Mayor Jerry L. Demings 2025 State of Orange County Address
Good morning and welcome to the 2025 State of Orange County!
Let me begin by thanking Robert Agrusa and the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association for once again partnering with Orange County to host this event.
I would also like to thank all of our program participants.
Today, I am joined by my wife, the former Congresswoman and First Lady of Orange County Val Butler Demings, my sons, and other members of my family. Thank you all for your unwavering support.
I know that our County Commissioners have already been recognized, but I want to personally thank my colleagues for their presence today.
I also want to thank all the elected officials for being here and for your continued support.
We’ve celebrated a year of remarkable achievements, record-breaking numbers in tourism, and strong economic growth.
It has also been a year filled with opportunities, challenges, and a renewed focus on efficiency in government.
Today’s presentation will highlight how Orange County is Building Better through Efficiency!
Because of our fiscal prudence, Orange County continues to earn the highest credit ratings.
Did you know, Orange County has the lowest tax rate in Florida for counties with more than one million residents and the 11th lowest county tax rate out of the 67 counties? We will continue to keep our tax rate low for our residents.
That is why careful decisions are made to ensure that we have a balanced budget.
We have a steady process in place to counteract the volatility and instability in the economy, even with the geopolitical headwinds.
This year, budgets are tighter, and resources are stretched … even as growth continues and expectations from our community are high. This is a pivotal moment in our nation when the need for smart governance has never been greater.
We continue to invest in affordable housing through one of the first local Housing Trust Fund in Florida.
We continue to enhance transportation with hundreds of millions of dollars invested in SunRail, LYNX, and other transportation efforts.
We will continue to dedicate nearly $1 billion dollars to public safety to protect residents and visitors.
And …
We are committed to protecting the environment through the preservation of an additional 23,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land.
By refining our processes, we aim to provide more efficient services that meet the pressing needs of our community.
As a county, we look to find ways to be more cost-efficient, as we embrace the shared values of excellence and innovation.
For 200 years, our local government has been a constant source of support, service delivery and innovation as our county has evolved.
The cornerstone of building a better Orange County through efficiency begins with the county’s financial health.
In 2024, Orange County purchased more than $795 million in goods and services, which helps support our local businesses and stimulate our economy.
Not only are we supporting businesses, but we are also helping our residents to become financially stable.
This year, Orange County became the first local government in Florida to launch a Financial Empowerment Center.
This new, innovative program offers free financial counseling to anyone who lives or works in Orange County.
Yes … I said FREE.
In partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we opened six Financial Empowerment Centers and to date, they have conducted over 380 financial counseling sessions.
Orange County is all about innovation and efficiency.
Did you know that Orange County has been using Artificial Intelligence for the past 20 years?
AI has helped our Information Systems team prevent four million cyber intrusion attempts every single day.
Through AI, we are improving the way we do business.
Let’s hear from our Communications Manager Jane Watrel to learn more.
Thank you, Jane, for that look into how Orange County is working smarter with AI.
Managing growth and doing more with less is becoming more important than ever and here’s why: With a net of 800 people moving to Orange County each week, we are one of the fastest growing communities in the nation.
To plan for the future, this week the Board of County Commissioners adopted Vision 2050 and Orange Code. Vision 2050 outlines a sustainable, forward-thinking roadmap to guide Orange County’s growth and development over the next 25 years.
Orange Code establishes the development guidelines that bring this vision to life.
Congratulations to all Orange County staff who were involved in this comprehensive project.
To improve customer service and keep up with growth, a cross-section of Orange County employees called Team 400 was created to streamline our review and permitting process.
In the last three years, Team 400 has issued over 243,000 building permits with a development value exceeding $2 billion dollars.
One of the successes of our permitting processes is the $23 million Orlo Vista Flood Mitigation project. In 2024, the flood mitigation project passed its first test.
