Laurie Bauer

This Community Action Plan outlines the strategy to help individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency, enhance quality of life, and eliminate the causes and consequences of poverty. Key strategic priorities include reducing poverty in targeted populations, addressing basic needs such as public transportation, affordable healthcare, rental assistance, homelessness, and food insecurities, and improving employment opportunities through vocational training and education. The plan also emphasizes promoting health literacy and advocating for policy system changes in areas like transportation, housing, and wages. These objectives are to be achieved by expanding and enhancing services, increasing program participation, strengthening partnerships, and improving organizational capacity and communication, all guided by data-driven assessment and continuous evaluation using Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) principles.

The meeting agenda covered several sections including Proclamations for National Consumer Protection Week and Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1 Day, and a presentation on Art in the Chambers. The Consent Agenda included items such as confirmation of a managerial appointment, adoption of a resolution for a Tourist Development Tax Film Incentive Program, grant agreements for FIRST and Community Project Funding, confirmation of advisory board reappointments and appointments across several boards (e.g., Children and Family Services Board, Commission on Aging, Housing Finance Authority), approval of check registers and disposition of tangible personal property, and various contract approvals or change orders related to fleet fuel tank replacement, ongoing document management support, and large hauling/landfill service bids. The Public Works Department agenda addressed several permit approvals (Borrow Pits, Drainage Improvements), Maintenance and Settlement Agreements, and Proportionate Share Agreements for roadway improvements. The Utilities Department sought approval for a training agreement and utility line construction reimbursement. The Discussion Agenda noted a discussion on a Zoning Ordinance concerning parking for buses and trailers supporting homeless shelters, and an update on the IGSA Agreement and ICE Detention. The Public Hearings section covered matters related to a Municipal Service Benefit Unit, Shoreline Alteration/Dredge and Fill, Standard Permits, Boat Ramps, and an Ordinance modifying provisions for dangerous dogs and establishing trap-neuter-return programs.

This Community Needs Assessment for Orange County Community Action Division, covering the period 2024-2027, serves as a roadmap to understand community issues, resource requirements, and emerging trends impacting well-being. It informs strategic planning aimed at helping individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency. The assessment identifies three main strategic priorities: reducing poverty in targeted zip codes, enhancing employment opportunities and outcomes, and addressing critical basic needs gaps. It outlines goals and strategies to mobilize socioeconomic resources, foster partnerships, and eliminate the causes and consequences of poverty within the community.

This strategic plan, developed in 2019, outlines the direction for the Office of Orange County Commissioner District 2 Christine Moore, aiming to establish the district as a premier location for living, working, and recreation by empowering its residents. The plan focuses on key goals such as ensuring safe and quality infrastructure, expanding and improving housing stock, enhancing natural resources, fostering a stronger sense of community, and maintaining sustained public engagement. It is guided by values including quality communication, integrity, and innovation, with priorities on responsiveness, infrastructure development, environmental preservation, and community promotion.

The work session focused on reviewing standards and processes to update the Wetland Conservation Areas Ordinance, addressing staff-identified issues, citizen concerns, development community concerns, and commissioner concerns raised during public hearings. The session provided an overview of the wetland permitting legal framework in Florida and the development review process. Key discussion points included the importance of wetlands for aquifer recharge, water quality, biodiversity, and environmental resiliency, as well as wetland definitions and protections at the federal, state, and local levels. The development review process, including conservation area determination and impact permits, was examined, along with prior board direction for impact approvals, property rights, takings, and the ordinance update work plan.