Help Improve Transparency in Orange County – Share Your Thoughts!

July 14, 2023

I, Commissioner Emily Bonilla, believe in the power of open dialogues and the shared wisdom of our community.

Since 2018, public participation in the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meetings has been limited to a mere two minutes per person, and there has never been the ability to ask questions of the Commissioners. We believe in a more participatory approach, where your concerns, ideas, and questions can be fully expressed and answered. That’s why I have organized a special Sunshine Meeting.

The Sunshine Meeting is a public forum where we, your County Commissioners, openly discuss critical topics that will be addressed in our upcoming Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting. I believe that these open dialogues are a step towards a more transparent and participative local government.

Working with other Commissioner schedules and facilities availability, I scheduled the Sunshine Meeting for July 18th at 3:30 pm (RSVP below) This Sunshine Meeting will focus on significant topics. Unlike the standard BCC meetings, we will dedicate ample time to hear from you, our valued Orange County residents, allowing for a more in-depth dialogue with the Commissioners.

The issues I’ve placed on the agenda for this meeting are:

Vision 2050 – Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update: An essential plan that will define the land use in our county for the next few years, crucial to the sustainable development of our communities.
- Research documents gathered by Commissioner Bonilla’s office: Link to documents.
Tourism Development Taxes: A discussion on the strategic utilization of these funds to maximize their benefits for our county.
- Research documents gathered by Commissioner Bonilla’s office: Link to documen ts.
Pluris Wedgefield – Local Water Utility Issues: Addressing residents’ concerns about the services provided by the current private water utility. We’ll discuss the county’s potential acquisition of this utility to improve service.
- Research documents gathered by Commissioner Bonilla’s office: Link to documents.

These are complex and impactful topics, which require careful examination and public input. My goal is to ensure that you’re well-informed and actively participating in the decision-making process.

To further enhance our discussion and help us understand your concerns and viewpoints better, I’ve put together a brief, confidential survey. I’d greatly appreciate if you could take a few moments to complete it below.

This is a significant opportunity for you to have a meaningful interaction with your Commissioners and to contribute your thoughts on the critical issues impacting our county. Whether you attend in person or follow the proceedings on our Live Streaming, your active participation is integral to our shared objective of a more open and responsive local government.

Thank you for your engagement and dedication to making Orange County the best it can be. I look forward to hearing your insights and seeing you at our Sunshine Meeting.

For those who cannot attend in person, I have arranged to Live Stream the entire meeting on multiple platforms: