and blight
[5:29:19] in our community.
[5:29:20] They've indicated that property tax reform can
[5:29:24] impact the types of calls that the police would
[5:29:27] be able to respond to.
[5:29:29] It has indicated that it has impacts
[5:29:33] in to our bridge maintenance where
[5:29:35] they could collapse if they don't
[5:29:37] get the proper maintenance.
[5:29:40] We've talked about reduction to juvenile delinquency programs
[5:29:44] and not being able to fund them resulting
[5:29:47] in an increase in crime.
[5:29:49] So I think that the property tax reform dramatically
[5:29:53] impacts in the most negative sense, our macro economy.
[5:29:59] Would you agree with that?
[5:30:02] That that would impact on the success of your operations?
[5:30:05] >> Certainly if any of those things happened that you
[5:30:07] described it would certainly affect our ability (Indistinct).
[5:30:14] >> It's so concerning because we are a tourism destination
[5:30:17] and with that being said if property tax reform happens
[5:30:20] and it is polling right now at about 64% in the state
[5:30:23] of Florida and it is really concerning and we do have
[5:30:26] a tourism economy and so many workers that depend on tourism
[5:30:29] economy to work for them so they can feed their families
[5:30:32] and house their families from .
[5:30:40] So Mark, would you agree that if this goes forward
[5:30:45] in all of the detrimental things that can happen to everything
[5:30:47] that then maybe we should look at TDT reform
[5:30:51] as well with property tax so we can
[5:30:54] support those services to the benefit of our tourists and >>
[5:30:59] would say our ability to collaborate
[5:31:00] has helped us be super successful.
[5:31:02] We have done that so well in our community
[5:31:04] that if we continue to do that we should be okay.
[5:31:07] But any of your issues that you mentioned
[5:31:10] occur, that certainly could affect us.
[5:31:14] Certainly could.
[5:31:16] >> How would we then go about the process to open up that TDT
[5:31:22] so that we could fund emergency services and transportation,
[5:31:25] which are important pillars of infrastructure
[5:31:29] for our destination?
[5:31:30] How could we do that then?
[5:31:33] >> I'm not an expert in tax.
[5:31:35] I'm an expert in running a convention center.
[5:31:39] >> Yeah.
[5:31:39] I think is an industry partner we would really
[5:31:42] need your support to make that happen
[5:31:43] for people like from the convention center to say hey.
[5:31:46] If this property tax reform happens
[5:31:48] we have some pillars in our community
[5:31:51] that need funding to support the tourism population
[5:31:54] and we need to open up that TDT fund to actually help.
[5:32:01] >> I think our community -- >> Let me just jump in here.
[5:32:05] To our staff, remember they can only educate.
[5:32:10] They cannot advocate so be careful about asking them
[5:32:13] questions that puts them in a position where
[5:32:15] they're advocating.
[5:32:18] >> You're right, mayor.
[5:32:20] I'm sorry, Mark.
[5:32:25] >> His job today is to provide information.
[5:32:27] >> I just think it's really important to emphasize that
[5:32:29] our macro environment that is supported by all of these great
[5:32:32] departments that we've heard from for the last 16 hours,
[5:32:36] our tourism economy depends on every single one of them to be
[5:32:41] functioning and flourishing and providing the best services
[5:32:44] for not just our residents but the tourists as well and we are
[5:32:46] in trouble if the property tax reform happens to support
[5:32:49] our local tourism economy so I think it's just very important
[5:32:52] to emphasize.
[5:32:53] Thank you, Mayor.
[5:32:57] >> All right.
[5:32:58] Commissioner Scott.
[5:32:59] >> Thank you for your presentation.
[5:33:01] And the expansion of the Convention center
[5:33:05] when we approved those funds you guys
[5:33:07] had to do some value engineering.
[5:33:09] Can you summarize what that was like
[5:33:11] and how you did the cost cutting to be more efficient?
[5:33:15] >> In project 5A there were a number of different areas we had
[5:33:20] to work hard to stay on project.
[5:33:22] It was a couple hundred different things.
[5:33:26] 123 different things that we reviewed,
[5:33:29] both in materials to how they were constructed to other ways
[5:33:34] that we could do that.
[5:33:35] But we were ultimately able to do that and stay on budget.
[5:33:39] We did not affect any of the programs of the things
[5:33:44] that we want to execute are all involved in the project.
[5:33:47] But we were smart with where we were spending the funds.
[5:33:52] >> And you guys had to revise and I can't remember the name
[5:33:56] so if I say this wrong, please forgive me.
[5:34:00] I don't know if it was the portico or portico share?
[5:34:04] >> There is a beautiful porch share and there was some
[5:34:06] beautiful wood over one area and we determined that was $11
[5:34:12] million and what we determined was we could just put the wood
[5:34:17] over the area where the people were standing and leave the rest
[5:34:23] stucco.
[5:34:23] We would save millions of dollars
[5:34:26] so that is millions of dollars.
[5:34:28] First we were going to cut out the entire thing
[5:34:31] but we figured out how we could do better and make
[5:34:33] a great presentation when you arrive in this underneath area
[5:34:38] but we are saving some money.
