ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Board of County Commissioners in Orange County will likely return sometime next month to continue discussions on how to spend up to $900 million in Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funding.
Commissioners held a work session Tuesday that lasted for hours, where many commissioners said they didn’t want to rush to make a decision.
“We as commissioners have not been given enough information to make a well-informed decision,” Commissioner Mike Scott said.
Orange County commissioners spent the day asking questions and expressing their concerns and reservations on how the county should spend the funding.
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“I’m wondering why we didn’t consider looking at — perhaps in the short-term — reducing some of the money to Visit Orlando in spite of their contract to give those other two entities some money?” Commissioner Christine Moore asked.
Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond spoke at Tuesday’s work session after sending out a memo last week, urging the board to make smart-yet-conservative financial decisions based on what he calls a “summer slowdown” in tourism, but he’s hoping next year will be better.
“Although our collections hopefully will be good, we have a lot of commitments, and we need to be careful,” Diamond said.
Commissioners are expected to return sometime in the coming weeks to hear more about funding requests from these five big projects recommended by the TDT task force, including the Orange County Convention Center, Camping World Stadium, the Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Center and UCF sports.
“I would love to see them have the opportunity to present before us and tell us why we should fund them,” Commissioner Mayra Uribe said.
Mayor Jerry Demings said in a memo last week to commissioners that he supports for sure funding improvements for the Orange County Convention Center, Camping World Stadium and fine arts programs, but he knows the county has to be careful in spending.
“I respect the recommendation that the comptroller has made, but I also respect those 52 people and organizations who submitted requests,” Demings said.
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