Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is exploring another sales tax increase to fund transportation initiatives. In November 2022, Orange County residents overwhelming voted against a 1%, 20 year, sales tax increase for transportation. This proposal was largely criticized for lack of specific improvements that would be made, along with the increase in costs for residents during a period of high inflation.

Changes for the 2024 initiative discussed include lowered the tax from 1% to 0.5%, lowering the time-span from 20 years to 10 years, and more specifically showing residents how the money will be spent.

During the work session, Commissioner Wilson continued to voice concern about this initiative and shifting responsibility from developers to residents. Throughout Horizon West and other high-growth areas of Orange County, developers often enter into transportation or roadway agreements to make improvements, which limits the ability for the county to make improvements through a sales tax.

Commissioner Wilson also suggested lowering millage rates on property taxes, as residents face higher property taxes, not due to increases in tax rates, but rather large increases in property values.

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The Board has until April to make a decision in order to put the initiative on the ballot in November.