Hurricane Milton made landfall last October, and the three vertical storage ponds and the pumping system did their jobs to protect Orlo Vista residents and their property.
That’s Building Better through Efficiency!
The Community Development Block Grant program plays a vital role in public infrastructure, affordable housing, and social services. In March, Orange County launched the federally funded CDBG Disaster Recovery program, CALLED “Orange County Recovers.”
This is a disaster relief and long-term recovery program for homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian. Approximately $30 million is focused on the most impacted homes and households in Orange County.
And we all know there is nothing more important than having a safe and affordable place to live. 82% of Florida’s extremely low-income renters are severely cost-burdened, the second highest percentage in the U.S. This issue affects every state and community nationwide, including Metro Orlando.
One of the top priorities of my administration has been to increase affordable and workforce housing in Orange County. With a commitment of $160 million dollars, we are moving the needle on affordable housing, but more public private partnerships are needed.
Last year, the Board approved $32 million dollars for the construction of seven affordable housing developments. This year alone, we opened and broke ground on over 900 affordable and workforce housing units.
As we move the needle on affordable housing, we continue to explore solutions to address homelessness in our community.
Homelessness is one of the most pressing issues facing communities across the nation, and Orange County is not alone. Our goal is to work closely with our regional partners to reduce the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and provide support to those most at risk.
In January of each year, the Point in Time Count on homelessness is conducted.
I was encouraged to learn that there has been a slight decrease in the homeless population in Orange County. However, I remain deeply concerned about those who are still unsheltered.
Orange County Government continues to be the largest single funder of public services for the homeless in Central Florida. This year, we have dedicated more than $56 million dollars to support the needs of the homeless population. This includes housing, mental health, and health care services.
In December of 2024, Orange County celebrated its 200th anniversary. And now with 1.5 million residents, we are the 5th most populous county in Florida.
Every four years, the Board appoints a charter review commission to review the county’s charter and propose changes, if needed, during the presidential election year. In 2023, the Commission reviewed the extensive population growth over the years and recommended a charter amendment to increase the number of commission districts from six to eight.
After the voters approved the charter amendment in November 2024, the Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee was convened to draw the boundaries for the new districts.
I want to thank the Redistricting Committee for their work, which will be completed later this year.
Another charter amendment passed mandating the creation of a Transportation Mobility Advisory Commission to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on improving transportation challenges.
Let me take this moment to thank the TransMAC Advisory Commission for their service and commitment to improving transportation.
Our County Commissioners are working hard to make a difference in their communities. Let’s hear from Amanda Dukes, Senior PIO, as she highlights their initiatives.
Thank you, Amanda and thank you to my colleagues for your leadership and service.
Now, let’s highlight how we are building better access, mobility, and efficiency through the County’s Accelerated Transportation Safety Program.
In 2024, the Board allocated $100 million over five years to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and to enhance transit. With a year under our belt, I’m proud to say that more than 60 projects have been completed. These projects include:
- 14 miles of sidewalk, another 14 miles of new roadway lighting and 21.4 miles of roadways with enhanced safety measures.
Orange County has invested $55 million dollars through the ATSP program to improve the LYNX transportation system over the next five years. This allowed LYNX to increase the frequency of buses and reduce wait times resulting in a 35% increase in ridership. One route serving the Washington Shores area increased by 81% on Sundays. In addition, LYNX will install 264 new bus shelters throughout all six districts.
As we talk about transit, this year, the Board voted to contribute $500,000 toward a study to extend SunRail’s route. The Sunshine Corridor would take riders from OIA to the
I-Drive Tourism Corridor and Disney Springs.
As we stay on track, Brightline connected 2.6 million passengers from Orlando to South Florida in its first year, taking 1.9 million cars off the road. Brightline is still the only intercity passenger rail service connected to an airport in the nation.
Speaking of the airport, we are proud to welcome Lance Lyttle, the new CEO of the Orlando International Airport. Welcome Lance!
