If property tax revenue is cut, Orange County must protect basic services first: fire rescue, roads, drainage, utilities, parks, libraries, and services for families and seniors. We should not cut residents while subsidizing unchecked growth. Developers, including out of state developers and construction companies, must pay the true cost of roads, sewer, water, drainage, and public safety impacts. Tourism is important, but if local services lose funding, we cannot keep business as usual tourism spending. Tourism and hospitality industries that profit here should help pay for the public costs they create, and public support should require public benefit, fair jobs, and accountability.
My vision is repair first, expansion last. The funding gap exists because Orange County keeps approving growth before the roads, drainage, buses, sidewalks, and public safety plans are ready. CFX collects tolls and is responsible for toll-road construction, maintenance, and operations, so it must be held accountable before asking residents for more money. No more major road expansion until existing roads are inspected, repaired, brought up to standard, and public damage reports are released. Commissioners must also stop approving construction that creates traffic without paying for it. I support better bus service, safe crossings, park-and-ride, dedicated transit lanes, and impact/mobility fees so growth pays for growth.
Orange County already has a Housing for All plan, a trust fund, ADU reforms, impact fee credits, and nonprofit partnerships. But we need results, not press releases. I support using county land for housing, faster permits for truly affordable units, stronger anti-flipping/deed restrictions, small homes/ADUs, and mixed-income projects near jobs and transit. I also support Housing First for the homeless with job training, childcare, mental health help, and real paths to work. Every nonprofit or developer getting public money must show cost per unit, who was housed, wages paid, and long-term affordability. No more blank checks that enrich insiders while families stay homeless.
I would protect water by stopping risky projects before they reach our aquifer. I oppose taxpayer-funded expansion for water-hungry data centers, private fiber corridors, and “smart city” projects that benefit corporations while residents carry the risk. Companies should pay their own infrastructure costs. I also oppose phosphogypsum roads - especially near wetlands, springs, or drinking water. In District 4, the Lake Underhill/Rouse Road dump site shows why testing, cleanup, safe capping or removal, and public monitoring must come before road or utility expansion. The county must require stronger stormwater rules, septic-to-sewer where needed, public water testing, and coordination with DEP, EPA, water districts, FDOT, and CFX.
I have not held elected office, but I have worked where government decisions hit real life: real estate, construction operations, permitting, law firm administration, legal research, and child advocacy. I know what happens when systems are confusing, slow, expensive, or built to protect insiders instead of people. As a citizen and candidate, I have researched county agendas, land use, transportation, utilities, CFX, and state preemption. I can read records, connect facts, ask the questions others avoid, and explain the problem clearly. That is how you fix government: follow the money, expose the gaps, and make the system work for residents again.
Orange County should stop reacting after Tallahassee has already taken local power. I support a home-rule defense plan: track preemption bills early, publish who benefits, join other counties and cities before votes happen, and challenge bad laws in court when needed. Local ordinances should include clear legal findings, public-purpose statements, business-impact data, and cost estimates so they are harder to attack as preempted, arbitrary, or unreasonable under SB 170. If the state blocks local solutions on housing, wages, water, land use, or safety, the county should say so clearly and give voters a legislative report card.
My vision is growth with rules, not growth at any cost. Orange County should not approve major projects until roads, water, sewer, drainage, schools, fire rescue, and public safety - are planned, funded, and publicly tracked. Rural areas, wetlands, and wildlife corridors are not empty land for developers, out-of-state builders, or LLCs to cash out on and leave residents with the damage. We must protect the rural boundary, require real environmental review, and make developers pay for the infrastructure and risk they create. I also support reviewing how development disputes move through Business Court and our court system. Growth should serve people and stop eating Florida from the inside out.
Yes. Tourism creates real costs: traffic, public safety, roads, utilities, emergency response, parks, and worker housing pressure. Residents should not pay for those impacts while tourist dollars mainly fund venues, marketing, and convention priorities. I support using every legal option now, and asking Tallahassee for more flexibility if state law blocks it. If property taxes are cut, Orange County cannot afford business-as-usual tourism spending. Tourist dollars should help maintain the public systems tourism depends on, with public dashboards, local benefit tests, and no blank checks.