[5:34:42] >> So basically you are able to look at what was needed
[5:34:50] (Indistinct) millions of dollars in cost savings.
[5:34:54] >> We looked at literally every area to find cost savings.
[5:34:59] >> Alright.
[5:35:01] Commissioner Uribe.
[5:35:05] >> So if I could, I know my office has been trying to find
[5:35:08] out what is the current balance of funds in the ARC account
[5:35:14] because it's kind of been moved around to everybody because I
[5:35:17] keep seeing 5 million allocated and I didn't know what is
[5:35:21] the current balance?
[5:35:22] It's 5 million a year so where are we at right now?
[5:35:27] >> So, this is all a decision of the board.
[5:35:32] Right?
[5:35:32] If you go back to the original allocation of the ARC funding
[5:35:38] all of that money was allocated.
[5:35:39] However there were a couple projects that ended up
[5:35:41] not moving forward so that was just over $1 million
[5:35:44] worth of money that you could say is available as balance.
[5:35:48] Visitor Orlando as part of their amended agreement
[5:35:52] is now setting aside that $5 million
[5:35:54] and actually it's coming off the top of the money (Indistinct)
[5:35:59] the county is keeping that money aside in a reserve fund
[5:36:01] if you will that holds that money for ARC purposes.
[5:36:06] They've done that for a year now so
[5:36:09] if you want to call it a balance, about $6 million
[5:36:14] or so is available there for ARC.
[5:36:17] Now the board can obviously allocate more money
[5:36:22] from TDT for that purpose but that's a service of the board.
[5:36:27] >> That was a huge impact for home builders.
[5:36:29] Right?
[5:36:30] I think I read it was like a $300 million economic impact
[5:36:33] that we are going to feel and can you kind of walk us
[5:36:36] through what happened?
[5:36:42] >> In that particular deal number one is,
[5:36:44] that event concurred that they were going to Las Vegas many
[5:36:50] years ago.
[5:36:52] Actually before I even arrived here in Orlando
[5:36:54] they determined for a number of reasons.
[5:36:57] Infrastructure was one of them, that they
[5:37:01] were going to go to Las Vegas on an annual basis
[5:37:03] and they were going to finish out their string of events
[5:37:06] that they had with us that were in '21
[5:37:14] and '22 were their last events so they made that decision
[5:37:23] many years ago.
[5:37:24] They canceled their 2021 event and they rebooked 2026
[5:37:27] with us only because of that.
[5:37:30] The decision was because of events that size,
[5:37:35] there are some infrastructure limitations we have that Las
[5:37:39] Vegas doesn't.
[5:37:41] Our roads, we had to work really hard
[5:37:45] to ensure that people were moving
[5:37:47] and busses were moving in people had places to park.
[5:37:50] It was not necessarily easy and in that particular case,
[5:37:57] our hotels were incredibly occupied.
[5:37:59] I heard of one hotel walking to the beach
[5:38:03] so we were unbelievably occupied during that time
[5:38:06] and Las Vegas has more hotel rooms.
[5:38:09] But we have not had it on the books.
[5:38:11] It was a one off this year.
[5:38:13] There was a big spike in revenue.
[5:38:15] It helped us make this year, but was not one that
[5:38:21] was unexpected by any means.
[5:38:23] We are doing well.
[5:38:24] We are doing well.
[5:38:26] >> But that's a major blow because I mean that's a huge
[5:38:28] conference.
[5:38:29] That kind of revenue -- >> It was major probably for us
[5:38:34] in 2018 or 2019 when we realized it and we started planning
[5:38:38] around it.
[5:38:39] So our fiscal years -- again, we don't have someone there
[5:38:49] that's 120,000 people.
[5:38:50] We may have two events that are at 40 or something like that.
[5:38:54] You never want to lose but it was something that happened
[5:38:57] a long long time >> Okay.
[5:39:00] Well I think the big question though
[5:39:01] is just being able to have the infrastructure to support.
[5:39:06] If you want to go out and bid another major group,
[5:39:10] do we have the capacity to host them?
[5:39:13] It's one thing to say rooms but it's
[5:39:14] another thing to say they can't get through here
[5:39:16] because of traffic.
[5:39:18] >> It was a big event.
[5:39:20] It was a stressor event and we were successful so
[5:39:23] with potentially return at some point?
[5:39:26] Never say never.
[5:39:27] They had to reduce some of their exhibits based to be here
[5:39:31] in 2026 as Las Vegas is larger than us
[5:39:33] so they did reduce a little bit to be here,
[5:39:36] but you never say never.
[5:39:39] We would certainly welcome the conversation.
[5:39:42] >> Okay.
[5:39:42] I mean but you said 120,000?
[5:39:44] So we are not equipped to handle that kind of party?
[5:39:51] >> 120,000 people entering the drive at one time and leaving
[5:39:54] at one time, that's a lot.
[5:39:58] That's a lot.
[5:39:59] >> So we are not equipped?
[5:40:01] >> Other modes of transportation would certainly help us. .
[5:40:05] >> Okay good.
[5:40:06] We all agree on that.
[5:40:07] Thanks.
