Ocoee pushes for local control from Florida Legislature

Florida District 45 State Rep. Leonard Spencer provided Ocoee leaders with an update on Tallahassee during the Ocoee City Commission meeting Tuesday, May 5. 

Spencer said the 60-day legislative session has been extended into overtime as the lawmakers remain in a stalemate on the final funding prorates of the more than $113 billion state budget. Discussions on the budget will continue throughout May as legislators work to finalize spending decisions that will directly affect West Orange communities. 

There are several funding requests for the district still under consideration, including infrastructure improvements, water system expansions and community-based programs. Among them are $1.5 million for a wastewater extension project near Lake Apopka, which Spencer is pushing to gain funding for, roadway improvements in Windermere and funding for local nonprofit initiatives addressing food insecurity and youth development. 

“My focus is making sure your tax dollars are reinvested right back into our communities,” Spencer said. 

He also voiced opposition to state preemption and the measures that would limit the power of local cities such as Ocoee to govern themselves. 

“The state Legislature should not be preempting local communities and stripping decision-making power away from cities,” Spencer said.

He cited House Bill 1000, which restricts local governments from funding or implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He said the bill could penalize local officials for actions previously within their authority. 

District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy said he is concerned about the state overreach, especially in development policies tied to affordable housing. He said Spencer supported Senate Bill 102 Live Local Act donating all of its money to affordable housing, which would have negative implications on Ocoee’s mission to create local high-end apartments and living sites.

Spencer said the state is trying to find the appropriate balance between expanding affordable housing and preserving local control. 

“I hear from constituents every day who are struggling to afford housing, but I also want to work with you to ensure communities develop in a way that reflects local needs,” he said. 

Beyond local government issues, Spencer highlighted several bills he voted to pass during the session, including House Bill 365, which allows high school students to volunteer at polling locations, and the bill regulating e-bikes. Spencer also voted against redrawing Florida’s congressional and legislative maps in the special legislative session, which ended Friday, May 1. 

“Florida passed a constitutional amendment that barred gerrymandering to benefit any political party, and the maps that passed are drawn to protect political incumbents, rather than to fail to represent the communities that actually live here,” Spencer said. “Ocoee and the residents of this district deserve maps and should have maps that keep our communities together and give every voter a meaningful voice.” 

YOUTH COUNCIL YEAR IN REVIEW

The Ocoee Youth Council is an organization for the youth to learn more about decision-making, self-growth and grow as future leaders. Members presented their favorite memories from the 2025-2026 year at the City Commission meeting. 

The members spread holiday cheer during Ocoee’s Operation Santa, attended a Youth Council Summit in DeLand, assisted the Ocoee Police Department with organizing toys and bicycles for children, and helped run and organize many other Ocoee events. Ocoee Municipal Records Coordinator Miranda Justice said the OYC members have contributed 450 volunteer hours to the Ocoee community in the past year through the events. 

The City Commission approved the Council Scholarship Program Dec. 5, 2023, and allowed OYC members to receive up to $250 per year of participation with the youth council if they met the scholarship qualifications for that year. Six senior members qualified for scholarships: Daniel Idowu, Demetrius Molina, Jimmy Nguyen, Luciana Arce-Cervantes, Miley Zumaeta and Zachary Lauro. 

Former OYC member Ashley Clark, who graduated from Tennessee State University debt-free on a full-ride scholarship by volunteering for the council, shared a message to the graduating seniors. 

“Have the faith to ask, ‘What if I can,’ and know that you have a whole community of people supporting you and rooting for you and cheering for you,” she said. “It’s so easy to doubt yourself and doubt the places that you can go, but I’m living proof of the way that you help others comes back to you in big ways.”