2026 State of the City Speech
August 14, 2026
The Plaza Live
View the video
Celebrating The People Behind Orlando’s Essential Services
Thank you Camara, for that inspiring poem.
Good morning and welcome to the Plaza Live.
It’s wonderful to see a room full of residents, community leaders and partners.
Thank you all for joining us.
We use this event to recognize accomplishments, share plans for the future and detail investments the City of Orlando is making.
That last part is especially important.
You should know what your local government is doing, what services are being provided and how your tax dollars are spent.
But just as importantly, you should know who is providing those services.
Because the vital services you depend on aren’t simply the responsibility of your Mayor and your City Commissioner.
They are delivered by 35-hundred public servants.
From first responders like Corporal Justiniano, who beautifully sang the national anthem, to tree trimmers and street sweeping crews, they ensure that local government works for you.
More than on the federal or state level, these are public service professionals who have the greatest impact in your life, every single day.
In good times and during challenges, they serve with great dedication.
They are the unsung heroes who keep Orlando moving forward.
So today, we’re going to focus on our City of Orlando team.
Public Safety
As a local government, our top priority is always public safety.
That starts with the men and women of the Orlando Police Department.
They’ve made the noble choice to join a profession that is critical to the well-being of our community.
OPD officers look after every single person in Orlando, with courage, determination and compassion.
They often get feedback from residents by asking a simple question: what can I do to make a difference in your neighborhood?
By listening, they build trust so that residents can contribute to our public safety efforts, including as part of nearly three hundred neighborhood watch groups.
Our officers take great pride when they see children playing outside, seniors sitting on their porches and neighbors connecting during events, because those are signs that neighborhoods are safe.
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As a city, we invest in tools, technology and training to help officers better serve and protect.
This includes OPD’s Crime Center, staffed 24/7 to provide real-time data and information to stop crime before it happens and speed up investigations when it does.
Recently, the department launched a drone first responder program that gets eyes on a scene before an officer even arrive, allowing them to plan for what they’ll encounter.
Dispatched from the crime center, the drones increase officer safety by identifying potentially dangerous situations without putting them at risk.
A great example of how this works occurred when a resident called 911 about a couple having a physical altercation at an intersection.
Domestic violence incidents like this are among the most dangerous calls an officer can respond to because they often are unpredictable, tense and emotionally charged.
Officers and a drone were sent to the scene, with the drone arriving first.
As officers drove there, they received live updates with insights gathered from the drone.
This helped them to safely bring the situation under control upon their arrival and arrest a suspect for battery.
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That response showcases how officers use every tool available to keep Orlando safe.
And it shows how technology adds to the training, judgement and heart for service of our officers... like Nikole Terenzi.
Since joining OPD in 2021, she’s served with an unwavering commitment to our community’s safety.
A member of the department’s tactical anti-crime unit, she is strategically deployed to stop violent crime.
She proactively works to confiscate illegal guns and drugs from criminals, combining persistence and patience to make a difference.
Officer Terenzi is comfortable making it uncomfortable for people looking to do harm.
And when crime does occur, she acts decisively to take dangerous offenders off the streets.
Like when she arrested a man who was sexually assaulting women at an apartment complex, ensuring that no one else would be terrorized by this predator.
Officer Terenzi, please stand so we can thank you for protecting our community.
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Because of the dedication of OPD personnel like Officer Terenzi and our continued investments in the department we are producing meaningful, measurable results.
Last year, there was a 19-percent reduction in crime citywide.
This included Orlando having the largest decrease in homicides in the entire country.
The 10 recorded were the fewest in more than 50 years.
This bears repeating: among all major cities nationally, our community experienced the most significant reduction in crime.
We also continued to see drops in neighborhood crime like burglaries.
These numbers are more than just statistics.
They represent secure neighborhoods where residents can sleep better knowing they are supported by officers working day and night to protect us all.
That’s a great example of the power of service.
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No one understands service more than Arthur Zackery, who has been part of the Orlando Fire Department for 52 years.
You heard that correctly... 52 years.
For more than five decades, he’s had a passion to help others and give back to our community.
After joining OFD in the early 70s, he spent 27 years as a first responder before retiring.
But retirement didn’t last very long, because Arthur wanted to continue serving.
So for the last 25 years, he’s been a member of OFD’s logistics division, working behind the scenes so the department’s more than 600 first responders can focus on saving lives.
Arthur manages, distributes and cleans gear and equipment.
His work reduces exposure to harmful substances, prevents injuries and allows firefighters to respond quickly and with confidence.
In this role, Arthur feels the same satisfaction he felt as a first responder.
He is not able to join us this morning, but he is watching online.
Let’s give Arthur a round of applause so he knows that we appreciate his many contributions over the years.
