Orange County, FL
10/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/26/2026 22:09
Media Preview: Orange County Board of County Commissioners Meeting | October 27
The October 27, 2026, meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Presentations:
Proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Italian Cultural Heritage Month
Proclamation recognizing October 23 - 31, 2026, as Red Ribbon Week
Proclamation recognizing November 4 - 11, 2026, as Operation Green Light Week
Proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Consent Agenda
Item D-7: Food Distribution Initiative with Second Harvest Food Bank
This item seeks approval of a $1.25 million, one-year contract with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to expand access to nutritious food through more than 300 community partners across Orange County. The initiative is expected to provide food to approximately 207,500 households, or 383,900 individuals. Action requested: Approval of $1.25 million contract with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Inc. (Community and Family Services Department)
Item D-12: Mobile Shelter Project Expansion
This item calls for approval of an $80,000 contract amendment with Matthew's Hope Ministries to support overnight mobile shelter services in West Orange County. Funding will provide dedicated parking and electrical hookups for the shelter bus, laundry equipment, as well as reduced fuel costs. The program serves an average of 200 individuals each month, providing overnight shelter and case management to help them secure housing. Action requested: Approval of $80,000 Amendment to Contract with Matthew's Hope Ministries, Inc., bringing the revised estimated contract amount to $951,412. (Mental Health and Homelessness Division)
Item D-15: Mentorship and Vocational Programs
This item calls for approval of a licensing agreement between Orange County Community Action and Simeon Resource Center, Inc., to allow the nonprofit agency to offer its mentorship and vocational programs at the Holden Heights Community Center. The partnership is part of the Orange County Citizens Safety Task Force, which was a community-led initiative established by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in 2020 to develop strategies to reduce and prevent gun violence and violent crime. Action requested: Approval of the license agreement between Orange County and Simeon Resource Center, Inc. (Real Estate Management Division)
Item E-3: Orange County Head Start Literacy Partnership with Nemours
This item calls for approval of a services and data sharing agreement between Orange County Head Start and the Nemours Foundation. The Nemours Foundation will provide Orange County Head Start with the Reading BrightStart! Level One literacy curriculum, teacher training, biweekly classroom coaching in three classrooms, and certified trainer training at no cost to the County. The agreement also allows for the sharing of de-identified student data to evaluate literacy outcomes through the 2026-2027 academic year. Action requested: Approval of the Services and Data Sharing Agreement between Orange County and The Nemours Foundation. (Head Start Division)
Item H-5: Funding for Coalition for the Homeless Facility for Women and Families
This item seeks approval for a $15 million subrecipient agreement with the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to support Phase III construction of a new disaster-resilient facility that provides short-term residential and bridge housing for homeless women and families. The project is part of the County's Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. It will help fund construction costs for a facility expected to serve approximately 550 homeless women and families annually. The full project is estimated to cost $56.98 million, with completion anticipated by January 2028. Action requested: Approval of the $15 million Capital Improvements Subrecipient Agreement with the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. (Housing and Community Development Division)
Discussion Agenda:
Item A-1: FY 2027 Cultural Tourism Grant Recommendations
Orange County's Arts & Cultural Affairs Office will present the FY 2027 Cultural Tourism Grant recommendations from the Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Council. Action requested: Approval of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Council's funding recommendations for Arts & Cultural Affairs FY27 Grants for Cultural Tourism. (Arts & Cultural Affairs)
Work Session Agenda:
Item A-1: Work Session on Exotic Wildlife Regulations
Orange County staff will brief the Board on potential zoning code amendments to regulate businesses that exhibit exotic wildlife. The presentation will outline state regulations governing the importation, keeping, and exhibition of exotic animals, current County regulations, and approaches used by other jurisdictions. Staff will also present recommended code amendments and next steps for Board feedback and direction. This item is for informational purposes only; no Board action is required. (Zoning Division)
Item A-2: International Drive Community Redevelopment Agency
Orange County staff will brief the Board on the International Drive Community Redevelopment Agency, including its accomplishments, current and planned projects, revenue projections, and considerations for updating the CRA before its term expires in September 2028. This item is for informational purposes only; no Board action is required. (Neighborhood Services Division)
Public Hearings:
Item D-4: Hiawassee Road Pedestrian / Cyclist Safety Study
The Hiawassee Road Pedestrian/Cyclist Safety Study is a Roadway Conceptual Analysis (RCA) recommending safety improvements along Hiawassee Road from Balboa Drive to Silver Star Road. Ranked #4 on Orange County's High Injury Network (HIN), the corridor improvements include a 10-foot-wide multiuse path on the west side, protected midblock pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for all users. Action requested: BCC direction on the Hiawassee Road Pedestrian/Cyclist Safety Study consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. (Transportation Planning Division)
Item F-6: Lake Pickett North Agricultural Enclave Certification
The Board will consider an application to certify property known as Lake Pickett North in District 5 as an Agricultural Enclave under Florida law. The hearing will determine whether the property meets the state's statutory criteria for certification, which would allow the owner to pursue future residential development through subsequent reviews and approvals. Certification would not approve a specific development plan or authorize immediate construction. Action requested: BCC consideration of the application and approve or deny the requested Agricultural Enclave certification. (Planning Division)
(The following hearings are scheduled for 5:01 p.m.):
Item H-11: Zoning Code Amendments for Mobile Homes, Private Schools and Residential Compatibility
Orange County is considering amendments to Chapter 38 of the County Code to align zoning regulations with recent changes in state law. The proposed changes would revise the definition and standards for mobile and manufactured homes, allow these homes and private schools in certain zoning districts, update architectural glazing requirements in the Horizon West Village Center District, and establish standards for assessing compatibility among residential uses within a residential zoning district and future land use category for rezoning applications. The amendments would apply countywide. No action requested. This is the first of two required public hearings. (Zoning Division)
Item H-12: Proposed Zoning Regulations for Tobacco Shops
Orange County is considering amendments to the County Code to establish distance separation requirements for tobacco shops, including minimum distances from schools and other tobacco shops, and to prohibit these businesses in certain overlay, village and neighborhood center districts. The proposed amendments would also establish definitions and permitting requirements and update related zoning provisions to ensure consistency with the County's Vision 2050 and implementing ordinances. The changes would apply countywide. No action requested. This is the first of two required public hearings. (Zoning Division)
Media Notes:
A link to the FULL agenda can be found here: https://ocfl.box.com/s/ujopiypishu0sdpsu9au4ec6qudhr6s3
(*To view the supporting documents for agenda items, open the agenda, and next to each agenda item, you will see a set of underscored numbers in the left column. Click on those numbers, and you will be directed to the Orange County Comptroller's website, where you may view the documents)
If you need to access more documents mentioned in the agenda, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Requests for PowerPoint presentations or interviews cannot be honored until the presentations to the Board are complete.
This email is a courtesy for planning purposes for the meeting day.
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Orange County, FL published this content on October 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 27, 2026 at 04:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]