[5:40:09] >> With the conversation at this point we do have the next item
[5:40:14] that we have to address is the budget,
[5:40:20] tentative budget and the Millages and I'm going to call
[5:40:25] on the board regarding action on the tentative millages that have
[5:40:31] been presented at this time.
[5:40:33] Is there a motion?
[5:40:36] >> So moved.
[5:40:36] Scott.
[5:40:38] >> Second Commissioner Uribe.
[5:40:43] Now then we have a motion and a second.
[5:40:46] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[5:40:48] Opposed, no?
[5:40:50] Motion passes and it is unanimous.
[5:40:53] And now the second part of this is I will call on the board
[5:40:59] regarding action on the budget consent agenda .
[5:41:10] >> Mayor, are you going to the budget next?
[5:41:13] Or the consent?
[5:41:15] I just want to make sure.
[5:41:17] When we get to the consent I need
[5:41:19] to pull the Environmental protection fee adjustments
[5:41:22] for future discussion.
[5:41:23] I just want to make sure the clerk knows that.
[5:41:26] >> Okay.
[5:41:27] You want to do that now?
[5:41:34] Are you asking for action on the consent agenda?
[5:41:38] >> Yes.
[5:41:40] >> Yeah.
[5:41:40] We can go to that one and then come back
[5:41:42] to the countywide budget.
[5:41:44] We did the millage.
[5:41:47] Correct?
[5:41:48] Oh you did both.
[5:41:51] Okay.
[5:41:51] Mulligan budget together.
[5:41:53] Okay.
[5:41:53] So on the consent agenda, I would
[5:41:57] like to request that we pull the environmental tax and fees
[5:42:01] adjustment for future discussion.
[5:42:04] >> So move requested action?
[5:42:08] You will pull that and then we will bring it back.
[5:42:12] All right.
[5:42:16] >> Second.
[5:42:17] >> We are voting on the consent agenda item minus the item he is
[5:42:20] pulling at this point.
[5:42:23] >> Move budget consent agenda with the revision of the removal
[5:42:28] of the environmental Protection Fee adjustment.
[5:42:35] >> Okay.
[5:42:35] So we have a motion.
[5:42:36] The second is Commissioner Gomez Cordero.
[5:42:43] >> Can we have discussion?
[5:42:45] >> Absolutely.
[5:42:46] >> What does that mean for that being pulled?
[5:42:48] I know there was one line item that was of concern
[5:42:52] to Commissioner Uribe.
[5:42:54] I want to make sure I understand because the rest of those fees
[5:42:57] for the Environmental Protection Division
[5:42:59] are important to be updated.
[5:43:01] >> This included that entire section.
[5:43:04] We need to be more prescriptive and active.
[5:43:07] >> Yeah.
[5:43:08] We can adopt the rest of those and pull the one line
[5:43:11] if that's permissible because I don't
[5:43:13] want to hold up the rest of the permitting update.
[5:43:19] >> Just boat docks?
[5:43:22] >> Yeah.
[5:43:22] The issue is centered around the fees.
[5:43:24] The building fees.
[5:43:32] >> Just the boat docks.
[5:43:33] There was other environmental there
[5:43:35] >> Was your concern only with the boat docks,
[5:43:43] Commissioner Uribe?
[5:43:44] There was a laundry list of fees.
[5:43:46] >> So you are saying you don't want for shoreline.
[5:43:48] You want to pull all of this?
[5:43:51] Okay.
[5:43:52] I ask if there is consensus on that
[5:43:54] because I disagree with her.
[5:43:56] >> I would withdraw then Commissioner Uribe can do her
[5:44:00] amended motion or you can.
[5:44:02] >> I don't agree with that so I just want to make sure --
[5:44:04] >> We can vote on the item and pull it and then have further
[5:44:08] discussion if you want to do that because we will have
[5:44:10] to come back to try to address that issue.
[5:44:18] >> Mayor, do you guys just want to pull the last two items?
[5:44:23] The two that says boat ramp permit and boat dock
[5:44:29] construction?
[5:44:30] >> No.
[5:44:31] I think in the presentation there were multiple
[5:44:34] where we were increasing by thousands of a percent.
[5:44:44] >> There were other fees.
[5:44:45] >> There were other fees that the way I interpreted what
[5:44:51] Commissioner Uribe --
[5:44:52] >> Because all of those are going up.
[5:44:55] >> Her goal was to kind of have a discussion on those items.
[5:45:04] >> Correct.
[5:45:04] All those that are shown.
[5:45:05] The first was just the boat docks.
[5:45:07] What was shown was pulling everything that
[5:45:09] is shown there on the slide.
[5:45:13] >> On the fees.
[5:45:14] Yeah.
[5:45:16] That is what she wants to have a discussion about.
[5:45:21] >> I am interested in updating these very far behind fees
[5:45:24] for things that we have staff giving time for right now.
[5:45:28] You literally heard the words pro Bono.
[5:45:30] We can't do that.
[5:45:34] We don't have the -- and so this is a catch up.
[5:45:38] I understand you were saying it's a large catch up
[5:45:40] but the problem is that we needed those fees.
