A contentious $1.9 million grant from CareerSource Central Florida has been returned to Orange County following a significant uproar from the community and Orange County politicians. The award, which was first given by the Supervisor of Elections, caused controversy regarding the use of public funds when it was found that money intended for election-related initiatives was instead used for other programs, such as job training for temporary election workers and scholarships. The decision to return the monies follows strong condemnation from county officials, according to a WFTV report.
In a joint statement obtained by WFTV, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Comptroller Phil Diamond affirmed their support for CareerSource’s decision to end the contract, stating that “The monies rightfully belong to the taxpayers of Orange County.” The Board of County Commissioners will soon determine the best approach to use these resources to help the people of Orange County, they added, adding that the returned cash had already been placed for general fund use.
More than 100 temporary elections staff members were to receive job training and permanent employment possibilities under the terms of the original agreement, which Glen Gilzean signed on September 30. According to WFTV, the money was also included in a different agreement with Valencia College that offered $2.1 million in scholarships. There are disagreements regarding the legitimacy and proper use of these allocations, nevertheless, because none of the county commissioners were contacted.
“The mayor and some board of county commissioners are on a partisan witch hunt to skewer a political opponent,” Gilzean said in an interview described by WESH, defending his conduct. The 2024 election was expertly handled by our office, and we plan to fulfill our pledge to leave this office and our city in a better state than when we arrived. In spite of these allegations, county officials had contemplated taking legal action to rectify the purported misappropriation of public funds intended for the elections office.
In January, Orange County School Board member Karen Castor Dentel will succeed Gilzean, who was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis earlier in the year and did not run for office. In the midst of the debate, talks about possible legislative reforms to limit constitutional officers’ future spending powers have started in Tallahassee.
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