DECEMBER 2017
Greetings,

In Orange County, we are working to create a thriving natural, social and economic environment that will be sustainable for generations to come. From planning for roads and infrastructure, to nurturing extraordinary natural resources that will boost our high-value business sectors, schools, families and children - we're investing in Orange County's future.

Since its inception in 2013, Orange County's Sustainability Steering Committee has worked to capture all types of data - not only for the sake of real-time assessment, but also to drive our future sustainability efforts and projects. The Sustainability Steering Committee represents a broad range of departments and divisions across Orange County Government. This year, we are so proud to present a new online 2017 Sustainability Annual Report in a completely accessible digital format.
 
Orange County's Sustainability Initiative began in 2013 as an effort to plan for the health, happiness and prosperity of future generations, in a way that enhances the quality of life for our residents and global guests. With input from stakeholders within the community, the Orange County Sustainability Plan, Our Home for Life ,  was drafted in May 2014. The conceptual guide outlines specific incremental and transformative changes for the County through 2040, with interim goals for 2020. Orange County's $300 million  INVEST in Our Home for Life funding supports several policy options for sustainability in the future.
 
This new online annual report highlights the goals and strategies of our Sustainability Plan, tracks progress, measures target data and outlines the implementation of policies and programs. It also highlights successes and shows residents and visitors how they can take an active role in sustainable living. Thank you for helping to transform Orange County into a sustainable community brimming with opportunity, diversity and promise.

Finally, I would also like extend warm holiday wishes to our residents, community partners and guests. On behalf of Orange County Government and my administration, I wish you and your family peace, joy and a jubilant season filled with prosperity and holiday cheer. 
 
Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor
In This Issue
 
 

Mayor Teresa Jacobs welcomed families to the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Center for Families (NCF) on Dec. 18 for her annual Holiday Heroes Toy Drive shopping event. Mayor Jacobs, along with NCF staff, assisted parents in selecting the perfect gifts for their children, in keeping with Orange County's neighbors helping neighbors philosophy.
 
Orange County employees, volunteers and the extended community have contributed greatly to the success of Mayor Jacobs' Toy Drive, bringing joy to thousands of children and families. This year, Orange County employees and local residents generously donated 6,320 gift items. Since 2011, more than 35,000  toys have been distributed to children up to age 18 through several community organizations, including the Orange County NCF, Orange County Public Schools' Homeless Program, Wraparound Orange and United Against Poverty, formerly known as the Community Food and Outreach Center. Learn More >
Mayor Teresa Jacobs' Leadership Recognized by the International Drive Chamber of Commerceidrive
 

On Nov. 16, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs was recognized at the 30th Anniversary Awards Luncheon of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce with the Visionary Leadership Award. Under Mayor Jacobs' leadership, the International Drive corridor has expanded and developed over the last eight years. Learn More >
Orange County Experience Graduates Sixth Classocexp


The Orange County Experience, a 12-week educational program about Orange County Government, graduated its sixth class on Nov. 13 at the Orange County Administration Building. Office for a Drug Free Community Director and Orange County Experience Program Manager Carol Burkett provided welcome remarks and congratulated the new graduates. Learn More >
Orange County Joins OUC Solar Farm Dedicationsolar


Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) joined the community at the dedication of the Kenneth P. Ksionek Community Solar Farm on Dec. 7 in East Orange County. The solar farm's namesake is dedicated to OUC's current General Manager & CEO Ken Ksionek, who will retire in Feb. 2018 after working with the commission for 32 years.

Orange County and OUC have a long history of working together on environmentally friendly projects from the giant solar array at the Orange County Convention Center to OUC's recently completed landfill gas expansion project. Learn More >
News Worth Noting newswnoting

Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orange County, Florida Government  employees recently gathered for the County's 2017 Heart of Florida United Way Campaign's Victory Celebration Luncheon at the Orange County Convention Center. This year, County employees raised a total of $553,114 for the local nonprofit, surpassing their fundraising goal of $500,000.
 


Mayor Teresa Jacobs and members of the @OrangeCoFL Board of County Commissioners joined local residents at several holiday parades hosted by the cities of Winter Park, Ocoee and Winter Garden on Dec. 2. Learn more in our newsroom, http://bit.ly/OCFLParade2017.



Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined a roundtable discussion of ongoing relief efforts for evacuees from Puerto Rico held by Florida Gov. Rick Scott at the Osceola County Emergency Management Office on Nov. 13.  
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Mayor Teresa Jacobs celebrated visionaries and courageous dreamers in business at the 2017 Don Quijote Awards hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando and Prospera.
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Mayor Teresa Jacobs was recognized by the Florida Classic with the inaugural Bob Billingslea Award of Distinction for her leadership and contributions to the Florida Classic Consortium. The award ceremony kicked off the annual Florida Classic game, the nation's largest HBCU rivalry between the Florida A&M University Rattlers and the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats.