Board of County Commissioners - 2025-12-16

Mental health and homelessness division added over $460,000 to two bridge housing programs with Samaritan Resource Center and Grand Avenue Economic Community Development. Total adjusted contract amount is $2.4 million to assist Orange County seniors and families transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

Parks and recreation division authorized to purchase 26.1 acres of future parkland in Northwest Orange County for $2.1 million. Area expected to experience continued residential growth due to major arterial roadways and planned developments identified in 2021 park growth analysis.

Approved approximately $13.9 million in tourist development tax funding for eight sporting organizations holding events between 2026 and 2035, including climbing championships, banana ball, and Olympic qualifiers for women's volleyball. Anticipated return on investment of at least $2.9 billion by end of 2035.

Allocated $1.5 million from affordable housing trust fund to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola to acquire land for 55 new affordable single family homes for low to moderate income households.

Allocated approximately $1.5 million from affordable housing trust fund to replace roofs for approximately 80 very low and low income households.

Approved variances for detached accessory structure (shed) at 5285 Shell Ridge Trail in District 2, allowing one foot from north side setback and one foot from rear setback in lieu of required five feet. Property owner built structure without permit after relocating from Texas.

Approved November 20 Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations for seven conventional rezoning cases, with exception of RZ-25-10-009 at 750 28th Street which was pulled for separate public hearing at District 3 Commissioner Uribe's request.

Appointed Giancarlo Rodriguez (nominated by Commissioner Simrad) and Jorge Berrios Trinidad (nominated by Commissioner Gomez Cordero) to Planning and Zoning Commission at-large representative positions with terms expiring December 2027.

Selected KCG Transportation Services LLC (378 points) as primary firm and Avcon Inc (377.33 points) as ranked alternate for Schofield Road roadway conceptual analysis study and final engineering design. Selection followed protest hearing where procurement committee member changed score from 3 back to original 4.

Commissioner Uribe moved to re-advertise the Schofield Road design RFP due to concerns about transparency after a procurement committee member changed their score during the protest hearing and one original committee member (Miss Hardy) had left county employment.

Approved conservation access easement regarding Summer Lake Groves under administrative services. Item was pulled by Commissioner Wilson for discussion but ultimately approved.

Deferred final approval of SBE policies and procedures manual to January meeting. Board directed staff to research raising professional services gross receipt threshold from $7 million to $10 million, examine headquarter requirements versus branch office allowances, and develop stronger compliance mechanisms.

Board reached consensus to discontinue pursuit of Charter County Regional Transportation System surtax and continue exploring Local Government Infrastructure surtax option. No formal vote taken; direction given to staff to return with further analysis in early 2026.