The race for Orange County Commission District 2 is heading to a November runoff, with former state Rep. Kamia Brown facing incumbent Commissioner Mike Crabb.
The contest is one of several local races taking place under Orange County’s newly redrawn commission districts. Voters approved expanding the commission from six districts to eight in 2024, and the new boundaries will be used for the 2026 election cycle.
District 2 now encompasses much of northwest Orange County, including Apopka, Clarcona, Lockhart and Ocoee, among other communities.
News 6 Morning Anchor Lauren Melendez moderated a forum with both candidates, hosted by League of Women Voters of Orange County to discuss some of the issues facing the district.
Organizer Kay Hudson says Thursday’s discussion kicked off a series of in-depth forums in the group’s effort to make information accessible and palatable for voters ahead of election day.
Wekiva River Flow a Shared Priority
One issue where Brown and Crabb agree is protecting the Wekiva River basin.
The candidates say water quality and the impact of growth on the region’s water resources should be priorities as the district continues to develop rapidly.
“Water quality is important, it is a public health priority.” said Brown.
[RELATED: District 2 candidates discuss what issues are important to Orange County]
Crabb pointed specifically to efforts to address septic systems and sewer infrastructure in the Wekiva River basin.
The Wekiva River and its surrounding basin have long been a focus of local environmental and growth-management efforts.
Traffic and Housing Also Major Issues
The candidates offered different approaches to some of the district’s other challenges.
Crabb said traffic is a major concern and pointed to the need for faster implementation of traffic technology and improvements.
While Brown didn’t disagree, she highlighted the need for more education around existing transit programs for seniors and other specific groups.
Brown also emphasized workforce opportunities and housing, saying more housing should be located near public transportation so residents have more options for getting to work without having to choose between “gas or rent.”
Affordable and workforce housing, transportation options and infrastructure key parts of her campaign platform.
Property Taxes Could Reshape the County Budget
Another major issue in the race is Florida’s proposed Amendment 3, which will go before voters in November.
If approved, the constitutional amendment would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.
It would also reduce the annual assessment cap for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. The measure requires approval from at least 60% of voters.
Orange County officials estimate the change could reduce county property tax revenue by approximately $165 million in 2027 and $275 million in 2028.
[RELATED: District 2 candidates discuss potential impacts of Amendment 3]
Brown questioned whether the proposal represents true property-tax relief, arguing that local governments could ultimately have to shift the burden elsewhere.
“How this bill was packaged is not the way to go. It is not a property tax relief, it is a tax shift,” she stated.
Crabb also expressed concern about the size of the potential revenue loss, but said it’s too early to make concrete decisions on any cuts.
He did however cite his priorities are to protect public safety and infrastructure, while emphasizing the need for the community to full grasp the scope of possible budget deficits across the state.
“The crazy part is I’m talking about these dang numbers like I’m talking about my public receipt. These are huge numbers.”
What Happens If the Money Disappears?
The potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars raises questions about how Orange County would maintain public services.
During the interview, Melendez asked the candidates how they would protect critical services if the county has to make substantial cuts.
Crabb pointed to the way different public safety agencies are funded, saying the sheriff’s office and fire department rely heavily on separate municipal service taxing units, or MSTUs.
“Orange County Sheriff’s Department is funded by an MSTU tax… The fire department’s the problem. Eighty-six percent of theirs comes from MSTU and we can’t fund them with general fund,” Crabb outlined.
Brown said she would favor allowing state lawmakers more time to address property-tax relief rather than forcing local governments to absorb the impact.
“We really need to be patient with sending it back to Tallahassee and allow them to provide relief in the right way.”