Mayor Jerriel Demings fields Q&A on budget priorities as residents raise tourism tax idea for transit
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Summary
In an open Q&A at Orange County’s community conference, Mayor Jerriel Demings emphasized community-first budget priorities while attendees suggested using tourist development taxes for transportation; speakers noted some uses would require legislative change and cannot be done today.
Attendees at Orange County’s community conference joined an open question-and-answer session with Mayor Jerriel Demings that focused on budget priorities and how residents can engage with state government to affect local outcomes.
Mayor Jerriel Demings emphasized a “community first” approach to spending priorities and encouraged residents to participate in the process. During the session, an attendee (Speaker 6) said some people had proposed using tourist development taxes to address transportation challenges but also cautioned that certain proposals could not be implemented under current law without legislative change: “Some people thought that we should use tourist development taxes to address transportation challenges ... Some of the things they were suggesting can't be done today.”
The exchange illustrated a recurring tension in local budgeting discussions: residents proposing new funding uses and county officials or commenters noting limits set by statutes or the current structure of dedicated funds. The session did not record any formal motion or vote on changing tax rules or reallocating tourist development revenues.
Coverage of the session was filed "For OrangeCV" by Ingrid Cotto.