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Arthur’s service will continue to be needed because each year OFD receives nearly 175-thousand calls for assistance, from house fires to cardiac arrests to car crashes.
While answering those calls – and saving lives – OFD first responders display great bravery, strength and care.
Lieutenant Ron Huguenin epitomizes their dedication.
For 20 years, he has selflessly served others, both in our community and beyond.
He is not only committed to assisting residents on their darkest days, Lieutenant Huguenin mentors new firefighters and offers leadership with the fire union.
He also serves with the Florida State Guard, which responds to disasters statewide.
With all that he does, it’s no surprise that among the 30-thousand firefighters in Florida, he was named the state’s Professional Firefighter of the Year this past winter.
Lieutenant, please stand so we can congratulate you on this well-deserved honor.
Transportation
It’s not just OFD and OPD that keep our city safe; our transportation team is also saving lives.
They work to ensure that every person can safely get where they need to go by walking, biking, driving or riding transit like LYNX and SunRail.
For too long, communities throughout the country accepted the mindset that getting people places fast is more important than getting them there safely.
But we believe our city can take action to prioritize safety on our roadways.
That’s why we joined the Vision Zero initiative with the goal of completely eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040.
To achieve this, we’re making infrastructure improvements, addressing dangerous behavior and learning from residents, including those who shared challenges they faced walking in the Mills 50 Main Street District.
So we’re adding a new high-visibility crosswalk on Mills Avenue at Canton Street, similar to the completed projects on Mercy Drive, Corrine Drive and Dowden Road.
Creating a safer Orlando for cyclists is also a priority.
Upcoming work includes installing separated bike lanes in the Rosemont neighborhood, and not far from here on Livingston Street.
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We are happy to share that this work has made Orlando safer.
Since 2020, there has been a 40-percent drop in deadly and serious injury crashes.
That reduction equals 60 lives saved as a result of our Vision Zero initiative.
Some of those 60 people could be in this room, children in your neighborhood, or your loved ones or friends.
The work of our staff and investments in more than 100 safety projects has moved our entire region from being one of the most dangerous places to walk to being recognized as having one of the most notable reductions in pedestrian fatalities in the nation.
Some of the members of our Vision Zero team are here with us.
Please stand for a round of applause.
Public Works
We’ll keep the focus on our streets, where Public Works crews start long before most people wake up, with call times as early as 3 a.m.
Like our Solid Waste staff who visit your neighborhood three times a week to pick up trash, recycling and yard waste.
Our street maintenance team that filled more than 25-hundred potholes last year, saving your tires, suspension and keeping you from yelling a few choice words during your commute.
And then there are the people responsible for one of the most important services that you never think about.
When you flush your toilet, do your dishes or brush your teeth, you don’t typically wonder where the wastewater goes.
But Josh Reyes, Norris Salmon, Lance Bing and Nick Gonzalez always think about this.
They help manage our wastewater system that includes more than a thousand miles of pipes.
Which carry 15 billion gallons of stuff that you never want to see or smell, to where it can be safely treated.
Their work moves treated wastewater to our Orlando Wetlands, a 16-hundred acre advanced treatment site in east Orange County.
What the city started in the 80s as an innovative way to naturally clean this water has become one of the most unique areas for wildlife in the world.
It’s home to more than 200 species of birds, which attracts visitors from around the globe.
Yes, that’s right... we’re the only city in America that has turned your number two into a number one tourist attraction.
And that’s unbelievably real.
Getting wastewater from your home to outside in nature isn’t easy.
Now I’m not going to put my engineering degree to use and take you through every part of the multi-step process to remove pollutants from the water.
But you should know that it takes highly skilled professionals with expertise in biology, chemistry and technology to operate this incredibly complex system.
Josh, Norris, Lance and Nick have this knowledge so we don’t have to give a second thought to where our waste goes.
They’re here this morning.
Please stand so we can share our gratitude.
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Our Public Works team is also managing dozens of construction projects that residents will notice, like:
- A new fire station in Laureate Park.
- The creation of a training facility near our emergency operations center to prepare firefighters for all types of situations.
- And a southeast government center opening later this year.
- The facility will reduce response times by serving as a hub for more than 60 OPD officers, host community events and be the location of the Orange County Library System’s Lake Nona branch.
- They’re also guiding improvements to critical infrastructure that we don’t always see, but certainly rely on:
- Storm drains to prevent flooding in neighborhoods like Parramore and Haralson Estates.
- Updating infrastructure under Summerlin Avenue, including an almost 90-year old water pipe.
- And rehabilitating lift stations, like the one in Engelwood Park, that take wastewater to our plants.
Housing/EDV
While we continue to invest in infrastructure and amenities, we know that one of the greatest concerns nationally and statewide is housing affordability.
In Orlando, our Housing and Economic Development departments have worked to add nearly 24-thousand residential units over the last six years.