Civic Positions/Experience
President, Avalon Park Foundation 501(c)(3) | Chair, Avalon Park YMCA Advisory Board | President, Community Associations Institute – CFL Chapter | VP, Avalon Park POA | OCFL Parks & Rec Advisor Board Member (D4)
Campaign Phone
4076908288
County services such as public safety, parks, roads, libraries, emergency management, and social services must continue to be funded reliably and responsibly. If property tax revenues are reduced, local governments should first focus on improving efficiency, eliminating waste, prioritizing core services, and increasing transparency so taxpayers can see exactly how their money is being spent.
Before considering new revenue sources, we should conduct regular performance audits, review underutilized programs, pursue public-private partnerships where appropriate, and leverage economic growth to expand the tax base. Any replacement revenue should be carefully evaluated to ensure it is fair, sustainable, and does not disproportionately burden wo
My vision is not mass transit versus road expansion—it is creating a transportation system that provides residents with safe, reliable options while supporting economic growth. Road improvements remain necessary for safety, congestion relief, freight movement, and growing corridors, but we cannot build our way out of traffic with more lanes alone. We must also invest in reliable transit, improved bus service, SunRail connectivity, micro-mobility & pedestrian safety, and first-mile/last-mile solutions. Projects should be prioritized based on safety, mobility, and return on investment. My goal is a balanced, phased approach that improves mobility, supports growth, & ensures taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and effectively.
Affordable housing requires increasing supply while preserving community character and infrastructure capacity. I support policies that encourage workforce housing for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, & service employees through public-private partnerships, streamlined permitting, & incentives for mixed-income developments. We should identify underutilized land suitable for housing, encourage redevelopment where appropriate, & ensure new growth contributes to infrastructure needs. I also support expanding housing options for seniors & young professionals while protecting taxpayers and maintaining transparency in development decisions. Housing solutions should be practical, sustainable, and focused on long-term affordability.
The most significant environmental issue facing Central Florida is protecting our water quality and the long-term sustainability of our aquifer. As our region grows, we must invest in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, promote water conservation, and protect environmentally sensitive lands and recharge areas. I support responsible growth that considers available water resources and minimizes impacts on our lakes, springs, and waterways. I will work with regional partners, utilities, and environmental agencies to strengthen aquifer protection, improve water quality monitoring, and support science-based solutions that preserve our natural resources and quality of life for future generations.
For 10+ years, I have volunteered as a community leader & public safety advocate in Avalon Park & surrounding communities, working closely with the HOA's, residents, businesses, and the OCSO to address safety concerns and support crime prevention efforts. Through neighborhood safety initiatives, community meetings, educational outreach, & ongoing collaboration with law enforcement, I helped strengthen communication between residents & public safety partners while promoting proactive solutions to neighborhood concerns. This experience taught me the importance of building partnerships, listening to stakeholders, & working collaboratively with government agencies to achieve meaningful results that improve quality of life & community safety.
Home rule is essential because a one-size-fits-all approach from Tallahassee does not always reflect the needs of OCFL. I would support proactive engagement with state legislators, regional advocacy efforts, and strong partnerships with local governments to defend local decision-making authority. The County Commission should actively monitor proposed legislation, communicate its impacts to residents, and advocate for policies that allow local leaders to address local challenges. While statewide consistency has its place, decisions affecting our communities are often best made by the people who live and work here.
My vision for Orange County is responsible growth that balances economic opportunity, infrastructure investment, environmental stewardship, and community character. Growth should occur where roads, public safety, schools, utilities, parks, and other essential services can support it. We must ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development while protecting taxpayers from bearing the full cost of growth. At the same time, we must preserve rural areas, wetlands, conservation lands, and wildlife corridors that are vital to our environment and quality of life. Through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and smart land-use decisions, we can accommodate growth while protecting the natural resources that make Central Florida unique.
