[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6089435,"mediaKeyId","2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b","parentId",2874147,"title","Ocoee appointee briefs commission on Orange County's mid-decade redistricting","audioSeconds",210,"startMs",1200000,"endMs",1410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b&start=1200&end=1410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b/thumbnail_1200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089435/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Ocoee-appointee-briefs-commission-on-Orange-Countys-mid-decade-redistricting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089435-3db272b7a0774cf1c2985e31e133a0ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001037&Signature=NHSXPEVwed6ApkzLb-Ov4fIp4wzLpYQBNPIFp3fnbuaK7R5m82VEOhPMmMqgUR0~hFllrMWI7IH5CMMuBtu-NXKoU8zs-XzeQHHeLw4jvMPVfzDekcxNhe0saIYx87bVuD1KxA3h-62BXMCGFgg~fyKnyW3Y7ID2NIHUOGu7VrDdso2FK4FxQGchdngT2va5~3yWTut8lcmKpHdAQb4M642RC5cZV8gw2~b2z-O17s7Q9rsyj5Ngxgs58byJ88dPZ1OK7~id~QLhALq3yngEDoIdVGyCNqw2~YwfDWsHKPeHpgid-baWCHdQavD7y7KnTkSpK7LoRnzu2OUFuM0IZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Ocoee, FL","date","2025-04-04T14:11:27.37Z","article","Angel Dela Portia, Ocoee's representative on the Orange County Mid-Decennial Redistricting Committee, briefed the commission on the county's plan to redraw district boundaries after voters approved increasing the number of commissioner districts from six to eight.

Dela Portia said the county appointed 15 committee members, including three mayoral appointees and two appointees from each commissioner, to review maps and propose new district lines. Committee meetings are scheduled weekly through September, and maps and meeting materials will be posted on the county's redistricting website, he said. \"There's actually access to the mapping software, where you can go on here, mapping tools, and get set up, and then set up your maps and all that. You can communicate with members of the committee and submit your own maps,\" Dela Portia said.

Dela Portia said the mid-decade change is a consequence of a 2024 ballot measure that added two districts; as districts grow smaller the county expects about a 75,000-person reduction per district based on 2020 census data, with District 1 losing the most population.

Why it matters: Redistricting will change Orange County electoral boundaries and could affect county representation for Ocoee residents. Dela Portia said Ocoee was previously split between districts and that the 2021 redistricting put the city in a single district; the new maps could again change which county district contains all or parts of Ocoee.

How to participate: Dela Portia said the Orange County Redistricting website will host maps, meeting videos and tools for public submissions and that meetings are open for in-person attendance and online viewing. He said the committee will present maps over the summer and he will report back to the commission.

Ending: Commissioners thanked Dela Portia and encouraged residents to review maps and participate in the process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Ocoee's Commission Meeting Recorded on 4.1.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Angel Dela Portia, Ocoee's appointee to Orange County's mid-decade redistricting committee, briefed the commission on the process to add two new county districts and where residents can find maps and comment opportunities.","taxTitle","Ocoee, Orange County, Florida","taxId",54401,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089439,"Resident objects to license-plate readers; police chief says Orange County grant covers cameras",270,2087000,2357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b&start=2087&end=2357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b/thumbnail_2087000.jpg","/articles/6089439/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Resident-objects-to-license-plate-readers-police-chief-says-Orange-County-grant-covers-cameras","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089439-6b6d520d07aca88eee9b9b7e36e7f36b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001037&Signature=VGPQFz0GK68cavOCcnzHWGQrVZQXxx0xI5qhReEzgGxJg3NKK5dFWVMwHuJVA9grVi08UZljDrvrRGGZmp8VtazX37r2upAc3TFh2mpJU1GhFqTTsY0PsFKHq4~tpoxbAexQBsCbiW28gvH-29WFHhw~d8ALVMwNlYpjX2K6BOnSofGAqVEsKbohze529PRQ~zvh-AIgS3xJjnXelkgtF2gaRZCcF5iW-OO7Z8wD0dorNNL3GtKSQ4p52bR7JCr8qosCeJNgwwMdmIgCpI-SvZPPnvOTuhWtiMrp7h1sQ7pX~8gUJbJIwjF6fTeIi5FInICfd2fri9ICxghiqC5-tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident told the Ocoee City Commission he opposes an expansion of automated license-plate readers (ALPRs), calling them \"warrantless mass surveillance\" and raising concerns about private-company data use and lack of local oversight. Michael Rogers said the cameras could become a profit-driven surveillance product if left unchecked.

\"This isn't a question about red light cameras ... this is a hammer looking for a nail,\" Rogers said during public comment, warning that a private vendor could sell data to brokers or other customers.

