Budget approved as activists oppose boost for Sheriff’s Office
Orange County commissioners pushed forward a $4.8 billion budget Thursday that freezes pay for most county workers but gives $15 million more than last year to the Sheriff’s Office despite appeals from activists demanding cuts in policing costs.
The meeting, held by videoconference because of the coronavirus pandemic, is the first of two public hearings on the spending plan, which leaves the property-tax rate unchanged and boosts the sheriff’s budget to $281.5 million, the most ever.
Ahead of the meeting, about 30 people gathered outside the county government building in downtown Orlando. Some gathered along the street to wave signs while others walked inside to address commissioners. Several called on the board to reject the sheriff ’s increase, invoking the name of 22-year-old Salaythis Melvin who was fatally shot in the back Aug. 7 while running away from a deputy.
The killing outside the Florida Mall sparked outrage and protests.
The commission’s second and final vote is set for Sept. 24.
Sharona Barnes suggested spending the sheriff’s increase on affordable housing and mental health services. Another activist,
Bathsheba Collingwood, urged commissioners “to take immediate action in support of Black lives, to uproot systematic racism and protect our communities by rejecting the proposed $15 million increase to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor Jerry Demings, who served as sheriff from 2009 to 2018, invited Sheriff John Mina to answer concerns.
Mina said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement expects to wrap up their investigation of the fatal shooting in about 60 days. He said FDLE’s investigation would then be turned over to the OrangeOsceola State Attorney’s Office for review.
But defunding or cutting his budget would cause the agency to take a step backward as the increase includes money for de-escalation training, body-worn cameras and other measures intended to make the department more responsive, he said.
“Our community should expect excellence in polic
ing but also realize we’re human, too, and we make mistakes,” Mina said.
About 53% of the county’s 2020-21 budget will be spent on public safety, including Orange County Fire/Rescue and the Orange County Jail. But the plan also includes increased funding for affordable housing, children services, mental health and rental assistance.
During budget hearings in July, Demings announced the county would postpone construction of a controversial convention center expansion amid collapsing hotel tax collections and uncertainty about the future of big trade shows.
The pandemic forced theme parks to close and led to shut down orders that wreaked havoc on the economy.
It’s uncertain when the county’s tourism-centric economy will rebound.
Though the county property-tax rate, the tenth lowest among Florida’s 67 counties, will not change in the new financial year, which starts Oct. 1, the tax will raise $55 million more because of rising property values and new construction, said Kurt Peterson, county budget di
rector. He said the tax, the county’s biggest revenue source, is expected to grow next year by nearly 9% to an estimated $693 million.
Property values were set Jan. 1, before the coronavirus struck. The pandemic could knock them down next year, though.
The budget eliminates raises across much of the county ’s 11,000-person workforce and postpones” many non-essential operating expenses, including purchases of new equipment and vehicles. Workers making less than $15 will still receive their raises as part of the county’s effort to raise the minimum wage, a pledge the mayor made during his 2019 state-of-the-county address.
Commissioners also authorized a $15 increase for garbage service next year.
With the fee bump, total garbage and recycling fees would jump from $230 to $245 per home, higher than most of Orange’s largest cities. Orlando charges $231.36 while Winter Garden charges $228. Winter Park’s fee is $222 and Apopka is the lowest at $204.