Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 on June 29, a $114.8 billion spending package. That included over $8 million in appropriations for Osceola County projects.
But, the Governor also line-item vetoed some $810 million in local projects, and Osceola County saw the red pen about as much as other locations.
The good news: seven agencies or governments received funding for eight projects:
- Boggy Creek Shoal and Vegetation Removal—$3,500,000
Osceola County Courthouse Courtroom Expansion—$2,250,000
C-31 Canal Bank Stabilization —$1,500,000
Senior Connected Care Program and Meals on Wheels for rurally-located seniors to Osceola Council on Aging— $500,000
Recovery Addiction Recovery Pilot Program—$300,000
Homeless Veterans Program to The Transition House—$300,000
Safety and Security Modernization to Osceola County Corrections’ Re-Entry Center—$250,000.
“These critical funds will expand access to senior services, support homeless veterans, advance important environmental initiatives, and strengthen our local judicial infrastructure,” Sen. Kristen Arrington said. “While I am grateful for these investments, I am disappointed that several important projects focused on transportation, veteran therapy services, homelessness initiatives, and education were vetoed—decisions that will have a real impact on our community.”
Among what saw the vetoes:
Waterlin Boulevard Florida’s Turnpike Interchange south of St. Cloud—$1.25 million of the $15.2 million project cost
Osceola County School District projects, including an aquatic center at the new Nova Lakes High School ($1 million); a security center with 24/7 property monitoring ($750,000); boardwalk at Osceola County Environmental Center ($1 million)—$2.75 million
City of Kissimmee’s request to replace a failed private drainage system with a public stormwater system to reduce chronic flooding ($500,000); issimmee Police Department evidence storage facility expansion to address leaks and capacity issues ($750,000)—$1.25 million
City of St. Cloud Hopkins Park Community Center refurbishment ($500,000) and Safety Alert severe weather sensor upgrades ($116,270)— $616,270
McCormick Research Institute’s equine assistance for veterans with mental health challenges—just under $175,000
Hope Partnership’s homeless population Community Safety and Stability Project—$500,000.
