Orange County sets tentative millages and adopts $8.32 billion tentative budget

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 4 unanimously approved tentative millage rates for multiple districts and adopted a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $8,318,172,170.

Kirk Peterson, director of the Office of Management and Budget, read the proposed millage rates and the percentage change from each rollback rate. He said the countywide rollback rate was 4.2068 mills and the proposed countywide millage was 4.4347 mills, a 5.42% increase over the rollback rate. Peterson also read proposed rates for a series of municipal service taxing units and neighborhood improvement districts; he reported an aggregate proposed millage of 6.9547 mills versus an aggregate rollback of 6.773 mills, a 2.68% increase.

County administrators and the mayor framed the budget around growth-driven revenues and service needs. County Administrator Byron Brooks said the tentative budget reflects a balanced plan with updated revenues and expenditure reductions discussed during July work sessions. Mayor Demings noted the county’s rapid population and tourism growth and highlighted investments the budget makes in public safety, housing, homelessness and transportation.

Key allocations cited in presentations and staff remarks include:

- More than $1.2 billion proposed for public safety, including Orange County Fire Rescue, the sheriff’s office and corrections; staff said public safety funding has increased on average 9.8% since 2022 and represents a $445 million total increase since that year.

- $17.7 million allocated for affordable housing in fiscal year 2026 from the county housing trust fund, part of a stated 10‑year commitment of $160 million.

- An annual homelessness services commitment of more than $56 million after a $10 million increase in the 2025 budget; staff described this as part of work to meet state-mandated homeless reduction requirements.

- Transportation investments including nearly $24 million for continued safety and efficiency upgrades in 2026, $6 million for expedited LYNX bus routes and $3 million for additional bus shelters. Staff said Orange County now funds about $15 million annually toward SunRail operating and capital costs.

Peterson reported the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget total of $8,318,172,170, a 2.6% decrease from the modified current-year budget. The board adopted the millage resolution on a motion by Commissioner Wilson with a second by Commissioner Simrad, and later adopted the budget resolution on a motion by Commissioner Uribe with a second by Commissioner Wilson; both actions passed unanimously by voice vote.

The board scheduled a second and final public hearing on the budget for Thursday, Sept. 18, at 5:01 p.m.