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Civic Positions/Experience
APEX Urban News (TV Host) Ben Crump Law PLLC (Partner) Central Florida Black Nurses (Partner) Christ the King Episcopalian Church (Partner) Coalition of 100 Black Women of Central Florida (President) Communities Rise (Partner) Community Equity Project, Inc. (CEP) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA
Campaign Phone
4079535599
This will be a tough challenge, and one that will affect all of us here in Orange County. The default answer will be to raise the millage rate, but that can leave working class families, especially renters, with costs they cannot bear, so we must be creative. The path I think we should follow is:
Using Value Capture on transit projects: Instead of selling land, the County can lease land. In this way we capture the value created when we create transit hubs and allow us to have control over what types of things can go on that land.
Impact fees for developers to offset the disproportionate cost of the services they consume.
Subsidy Audit of the budget to cut the corporate welfare giving to developers.
Transit has been the greatest blind spot in planning in the county over the decades, with the Orlando metro area being the highest density area in the country to not have a light rail. We must transition into a transit-oriented development instead of the car centric sprawl now. Inside these new transit zones, we should lease the land.
It is not just “build new transit hubs” and modern light rail either. We need to improve our bus stops, and more electric buses, which save money and benefit the environment. Bus stops should be cooling spots while we deal with climate change and extreme heat.
Finally, we need to ensure that what we build is sustainable, that means no passing through conservation areas.
Housing cannot just be affordable, it needs to be attainable, currently 29% of renters in Orange County are severely rent burdened. I am a huge fan of the socialized housing Vienna model.
Use land leasing to get around state pre-emption. SB 180 is a developer's dream, designed to stop cities from requiring affordable housing and units. A legal loophole for developers.
We can partner with the school board and use schools that have closed, re-purpose them and offer housing as an incentive for our teachers.
The most impactful thing we can do is still zoning reform. We also should move away from things like parking minimums and attempt to make these new high dense zones walkable, instead of sprawl and still do within SB 180.
First I believe in writing a Right to Clean Water amendment directly into the county charter. When we regain the ability to put restrictions on developers, this will be central in our ability to ensure sustainable building includes our effect on the water table. We need to work with our environment not against, using things like bioswales along roads to clean stormwater runoff.
The biggest thing we can do immediately is expand our environmental data infrastructure, empowering local stakeholders with a network of air and water monitoring systems so we can get real time data on the impact of the industrial zoning and construction in our communities. With this we can gather irrefutable actionable data that allows citizens to gain real agency
I am incredibly proud that my team and I secured federal EPA Grant #5X02D45423 to launch an independent air quality study across 10 zip codes in Orange County. For years, we witnessed a health crisis routinely brushed because of “lack of data.” So, we bypassed the local bureaucracy, built a coalition with state universities and grassroots groups, and secured federal funding directly. Utilizing a dedicated staff of community scientists and a board of concerned citizens, local stakeholders directly collected hard data that was u are significant air pollution disparities that the county’s current monitoring infrastructure misses. We have linked historic, discriminatory industrial zoning directly to the air our families breathe.
The ultimate weapon against state preemption in Tallahassee is the explicit, democratic will of our local voters locked directly into the County Charter. Orange County cannot fight this battle in a vacuum. We must form active, legally coordinated home-rule coalitions with other municipal and county governments across the State of Florida. When Tallahassee politicians attempt to overturn local laws that protect working-class tenants, protect clean water, or restrict out-of-control development, we must collectively challenge those preemptions. If we do not collectively draw a hard line in the sand, "perpetual conservation" and local democracy become running jokes.
Future growth in Orange County must be guided by a simple principle: development must be sustainable, obtainable, and accountable. My vision replaces sprawl with holistic, human-scale, walkable infill zoning inside our existing urban footprints where infrastructure already exists. We must implement a strict "avoidance-first" procurement policy for all county infrastructure projects setting immediate, ironclad red lines that make our regional green spaces legally off-limits. When building updated or necessary public infrastructure, smart ecological design is a must. Things like dedicated wildlife overpasses and underpasses and permeable surfaces and natural stormwater management to preserve surrounding wetlands and wildlife corridors.
