Orlando Government Overview

Business is encouraged to take an active role in local government. Memberships and committees have been established within organizations such as area chambers of commerce and economic development agencies, and in government appointed citizen groups.

The county and city governments of Metro Orlando govern one of Florida's largest geographical areas.

Governments of the City of Orlando and Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties all have planning and zoning commissions, plus a land use plan approval process to ensure the quality growth and development of the region. Along with this each government is committed to facilitating the permitting process for new and expanding businesses.

Metro Orlando is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and maintaining the quality of life that initially attracts people here is one of the highest priorities.

To ensure orderly and responsible growth and to maintain adequate services such as police and fire protection, water and sewer capacity, plus an adequate road network, city and county governments have adopted comprehensive growth management plans.

As part of these plans, some governments have implemented impact fee schedules on new construction to offset the infrastructure costs. The one-time fees, applied directly to the end user, ensure adequate services and keep property taxes among the lowest in the nation.

The county commissioners are the chief administrators and fiscal officers of the county and have no authority over other elected officers such as the tax collector, tax assessor or sheriff. Each county also has a professional administrator.

The ability of governments to increase the services they provide is somewhat determined by their ability to borrow funds at affordable rates. Capital expansion projects are typically financed through the issuance of bonds.

The largest municipality and nucleus of the region, the City of Orlando has a mayor and six commissioners elected to four-year terms.

The Mayor is the chief administrator who appoints all department heads, subject to confirmation by the City Council. The Mayor is responsible for the enforcement of city ordinances, and presides over all city council meetings.

The six city commissioners are elected on a non-partisan basis by district. The City of Orlando has a chief administrative officer as well.

The government offices are housed in a new nine story, 246,000 square foot City Hall. The $200 million "City Commons" complex is designed to include a public plaza and two private commercial office towers. The complex is on 6.7 acres of city owned property, and is one of the largest public/private projects in Orlando's history. It serves as the "Southern Gateway" to the city.

• Municipal Justice Building
• Orlando Federal Office Building
• Educational Leadership Center for Orange County Public Schools
• Orlando Vocational Technical Center
• Zora Neale Hurston building

The Federal Regional Office Building is home to more than 20 federal offices, while the Zora Neale Hurston Building has 26 state offices.

The U.S. Customs has a national communication center on the main base and created 170 new jobs.

The Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division (NAWC) occupies 65,000 square feet for simulation and training labs.

Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC)

NAWC is the principal Navy center for analysis, research, development, test and evaluation, acquisition and product support of training, simulation, education and modeling systems.

NAWC is the recognized leader in the field of simulation for military training, and administers about $7.9 billion in ongoing contracts. NAWC employs almost 1,100 civilians and 44 military personnel. It began operation in the mid 60's. Since May, 1988 it is located at the Central Florida Research Park. For fiscal 1995, $645.4 million in contracts were awarded by were.