ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will host two public hearings on the proposed $8.3 billion Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. The hearings are scheduled for Thursday, September 4, and Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 5:01 p.m. inside the BCC Chambers at the Orange County Administration Center.

Affordable Housing and Transportatio

Orange County continues its Housing For All initiative, with nearly 3,000 affordable units already created. For FY 2025-26, $17.7 million has been allocated to the affordable housing trust fund as part of a ten-year, $160 million commitment.
Transportation improvements remain a major priority, with $23.9 million designated for the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program, building on more than 60 completed projects in the program’s first year. This is part of a five-year investment of over $100 million in safety and efficiency upgrades.

Public Safety and Parks

Public safety remains one of the largest investments, with more than $1 billion allocated across Fire Rescue ($575M), Corrections ($220M), and the Sheriff’s Office ($446M). The budget supports new staff, infrastructure improvements, and additional fire stations to maintain rapid response times.
The county will also invest $133 million in Parks and Recreation for 15 Capital Improvement projects to enhance parks, trails, and recreational amenities across Orange County.

Utilities and Essential Services

For FY 2025-26, Orange County will invest $297.9 million in utility infrastructure, covering water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and solid waste systems. As an enterprise fund, Orange County Utilities is funded through customer rates and fees, not tax dollars, ensuring continued delivery of essential services.

LAKE WORTH, Fla. (FNN) – Governor Ron DeSantis announced his support for updating the 2020 Decennial Census, a move that could secure additional congressional seats for Florida. He was joined by Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has been leading the charge to correct census errors and push for reapportionment that reflects Florida’s true population.

“Even the Biden administration acknowledged that Florida got shortchanged in the reapportionment stemming from the last census,” Governor DeSantis said. “My office is working with Attorney General Uthmeier in our mission to secure Floridians’ due representation in Congress and to fix mistakes that have been identified in the aftermath of the 2020 Census.”

Attorney General Uthmeier echoed the Governor’s concerns, highlighting what he described as deliberate efforts that hurt Florida. “Florida was robbed by the left’s multi-year effort to rig the 2020 Census, and Floridians didn’t get the representation they deserve in Congress,” Uthmeier said. “President Trump called for a new census, and I’m ready to work with Governor DeSantis to bring solutions to the president and get it done.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), Florida was one of the most severely undercounted states during the 2020 Census. The PES revealed Florida’s population was undercounted by nearly 3.5 percent—a shortfall that cost the state additional representation in Washington.

Adding to the urgency, Florida has grown by nearly two million residents since 2019, many of whom were not captured in the Census Bureau’s 2020 reports. Leaders argue that this undercount means Florida is currently vastly underrepresented in Congress, despite being one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.

Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier pledged to continue pursuing every legal and political avenue to ensure Floridians receive fair representation based on the state’s true population.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer delivered his 2025 State of the City Address on Tuesday, celebrating the city’s 150th anniversary while laying out bold plans for Orlando’s future. From preparing for flying cars and drone deliveries to tackling the housing shortage and advancing clean energy, the mayor positioned Orlando as a national model for innovation, safety, and sustainable growth.

Florida National News covered the State of the City and learned how Orlando is shaping its future as a “future city,” with Walt Disney World and Epic Universe defining the city’s skyline alongside pioneering investments in advanced mobility.

Delivering the Basics with Excellence

Mayor Dyer stressed that Orlando’s foundation rests on reliable services and public safety. He noted that Orlando invests more in police and fire protection ($406 million) than the city collects in property taxes ($360 million).

Key highlights include:

• Crime has reached historic lows, with violent crime down 14%, residential burglaries down nearly 30%, and homicides down more than 50% with all cases solved.

• Expansion of nearly 500 miles of sidewalks and 75 miles of bike trails, making Orlando safer and more walkable.

• A 99.97% success rate for weekly trash, recycling, and yard waste collection across 189,000 households.

• More than 4,600 acres of parks and green spaces, a 25% increase over 20 years.

• Nearly 400 online services available through Orlando’s “digital city hall,” streamlining city access for over 75,000 residents.

Investing in Housing and Growth

Orlando’s rapid population growth has outpaced housing supply, creating a shortage of 9,400 units. Mayor Dyer announced Orlando Unlocked, a city initiative designed to expand housing choices through flexible zoning, mixed-use development, and public-private partnerships.

Notable investments:

• $75 million committed since 2014 to affordable housing.

• More than 3,000 affordable rental units created or preserved.

• Assistance provided to 330 homeowners for repairs and to 275 new homeowners with down payments.

• Redevelopment projects like the Milk Stacks blending residential and commercial space in the Milk District.

Pioneering Innovation and Future Mobility

Mayor Dyer highlighted Orlando’s role as a leader in future transportation. Orlando is the only city in Florida where planes, trains, and automobiles converge at the airport.

Major projects include:

• Extending SunRail to nights and weekends.

• Partnering with Universal Orlando and Brightline to advance the Sunshine Corridor, linking the airport, hospitality district, and Tampa.

• Preparing to become one of the first U.S. cities to welcome flying cars, air taxis, and drone deliveries—ushering in the future of mobility.

Fiscal Responsibility and Infrastructure

Mayor Dyer emphasized Orlando’s strong financial health, with a millage rate unchanged for more than a decade and a consistently balanced budget.

Upcoming investments include:

• A new firefighter training facility and three fire stations.

• Stormwater management upgrades in key neighborhoods.

• Renovations at Harry P. Leu Gardens and a new 14-acre park in Lake Nona.

• Safety and pedestrian upgrades along Corrine Drive.

Building a Sustainable and Resilient Orlando

Mayor Dyer closed his address with a focus on sustainability, announcing that Orlando will meet its 100% clean energy goal for municipal operations by 2027—three years ahead of schedule.

Other green initiatives:

• Recycling programs that extend landfill life and conserve land.

• $2.5 million annual energy savings from efficiency upgrades across 60 city buildings.

• An expanding electric vehicle fleet saving $60,000 annually in fuel costs.

• Orlando Wetlands Park serving as a global model for natural wastewater treatment and eco-tourism.

From crime reduction to futuristic air mobility, Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 2025 State of the City positioned Orlando as a leader in innovation, sustainability, and quality of life. With Walt Disney World, Epic Universe, and a bold vision for advanced transportation, Orlando’s skyline and future are set to reflect the city’s legacy of reinvention.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com