Governor Signs Florida Budget, Bringing $8.8 Million in Funding to Osceola County While Several Local Projects Are Vetoed

By Positively Osceola
Published: June 30, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Florida’s 2026-2027 state budget, approving millions of dollars in funding for projects across Osceola County while vetoing several other local appropriations that had been requested by community organizations, local governments, and education partners.

According to State Senator Kristen Arrington, whose Senate District 25 includes much of Osceola County, the final budget includes $8.8 million for projects benefiting residents in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and surrounding communities.

Among the funded projects are:

$3.5 million for Boggy Creek Shoal and vegetation removal
$2.25 million for an Osceola County Courthouse courtroom expansion
$1.5 million for C-31 Canal bank stabilization
$500,000 for the Osceola Council on Aging Senior Connected Care Program
$300,000 for the Came to Believe Recovery addiction recovery pilot program
$300,000 for The Transition House Homeless Veterans Program
$250,000 for the Re-Entry Center Safety and Security Modernization Project
$200,000 for the Council on Aging Home Delivered Meals for Rural Seniors Program

Several requested appropriations, however, were removed from the final budget through the governor’s line-item veto authority. Among the Osceola County projects not funded were:

$1.25 million for the Osceola County Waterlin Boulevard Interchange
$1 million for the School District of Osceola County Environmental Center Boardwalk
$1 million for a School District AAA High School Aquatic Center
$750,000 for Junior Achievement of Central Florida HVAC improvements
$750,000 for the Kissimmee Police Evidence Room Expansion Project
$750,000 for the School District’s 24/7 Security Operations Center
$500,000 for the City of Kissimmee East City Drainage Canal Improvement Project
$500,000 for Hope Partnership’s Community Safety and Stability Project
$500,000 for the City of St. Cloud Hopkins Park Community Center
$250,461 for Breakthrough Osceola (RISE)
$174,413 for McCormick Research Institute’s equine-assisted therapy program for veterans
$116,270 for the City of St. Cloud Safety Alert project
$50,000 for Lily’s Warrior Project outreach programs

The approved funding will support environmental restoration, courthouse improvements, senior services, homelessness assistance, addiction recovery, public safety enhancements, and rural meal programs throughout Osceola County.

“This budget delivers meaningful investments that will strengthen services for seniors, support homeless veterans, improve environmental infrastructure, and enhance our local court system,” Senator Kristen Arrington said. “While I’m pleased these priorities received funding, I’m disappointed that several important transportation, education, public safety, and community projects were vetoed. I will continue working to ensure Osceola County receives the resources it needs and deserves.”

The governor’s signed budget takes effect with the start of Florida’s new fiscal year, allowing the approved appropriations to move forward while the vetoed projects will need to seek funding in future legislative sessions or through alternative sources.