Absolutely, but the current restrictive structure of Florida’s tourist tax legislation shouldn’t mean local inaction. With the visit Orlando contract due to expire in 2028, the County Commission has a historic window to aggressively rewrite the terms. We must implement a hard cap on their annual funding and executive salaries, mandate all marketing campaigns featuring local small businesses, use local contractors and workers, and use our creativity to legally stretch the definitions to channel TDT funds directly into public mass transit infrastructure.
Civic Positions/Experience
My civic experience includes serving as Chair of the Valencia College Black Advisory Committee, State President of Florida NOW, an AFSCME shop steward, and a poll watcher and election clerk. I have also worked with neighborhood organizations and nonprofits to advocate for residents.
Campaign Phone
4075837599
If the County loses property tax revenue, we cannot simply pass the cost on to residents through higher fees or fewer services. My first priority would be to cut waste, make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely, and focus on essential services like public safety, roads, parks, and drainage. I would also work to bring more state and federal funding into Orange County and support responsible economic growth that creates jobs and broadens the tax base. Families should not have to pay more because government failed to plan ahead.
Most people don't care whether the solution is a new road or a new bus route—they just want to spend less time sitting in traffic. I believe we need a common-sense approach that fixes traffic where it's the worst, keeps our roads in good condition, and improves public transit so it's a reliable option for those who use it.
As our community grows, new development should help pay for the roads and transportation improvements it creates instead of leaving taxpayers to cover the bill. My goal is simple: shorter commutes, safer roads, and transportation that works for everyone.
Too many people who work in Orange County can no longer afford to live here. Teachers, nurses, first responders, young families, and seniors shouldn't have to leave the community they love because housing costs too much.
I support building more homes that everyday working people can afford, turning vacant land and empty buildings into housing, helping first-time homebuyers, and making sure new developments include homes for local families—not just expensive housing. Everyone who works hard should have a fair chance to live in a safe, stable home in the community they call home.
Clean water isn't a political issue—it's something every family depends on. We all want safe drinking water, clean lakes, and neighborhoods that don't flood every time it rains.
I will support protecting our water by reducing pollution, improving drainage, preserving wetlands, and making sure growth doesn't put more strain on our water supply than it can handle. I'll work with local and state agencies to protect the water we rely on today so our children and grandchildren have the same clean, healthy environment in the future.
When a major development was proposed in my community, I didn't just complain—I got involved. I worked with my neighbors, attended public meetings, reviewed documents, and spoke up about concerns like traffic, flooding, and public safety. I helped make sure residents understood what was happening and had a chance to be heard before decisions were made.
That experience taught me that everyday people can make a difference when they work together and have a voice in their local government.
Local communities know their needs better than anyone else. Decisions about our neighborhoods should be made as close to the people as possible, not by officials hundreds of miles away.
As County Commissioner, I will work with other local governments, business leaders, and community organizations to speak with one voice when state proposals would take away local decision-making. I also believe residents should have more opportunities to weigh in before major issues reach the state level. Protecting local control means making sure Orange County has the flexibility to solve local problems with local solutions.
Growth is coming whether we like it or not, but it has to be done the right way. We shouldn't have more traffic, more flooding, and crowded schools just because new neighborhoods are being built.
I believe we can welcome growth while protecting the places that make Orange County special—our wetlands, wildlife, and rural areas. New development should help pay for the roads, drainage, and other improvements it needs instead of leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab. We can grow without losing the things that make our community feel like home.
Yes—but only when it benefits both visitors and the people who live here. Tourist tax dollars should first support the tourism industry that generates them, but when the law allows, I believe those funds should also be used for projects that improve our community, such as transportation, parks, cultural attractions, and public facilities that both residents and visitors enjoy.
Taxpayers deserve to see a return on the tourism economy. If a project creates jobs, improves quality of life, and strengthens our local economy for everyone—not just tourists—it's worth supporting.
