Orange County adopts $8.32 billion budget, raises aggregate millage; votes 6-1

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday adopted final millage rates and the fiscal year 2025–26 county budget, approving an aggregate millage of 6.9547 and a proposed budget of about $8.318 billion.

The hearing, called to consider the county’s final millages and budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, opened with County Administrator Byron Brooks explaining that public notice had been published in the Orlando Sentinel and that the evening’s actions would formalize the millage rates and the budget resolutions. "The purpose of tonight's public hearing is to consider and adopt final millages and budgets for the fiscal year beginning 10/01/2025 and ending 09/30/2026," Brooks said.

Kirk Peterson, director of the Office of Management and Budget, read a list of proposed millage rates for the county and multiple special districts. The countywide rollback rate listed in the presentation was 4.2068 mills; the proposed countywide millage was 4.4347 mills, a 5.42% increase over the rollback rate. Peterson also reported a proposed aggregate millage of 6.9547 mills, a 2.68% increase over the aggregate rollback rate of 6.773. Other examples announced included the unincorporated area proposed millage of 1.8043 (rollback 1.7144); the county fire and EMS proposed millage of 2.8437 (rollback 2.702); and the Orlando Central Park Municipal Services District proposed millage of 1.1549 (rollback 1.0423). Several small special-district rates were read aloud; some districts showed decreases (for example, Bass Lake: rollback 1.3247, proposed 1.1098) while others showed increases.

Members of the public spoke during the allotted comment period on how the budget choices would affect homelessness, community memorial funding and public safety staffing. Michael David, of Wedgefield, said the budget document was difficult to analyze in its current format: "the document is beautiful, but it is very hard to analyze," and asked why his taxes would rise when the countywide budget was shown as reduced from prior years. Virginia Meany, speaking as a member of Support Orlando Shelters, urged the board to "commit the necessary funds to make the Caley Street Work Relief Center, the Caley Street Commons, adding an additional 200 shelter beds plus services for those experiencing homelessness in Orange County." Michael Paul Mateer and Val Mobley, who identified themselves as veterans and supporters of shelters, also urged the board to pursue reuse of the Caley Street property as a near-term shelter option.

Chris Ritchie, president of the Orange County Firefighters Association Local 2057, urged the board to use the budget to address retention at Orange County Fire Rescue, saying turnover was undercutting public safety: "Every day, our members protect the residents and our visitors... Your budget can reverse this by funding competitive wages and protecting affordable profession specific health care and make it possible for experienced personnel to stay." Mayor Demings responded to public comments by saying the county weighs market conditions and affordability when making pay offers and by stressing the county's fiduciary focus: "We spend the people's money on the people of Orange County." He also noted constraints from jail population and immigration-related pressures when discussing reuse of the county’s corrections work release facility.

The board took two formal actions at the conclusion of the hearing. A motion to adopt the final millage resolution was moved by Commissioner Wilson and seconded by Commissioner Scott; the motion passed 6–1, with Commissioner Scribe recorded as voting no. A later motion to adopt the final budget resolution was made by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Wilson; that motion also passed 6–1, with Commissioner Uribe recorded as voting no. The adopted budget is effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Before adjourning, the board acknowledged Fire Chief Anthony Rios, noting it was his birthday. The hearing then concluded and the board stood adjourned.