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Orlando city leaders advance $2 billion budget, final passage slated for late Sept

Millions at stake as Volusia County weighs tax rollback and sheriff’s budget

ORLANDO, Fla. — After months of budget workshops and discussion, Orlando City Commissioners voted in favor of the nearly $2 billion budget.

The vote took place at the city’s first Budget Hearing Agenda on Monday night. The vote was unanimous.

“I think it’s a really good budget,” said District 1 Commissioner Tom Keen. “As a matter of fact, if you look over the last 10 or 20 years, the city has become more and more efficient, and that’s based on the number of staff per thousand residents. So I think they’ve done a great job.”

The commission spent months reviewing the budget in anticipation of Amendment 3 passage in November. The property tax measure would raise homestead exemptions for most Floridians and possibly result in local governments losing millions of dollars.

Orlando is projected to lose about $85 million in the first three years if Amendment 3 is approved by voters. Jason Wojkiewicz, Orlando’s Budget Division Manager, said public safety staffing could stall.

“While outright cuts to public safety are unlikely as existing revenues are lost over several years, it is unlikely that we’ll be able to continue to grow police and fire staffing as we have,” Wojkiewicz.

Another budget hearing is scheduled for September 28th, where it’s expected the budget will be formally adopted.

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Dave Jordan

Dave Jordan, WFTV.com

Dave Jordan is a three-time Emmy nominee who has reported for stations across the country. His work has appeared on CNN, CNN Headline News, Dr. Phil and several nationwide affiliates.

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