[5:45:43] >> I disagree.
[5:45:44] You don't go from 182 to $489 without getting
[5:45:49] the community involved.
[5:45:50] We are a transparent government and if everyone is in agreeance
[5:45:54] it's fine but to sit here and justify what they have not
[5:45:56] done in the past them to do that on the residents right now
[5:45:59] I think is very irresponsible as us not being transparent
[5:46:03] with the community and so I'm not saying no.
[5:46:05] I'm just saying that we need to have a real discussion, look
[5:46:09] at what is going on in other counties
[5:46:11] which I have the research
[5:46:15] [Members speaking Mayor Demings: They have done all work.
[5:46:22] >> It's not about doing the work.
[5:46:23] It's about what transparency means.
[5:46:27] >> It's all been public and transparent.
[5:46:31] >> My residents have reached out to me and said this isn't right.
[5:46:35] >> We can move it off if that is the wish of the board.
[5:46:37] I just feel responsible for what we
[5:46:41] know the cost is to the entire county.
[5:46:44] >> If someone can afford a boat dock I'm sure they can afford
[5:46:47] the fees.
[5:46:48] >> That is not the way it goes and that is not fair of what is
[5:46:51] happening and you still are transparent with us.
[5:46:53] There's a difference between a $100,000 boat ramp and a $20,000
[5:46:57] boat ramp.
[5:47:01] [Members speaking concurrently] And I will tell you a month
[5:47:03] or two months is not going to change this but what will change
[5:47:06] is people trust in government and how we do this
[5:47:09] and that is where this conversation comes from.
[5:47:15] [Members speaking concurrently]
[5:47:23] >> My residents do not feel well informed so me yes.
[5:47:25] When residents reach out to me and say --
[5:47:27] >> I asked to take the briefing when they offered it.
[5:47:34] [Members speaking concurrently]
[5:47:36] >> The public has this information but we can repeat it
[5:47:38] if that's necessary.
[5:47:40] >> Okay commissioners.
[5:47:43] I could withdraw my motion.
[5:47:45] Right?
[5:47:50] I'm going to let Commissioner Semrad go.
[5:47:55] >> I just wanted to remind everybody that we've already
[5:47:57] voted on these fees so when this budget was done it was done
[5:48:00] based off of a vote that we passed these.
[5:48:03] >> They actually never came in front of us and they said
[5:48:06] it's going to be included in the budget.
[5:48:10] >> We presented to the board the boat fee.
[5:48:12] The ramp impact fees.
[5:48:14] We got a presentation.
[5:48:16] I got briefed.
[5:48:21] [Members speaking concurrently] It was a public hearing here
[5:48:27] and I don't recall that we had any citizens that came.
[5:48:31] >> Because everyone doesn't watch our website to do it
[5:48:34] so just being transparent.
[5:48:35] No one said it's not going to happen or how we do it.
[5:48:38] It's about transparency and making sure the public is aware
[5:48:41] and they come and they make sure.
[5:48:43] If that ends up passing that's fine but I don't think a month
[5:48:45] is going to throw this entire budget for the next fiscal year
[5:48:49] off to do that.
[5:48:51] >> When is your meeting?
[5:48:52] >> My meeting is on Tuesday but the mayor has asked staff
[5:48:56] to bring it before us.
[5:49:01] >> When could we come back?
[5:49:02] Timeline.
[5:49:03] So she wants to have her meeting before we move forward so
[5:49:15] [Members speaking >> What we will have to do
[5:49:18] is we will have to get the majority of the board
[5:49:20] to agree to do that.
[5:49:21] If that doesn't happen today then
[5:49:23] we're going to end up voting on this today.
[5:49:26] But that's all I'm saying.
[5:49:27] That's why we are having this general conversation.
[5:49:36] I think that is the issue that Commissioner Wilson is
[5:49:39] trying to point out.
[5:49:40] Am I correct Commissioner Wilson?
[5:49:41] I'm not trying to put words in your mouth
[5:49:43] but I'm trying to understand.
[5:49:46] >> Because when I tried to discuss it during you were
[5:49:49] the one that kindly said let's pull this and have it come back
[5:49:51] later with more information so that is what I went on because I
[5:49:54] have my data.
[5:49:55] I have the corresponding county's.
[5:49:57] I have all of that here.
[5:50:01] >> Okay.
[5:50:02] But we can't get there if we don't have the general board.
[5:50:07] >> I'm not saying no.
[5:50:08] I'm just saying allow this to be and go with that
[5:50:10] and if it ends up being here that's fine.
[5:50:12] It's not going to make or break us.
[5:50:14] It's the next fiscal year.
[5:50:28] [Members speaking concurrently]
[5:50:32] >> I'm splitting the baby here.
[5:50:33] I support you and where you are but I
[5:50:36] support her right to be able to bring it to her constituents
[5:50:38] first.
[5:50:43] >> Let's spin the scenarios because what if she comes back
[5:50:46] and says the community didn't approve of this.
[5:50:48] >> Well then they have a right to come out and advocate right
[5:50:51] to you guys and do all that.
[5:50:53] >> But I'm trying to understand from a budget perspective how
[5:50:55] does that impact our budget?