As we build better transportation opportunities for our county, the Board has taken steps to discuss our transportation needs and solutions through transportation visioning sessions. These engaging sessions will assist the Board in determining the path forward to meet our transportation needs now and in the future.
Closely aligned with transportation is business development. As the nation’s second-fastest-growing economy, our region is known for its business-friendly climate.
Supporting our business community through job creation is essential to our economic growth and prosperity.
I want to highlight one of our local companies, JCQ Services. With 500 employees, they built 365 cabins in 365 days at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. This ambitious project is marked by innovation, efficiency and collaboration.
Speaking of innovation, Orange County is committed to innovation at all levels that benefit our community. We are proud to partner with Plug and Play, the world’s leading innovation platform that focuses on efficiency by connecting smart city startups with resources to accelerate growth.
This year, Plug and Play accepted 28 startups from around the world into the program, including eight from Orange County, and raised $119 million.
Innovation is fueling the growth of Orange County’s robust tourism and hospitality sector. In 2024, we welcomed 75.3 million visitors from around the world, resulting in nearly $93 billion in economic impact.
Approximately 40 percent of the region’s workforce is employed in the tourism industry. I want to thank our theme parks, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Sea World for their continued multi-billion-dollar investments.
The big news this year was Universal’s grand opening of Epic Universe. On May 22nd, Epic Universe dazzled record-breaking audiences of all ages with its entertaining and immersive five worlds.
Orange County was proud to work with the EPIC Universe construction team through our Vertical Permitting Office located in the I-Drive area. The County’s Special Projects team ensured timely and efficient permitting services for multi-billion-dollar projects underway in the tourism corridor.
In fact, for Universal alone, Orange County issued 1,500 permits and conducted nearly 34,000 inspections at Epic Universe. By having staff nearby, Orange County saved 300 workdays for these onsite inspections, reviews and customer service.
Here we are at the Orange County Convention Center, one of the busiest in the nation with an economic impact of $3.9 billion. The Orange County Convention Center is booked 351 days a year hosting a wide variety of conventions and sports events.
Now let’s talk about how our community is benefiting from sports. This year, the Orlando Pride are the champions of the National Women’s Soccer League for the 2024 season, winning both the NWSL Shield and THE NWSL National Championship!
Once again, the Orlando Magic made us proud as they competed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. We are looking for even greater success by the Magic next season.
I also want to take a moment and honor our Central Florida athletes who competed on the world’s largest stage, the Olympics. The Orlando Pride had several team members representing the United States of America, Brazil and Zambia in the 2024 Olympics taking home gold and silver!
Omari Jones, a native from the Pine Hills community won a Bronze Medal in Boxing, the only American to medal in boxing! We are so proud of the talented Olympic athletes who exemplify the spirit of dedication and perseverance, showcasing their best performances on the world stage. Let's give them a round of applause!
Orange County continues to collaborate with the greater Orlando Sports Commission and Florida Citrus Sports to bring events to our community. Thank you to Steve Hogan and Jason Siegel for all your hard work.
Speaking of sports, back here in Orange County, we broke ground on the Roth Tower at UCF’s FBC Mortgage Stadium, made possible through a $90 million investment from TDT funding.
Sports is a big part of the fan experience in Orange County, and we were pleased to host the NFL Pro Bowl again this year. The Pro Bowl brings 50,000 fans to Camping World Stadium with an economic impact of 45 million dollars and 39,000 room nights, boosting the local economy.
The Florida Classic, a collegiate rivalry like no other, has been played here in Orange County for 28 years, bringing in over 56,000 fans annually, not just for the game but for a weekend of other activities.
Each year, Orange County contributes nearly $650,000 dollars from TDT funding for the Florida Classic to support scholarships for students. The game and weekend activities generate an estimated $30 million dollars annually for the local economy.
