Could Ocoee be unified under one ZIP code?

The city of Ocoee is included in a new U.S. House of Representatives bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, that would direct the United States Postal Service to designate certain communities a single ZIP code.

“We’ve been working with a group called the National ZIP Code Advocacy Coalition, which is made up of a lot of cities like Ocoee, and we’ve been communicating ideas, working with Representative Boebert’s office on this bill,” City Manager Craig Shadrix said. “Last year, her bill was the only one to make it through the House, and it was actually denied in the Senate. But the next step for the group — and I will say that this issue has made it further into the session than ever before with this plan of attack — is … to hire lobbyists. It’s our option to engage with that. I wouldn’t see it (costing) more than $10,000 for our share, and we’ve had another half-dozen communities today express interest in being part of that. So the more communities jump on board, the cheaper our outlay for participating with the lobbyist would be.”

Ocoee — which has multiple ZIP codes within its borders — also is included in two other federal bills regarding the unification: H.B. 672 filed by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and S.B. 1455 filed by Sen. Rick Scott.

DIVERSITY BOARD

The City Commission unanimously voted to reappoint Kellie Beck to the first of two at-large seats and Hemraj “Vinny” Signh to his District 1 seat on the city’s Human Relations Diversity Board at its May 6 meeting. 

The new terms will be for three years, expiring in May 2028. There is also a vacancy for the District 4 seat after a member resigned from the post — this appointment will complete the seat’s current term expires in 2026.     

During the discussion, District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner and District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III said they will make their appointments at the next commission meeting Tuesday, May 20, after reviewing possible candidates. 

ENVISION 2045 COMMUNITY MEETING

As part of the city’s work on developing its large-scale comprehensive plan, Envision 2045, Shadrix announced the city will hold a community outreach meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center. 

City staff will present the new plan and then host a Q&A session and information stations for residents.  Those interested in reviewing the plan can find it online at ocoee.org.