Demings proposes $836 million in Orange County hotel-tax spending

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has recommended a reported $836 million in Tourist Development Tax spending across 13 projects and programs. The proposal allocates $645.5 million for capital projects and $190.5 million for grants, including $400 million for proposed venues and experiences at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

Other reported projects include a $25 million proposed children’s museum in Winter Garden, two Eatonville projects totaling $80 million, $30 million to transform Forest Lake Golf Club in Ocoee and a $12 million history museum at Apopka Birding Park. The proposal also includes $50 million each for natural-resource tourism and eco-tourism grant programs.

The task force’s earlier recommendations exceeded $1.1 billion and included a $750 million Dr. Phillips Center request. The task force did not recommend UCF’s original $119 million request; Demings’ plan instead includes a narrower $46 million proposal for a track facility and soccer-stadium expansion. The proposal also leaves out a proposed $560 million convention center expansion.

The recommendation is not an approved spending plan. On August 25, commissioners accepted the task force’s recommendations, not Demings’ later proposal. The Tourist Development Tax is a 6% tax on hotel stays and other short-term rentals. The Orlando Business Journal reports that commissioners are scheduled to discuss Demings’ proposal at a special workshop on October 19.