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Connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla

Welcome to the 94th edition of the Newsletter!

I am honored to serve the people of Orange County District 5. From College Park to Christmas, our office is here to represent your interests. We are working tirelessly to meet with as many constituents and community groups as possible in order to learn about your concerns and priorities first-hand. We encourage you to stay informed and voice your opinions as we move forward to improve the quality of life in our district.

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Noteworthy

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Visit our timeline to see many of our past accomplishments for District 5.

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Case Closed!

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One of our District 5 residents came to us requesting assistance with her septic tank and well water. We helped her get in contact with Orange County Utilities to help resolve her issue.

CASE CLOSED!

If you have an issue that needs to be resolved, use our contact form and we will connect you with the right people and resources.

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District 5 Videos

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You can watch our videos on the YouTube Channel where you will find episodes of the Emily Tells All talk show.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to not miss any videos.

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Important Updates and Information

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Past Community Events

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Upcoming Events

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Please click on the Event Title to find more details about the event.

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DISTRICT 5 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL – JUNE 19, 2024

I invite you to join the District 5 Youth Advisory Council meeting on June 19, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Orange County Administration Building, 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. This is your opportunity to engage deeply with community issues, advocate for matters important to you, and lead initiatives that shape our district’s future.

Location: Orange County Administration, 201 S Rosalind Ave., Room 105, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Time: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Register: https://emilybonilla.com/district-5-youth-advisory-council-2024-06-19/

COFFEE WITH THE COMMISSIONER – JUNE 19, 2024

I warmly invite you to join me for a cup of coffee on June 19, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Orange County Administration Building, 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. This is a wonderful chance for us to get to know each other better in an informal setting, discuss community matters, and share your thoughts and ideas.

Location: Orange County Administration, 201 S Rosalind Ave., Room 105, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Register: https://emilybonilla.com/coffee-with-the-commissioner-june-19-2024/

DISTRICT 5 NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL – JUNE 19, 2024

This is your opportunity to connect with Commissioner Emily Bonilla and fellow community members to discuss important topics that impact our district. This meeting is open to everyone, whether you’ve been a long-time resident of District 5 or are new to the area. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and inclusivity. Your voice matters, and we welcome your active participation in shaping the future of our community.

Location: Orange County Administration, 201 S Rosalind Ave., Room 105, Orlando, FL 32801

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Register: https://emilybonilla.com/district-5-neighborhood-advisory-council-june-19-2024/

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District 5 Torchbearer

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Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal

Sue Grode

• This issue’s choice for District 5 Torchbearer is Sue Grode. Sue continues to go door to door in Wedgefiled, tirelessly informing community members about the importance of letting their voices be heard about their water quality, water treatment, and options moving forward. Sue embodies the core values and ideals of a torchbearer!

Do you know a person or organization who is an Orange County District 5 Torchbearer? Nominate them to be featured in our email newsletter.

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Updates from Past BCC Meeting

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06/04/24 BCC Meeting

Watch the last Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Meeting or download the minutes. After the meetings, the e-agenda is updated with the results of the votes.

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Upcoming 06/18/24 BCC Meeting

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View the e-agenda of the next Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) Meeting. The e-agenda for each BCC meeting is usually available online on the Thursday before the meeting.

As always, we do have time before the meeting starts for Public Comment, and for Public Hearings there is also an opportunity to speak. For more information and how to sign up to speak, please go to https://www.orangecountyfl.net/BoardofCommissioners/BoardAppearanceandpubliccomment.aspx#.XppXRFNKgWo

This meeting will start at 9 AM for the morning session and 2 PM for the afternoon session.

Below are a couple of highlighted agenda items. Click on the agenda number to learn more about the item.

Consent Agenda

• 24-878 Approval and execution of Memorandum of Agreement between The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) and City of Jacksonville, City of Orlando, Orange County, Osceola County, Sarasota County, and Seminole County for Implementation of the Sunshine State Energy Resilience Coalition (SSERC) Project and authorization for the Mayor or designee to execute any necessary modifications, amendments, and extensions to this agreement. All Districts.
• 24-898 Approval and execution of Amendment No. 3 to Agreement NO. LPF4801 Between Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Orange County, a Charter County and Political Subdivision of the State of Florida, regarding the Orange County Septic Upgrade Incentive Program. Districts 1, 2, 5, and 6. (Environmental Protection Division)
• 24-899 Approval of the Neighborhood Grants Advisory Board recommendations for May 2024 Neighborhood Beautification Grants to Windward Cay Winter Garden Homeowners’ Association, Inc. ($14,030.24); Long Lake Park Homeowners’ Association, Inc. ($8,336.65); Tealwood Cove Subdivision ($15,000); Lake Jean Homeowners’ Association, Inc. ($5,000); Winter Park Pines Community Association, Inc. ($15,000); Bentons Garden Cove Subdivision ($15,000); and Normandy Shores Neighborhood Association ($15,000); and authorization for the Director of Planning, Environmental, and Development Services to execute the associated grant agreements. Districts 1, 2, 5, and 6. (Neighborhood Services Division)
• 24-903 Approval and execution of (1) Resolution of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding the Local Agency Program Supplemental Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Transportation concerning the Buck Road Bridge Project (FPN Number 439252-1-58/68-01) and (2) State of Florida Department of Transportation Local Agency Program Supplemental Agreement FPN: 439252-1-58/68-01 Contract No.: G2R43. District 5. (Transportation Planning Division)
• 24-904 Approval and execution of Memorandum of Agreement between Coalition Partners by and between Seminole County, Osceola County, Orange County, City of Orlando, City of Altamonte Springs, City of Winter Springs, City of Oviedo, and Tohopekaliga Water Authority to develop a Central Florida Waste to Energy Initiative advisory board to evaluate a regional biosolids solution and authorization for the Mayor or designee to execute any necessary modifications, amendments, and extensions to this agreement. All Districts. (Water Reclamation Division)

