This morning, only hours
after Buddy Dyer, new Mayor of Orlando, delivered his victory speech, the citizens
of Central Florida gathered at Harry P. Leu Gardens to hear the results of a
study conducted by a group of University of Central Florida Public Affairs doctoral
students, showing the advantages to merging Orange County governments.
Jane Healy, the editorial
page editor of the Orlando Sentinel, moderated the forum, hosted by The Metropolitan
Center for Regional Studies Center at the University of Central Florida. Four
community leaders possessing a wealth of experience in city and county government
issues were invited to respond to the research. Tom Wilkes, former Orange County
attorney; Jean Bennett, former Orange County administrator; Howard Tipton, former
City of Orlando administrator and currently interim director of LYNX; and former
Mayor of Winter Park, Joe Terranova questioned the conclusions and recommendations
of the group
The proposed plan would
merge the municipal governments of Orlando, Apopka, Belle Isle, Eatonville,
Edgewood, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park
and Orange County in a process that would take up to four years.
These eleven municipalities represent almost 1 million people, a combined budget
of nearly $3.5 billion and 1,004 square miles of taxable property valued at
more than $76 billion. According to the research, this strategy would improve
growth management, eliminate multiple taxation and create efficiencies of scale
in purchasing.
Former Orange County Chairwoman
and myregion.org CEO Roundtable
and Technical Committee member, Linda Chapin, directs The Metropolitan Center
for Regional Studies. According to Ms. Chapin, "The Metropolitan Center
for Regional Studies provides a vehicle for an evenmore effective partnership
between a region facing great challenges and a major university with an enormous
capacity to contribute to a vibrant, prosperous and inclusive community.”
For more information on
the results of the study or to know more about The Metropolitan Center for Regional
Studies and its program of work, please contact Linda Chapin at 407.882.1185
or via email lchapin@mail.ucf.edu.