To put that in perspective, that’s equal to adding the total number of homes in Altamonte Springs.
To bring the cost of housing down and construct more units faster, we launched the Orlando Unlocked initiative last year.
The program unlocks new opportunities for development by modernizing zoning, streamlining approvals and offering incentives like density bonuses and permit rebates.
Our staff is thinking outside the box, including transforming vacant and under-utilized city-owned lots into housing.
In Holden Heights, the Piedmont Yard Apartments will turn a former city storage lot into 75 apartments for low-income residents.
On Roberto Clemente Boulevard, sixty affordable apartments for seniors will be built on city property.
Where some see vacant lots, we see housing and opportunity to ensure that every person in Orlando can thrive.
That progress is worth celebrating, but the impact these homes have on the lives of residents is greater.
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Which brings us to the next story.
After living in a nursing facility for several years following an injury, Gwendolyn was struggling to find a place where she could live independently.
Being on a fixed income made the search even more challenging.
At the same time, our team was working to create more than 70 affordable apartments on South Parramore Avenue.
They facilitated construction of Town Oaks by expediting permitting, reducing parking requirements and making development more financially feasible.
In April, we welcomed Gwendolyn as she became the first resident in the community.
She’s grateful to have a safe, stable place that she can afford and is proud to call home.
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Strong neighborhoods aren’t built on housing alone.
Creating places where residents can thrive also means supporting the small businesses that make our city more vibrant, create jobs and add to our quality of life.
Year after year, Orlando is named one of the best cities in the nation to launch a business.
The Orlando Main Streets program, which the city started in 2008, has made that recognition possible.
Our staff assists each of our 12 districts in furthering the success of entrepreneurs through grants, training and marketing.
Thanks to the three-thousand businesses that have opened in the Main Streets during the last 18 years, the districts have become some of the most beloved places in Orlando.
This includes where we are this morning in The Milk District, which is celebrating 10 years since joining the Main Streets program.
Many of our districts have received national accolades, including for their role in growing our city’s culinary scene.
In fact, nearly half of the restaurants in our region that earned Michelin Guide recognition this year are located in our Main Streets.
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Behind every small business are people who took risks and pursued their goals.
Launching a new venture is difficult and filled with challenges: from capital to construction to hiring.
But dealing with government red tape should not be something that causes more stress.
That’s where our Permitting Express team comes in.
They guide entrepreneurs through every permitting and development step, helping them open their doors faster.
Last year alone this team helped more than 160 businesses launch, and another 60 expand or renovate.
This includes Aniko Balkan Market in the Ivanhoe Village Main Street.
For years, Alina and Bojan wanted to open a grocery store with foods from Eastern Europe, where they emigrated from.
Last summer, the couple found a space on North Orange Avenue and pursued their dreams.
Our Permitting Express staff led them through the necessary steps to open a business, in less than three months.
And in December, the market opened, bringing a taste of the Balkans to Orlando.
Alina, Bojan and their children are here today.
Please stand so we can recognize you.
We’d also like to recognize the city staff who guided them.
Traci Parker, Ty Dixon and Madison Rosenberg, please stand.
FPR
The city’s public servants don’t just serve our community.
They are part of our community.
Many of them grew up in Orlando and their experiences shaped their commitment to public service.
As children, Tyrone Owens Junior, Willie Manuel and Terrance Slaughter played sports in our parks and neighborhood centers.
Now as members of our horticulture team, they trim trees, care for plants and keep city parks clean so kids can have fun outdoors and adults can stay active.
They take great pride in their work, but say it’s especially meaningful to maintain parks like Lake Lorna Doone, Grand Avenue and Gilbert McQueen, in the neighborhoods where they were raised.
Tyrone, Willie and Terrance are also content creators.
Let’s take a look at their influencer skills.
You can see more viral content like that on the city’s social media.
Tyrone, Willie and Terrance are here today.
We’d like for them to stand so we can thank them for all they do.
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Their stories show how Orlando’s parks are places where childhoods are shaped, communities gather and civic pride grows.
That’s why we’re continuing to make investments in outdoor amenities citywide:
- We’ve renovated six playgrounds this year, with another six coming soon.
- Future projects include renovating fields for Azalea Park Little Leaguers.
- Constructing a 14-acre park in Lake Nona with pickleball courts, a splash pad and a walking trail.
- And adding a dog park at The Grove in the Packing District.
I know that our new puppy Leo can’t wait to get out there.
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Our Families, Parks and Recreation staff don’t just care for our parks, they create opportunities so residents can learn and thrive, like:
- Free after-school programs that give kids academic support, while helping parents go to work knowing their children are safe each afternoon.
- Programs for seniors, including water aerobics, classes on understanding AI and transportation to the supermarket for those who can no longer drive.
