Orange County Library warns Amendment 3 could cut services; board moves millage and budget to September

Steve Powell, director and CEO of the Orange County Library District, told the county commission on July 16 that the library’s operating model — funded almost entirely by ad valorem property tax — would be hit hard if a proposed state property-tax rollback (referred to in the presentation as “Amendment 3”) passes.

Powell presented the FY26–27 operating request and said ad valorem revenue projections include an increase that would otherwise allow modest growth. He then offered a scenario in which Amendment 3 increases homestead exemptions and reduces library property-tax revenue by an estimated $8.6 million in the first year and roughly the same amount in the second year — about $17.2 million across two years — warning that such cuts would “have a serious impact on operations.”

The library’s FY27 proposal includes plans to open two new branches (Horizon West and Lake Nona), a bookmobile, 4% staff raises for eligible employees and transfers to capital projects. Powell said the library has reserves that equal roughly four months of expenses and that a hiring freeze and careful use of attrition would be the preferred approach rather than layoffs. He said operating hours and some programs would be among the first categories evaluated for reduction if revenues fall.

Commissioners pressed Powell on details including the library’s reserve level, which Powell said would be drawn down in a staged approach, and the scale of services that could be cut; he reiterated an intent to avoid involuntary layoffs. Several commissioners spoke in strong support of library services as essential community resources and stressed that reductions would disproportionately affect people who rely on the library for internet access, workforce development and after-school programs.

Outcome: Mayor Demings asked for motions to place both the proposed millage (0.3748) and the proposed FY27 library budget on the September agenda; the board moved and unanimously approved both items for formal consideration.