Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kissimmee public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues with critical priority
Police pension fund investment performance and FY 2027 budget
The board will review how the police retirement fund's investments performed in a tough quarter — the Fed raised rates, bonds lost ground, and stocks barely gained — and consider next year's pension budget. The fund's health affects the city's future contributions and taxpayer costs.
FY 2027 millage rate and budget balance
Kissimmee kept its property tax rate at 4.6253 mills for an 18th straight year — 2.46% above the rollback rate — and adopted a $321.9 million budget. A hiring freeze, deferred equipment replacements and delayed capital projects are baked in to guard against Amendment 3's potential hit to the budget.
Sworn complaint against Mayor Jackie Espinosa
Commissioners deadlocked 2-2-1 on whether to accept and hold the sworn complaint against Mayor Espinosa until the relevant city code section is amended, leaving the complaint unresolved. Related public-comment disputes over ethics complaints and their dismissals continued throughout the meeting.
Property tax constitutional amendment fiscal impact
A proposed state constitutional amendment could cost Kissimmee $3.7 million in 2028 and $5.5 million in 2029 — a 12% to 18% property tax revenue cut. Worst case: losing 59 to 88 city jobs. The city is planning cuts now in case it passes in November.
Hiring Freeze
The city froze hiring in October, has about 65 vacancies, and plans to eliminate 14 frozen positions. If the amendment passes and nothing else changes, 59 to 88 jobs could disappear — but the city hopes to cut vacant positions rather than lay people off.
Homestead exemption ballot measure and budget cuts
A new state measure — $150,000 homestead exemption rising to $250,000 in 2028 — goes on the November ballot, and staff is already preparing budget-cut recommendations to keep the city's budget balanced.
Sworn ethics complaints against Mayor Espinosa and Commissioner Martinez
Both motions to send the new sworn complaints to a special prosecutor failed 2-2, so neither moves forward for now. The complaints will be revisited once the revised ethics ordinance is adopted.
Termination of the City Attorney
The firing of the city attorney at the last meeting dominated public comment and the mayor's statement, with disputes over budget figures, Sunshine Law process and whether the vote was valid.
City Attorney termination and governance disputes
Mayor Espinosa cited a ten-year budget she says shows $6.2 million overcharged to taxpayers, $2.9 million in outside legal fees, delayed police pay raises, and an alleged unauthorized release of city documents to media. The commission terminated the city attorney 3-1, with severance negotiations ongoing through attorneys.