[5:51:00] >> There will need to be action one way or another
[5:51:02] on the environmental protection fees.
[5:51:04] We could bring those back on the consent agenda as soon as --
[5:51:14] the request was to allow for a town hall meeting then come back
[5:51:18] so if your town hall meeting is within the next I think you said
[5:51:23] Tuesday?
[5:51:24] Then August depending upon that kind of goes back
[5:51:30] to Commissioner Semrad if the deal is okay are you all allow
[5:51:33] that to happen then August 4th it could be on the consent
[5:51:35] agenda for those fees.
[5:51:38] Now what happens if the Commissioner still wants
[5:51:44] to have a discussion about it?
[5:51:46] I guess she could still pull it from the consent agenda
[5:51:48] and the board could have that discussion August 4th.
[5:51:51] >> Okay.
[5:51:52] That sounds good.
[5:51:53] >> I interpreted it when we were having this conversation before
[5:51:57] that the board was generally supportive of the position that
[5:52:04] Commissioner Uribe was taking at that time.
[5:52:08] If the board was not supportive of that, that is a misread
[5:52:13] and she doesn't have the overwhelming support
[5:52:16] of the board.
[5:52:18] >> She has three commissioners from what I can tell.
[5:52:22] >> And I do want to say when I did meet with staff I wanted
[5:52:24] to actually have this be a discussion for us but they said
[5:52:27] it's going to come up on the budget so I thought discussion
[5:52:29] would happen and then wanting to get the community.
[5:52:31] It's just my residents have written us very upset
[5:52:35] that we are taking 20 years of doing it boom right now
[5:52:38] and it is unfair to the community
[5:52:40] and they get Commissioner Scott is saying well
[5:52:42] you know if you have a book doc it's not that's not
[5:52:45] how we answer people.
[5:52:46] Just because you can it's okay?
[5:52:48] That's not how we do things.
[5:52:49] I mean you've got to give people their right to their voice
[5:52:52] and to be able to speak.
[5:52:54] >> So let me just be real clear here.
[5:53:00] How many of you I'm going to ask members of the board,
[5:53:07] if you are prepared to move forward today as is
[5:53:10] as presented by staff today, of you that you would say yes?
[5:53:18] Yes.
[5:53:20] Commissioner Uribe?
[5:53:26] Commissioner Gomez Cordero?
[5:53:28] Commissioner Semrad?
[5:53:29] >> I'm so sorry.
[5:53:30] Can you repeat the question?
[5:53:32] >> If you are prepared to move forward today with the fees that
[5:53:35] are presented by the board this morning, who would say yes?
[5:53:40] If you are not prepared to move forward
[5:53:44] and you think these fees need to change,
[5:53:46] and that is the position that Commissioner Uribe has taken
[5:53:56] are you >> Understood and my answer
[5:53:59] is that yes I was prepared and I can say when we did this post
[5:54:02] to inform people,
[5:54:04] we did hear some things back from the community
[5:54:07] and we did do ample research and also
[5:54:09] reached out to EPD to further understand how just upside down
[5:54:12] we were and because I am a strong believer that everybody
[5:54:16] should pay their fair share and no citizen who can't afford
[5:54:20] to have a boat have a dock and live on a lake
[5:54:23] is subsidizing the cost and the fee of somebody who can't, yes.
[5:54:28] I firmly support
[5:54:31] [Members speaking concurrently] >> That's not fair (Indistinct)
[5:54:40] .
[5:54:40] >> Commissioner Scott.
[5:54:41] >> Mayor, as I said before I'm good with the fees.
[5:54:45] However if the commissioner wants an opportunity
[5:54:47] to bring it to the community I feel like she
[5:54:49] should have that opportunity.
[5:54:51] >> Okay.
[5:54:52] So you are a no today?
[5:54:54] >> If I could mayor what I was trying to say earlier
[5:54:56] because this is where I have an issue and this is where we
[5:54:59] continue to wonder why the state comes in and says to us Orange
[5:55:02] County, this is why you can't control your own government
[5:55:06] because when it costs you $60 in the city of Orlando but it costs
[5:55:10] you $1,800 in Orange County oh well you know.
[5:55:12] And then you wonder why they do this and why.
[5:55:15] And when I did have my briefing with staff,
[5:55:20] no other commission was willing to update but then I'm
[5:55:22] also told they take applications that are incomplete
[5:55:25] and that they spend hours on incomplete because technology
[5:55:30] wise, we haven't gotten a system that
[5:55:33] says if you have an incomplete application we're not going
[5:55:35] to spend six hours of staff reviewing it
[5:55:37] and that is what you are basing your increase because we have
[5:55:41] an incompetency of an entry level of submitting
[5:55:43] an application is very not how government is supposed to work.
[5:55:47] And that is when you look at Lake you look at orange
[5:55:50] you look at Seminole you look at City of Orlando city of alpaca
[5:55:53] this is you wonder why people want
[5:55:55] to annex out of Orange County.
[5:56:01] >> Okay.
[5:56:01] I'm going to tell you the position
[5:56:02] I will go with the majority at this point
[5:56:04] and that is to move forward with it okay?
[5:56:07] So that means that the overwhelming consensus
[5:56:10] of the body at this point is to move forward,
[5:56:15] Commissioner Uribe.
[5:56:17] Earlier I did not get the sense that there was consensus there.
[5:56:21] It's clear to me that the consensus is there so to try
[5:56:25] to advance this along .
[5:56:29] I thought the board wanted to get more information
[5:56:32] before making a decision.
[5:56:33] That is not what I just heard.
[5:56:36] So with that, we're going to take this item.
[5:56:41] >> I think commissioner Scott made a motion.
[5:56:46] >> I made the motion based on budget guidance.
[5:56:49] It has been seconded.
[5:56:52] We can move forward with the vote
[5:56:54] if that is what you are saying, Byron.
[5:57:01] >> I think the motion however was contemplating that this item
[5:57:12] -- >> Additional information to be brought back.
[5:57:15] >> So that motion is not what I'm hearing the board wants
[5:57:23] to do.
[5:57:24] The majority of the board wants to move forward.
[5:57:28] So you know, if you don't amend the motion that motion is likely
[5:57:35] going to fail.
[5:57:37] >> I withdraw my motion.
[5:57:38] >> Okay.
[5:57:40] Commissioner Scott wants to withdraw his motion.
[5:57:44] And who is the seconder on the motion?
[5:57:49] Are you good with the withdraw?
[5:57:51] Okay.
[5:57:52] She's good with the withdraw so we don't have
[5:57:54] a motion on the floor anymore.
[5:57:56] So I entertain another motion.
[5:58:02] >> I make a motion for approval of the budget consent agenda.
[5:58:06] >> Second.
[5:58:12] >> In its entirety, inclusive of this fee update?
[5:58:16] >> In its entirety as presented.
[5:58:23] >> I have a point of procedure question.
[5:58:25] So consent agenda we have four sub items under one large item.
[5:58:31] Could we take those as separate votes?
[5:58:35] >> Yes you could.
[5:58:37] >> Mayor, I would like to take those as separate votes if you
[5:58:41] don't mind.
[5:58:43] I'm just asking.
[5:58:49] The reason why I'm saying that is
[5:58:52] because obviously we are talking about things
[5:58:54] larger than the vote.
[5:58:55] I think it would be fair To give Commissioner
[5:59:00] Uribe an opportunity to vote on the things
[5:59:02] she is in support of as opposed to things that she is not
[5:59:04] so I think it allows folks to know specifically what someone
[5:59:07] is going to vote for and where their concerns lie as opposed
[5:59:11] to (Indistinct) if Commissioner Semrad would
[5:59:16] like to withdraw her motion.
[5:59:18] >> I will withdraw my motion to make it an amendment.
[5:59:22] >> So I will make another motion to approve --
[5:59:33] >> He's getting the vote so she can vote on what she wants.
[5:59:36] >> I can't hear what's going on down there but I believe what
[5:59:40] I'm hearing -- you made a motion.
[5:59:43] >> So no.
[5:59:43] We have no motion on the floor.
[5:59:45] >> You made a motion initially I think.
[5:59:54] [Members speaking concurrently]
[6:00:04] >> So Commissioner Wilson, I am humbly requesting that you
[6:00:08] withdraw your motion to allow me to make a friendly amendment
[6:00:12] that we vote those item at a time to allow Commissioner Uribe
[6:00:18] to vote for the things that she supports and to not vote
[6:00:21] for the things that she does not support.
[6:00:23] We will still move forward.
[6:00:25] It will just be separate votes.
[6:00:27] >> Okay.
[6:00:28] So what are you asking of me?
[6:00:33] >> You can withdraw your motion or allow me to make a friendly
[6:00:37] amendment.
[6:00:38] >> I will amend my motion to allow the bifurcated vote
[6:00:41] on the consent agenda.
[6:00:44] >> So our first vote is going to be fire and rescue fees.
[6:00:50] >> And I am okay with the friendly amendment
[6:00:52] as the seconder.
[6:00:56] >> I'm sorry.
[6:00:57] The clerk is giving me an indication that this
[6:00:59] may be difficult to track.
[6:01:00] I'm going to withdraw the motion and allow someone else to make
[6:01:03] the motion.
[6:01:04] Thank you.
[6:01:05] >> I move we approve the first item of the consent agenda
[6:01:08] specifically the fire and Rescue Fee CPI indexing.
[6:01:12] >> Second.
[6:01:13] >> We have a second on the fire rescue piece.
[6:01:16] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[6:01:22] Opposed, no.
[6:01:26] Motion is unanimous.
[6:01:28] >> Move approval of the consent agenda building fees
[6:01:30] and adjustments.
[6:01:32] >> Second.
[6:01:35] >> Seconded was that Commissioner Gomez Cordero?
[6:01:39] Okay.
[6:01:40] There's a second.
[6:01:42] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[6:01:45] Opposed, no.
[6:01:47] >> Move approval of the consent agenda zoning fees
[6:01:50] and adjustment.
[6:01:51] >> Second.
[6:01:52] >> Commissioner Wilson was the second there.