Yes, when permitted by state law and when the investment directly supports tourism, economic development, and quality of life. TDT revenues should remain focused on their primary purpose of attracting visitors and supporting our tourism economy, which is a major driver of jobs and local revenue. However, projects such as transportation improvements, public safety enhancements in tourist corridors, sports and cultural venues, parks, and infrastructure that benefit both visitors and residents should be considered when they provide a clear return on investment and reduce the burden on local taxpayers. Transparency and accountability must guide all TDT spending decisions.
Civic Positions/Experience
Orange County School Board Member (2018–2022) / Florida State Representative (2022–2026)
Campaign Phone
4072437833
Twitter
x.com/JohannaForFL
Working families should not have to shoulder the burden of poor planning. As County Commissioner, I would focus on responsible budgeting, identifying efficiencies, pursuing additional state and federal funding opportunities, and making sure growth pays its fair share toward the infrastructure and services it requires. We should also continue growing our local economy to strengthen our tax base over time. Residents deserve transparency about how their tax dollars are spent and confidence that every dollar is being invested responsibly.
Our transportation system should connect people to opportunity. We need strategic road improvements where they are needed, but we must also invest in reliable public transit, safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and stronger regional transportation options. As Orange County continues to grow, our transportation investments should be guided by data, fiscal responsibility, and the needs of residents, not just today's traffic, but tomorrow's workforce and economy. A balanced approach will move people more efficiently while improving quality of life.
Affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges facing Orange County families. I support increasing workforce housing, streamlining responsible permitting, encouraging mixed-income developments, partnering with nonprofit and private developers, and expanding innovative solutions such as community land trusts that create long-term affordability. We also need to ensure new growth is planned alongside the infrastructure that supports it. Teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and young families should be able to afford to live in the communities they serve.
Protecting our water is protecting our future. Clean water is essential for our families, environment, and economy. I support protecting wetlands and recharge areas, investing in resilient infrastructure, promoting water conservation, and ensuring growth decisions consider their long-term environmental impact. Protecting our aquifer requires collaboration between Orange County, municipalities, water management districts, state agencies, and community stakeholders. We should rely on sound science, transparency, and long-term planning to safeguard these resources for future generations.
Throughout my career, I have focused on bringing people together to solve problems. As a public school teacher, School Board member, and State Representative, I worked with local governments, community organizations, and residents to deliver meaningful results. During my time in the Florida Legislature, I successfully passed eight bills that improved the lives of Floridians by working across different perspectives and staying focused on solutions. I will bring that same collaborative and results-oriented approach to the Orange County Commission.
Local government works best when decisions are made closest to the people they affect. As County Commissioner, I will defend Orange County’s home rule by strengthening partnerships with our municipalities, advocating alongside local leaders when state preemption threatens our authority, and ensuring residents understand how state actions impact our community.
I will also maintain and strengthen my relationships with senators and representatives in Tallahassee to proactively educate them on the needs and priorities of Orange County before legislation is considered. My responsibility is to represent and defend the voices of my constituents, protect their ability to make decisions that affect their own neighborhoods, and preserve local control whenever possible. Transparency, collaboration, and public education are essential because an informed community is a stronger community.
My vision is an Orange County that grows responsibly without losing what makes our communities special. Growth should be planned alongside investments in transportation, schools, parks, utilities, and public safety, not after the fact. We must preserve wetlands, protect wildlife corridors, and respect the character of our rural communities while creating opportunities for economic growth and housing. Responsible planning means balancing development with environmental stewardship so future generations inherit a county that is both prosperous and sustainable.
Yes. Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds should be used strategically for projects that benefit both our tourism industry and the residents who make Orange County their home, while always complying with state law.
Tourism is one of the main drivers of our local economy, and the infrastructure and services that support visitors also serve working families, businesses, and residents every day. Recent changes in state law provide additional flexibility, including allowing up to 40% of eligible TDT funds to be invested in transportation infrastructure, including certain interstate and mobility improvements that support tourism and reduce congestion for residents.
As County Commissioner, I would support transparent and fiscally responsible investments that strengthen Orange County for the long term. That means prioritizing projects that improve mobility, enhance public spaces, support workforce development, and create lasting value for both visitors and residents. Every TDT dollar should be used wisely to grow our economy, improve quality of life, and ensure Orange County remains a great place to live, work, and visit.
