July 18, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

This week, the Orlando City Council and I began laying out the priorities and directives that will allow the City to achieve a balanced budget for the 2008/2009 fiscal year. I want you to be assured that your Orlando City Council understands that Orlando families are facing tough economic times.

As we begin crafting this budget, we need to accomplish several things with families in mind:

• Ensure we are able to give residents a reduction in their property tax bill.
• Keep our residents and visitors safe.
• Continue to be prudent and identify areas of excess burden in our budget, items that fall outside of our definition of core City services.
• Keep our core City services intact in order to provide a high quality of life and create opportunities for everyone.

Using these points as guiding principles, we can work to find the best solution possible to fill the budget gap we have been left with in the wake of Amendment 1.

Beginning Monday, the City Council will provide solutions to the budgetary challenges that lie ahead. I am confident that we can generate a budget that will keep the City of Orlando safe, provide a high quality of life and create opportunities, even in these challenging economic times.

The Presentation of Budget Guidelines and Proposed Millage Rate will be delivered on Monday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m. during the City Council Workshop. The Workshop and City Council Meeting will stream live on cityoforlando.net. The meetings will also be aired on Orange TV, Bright House channel 199, on Monday, July 21 at 5 p.m. and then re-aired on Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor
 

This section of City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged in their neighborhoods.

Vacation Crime Tips

Last week’s Public Safety Update included tips on the hazard of swimming in lakes during the heat of summer. This week we focus on ways to protect yourself from crime during your vacation.

• Carry traveler’s checks instead of large amounts of cash.
• Always carry wallets, purses and bags securely. Do not leave purses on chairs, under tables or on restroom hooks.
• Keep your cash, jewelry and valuables (such as passports, cameras and airline tickets) locked in your hotel safety deposit box or safe.
• Keep track of your keys. You may consider returning your hotel room key to the front desk while away from your room.
• Do not leave room keys lying around the swimming pool.
• NEVER pick up hitchhikers.
• Never leave your keys in an unattended car, even while running a quick errand or filling up with gas.
• While driving, travel on main roads and use maps.
• Lock any packages, cameras, clothing or other valuables in the trunk when you leave your car.
• At night, park your car in a well-lighted area. Remember to lock your doors and roll up your windows.
• Be wary of solicitors.
• Travel in pairs or groups if possible.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Should you see anything suspicious call 9-1-1.
• ALWAYS lock your hotel room door, even if you are just going for ice. Intruders much prefer to walk in rather than crash in.

For more information on crime prevention, visit the Orlando Police Department’s website at www.cityoforlando.net/police.

National Night Out Coloring Contest
 

Dictionary of Sustainable Management - Word of the Month

Sustainability

According to the “Dictionary of Sustainable Management,” sustainability is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Visit http://www.sustainabilitydictionary.com/ for definitions of more than 100 terms related to sustainability and sustainable management.

Events Center Webcam

Watch the progress of the construction of the new Events Center with the Events Center Webcam. Showing a bird’s eye view of the two blocks south of Church Street and west of I-4 which will become the home of the City’s new venue for sports, music and entertainment, this camera takes a picture every 15 minutes and saves the photos so viewers can watch the progress like a movie. The new webcam can be found  online.

Community Venues Construction Update
 

Mayor in the Community

• On Wednesday, July 16, Mayor Dyer joined Orlando Magazine in their event recognizing Orlando’s 50 Most Powerful People of 2008.
   
• On Thursday, July 17, Mayor Dyer, along with Rosalyn Durant, Vice President and General Manager of ESPNU, announced that the second annual Under Armour All-America High School Football Game will be played, for the first time, at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on Sunday, January 4, 2009. In addition, the game is moving to Sunday in primetime as part of a new expanded three-hour window (8-11 p.m. ET) on ESPN.

Did You Know?

Watch Inside Orlando on Orange TV

Upcoming Events

Road Closures

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email:
buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net