Discussion Agenda

• 24-907 Approval to establish the haulers’ compensation rates as listed, set the MSBU rate of $300 for Program Year 2025, and authorization to include the Tentative Mandatory Refuse Collection Program Rate of $300 on the 2024 Notice of Proposed Taxes. All Districts. (Solid Waste Division)

Work Session Agenda

• 24-908 Homelessness Update. (Mental Health and Homelessness Division)
• 24-910 Charter Rural Area Charter Review Commission Recommendation. (Planning Division) [At end of the day’s meeting after 2pm.]

Public Hearings

• 24-731 Case # SADF-23-10-025 Jonathan Lopez and Gabriella Agosto, Lake Douglas, permit; District 5

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Upcoming Land Use Cases in District 5

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You can find a list of upcoming land use cases and the dates for their community meetings and public hearings at this link: https://emilybonilla.com/blog/upcoming-land-use-cases/

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In The News

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• Orange County takes up Rural Boundary Amendment, could place it on November ballot (cfpublic.org): The Orange County Commission voted Tuesday to draft a charter amendment designating a rural area and boundary. The amendment would require a majority-plus-one vote of the commission to change its comprehensive plan to increase the density and intensity of development allowed in certain areas where growth is not already planned. Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who urged the commission to take up the CRC’s proposal, said it’s a matter of justice. “This battle is between the developers and the people,” she said. “Let the people have a fair and just opportunity to fight back. Let them battle it out on the ballot.”
• Orange County moves forward with proposed rural land protections amendment (mynews13.com): Advocates are hoping to add additional rules, essentially making it harder for developers to swoop in and build outside of areas that are already built up, known as “urban areas.” However, District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla said the county would first have to establish what is considered rural and urban land. “The citizens approached the CRC, Charter Review Commission, about doing a rural boundary,” said Bonilla. “Which then designates the separation of the rural areas and the urban areas, and what that does is give more definition to that line and the difference between those two areas.”
• Will Orange County voters get to consider rural land protections? County board will decide. (orlandosentinel.com): Commissioner Emily Bonilla, whose district includes rural areas east of the Econ River, including a former cattle ranch where developers have repeatedly sought permission to build as many as 1,800 homes, wants the board to advance the measure. “The proposed rural boundary is crucial for preserving the character and environment of our county, and thus it is vital that we address this issue promptly to maintain control over its outcome,” Bonilla wrote in a memo emailed to fellow board members last month.
• Key support emerges for Orange County rural growth-control vote (orlandosentinel.com): Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who won her seat in 2016 by defeating an incumbent who supported a mega-development many east Orange constituents opposed, described the protective boundaries as “a battle line…between developers and the people.” “You always have the lobbyists and developers on the offense and the citizens continuing to fight and fight and fight, just trying to defend their quality of life and what they had bought into,” Bonilla said from the commission dais.
• Is Orange County’s rural boundary ballot initiative in jeopardy? (orlandosentinel.com): “Recent developments necessitate our immediate attention and action. A memo from parties opposed to the amendment has highlighted significant challenges regarding the Charter Review Commission’s authority to advance this matter to the ballot,” she wrote. “To eliminate any potential legal obstacles and ensure the integrity of this process, it is imperative that the Board of County Commissioners take proactive steps to manage this issue directly.
• ‘In limbo’: Commissioners wait for Elections Supervisor to set ballot initiative deadline (yahoo.com): Eyewitness News pulled emails showing Commissioner Emily Bonilla asked to put it on the agenda in May, noting she wanted giving ample time to meet the Election Supervisor’s normal August deadline. Even County Administrator Byron Brooks said in an email in early May, the county was “mindful of the timing considerations” to ensure the ballot initiatives make it on the ballot.
• Only on 9: U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost demands transparency from elections supervisor (wftv.com): “This puts our democracy here locally in jeopardy. And look, these challenges are significant. They’re not insurmountable. We want to work with the SOE to make sure that people can feel confidence in the elections here in Central Florida. This is about the voters making their voices heard– no matter what or who they cast their ballot for,” Frost told Eyewitness News. Frost’s letter to Gilzean was signed by Democrat state and local officials including Rep. Anna Eskamani, Rep. Johanna Lopez, Rep. Rita Harris, Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, Senator Geraldine Thompson, Senator Victor Torres, Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns, Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore-Russell, Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado, Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla and Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph.
• Ballot deadline is Aug. 27 for rural growth controls in Orange County (orlandosentinel.com): “It is critically important that the voters of Orange County make their voices heard and express their will,” Gilzean said in the email sent through communications director Christopher Heath. “The bedrock of our democracy is that people have a say in what their government does, now we have the time to work together to ensure the process is open to all.” Commissioners are expected to discuss the particulars of a so-called “rural boundary” in Orange County on Tuesday, in their next scheduled board meeting. Another public workshop will be held in July and the board is expected to vote on whether to advance the charter question to voters July 30, the board’s final meeting of next month.

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