ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County residents will get their first opportunity Thursday evening to weigh in on the county’s proposed $9.01 billion budget for the next fiscal year.
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners will hold the first of two public hearings on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget at 5:01 p.m. Thursday.
A second hearing is scheduled for Sept. 24 at the same time.
Both hearings will take place in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers at the Orange County Administration Center, and residents will be able to address commissioners during public comment.
More than $1.1 billion proposed for public safety
The proposed budget includes more than $1.1 billion for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue and Corrections.
County officials said public safety accounts for about 53% of Orange County’s property tax revenue. The proposed increases would help pay for salaries, equipment, additional positions and jail operations.
The countywide operating property tax rate would remain at 4.4347 mills, a rate Orange County says has remained unchanged since 2008.
Property tax amendment could affect future budgets
County leaders are also warning about the possible financial impact of Amendment 3, which will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Orange County estimates the constitutional amendment could reduce county property tax revenue by about $165 million in 2027 and $275 million in 2028 if approved.
County officials said that could force future decisions about spending, service levels and other legally available sources of revenue.
Housing, transportation and homelessness funding
The proposed budget includes $19.5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as Orange County works toward a goal of creating or preserving 10,000 affordable housing units by the end of 2028.
Transportation funding includes a proposed $115.5 million for LYNX and $15 million for SunRail.
Orange County also proposes spending more than $56 million on crisis intervention and behavioral health services related to homelessness. The budget includes funding for a new 150-bed homeless service center in East Orange County.
How to watch the budget hearing
Thursday’s meeting will be broadcast live on Orange TV and streamed at Orange County’s Orange TV website.
The hearing can also be watched on Spectrum Channel 488, Comcast Channel 9, WSWF Channel 10.2 and the Orange TV YouTube channel
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