JULY 2017
 Greetings,

As summer vacation winds down and families prepare for the first day of school in Orange County, please join me in recognizing the devoted parents, teachers, administrators and volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of our children. Their commitment and hard work helps nurture our youth as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow.  I encourage citizens to learn more about making a difference in a child's education and giving back to our community through the  ADDitions School Volunteer program facilitated by Orange County Public Schools. I wish all of our students another successful school year filled with academic milestones and memories to last a lifetime.  
 
While our teachers are encouraging adventures of the mind in the classroom, it's never too early for parents to start planning for fall festivities in our great parks. Orange County Parks and Recreation hosts a variety of popular fall-themed activities including  flag football leagues , Fish4Fun , Kelly Park's Cardboard Canoe Regatta and the 17th Annual Pumpkin Fest and Hayride at Magnolia Park in October .  For a full listing of upcoming events held in our parks and recreational facilities, visit www.OrangeCountyParks.net .

As our youngest citizens head back to school,  I encourage you to join us in Orange County's pedestrian safety efforts to keep our students safe. Whether children are walking and biking to school or adults are crossing a street or riding their bikes for exercise, Orange County wants to ensure that residents, businesses and visitors enjoy a community with safe transportation options and superb quality of life.  

Through Orange County's pedestrian safety program, Walk-Ride-Thrive! , we continue to work diligently to enhance the County's response to pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in coordination with other local, regional, state and federal initiatives. The program establishes a collective emphasis on reducing pedestrian and bicyclist crashes by improving street safety and creating lasting, positive change.

With pedestrian and bicycle safety as one of my top priorities, Orange County has been spearheading a comprehensive local pedestrian safety initiative since 2012. In addition to Walk-Ride-Thrive! , numerous local partners including Best Foot Forward , the City of Orlando , MetroPlan Orlando , LYNX , Bike/Walk Central Florida , Orange County Public Schools and local enforcement agencies have joined together to successfully boost pedestrian and bicycle safety awareness through school crossing guards , engineering, traffic planning and education tools.  With the addition of the INVEST in Our Home for Life pedestrian safety and roadway improvements initiative, we are well on our way to creating a safer commute for all.

As always, I thank you for staying connected with your local government, and for making Orange County the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor
Orlando United Day Tributes Remember the 49  orlandounitedday

On June 12, Orange County joined the City of Orlando and onePULSE Foundation to observe the one-year remembrance of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy on Orlando United Day | A Day of Love and Kindness .  The community remembered the 49 innocent lives lost, their family and friends, as well as those who were physically injured and those who bear the deep emotional scars of survival. The community also extended their support for the Pulse family, Pulse Nightclub owner Barbara Poma and the LGBTQ, Latinx and Hispanic communities.

A joint proclamation ceremony with Orange County and the City of Orlando established Monday, June 12, 2017, as Orlando United Day, an annual commemoration moving forward, dedicated to honoring the memory of the victims, supporting survivors and recognizing the compassion that was displayed by the community and the world during the darkest and most difficult day in history.

In the days following the Pulse tragedy last year, the  Orange County Regional History Center  worked on an immediate short-term response to the tragedy. The response focused on collecting and preserving the tribute items and keepsakes from memorial sites in the community including Lake Eola, Orlando Health and the Dr. Phillips Center of Performing Arts. The effort was later formally named the  One Orlando Collection Initiative .  To date, more than 5,000 items are included in the Collection. Orange County encourages Central Floridians and virtual visitors from across the nation and the world to view this touching digital memorial at our  Keep the Pulse website.   Learn More >
Mayor Teresa Jacobs Proposes $3.96 Billion Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget at Orange County's Board of County Commissioners July Work Session budgetsession

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs has proposed a $3.96 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-2018 budget for Orange County that is balanced and does not include a tax increase. This marks the 28th consecutive year without a countywide millage rate increase.

The proposed budget, brought to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on July 17-18 at the Budget Work Sessions, continues to invest in the resources necessary to provide future generations with a sustainable place to make Orange County their Home for Life.
 
"We continue to have a thriving local economy with a declining unemployment rate, increases in development and record-setting tourism," Mayor Jacobs said during her opening remarks at the first Budget Work Session. "This budget once again puts forward a spending plan that keeps health, safety and quality of life at the forefront."

A Work Session is an in-depth and larger policy discussion for the BCC. Orange County staff explains the issue to be discussed based on research and elicits feedback from the Board.
 
The proposed budget continues to fund new and expanded roadways, fire stations, parks and pedestrian safety improvements. Recognizing that there are still challenges ahead, the spending plan sets aside funds to address some of the most pressing issues.

"Public safety remains Orange County's number one priority, as tragic events like last year's Pulse shooting are reminders of our sacrosanct duty to protect our citizens and visitors, including our first responders," Mayor Jacobs stated in her annual budget letter. "The past year has been difficult, but the strength and resilience exhibited by our community has been nothing short of extraordinary. To maintain Orange County's commitment to keeping our residents and visitors safe, this budget continues to increase resources for the Orange County Sheriff's Office."

