Amidst hundreds of Orange County residents, well-wishers, friends and family, Teresa Jacobs took the Oath of Office on Tuesday morning, to become the next and fourth mayor of Orange County.
At times a little emotional, Mayor Jacobs in her remarks, underscored the values on which she had campaigned, stressing the core issues of “honesty” and “trust” to which she wished to restore Orange County Government.
“From this point forward, I will begin the task of ensuring that Orange County Government can be trusted to act in the best interest of all citizens, not just the privileged, not just the powerful”, Teresa Jacobs said.
As she had indicated so often in the past, Jacobs gave a commitment to bringing about a broad transformation of the culture of Orange County Government, one that is built on fairness, professionalism, hard work, community, inclusion, integrity, fiscal prudence, creativity and new ideas.
Noting that in the coming weeks a new organizational structure for the county would be unveiled, Mayor Jacobs highlighted a broad work agenda of priorities to include:
- attracting higher paying jobs and promoting long-term economic stability
- raising the bar on ethics, accountability and transparency to eliminate even the appearance of corruption and favoritism
- changing the culture of Orange County Government to make citizens the priority–not politicians and not special interest
- ensuring greater efficiency in government by measuring performance and productivity
- protecting and improving the quality of life, by keeping streets safe, making schools strong and protecting natural resources
- running a fiscally conservative government and ensuring taxpayers’ dollars are spent wisely and efficiently.
“Orange County Government is a good organization with many talented and dedicated public servants, but good isn’t good enough”, Jacobs said. “I want Orange County to strive for excellence to be a role model for other governments.”
Underscoring that Orange County now had in place a very talented and qualified board, Jacobs said, “I’m just ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work”. It was her view that citizens were beginning once again to become re-engaged.
“If we use our collective talents together, our energy and our passion for a better future, we will surely succeed,” Jacobs said.
Mayor Jacobs, surrounded by her husband Bruce and four children, was administered the Oath by Orange County Judge, Fay Allen, at the Linda Chapin Theatre, Orange County Convention Center.
In today’s ceremony, Fred Brummer (District 2), Jennifer Thompson (District 4), Ted Edwards (District 5) and Tiffany Moore Russell (District 6), all took their Oaths of Office to begin serving as Orange County Commissioners.
The new Board of County Commissioners will hold its first meeting Tuesday afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m. in BCC Chambers, 1st Floor, Orange County Administration Center, 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, FL.