Police Chief Auburn responded to the concerns at the meeting and clarified that the five cameras on the consent agenda are part of an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant administered by Orange County and that Orange County owns the cameras, not the private manufacturer. \"These cameras can assist with locating your stolen vehicles ... Amber Alerts ... That information stays in house,\" Auburn said, adding that the cameras are intended to be shared among law-enforcement agencies when a vehicle is tied to a stolen or violent-crime investigation.

The city's consent agenda, which included the ALPR item, passed unanimously earlier in the meeting.

Why it matters: Automated plate readers are increasingly used by law-enforcement agencies for vehicle-related investigations, but they also raise privacy and oversight questions when private companies provide or manage the technology and data.

Next steps: The chief said the department will continue to brief the commission and the public about operational policies and data-sharing practices as the cameras are deployed.","A resident objected to expansion of automated license-plate readers at the commission meeting; Police Chief Auburn said the cameras are part of an Orange County UASI grant, are county-owned, and intended to help locate stolen vehicles and support AMBER alerts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089444,"Ocoee extends neighborhood matching grant deadline, will consider last year's recipients",1079,4996000,6075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b&start=4996&end=6075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b/thumbnail_4996000.jpg","/articles/6089444/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Ocoee-extends-neighborhood-matching-grant-deadline-will-consider-last-years-recipients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089444-d65b617f0fddaa19920cebfb22e6df83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001037&Signature=YNOA1vP5PVhaBrNlPlwXQDmBeiuWskEWNxJU-Zgyt8KcuIXxcrSlErcW3UM3alTpQP84IXBK2VD3WYo1leU3BC4IxdaK7WtBwJo2AXPm2amHM0HNQSshoPmoHuk4c1So-FUj2IV7wmM8ecqY9WMMYmnKEh6KP8ENFP2vdJTvzSuObdcQCNWCtqcuTxSEOIoLkVB-YmJjAHPNO4RkEAnFbjKvceAXjJpCWaueg2AeP8VF2MXOY1cvj8tYZuhlwJ6~Bo1GiWxOi7W5BvH6F5uuIEtCHNX6eIcKmAsJNEfAk1bWPF92vMBXlryjDUrrbKkfqS~IE~HMmmDtBcv3uYMbzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocoee City Commission voted to extend the application deadline for the city's Neighborhood Matching Grants to April 25 and temporarily allow last year's recipients to reapply for the 2025 program.

Deputy Director of Parks and Leisure Services Doug Gaines told commissioners staff had received only three applications (one pending) for a program that typically draws a minimum of 10 applications. Staff had extended the deadline once and sought help from commissioners to encourage neighborhood participation.

Commissioner Wilson moved to extend the submission deadline to April 25 and permit neighborhoods that received a grant last year to reapply for this year only; Commissioner Kennedy seconded the motion. Commissioners also directed staff to review and simplify the application process during the budget cycle to increase participation next year.

Why it matters: The matching grants fund neighborhood improvement projects and historically attract broad participation from HOAs and community groups. Staff noted getting three competitive estimates and preparing work by the city's August funding deadline can be difficult for some applicants and recommended modest process changes.

Next steps: Staff will issue a revised deadline notice and continue outreach; the commission asked staff to return during the budget process with recommendations to simplify the application and outreach strategies.","Commission agreed to push the Neighborhood Matching Grants application deadline to April 25 and allow previous-year recipients to apply this cycle; staff will review application process for next year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089449,"Ocoee approves $4.5 million settlement to reclaim Forest Lake Golf Course; selects interim operator",2870,4320000,7190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b&start=4320&end=7190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b/thumbnail_4320000.jpg","/articles/6089449/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Ocoee-approves-45-million-settlement-to-reclaim-Forest-Lake-Golf-Course-selects-interim-operator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089449-5b82ede7e5c3863e6b4accffed91aa71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001037&Signature=aW25k9EgwI571mK4SEX2onqtlFRQVU1GLUrldrzw6vVg-uKGY2yO2fQGK6oQ3ezpw4o1Nw7HyyBiFzG2rFYvqJ8Ln5PPW76IyfIEa68Yfbn46QPoG3lQEApIyf33zVckSit1ymojsONDoHBkm~D73eZv~2U9ZBiDbUfh3bgeCdoNGNbB842ORTnarKHpFOAjbGYkCB-TR0KspnqjF10KbhchGaYbSB9badvHzCrLz-108O43ODvzri27y2ny6laJJbn5UoZbxCeLB3e3DSg4Zf8gLRz9h0gQ7~FPJBITXE55ZgIhvQ~~l6WI2~qRNGIrxPcuAHUb1V04I7d5PjoIKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocoee City Commission voted to approve a mediated settlement that will require the city to pay $4,500,000 to Forest Lake Golf Club and to take physical control of the golf course and its effluent disposal system on May 1, with an interim operator to run the facility while the city issues a request for proposals for a long-term operator.