[6:01:54] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[6:01:56] Opposed, no.
[6:01:58] Motion passes and it is unanimous.
[6:02:02] >> Move approval of consent agenda item environmental
[6:02:05] protection fees adjustments as written.
[6:02:07] Or as proposed.
[6:02:13] >> Second Wilson.
[6:02:14] >> Seconder is Commissioner Wilson.
[6:02:17] All in favor let it be known by saying aye.
[6:02:19] Opposed, no.
[6:02:23] Motion passes, 4-2.
[6:02:34] >> Was it Scott and Uribe voting no?
[6:02:42] >> Okay.
[6:02:42] Was that the final one?
[6:02:43] That was the final.
[6:02:45] So I think with that, we have now
[6:02:49] taken care of all the business today.
[6:02:53] Commissioner Scott, you had mentioned something to me.
[6:03:01] >> I have an informational item to share with the board based
[6:03:03] on consultation with the Comptroller and his staff.
[6:03:08] So, for the years that I have been in office
[6:03:10] we have purchased twice, and most recently the Comptroller
[6:03:16] wanted that to be a consent item.
[6:03:18] Secondary to that, I purchased pizza
[6:03:21] so you will see items on the consent
[6:03:24] agenda and my conversations with the Comptroller staff, what
[6:03:30] I told them is that public purpose is based
[6:03:32] on the need in the district at the time
[6:03:34] and as we've done through the Citizen Safety Task Force,
[6:03:39] we know that investing in different programs
[6:03:41] reduces the likelihood of someone being involved
[6:03:43] in the criminal justice system.
[6:03:44] It was less than $500 worth of pizza or something for the kids
[6:03:48] at Tangelo Elementary and so that will be coming as a consent
[6:03:52] item so you will see that but I'm putting on the record just
[6:03:55] so you all are aware and I think -- does that cover everything?
[6:04:02] >> Well, I think it's something if I might --
[6:04:08] I guess I don't need to do that.
[6:04:10] Do I?
[6:04:10] I think that the county policy is the county policy
[6:04:14] and that is what we have to follow,
[6:04:15] so I think if the board wants to spend
[6:04:20] money that isn't necessarily authorized under county policy
[6:04:23] you either need to change the policy
[6:04:26] or prove specific exceptions to it
[6:04:30] like Commissioner Scott is proposing.
[6:04:36] >> What was the problem that was identified by the comptroller?
[6:04:39] That's not clear to me what happened.
[6:04:43] >> What was the policy that was being violated?
[6:04:46] >> I'm first of all going to ask Lori Bauer to come up here
[6:04:49] but one item I just want to amplify is,
[6:04:53] we are not talking about a $500 pizza party.
[6:04:59] You're talking about $4,000 for pizza and toys for children,
[6:05:06] which seems like a very nice cause to me but it is not
[6:05:10] permitted under your policy.
[6:05:11] So if you -- >> But what policy is that?
[6:05:16] >> I don't know the number.
[6:05:18] >> Okay because I was going to say I had it with a $22 postcard
[6:05:22] that was submitted for volunteers that had been
[6:05:28] participating at the end of the year and it was rejected as not
[6:05:32] being public purpose.
[6:05:33] I did have a conversation at the time
[6:05:35] with somebody in your office and said I'm confused.
[6:05:39] This was specifically a thank you
[6:05:41] from them at the end of the year of volunteering and community
[6:05:44] partners and I think there's a public purpose
[6:05:46] to those partnerships.
[6:05:48] So but I still even after that there was never a definitive
[6:05:53] explanation to me about the public purpose and I know you
[6:05:57] all have all heard from me about --
[6:05:59] and I go to Florida Association of Counties.
[6:06:02] I pay my own travel.
[6:06:03] I always pay for my own hotel and my own meals
[6:06:06] but I have to submit to travel forms.
[6:06:14] [Members speaking concurrently]
[6:06:18] >> I need to say this.
[6:06:19] A couple of things.
[6:06:22] Number one, we are happy to discuss any expenditure
[6:06:26] any time as far as what's under the policy and what's not.
[6:06:36] We offer training to you.
[6:06:39] [Members speaking concurrently]
[6:06:42] >> Hold on one second.
[6:06:43] Because I hate to tell you I don't
[6:06:44] know what you're talking about.
[6:06:50] I don't know that it's appropriate during our budget
[6:06:56] work session.
[6:06:57] If this conversation is about a policy
[6:07:01] that someone thinks needs to be changed,
[6:07:05] I don't believe this is the appropriate time
[6:07:08] to have that conversation.
[6:07:09] We are missing too much information.
[6:07:11] We don't have the details and I think
[6:07:15] if we're going to change policy, we
[6:07:19] should be giving ample notice to the public and other people
[6:07:22] to perhaps have the opportunity to participate in that.
[6:07:26] That hasn't happened because this is not on our agenda
[6:07:30] so I just really don't think that this
[6:07:32] is a appropriate when Commissioner Scott said we did
[6:07:38] something.
[6:07:39] What he had said.
[6:07:41] I didn't do that.
[6:07:43] We did not include me in that.