Staying on the world stage, Orlando is excited to host six FIFA Club World Cup matches in just a few weeks. Orange County has invested $2.2 million from TDT funding that will showcase Orlando as the premier sports destination while generating thousands of room nights.
Orange County’s investment as a host for all levels of competitions enhances our community's visibility and boosts the economic vitality of sports tourism. As athletes showcase their physical abilities and talent, we have students competing on the academic stage each day.
Orange County is proud to have educational institutions that are building a high-quality talent pipeline for our economy and community. Let’s hear from Dr. Jeff Williamson, Orange County’s Communications Director, as he highlights three of our outstanding educational institutions.
Thank you, Jeff, for looking into those learning opportunities. Now that’s building better through education!
We are also building better through Public Safety, which is the cornerstone of local government. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents is fundamental to Orange County.
For more than 40 years, the Orange County Fire Rescue Department has been protecting the life and property of our residents and visitors. The 1600 men and women who have dedicated their lives to the fire service will soon have a state-of-the-art training facility. This $52 million training center will ensure our firefighters are ready for any emergency.
The 38-acre facility will include a burn building where firefighters can train in live fire environments. We look forward to the grand opening on June 18th.
During my administration, I have convened six task forces to engage the community and receive their input. One of the most recent examples of citizen engagement is the Orange County Jail Oversight Commission.
With the significant increase in the inmate population over the past two years, I convened a 26-member commission co-chaired by Chief Judge Lisa Munyon and former Chief Judge Belvin Perry of the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
The commission was charged with identifying and reviewing the best practices and making recommendations for reducing costs for healthcare and incarceration.
I also want to highlight the opening of the $18.9 million Orange County Courthouse at Winter Park. This new state-of-the-art courthouse opened earlier this year to improve the efficiency of our criminal justice system.
I want to take a moment to highlight Orange County’s continued funding for children and families. Since 2018, Orange County has dedicated over $90 million annually to fund more than 500 programs and services for individuals and families.
The foundation of a healthy community starts with access to healthcare and behavioral health services. Last year, Orange County’s Medical Clinic celebrated 30 years of service.
The clinic is comprised of 12 healthcare facilities and annually serves more than
10,000 uninsured and underinsured patients.
Recently, through a partnership with Undue Medical Debt, Orange County eliminated medical debt totaling more than $472 million owed by some 310,000 Orange County residents.
We contributed $4.5 million, funded through the County’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which allowed our partner to purchase qualifying medical debt at a fraction of its face value. This signifies a great return on our investment. We hope it will improve the quality of life for many residents who can now put that debt behind them.
A healthy community deserves a healthy environment. Orange County is leading efforts to preserve the natural beauty of our community, and we are committed to doubling our protected acreage in the next 10 years.
From the air we breathe to the water we drink, we care about the future of our community. We are protecting our environment, rural places, wild spaces, and public lands. For example, Orange County reuses 100% of its reclaimed water, and most of it goes back into the GROUND through irrigation, aquifer recharge, and rehydration of wetlands.
In 2024, the Board updated a 35-year-old Wetland Protection Ordinance. The ordinance enhances environmental protection while ensuring efficient and sustainable development processes. I want to commend our environmental protection staff for their hard work and dedication.
Another bright spot in Orange County’s sustainability efforts is we have the largest ground mounted solar array in Central Florida. Spanning the length of three football fields, this 2-megawatt solar installation at the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility offsets energy costs of operating the facility by up to 60% – a cost savings estimated at $400,000 dollars a year.
Orange County was thrilled to receive an $800,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant that will allow county staff to implement projects and initiatives focused on reducing energy use, improving energy efficiency, and lowering emissions.
With 113 parks, trails, and facilities, Orange County offers its residents and visitors some of the most beautiful places to walk and bike and enjoy nature. Just a few months ago, we broke ground on the $10 million dollar Lake Apopka Trail Connector.
This 3.2 mile addition will connect the West Orange Trail and Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Thirty years ago, we opened the first segment of the West Orange Trail. That same trail now stretches 22 miles.