City Attorney summarized the Seventh Amendment that implements the settlement and the payment schedule: $750,000 is due on or before May 1, 2025, and $3,750,000 is due on or before Nov. 3, 2025. \"If the city commission approves the Seventh Amendment tonight, the city will have until May 1 to amend the city budget to provide for payment to Forest Lake of $4,500,000 to be paid as follows: $750,000 to be paid on or before 05/01/2025 and $3,750,000 to be paid on or before 11/03/2025,\" the attorney said.

The amendment also provides that the lease to Forest Lake will terminate on May 1 if the city completes the closing steps, and the city will take over operation through an interim operator on that date. The city must either amend its budget or provide a letter-of-intent or bond acceptable to Forest Lake by May 1 or the Seventh Amendment will lapse, the attorney said. The settlement further limits the city's ability to terminate the lease based on previously issued defaults for one year after the effective date; after that period the city could bring new termination notices based on materially different breaches. The agreement retains limited notice claims and representations by Forest Lake and preserves certain narrow recovery rights for the city up to $375,000 for misrepresentations.

Commission action and votes
- Seventh Amendment to ground lease: Motion to approve made by Commissioner Furstner and seconded by Commissioner Wilson; vote recorded at the dais: Commissioner Kennedy voted no; Commissioner Wilson voted yes; Mayor Johnson voted yes; Commissioner Furstner voted yes; Commissioner Oliver voted no. Outcome: approved (3-2).
- Interim operator selection and RFP: The commission solicited interim-operator proposals and received three offers. After discussion and questions the commission selected Down to Earth as the interim operator. Motion to select Down to Earth was made and seconded; the selection vote carried 3-2 (Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Wilson voted no; Commissioners Kennedy, Furstner and Alford voted yes). The interim operator will run the course from May 1 while staff issues an RFP for a permanent operator with a target start date around Nov. 3.

Why it matters: Forest Lake is a city-owned public asset under a long-term ground lease. The settlement closes a prolonged dispute, places operational control temporarily with the city, and commits multi-million-dollar public funds and a short timetable for budget action and transition. City attorneys and outside consultants advised that mediation was the financially prudent alternative to contested litigation.

Interim-operator proposals
- Down to Earth: proposed a base $5,000 per month plus 30% of net revenue; city staff projected that, under reasonable projections, the firm's fee would total about $49,064 for the six-month interim and a net return to the city of $189,374 over the period.
- Tamarac Golf Management: proposed $12,500 per month plus 50% of net profit; staff projection put Tamarac's fee at about $44,219 and net to the city at $194,219.
- Hampton Golf: proposed $5,000 per month and placed 50% of the fee at risk tied to performance; the proposal would yield roughly $30,000 in fee and a projected net to the city of $208,438 under staff projections.

Commissioner concerns and city response
Several commissioners urged caution about committing city funds without full operational and financial plans. Commissioner Oliver said the city was \"putting the cart before the horse\" by approving the settlement and a short-term operator without a complete long-term business plan, and asked for clearer expense and business-plan detail from operators. City staff and consultants said the interim period is intended to stabilize operations, allow the city to oversee the facility, gather financial and maintenance data, and then issue a transparent RFP for a permanent operator.

Next steps
- City must amend the fiscal-year budget or provide an LOI or acceptable bond by May 1 to effect the $750,000 payment and move forward with the lease termination and interim-operator transition. Staff will procure a permanent-operator RFP over the next six months with the intent of starting the permanent operator around Nov. 3.