Civic Positions/Experience
2024 Harris/Walz Democratic National Convention Delegate, Florida Democratic Party State Committee Woman, President Democratic Haitian Caucus of Florida, NAACP Youth Advisor, Leadership Orlando graduate, MetroWest Elementary Student Advisory Council (SAC)President, MetroWest Elementary PTA, League o
Campaign Phone
(407)615-4515
I would suggest the County consider using Tourism Development Tax dollars and advocate for those funds to be used to help support county services and help alleviate the loss of revenue if property taxes are reduced or eliminated.
My vision for mass transit is to have dedicated bus lanes and a transportation system that moves people efficiently throughout Orange County. I would like to see more frequent bus service, expanded express bus routes, better connections throughout the county, and more park-and-ride locations. I also believe we should begin the conversation about whether a Metrorail or another rail system is feasible for our growing community.
I would increase the housing supply by proactively working with developers who have a proven history of building sustainable and workforce housing. I also believe the County should take the initiative in developing a smart growth plan instead of waiting for developers to bring us their ideas. The County should purchase REO properties and make them available to first-time homebuyers.
I would continue to protect our water quality by protecting our conservation lands and requiring environmental impact studies before major development projects move forward. I would work with local, state, and regional agencies to ensure we are protecting our springs and the long-term sustainability of our aquifer
As a community advocate, I worked with community members and organizations to oppose the County's Intergovernmental Services Agreement (IGSA) with ICE. I spoke out against having ICE agents on our streets, deputizing local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration enforcement, and the proposal to open an immigration detention center in Orlando. I used my voice at public meetings, educated the community, and advocated for the County to end its involvement with ICE
I believe the County should use every legal option available to protect home rule, including challenging state laws in court when they improperly take away local authority. I would also work with other counties, municipalities, and local elected officials to advocate for stronger home rule protections
infrastructure to support our growing population while safeguarding our rural areas, wetlands, wildlife corridors, and conservation lands. Once we lose these natural resources, we cannot get them back. I believe the County should take the lead in planning for growth instead of waiting for developers to bring us their ideas, and every major project should include an environmental impact study before moving forward.
Yes. I believe Tourism Development Tax (TDT) funds should be used more broadly for projects and services that benefit both tourists and local residents. I have already begun educating the community about the need to diversify TDT dollars. I believe those funds should help build and support transportation infrastructure, strengthen our local economy, and support local businesses
Civic Positions/Experience
Citizens Commission for Children, Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Orange Blossom Trail Development Board, Head Start Policy Council, Metroplan Orlando, Juvenile Justice Community Advisory Board, , Second Chance Foundation of Florida, Orlando Downtown CRA, West Orange Chamber of Commerce, CFX
Campaign Phone
407-602-8011
Twitter
X.COM/MYMIKESCOTT
Should the property tax reform pass, the path forward would be a series of conversations with residents of Orange County. We would like move to a possible fee based revenue source where you would see itemized list of what dollars pay for what service in greater detail.
I have the STAR Rapid Transit plan. We need to improve the routes and frequency of bus pickup. However, we also need a rail service that runs night and weeks and goes east to west. I would want to continue the conversation about how we fund those services and get buy in and investment from businesses to support transportation options for their employees and customers.
Looking nationwide and internationally for different types of housing options, not just single family homes and apartments. I would support micro units, aPODments, (smaller size apartments), cottages, tiny homes. There should be a housing options for everyone at every price point to include those who are unhoused and have no income.
I would seek guidance from our local environmental advocacy groups. So that any policy that came forth would be of a collaborative nature and result in all parties having a vested interest in the success of any county policy that comes forth.
As a volunteer on the mayors citizens safety task force I brought forth ideas for community violence intervention and mentoring programs. The County increased their funding for those programs as a result of the work done by many volunteers including I.
Working with our Orange County Delegation and building and maintaining relationships in Tallahassee
I support the adoption of the revised Orange Code and Vision 2050. I believe it addresses all of the core issues and how we will develop orange county in the short and long term.
I believe tourist tax dollars should support the residents and communities that provide the service and I look forward to future conversation on the right strategy to accomplish those goals.
