Over the past seven months since being sworn in alongside a new city commission, the City of Kissimmee has undergone a transformational shift—one rooted in a renewed commitment to building a bright, safe, and successful future for all residents and small businesses who call our beautiful city home.
Together, your Commission and city administration have faced tough decisions head-on and have taken bold steps to deliver on our shared vision. We’ve worked diligently to move from short-term fixes to long-term solutions that foster sustainable economic development, enhance public safety, and protect the quality of life in every corner of our city.
First, we secured a dedicated revenue source for our Kissimmee Gateway Airport, a vital step to ensure the success of our long-term Airport Master Plan. This strategic plan lays the foundation for Kissimmee to become a hub of regional commerce and innovation. Last week’s groundbreaking of a new Hyatt Hotel at the airport is only the beginning of what’s to come.
We’ve also made a generational commitment to public safety by adopting a new fire fee that supports the worldclass training and operational needs of our Kissimmee Fire Department. This ensures our firefighters have the tools and support they need to protect our families and our businesses— providing one of the best emergency response services in our region.
Additionally, our Commission recently approved over $300 million in new commercial real estate investments in the heart of our historic downtown. This includes two new hotels and a $35 million convention center, reinforcing Kissimmee’s position as a destination to live, work, visit, and do business.
But with growth comes responsibility—and sometimes, tough conversations. We must address the elephant in the room.
Over the past several years, our downtown has experienced serious public safety incidents—including a recent tragedy where someone was critically injured. While our city staff has worked tirelessly to collaborate with local businesses to reduce nightlife-related issues, the truth is—a small handful of establishments continue to knowingly and repeatedly violate local ordinances and state laws related to alcohol sales, putting the safety of our community at risk.
Enough is enough. This Commission and administration took decisive action by adopting a new alcohol sales for consumption permit. This special permit is not about shutting down businesses—it’s about creating an accountability mechanism and ensuring that every establishment operates responsibly.
Florida state law sets alcohol cut-off sales at midnight, but allows cities to extend that— which we still do. The new $250 annual permit applies only to bars and restaurants in the Downtown CRA that serve alcohol and wish to stay open until 2 a.m.
There are no new security or staffing requirements. The only condition: follow the law. Businesses violating state or local ordinances face permit suspension and possible revocation after two violations. An appeals process is in place, and enforcement will be carried out by the Kissimmee Police Department.
Let me be clear: public safety is our number one priority, and doing nothing is not an option. I will not sit back and wait for another tragedy to occur. We owe it to every resident, visitor, and business owner to take proactive measures that protect lives and preserve the integrity of our community. We have nearly 90,000 residents and close to 2,400 active small businesses who deserve a downtown that is vibrant, safe, and welcoming. Our actions are not punitive—they are protective. And they are necessary.
We are focused on smart, strategic policymaking that benefits the entire city, not just a select few. Please know that your city leadership truly cares and is here to support you and your family—every step of the way.
Jackie Espinosa is the mayor of Kissimmee.