Now let’s look at how we are building better together by recognizing the broad array of diverse communities.
This year, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans War Day. It was a privilege to honor our Vietnam Veterans. Every year, I receive thanks from Veterans who never received this type of recognition until our ceremonies. Please let us never forget the sacrifices our Veterans and their families made to protect our freedom.
I would like to ask all Veterans that have joined us today to please stand.
Let me also take a moment to recognize the County’s Veterans Services Office celebrating
80 years of service to our Veterans and their families. Alnita Whitt is the Veterans Services Office Manager and the first woman to hold this position. Congratulations Alnita!
Now let’s examine several County initiatives that are focused on building a better community.
The Mayor’s Orange County MLK Initiative celebrates Dr. King’s ideals year-round, including volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, participating in mentoring programs and hosting events that bring the community together.
As we continue to make investments in our neighborhoods, we broke ground on the Tangelo Park Community Center. This $10 million dollar facility will be the ninth Community Center in Orange County, offering essential social programs, resources, and services.
Now, let’s hear from Public Information Officer Ezzy Castro as she highlights programs and events that showcase the collaboration and strength of our entire community.
Thank you, Ezzy, for highlighting our diverse communities and the events that bring us together.
The arts are vital to the social fabric of our community. I’m proud to say that our Board has significantly increased funding for the arts in Orange County through TDT funding.
This year’s budget for the arts is over $35 million dollars, which is a 36% increase over the past six years.
Orange County funds more than 40 arts organizations that encourage cultural tourism. Orange County invests three times more funding per capita for the arts when compared to the national average. Fusion Fest, the Orange County ACT awards, and art exhibits in County facilities are just a few examples of how we are showcasing the talent of our local and regional artists.
As I conclude my remarks, let me say how honored I am to lead the 8,000 county employees that provide vital services to our residents and visitors. I would like to ask our county employees to please stand and be recognized.
These are the ultimate professionals, and they do a phenomenal job!
Last month, I met Wendy Reyes, a 14-year County employee at our Public
Works Department. Wendy has been a Senior Engineering Technician in the department for over a decade. She decided to return to school to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Central Florida, all while raising her three sons and working full-time. We applaud Wendy and all of our employees that make our county better every day.
Once again, this year, our employees had another record-breaking United Way fundraising campaign. Shattering our previous record, Orange County employees raised more than $1.4 million dollars for residents in need. Much of it came from their personal giving and the rest came through their sweat equity and volunteer fundraising. That deserves a round of applause!
Our departments and divisions continue to shine, winning regional, state, and national awards for their innovative programs and efficient and sustainable processes. I am so proud of the work being done by our employees!
We are also joined today by students from the Mayor’s Career Showcase. In partnership with Career Source of Central Florida, these young individuals meet with our county departments to learn more about county operations and services and explore future career opportunities. Let’s have our students stand and be recognized!
Before I leave employees,
I would like to wish a happy 30th anniversary to Orange TV!!
And now, did you think that was all? We always have entertainment for you! Now, let’s get ready for a performance from Universal Orlando that is going to shake the floor and ignite the stage. Let’s hear it for the Beat Builders.
A special thank you to Universal Orlando for that spectacular performance.
Today’s presentation highlighted how we are building better through efficiency.
We are building better through efficiency using artificial intelligence to improve our customer service and responsiveness.
We are building better through efficiency by reusing 100 percent of our wastewater and using solar power to boost our energy independence.
We are building better through efficiency by funding affordable housing.
We are building better through efficiency by dedicating nearly
$1 billion to public safety.
We are building better through efficiency by investing in transportation that enhances our mobility, which takes more cars off the road.
Finally, We are building better through efficiency with streamlined budgets, high credit ratings and one of the lowest tax rates in Florida.
And that, ladies and gentlemen makes Orange County a great place to live, work and play!