- Giving thousands of kids great places to play sports by maintaining more than one hundred and fifty acres of ballfields.
- And with the hot temperatures today, we want you to know that we are the only local government in Central Florida offering all of our residents free swimming pool access.
Future Public Service Professionals
As we celebrate the current members of our team, we’re also focused on creating career paths for a new generation of public service professionals.
There are young people who want to serve our community in the future.
They need a city that says we see your potential and passion and we want to help you grow.
That’s why our Fleet Division started an apprentice program last year with Orange Technical College.
Students receive classroom instruction in the morning.
In the afternoon, they work on city vehicles, starting with oil changes and preventive maintenance before moving on to engine restoration and replacing cylinders.
They service complex vehicles, like 30-ton capacity garbage trucks.
The importance of this work can’t be understated.
Without technicians and the vehicles they maintain, every vital service we talked about today couldn’t be delivered.
We’re happy to tell you that Getro Pierre - the first person to complete an apprenticeship - is now a full-time city technician.
We hope to continue providing opportunities for residents like him.
Because programs like this are investments in people.
Investments in our city’s future.
And investments that ensure you’re able to receive the services that you depend on.
Getro... please stand and be recognized.
Property Taxes
Today we’ve been reminded that public service is more than a job.
It’s about making contributions that better our community, setting a high standard of service and providing residents and businesses the programs that they need.
We’re proud that our staff responsibly manages your tax dollars and works efficiently so those dollars are stretched as far as possible.
This is demonstrated by our triple-A credit rating and our strong reserves.
Over the next few months, we’re all going to hear a lot about residential property taxes and Amendment 3, which will be on the ballot in Florida this November.
Whatever your view, it’s important to understand what property taxes pay for today and how changes to that funding could affect local services in the future.
They fund many of the services you rely on, at a daily per household cost that might surprise you.
For fewer than seven dollars a day – less than some specialty cups of coffee – each Orlando household receives 24-hour police and fire protection and emergency medical response.
Construction and maintenance of:
- 900 miles of roads.
- 12-hundred miles of sidewalks.
- And more than 500 traffic light signals.
Access to more than:
- 120 parks.
- 60 sports fields.
- 55 playgrounds.
- And 19 neighborhood centers.
Tax dollars will soon be used to add 44 first responders, which ensures we can deliver the police and emergency services that our community depends on.
Additional officers and firefighters are especially needed because over the last five years, our city’s population has grown by 47-thousand residents.
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If Florida voters approve Amendment 3, Orlando would experience a significant loss of revenue in the years ahead.
A potential 30-million dollar loss in 2028.
50 million in 2029.
And 80 million dollars could be lost every year if the homestead exemption is entirely eliminated.
If funding is reduced, cities will face difficult choices about the services that residents expect every day.
It could lead to:
- Slower 911 response times.
- Parks and neighborhood centers being open fewer hours.
- And a reduction in programs and services that residents value, like repaving roads, summer camps for kids and simply cutting the grass along streets.
Local governments may have to consider levying fees on residents and businesses to cover costs.
Or raising taxes on non-residential properties, including multi-family complexes.
Our decisions at the ballot box in November will shape how cities provide the services we all depend on.
So we urge each person in Orlando and our entire region to learn about how local governments use taxpayer dollars and what’s at stake if a considerable portion of that funding isn’t available.
And when you see a public worker in the community, remember the value they provide.
Closing
I want to start my thank you’s by recognizing the families of our city team members.
They make sacrifices that allow their loved ones to serve Orlando: on nights, weekends and especially during emergencies like hurricanes.
And they provide encouragement and understanding.
I know this first-hand.
My wife Susie is here today.
Our sons Trey and Drew and daughter-in-law Hannah.
And my mom Nancy.
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I’m fortunate to serve with City Council members who always support our staff.
Let’s recognize:
- District 1 Commissioner Tom Keen
- District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz
- District 3 Commissioner Roger Chapin
- District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan
- District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose
- And District 6 Commissioner Bakari Burns.
We’re also joined by a number of elected officials from all levels of government, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
We are so happy that your recovery is going well.
The City of Orlando simply cannot serve the community without the support of our county, state and federal partners.
Please stand and be recognized.
We also want to thank residents, business owners, not-for-profit groups and our entire community for partnering with our staff each day.
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As I reflect on my time as Mayor, I have so much gratitude for the members of our City of Orlando team, including those we recognized today.
I often say that I’m the happiest Mayor in America, and our city employees are a big reason why I can make that statement.
They are part of our community, love our community and work each day to help the residents of our community.
They make the State of our City strong!
Would all of the members of our city team please stand so we can thank you.
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I want you to know that I am proud to serve alongside you.
And proud to be Orlando’s Mayor.
Thank you!
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