Funding has been included for 42 new deputies and the tools and equipment needed to do their jobs effectively. This is in addition to the 20 new deputies approved in the current fiscal year.
 
Additionally, funding is included in this budget to help fight the opioid epidemic sweeping the nation. In 2015, Mayor Jacobs convened the Orange County Heroin Task Force , and since then has implemented a number of Task Force recommendations to fight this frightening scourge of addiction. In this budget, Orange County takes the step of establishing a community program to administer Vivitrol - a groundbreaking non-narcotic drug which can help reduce an addict's cravings - and provide an opportunity to quit heroin for good.
 
In an effort to address the decreasing availability of affordable housing, a negative byproduct of the booming economy, Orange County is working with regional counterparts to develop policy opportunities to provide more affordable housing. Orange County continues to allocate funds to address this issue. 

"From the continuation of our partnership with Habitat for Humanity in low-income neighborhoods to our continued partnership with Wayne M. Densch Charities, Inc. to expanded housing options for at-risk homeless families, we are working to provide more affordable places for people to call home," Mayor Jacobs stated in her  budget letter.

The proposed budget continues to fund Mayor Jacobs' INVEST in Our Home for Life  initiative  for the third year, as well as renovations to the Orange County Convention Center .
 
Two public hearings on the proposed budget will take place on September 7 and 21 at 5:01 p.m. in the BCC chambers. The approved budget will be implemented on October 1, 2017. To view Orange County's proposed FY 2017-2018 Budget Book in its entirety, please visit the County's website.  Learn More >
Pro Bowl Plans Orlando Return After First Successful Year ProBowl3

Following the great success of its first year in Orlando, the NFL Pro Bowl will return to Camping World Stadium on Sunday, January 28, 2018. For the second consecutive year, the NFL will host Pro Bowl Week festivities across the Orlando area, bringing new experiences and activities as well as a number of events focused on commemorating all levels of football - from youth and high school to the NFL's best.  Learn more >
Community Partners Announce Milestone in Housing First Initiative housinginitiative

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs gathered with Florida Hospital, the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness (CFCH), the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN) and area leaders for an update regarding the region's inaugural "Housing First" pilot project. 


Since the project kickoff in 2014, when Florida Hospital established a $6 million "Impact Homelessness" fund with the Community Foundation, the Central Florida region has worked collaboratively to break the cycle of chronic homelessness by transitioning to the Housing First model, in which the chronically homeless are provided a home, extensive support services and case managers. 

 

As Mayor Jacobs commented at the event, "Through the Homeless Services Network, and in partnership with Florida Hospital, we've been able to make real progress in housing a very vulnerable group of high-need, chronically homeless individuals." Learn more >
BCC Promotes Lake Walk Program at Orange County Animal Services ocas

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the BCC made a special visit to Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) to help garner interest and attention for the shelter's Lake Walk expansion project. 

 

The Lake Walk program encourages volunteers and staff to take a shelter dog out for a stroll around a cleared path just outside the lake on OCAS property. The initiative was designed to promote exercise among dogs and their human friends. Learn more >
News Worth Noting ... newsnoting

Mayor Jacobs joined other dignitaries and community leaders at the   Legacy of Champions Luncheon , hosted by the  Mental Health Association of Central Florida , to honor the region's first responders during the Pulse tragedy. This year's honorees included the Orlando Police Department, Orlando Fire Department, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orange County Fire Rescue, Eatonville Police Department, Belle Isle Police Department, Edgewood Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol.
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On June 20, 2017, Orange County passed a revised fertilizer ordinance that is designed to comply with State of Florida requirements and   protect water quality.   Learn more about the revised rule on Orange County's website . To view the Board of County Commissioners meeting and read minutes from when the ordinance was passed, click here . 
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Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs celebrated the  opening of the new Sculptures on the Lawn  exhibit at the Orange County Administration Center, featuring new artwork from artists   Gus and Lina Ocamposilva . 
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recognized a group of young citizens in Central Florida who participated in the   Jefferson Awards Foundation Lead360 Challenge. This program engages and celebrates America's youth for their efforts in making a difference and inspires young people to coordinate and participate in public service projects in their community.
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Mayor Jacobs and the   National Center for Simulation will host the 2017 Florida Simulation Summit on September 7 at the   Orange County Convention Center . The summit will highlight advancements in transportation, medical augmented reality, architecture and engineering with a focus in virtual reality, featuring keynote speaker Elizabeth Baron from Ford Motor Company. Visit bit.ly/OCFLFSS2017 to register. 
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Mayor Jacobs provided remarks at the  inaugural International Association of Government Officials (iGO) conference in July . The five-day conference in Orange County hosted government officials from across the country and around the world for educational workshops, leadership development and legislative awareness to develop efficient ways to serve the public and promote the ethics of public service.