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Osceola County administration building
For the 11th consecutive year, the millage rate for Osceola County residents remains unchanged, as Osceola County commissioners approved a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2021 budget Monday that provides necessary services to the citizens, with a continued focus on transportation, housing services and public safety.
Two of the biggest impacts to the fiscal year budget are the inclusion of the Transportation Improvement Construction Bonds ($198.5 million) and the CARES Act funding ($66.7 million).
In addition, the Sheriff ’s Office has reduced its budget by $5.17 million as outgoing Sheriff Russ Gibson worked with the county manager on the reductions. A new sheriff will take over after November’s elections and the current budget will still allow the new chief law enforcement officer to have flexibility in his operations, officials said. The County Commission has no line item, or operational, authority over the Sheriff ’s budget – and only is responsible for approving a requested total.
Through the leadership of the board and efforts of the county’s partners, the approved budget continues to provide necessary services to the citizens at the same general millage rates as FY20.
Highlights of this year’s spending plan include:
• $577.5 million, including $53.5M in grants, in transportation related activities for complete streets construction ($409.5m), road maintenance/improvements ($128.3M), Stormwater ($17.8M), trails ($12.1M) and Transit ($9.7M).
• Complete street construction projects include the continuation of improvements to Hoagland Boulevard., Neptune Road, Boggy Creek Road (Simpson to Narcoossee), Bill Beck Boulevard – Segment B, Poinciana Boulevard (Pleasant Hill to Crescent Lakes Way) and Partin Settlement (Neptune Road to East Lakeshore).
• $285.4 million in public safety, which includes $737,556 in awarded grants.
• 92.1 million in grant funding, which includes the CARES Act funding
• $6.3 million in grant funding for Buenaventura/ Simpson outfall, which is a much-needed stormwater improvement project, Fortune Lakeshore Multiuse Trails and funds for culvert replacement as needed.