Ending: Commissioners said they preferred settlement and transition rather than prolonged litigation; the commission will receive status reports during the interim operator term and before any long-term contract is approved.","After mediation, the commission approved a $4.5 million settlement and will take possession of Forest Lake Golf Course on May 1; commissioners also selected Down to Earth as interim operator and authorized an RFP for a permanent operator.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089454,"Ocoee wins $2.2 million in water grants as county moves to raise wholesale reclaimed rates",447,575000,1022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b&start=575&end=1022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2874147-b51f31aeaeda3391391dd3c06456930b/thumbnail_575000.jpg","/articles/6089454/Ocoee/Orange-County/Florida/Ocoee-wins-22-million-in-water-grants-as-county-moves-to-raise-wholesale-reclaimed-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089454-6249f0e67e77732a51113786de84665b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001037&Signature=nvoNvAg1AmGiU67C~hn-u8umvU7baOkhhqVlx7KggNjbzA9q09j8njhQhjPL2TSRDOHR6RSsy-xKRndtsINMEmR00Cij56KvYzKM42xhg1Uj1moAjBmquXytWe3rD5Qf1g4zS6YuyAYtzeA1RE2~oUI~r00ZfgbW02mEy7uT3b19iXOO22TnUF8ojwsFwF9CC7A0U~i61DCcr0L1MNIj7LcG0JBUagb9xURVk34mLioxyjMbQ7sbOfrwloVOFSyrsPEuPMl8hOcUeRE0Zkgb-3JprDIZpkvxPhV6SnxB8kf2QWQYZc9O919pGgmIxFwGkrOBIFoI~BGg1CYg3Tc7iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Ocoee announced this week that it has received $2,200,000 in grant awards to support reclaimed-water infrastructure and septic-to-sewer connections, while city staff warned that Orange County intends to reclassify the city's reclaimed-water account and raise wholesale rates starting Oct. 1.

The grant package includes a $1,500,000 alternative-water-supply cost-share (50%) that will fund a reclaimed-water main to connect to a new reservoir tank, and a roughly $700,000 Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant to help customers pay for sewer connection work from the cleanout to the home and for septic abandonment and yard restoration, Utilities Director Jen Bowling said.

Those awards arrived as county staff told Ocoee utilities that Orange County will move the city from an \"interruptible without storage\" customer class to a higher-priority classification that, according to city staff, requires a groundwater backup supply to qualify for reduced wholesale rates. \"The county has indicated that we must have a backup supply to reclaim to be able to qualify for a lower rate,\" Bowling said.

Why it matters: Ocoee buys wholesale reclaimed water from Orange County and resells it to irrigation customers. City staff said the change could raise Ocoee's wholesale price from about $0.60 per thousand gallons to $1.58 per thousand gallons on Oct. 1 if the county's new terms take effect and the city cannot meet the county's backup-supply requirement.

Details and next steps
- Grant breakdown: City staff described the awards as a $1.5 million alternative-water-supply grant (50% cost share) for a reclaimed-water main to the new tank and a roughly $700,000 DEP grant to assist customer sewer connections; the combined total is $2,200,000. \"That grant is for a $1,500,000 cost share match, 50%, and we're gonna put that money towards the reclaimed water main that we are constructing to bring the interconnect down to the new tank,\" Bowling said. \"The second one's about $700,000.\"
- County reclassification and timeline: City staff said county notices in November asked Ocoee to design and construct backup facilities by Oct. 1, a schedule staff described as infeasible. \"November of 2024 to October first of 2025 is not enough time to come up with cost-effective projects, let alone to design and to construct them,\" Bowling said. City staff have started a rate study and feasibility work on alternatives.
- Backup supply requirement and conservation concerns: Staff told the commission Orange County has said the required backup must be groundwater rather than other reclaimed supplies. The city has explored using surplus reclaimed supply from neighboring Winter Garden but said county staff rejected that option. \"They are dictating that we would have to do backup with groundwater,\" Bowling said, adding that requirement \"goes against our sustainability policy.\" City staff said they have discussed the matter with St. John's River Water Management District and are evaluating options.
- Customer impact and mitigation: City managers said the city intends to minimize the impact to residents and may absorb some costs while pursuing longer-term projects that could eventually reduce rates. \"We will make every effort to try to minimize any rate increase,\" the city manager said. Staff also noted that customers not on the reclaimed system would not be affected by reclaimed-rate changes.

What the grants do not cover
- The DEP grant does not cover sewer connection capital fees for customers; it covers most of the construction cost from the cleanout to the house and yard restoration, Bowling said. Staff said they will return to the commission with the grant agreements for formal approval.

Public information and timing
- City staff said they have initiated feasibility studies and a rate study and will provide regular updates to the commission and the community. The county's proposed Oct. 1 rate change and the question of acceptable backup supplies remain central issues.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified from the meeting record.

Ending: The commission requested periodic updates and asked staff to pursue options that reduce financial impact to customers while protecting the city's conservation goals.","City officials announced $2.2 million in grants for reclaimed-water infrastructure and septic-to-sewer connections and warned that Orange County plans an October wholesale rate increase that could raise local bills unless the city secures alternatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ocoee appointee briefs commission on Orange County's mid-decade redistricting

Resident objects to license-plate readers; police chief says Orange County grant covers cameras

Ocoee extends neighborhood matching grant deadline, will consider last year's recipients

Ocoee approves $4.5 million settlement to reclaim Forest Lake Golf Course; selects interim operator

Ocoee wins $2.2 million in water grants as county moves to raise wholesale reclaimed rates