ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More money for law enforcement, fire and emergency services is headed to Central Florida as Orange County takes a hard look at what the area needs now to keep people safe.
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The budget shows that the county wants to send a message that safety is key.
In the first Orange County budget workshop, the focus was on the first responders, and public service members who protect the community.
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In total, $860 million is being proposed for Orange County’s public safety departments. That’s about $100 million increase from last year’s budget.
Aside from new positions to support operations, Orange County Fire Rescue’s $300 million budget includes expanding its Marine Rescue program, going from 11 stations with boats to 20.
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Among other public safety highlights, corrections wants to invest in technology. Its budget includes implementation of a drone detection system and money to address recruitment and retention of corrections officers, a lingering issue that has cost the county thousands of dollars in overtime.
Wednesday’s budget workshop is the first of many before that budget gets finalized.
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