[6:07:46] Okay?
[6:07:47] And so I thought this was something that we had done,
[6:07:53] and that is not the case so I believe
[6:07:55] that it's not appropriate now.
[6:07:56] I think that is something that if we want to change the policy,
[6:08:02] Commissioner Scott can do a commissioner's report
[6:08:04] or something to bring that before the body
[6:08:06] at an appropriate time but I don't
[6:08:08] think that is appropriate to add on today.
[6:08:11] Is that fair?
[6:08:13] >> I think it's very fair just to be clear.
[6:08:17] I talked to Commissioner Scott a few moments ago
[6:08:21] and said we would put it on the agenda for the specific items
[6:08:26] come August, because that would seem to give everybody a chance
[6:08:30] to look at it.
[6:08:33] >> So what does that mean though?
[6:08:35] We are going to have a consent agenda full of items
[6:08:38] that (Indistinct)
[6:08:45] >> He's talking about this expenditure.
[6:08:47] >> But what expenditures are going to fall under that
[6:08:49] category?
[6:08:53] >> Somebody would have to present whatever that is if they
[6:08:56] think the policies need to change and do a commission
[6:08:58] as a report and do it the right way.
[6:09:04] >> I received communication today from his staff and asked,
[6:09:08] should I just share it as an informational item.
[6:09:12] What I think would be appropriate
[6:09:14] as you said I will do a commissioner's report.
[6:09:16] When you do the consent agenda items
[6:09:18] if you want to just do a memo to encapsulate
[6:09:21] you guys's thoughts from the overwhelming thing
[6:09:23] I was trying to communicate to the board is this.
[6:09:25] Public purpose is subjective and based
[6:09:27] on the needs of the district.
[6:09:29] I have young people getting killed
[6:09:31] at least every other month.
[6:09:33] I talked to a parent last night whose son is dead
[6:09:35] and the other son is a paraplegic
[6:09:37] and their minds are gone because the young man who killed
[6:09:40] them has been released, period.
[6:09:45] Because they have no witnesses so the needs in my district
[6:09:48] are different than each one of you all's and so
[6:09:50] when we talk about public purpose
[6:09:51] there is no one uniform public purpose
[6:09:53] that will fit every district.
[6:09:56] >> Okay.
[6:09:56] So we need to do some work there.
[6:09:58] All I'm saying is that is not today.
[6:10:00] That's not today.
[6:10:02] >> Can I say something though really quick because I do think
[6:10:04] there's something really important about this within
[6:10:06] the budget framework because we do submit our budgets.
[6:10:09] We are trying so hard to.
[6:10:10] I work really hard in my office.
[6:10:12] The transparency piece.
[6:10:14] The accountability piece.
[6:10:15] The making sure that public purpose threads
[6:10:18] through every single thing but it's
[6:10:20] difficult to do when the structure doesn't
[6:10:23] identify it that way.
[6:10:24] Let me just give you an example and this is something
[6:10:26] why I think it's important.
[6:10:27] For any registration we do, so if I
[6:10:31] go in county in my district to a community
[6:10:34] legal services educational forum about housing,
[6:10:37] I put a travel form in even if there's no expense for travel.
[6:10:42] Now that is a budget issue.
[6:10:46] >> Okay.
[6:10:46] I get all of that but that was not
[6:10:49] advertised as part of this conversation
[6:10:50] that we were going to have today okay?
[6:10:52] It's not a budget line item.
[6:10:54] That is a policy decision.
[6:11:03] [Members speaking >> That's fine.
[6:11:06] >> This isn't the right time.
[6:11:08] >> I understand no I understand but I just want to make sure
[6:11:10] because it does fall into our district.
[6:11:14] >> There's probably some other kind of ramifications here.
[6:11:17] Today isn't the time for that.
[6:11:19] That's all I'm saying.
[6:11:21] I don't see that as consistent.
[6:11:25] >> I just want to be clear because other commissioners have
[6:11:28] submitted a commissioners report.
[6:11:30] With respect to a commissioner's report given the schedule now
[6:11:34] and given the things --
[6:11:41] [Members speaking concurrently]
[6:11:43] >> I just want to be clear.
[6:11:44] I didn't want any other commissioner thinking
[6:11:46] how is this going to jump in front of my?
[6:11:49] >> Asking the question though since we're going to a new
[6:11:51] budget you're talking about October.
[6:11:53] Our budget kicks in October 1st.
[6:11:56] Wouldn't it actually take priority knowing that --
[6:12:01] [Members speaking >> This is not a budget item.
[6:12:04] That's a policy issue.
[6:12:07] It's a policy issue about how the Comptroller
[6:12:10] interprets policy and then implements and executes
[6:12:13] the policy.
[6:12:14] That is what this is about.
[6:12:16] That is something different than what we are doing today
[6:12:19] so I'm going to -- we're not going to do this today.
[6:12:25] Okay.
[6:12:26] At some point in the future we can have that full conversation.
[6:12:30] I don't like catching people off guard like that.
[6:12:33] I don't think we have any other business,
[6:12:38] based upon what we advertised we were going to do today
[6:12:40] and so with that, we stand adjourned.