Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings welcomes guests to the Orange County administration building in downtown Orlando for the opening event of Art in the Chambers & Art in the Atrium, featuring works by Peterson Guerrier and Stephen Taylor, on Monday, July 18, 2022.
MAYOR DEMINGS' DIGEST

Hello everyone, and welcome to August.

We are halfway through the summer season, and families are busy preparing children for going back to school. Our outstanding teachers, educators, bus drivers, crossing guards and school support staff are eager to welcome students back at Orange County Public Schools on August 10 and local institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Central Florida, on August 22. With school starting again, a friendly reminder to be extra cautious on the roads and slow down at school crossing zones.

As people are finding ways to cool off from the summer heat of Florida, it is important to keep water safety in mind, especially for our youngest residents. This month’s newsletter highlights some myths and misconceptions about the dangers of drowning and shares ways you can protect your family with multiple layers of water safety.

We are in the middle of hurricane season, and the Orange County Public Works team continues to be hard at work inspecting our drainage systems and pump stations. Read more about this vital work in this newsletter.

I wish you all the best and hope you have a happy and safe summer!

Sincerely,
Jerry L. Demings - Orange County Mayor
IN THE NEWS
FREE SANDBAGS
Self-Service Sandbag Program - Sunday July 24 2022 to Sunday August 7 2022 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Barnett Park - Bithlo Community Park - Downey Park - Meadow Woods Park - West Orange Recreational Complex
Stay prepared during the peak of hurricane season! Orange County residents can pick up free self-service sandbags at five locations across the County. Staff will provide residents with 10 empty sandbags. Residents are required to bring a valid I.D. with an Orange County address and a shovel to fill their sandbags. Sites will be open now through August 7, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Barnett Park
  • Bithlo Community Park
  • Downey Park
  • Meadow Woods Park
  • West Orange Recreational Complex

Residents can learn more by visiting ocfl.net/Storm.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
August 2022

August is full of events at the Orange County Library System. Find a virtual or in-person event at a branch near you.
August 4

Utilities is hosting a Solid Waste Job Fair at the Orange County Landfill. Attendees are encouraged to visit Orange County’s website to learn about available positions and to apply online beforehand for a quicker process at the event.
August 5

You may have heard about the infamous “Florida Man” and even laughed at their internet memes, but just who and what is “Florida Man?” Join the Orange County Regional History Center to examine the impact of this cultural phenomenon.
August 8

Orange County Parks and Recreation invites you to the ribbon-cutting for the new Eco Education Center at Magnolia Park, which features an inclusive playground, fishing pier, dock, pavilion, restrooms and more.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Don’t wait! Florida’s 2022 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday ends on Sunday, August 7, 2022.

During this sales tax holiday, certain clothing, footwear, school supplies and personal computers are exempt from sales tax. Families and students can learn more by reading the Florida Department of Revenue’s T.I.P Sheet or its frequently asked questions.
RENTAL NOTICE ORDINANCE
The Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on July 26, 2022, to put in place a Rental Notice Ordinance to protect tenants by requiring landlords to give a 60-day written notice for rent increases of more than 5 percent. The ordinance will take effect throughout all of Orange County, inclusive of all 13 municipalities. The ordinance will become effective once filed with the Florida Department of State, which should happen by the second week of August. Learn more about the Rental Notice Ordinance.

Residents who need to file a complaint can dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111.
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Facebook: The Orange County Division of Building Safety partnered with Habitat for Humanity during this year’s Builder’s Blitz event, transforming the lives of six local families.
Twitter: Orange County Community Corrections Division hosted its first-ever Community Resource Fair, bringing together more than 40 partners and nonprofits to help recently released inmates, offenders and the homeless.
Instagram: Packing an emergency supply kit is a great way to prepare for hurricane season. Learn about some of the essentials you should procure to be ready for a storm.
Check out these social media highlights, connect with Orange County Government and follow Mayor Demings on Facebook and Twitter.
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