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Library warns $8.6M hit if property‑tax reform passes; board advances millage vote
Summary
Orange County Library System leaders told commissioners the system could face an $8.6 million revenue loss next year if Amendment 3 (property‑tax reform) passes, prompting discussion of hiring freezes and reduced hours; the board advanced millage and budget items for formal votes.
Steve Powell, director and CEO of the Orange County Library System, presented the library’s FY26–27 operating request and warned the board that a proposed state constitutional amendment to expand homestead exemptions could cut library ad valorem revenue by an estimated $8.6 million in year one and a like amount in year two. "That $17,200,000 will have a serious impact on operations at the Orange County Library System," Powell told the board, saying the library would likely implement a hiring freeze, reduce operating hours and evaluate program changes if those projections materialize.
Powell walked commissioners through OCLS performance measures for FY25 — nearly 1.9 million visits, rising digital checkouts and program attendance gains tied to a new mobile app and outreach efforts. He said the library is funded 99% by ad valorem property tax and reported total revenues projected for FY27 at about $118.1 million with reserves providing approximately four months of operating expenses.
Commissioners praised the library’s community programs and pressed Powell on what services would be cut if revenue fell; Powell said operating hours and hiring freezes would be the first lever the system would use but emphasized leadership preference to avoid layoffs by using attrition and reserves strategically. The board moved to place proposed millage and the proposed OCLS budget back on the agenda for formal action and later approved motions to take up millage and budget items during the session.
