Amy Lockhart

Affordability. The best way to tackle affordability is with high wage paying jobs. We’ve done excellent work in matching workforce programs with employers in our community. These pathways are opening abundant opportunities for students graduating from local universities to find meaningful employment opportunities. Additionally, we need to continue supporting small businesses and keep taxes the lowest in the region.

Law Enforcement. Seminole County should maintain consistent increases in funding for first responders. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished in providing safer neighborhoods across Seminole County for our residents.

Rural Boundary. On the County Commission, I defended the rural boundary against development. Seminole County’s environment must be preserved, no exceptions.

Throughout my tenure on the Commission, Seminole County has added thousands of new jobs, increased funding for public safety, and protected the rural boundary from commercial development. I want to keep this momentum going and I’d be honored to have the opportunity to continue serving as your County Commissioner.

The cost of home and auto insurance in Florida is out of control. The reforms passed by the legislature in 2023 are working, but there is still more that can be done. We need more accountability to policyholders and competition in the market so claims are paid by the insurer and policies are more affordable to the consumer. I have convened a bi-partisan group of elected officials and industry experts to identify the specific areas that local governments can influence to help bring down the cost of property insurance.

Property taxes need to be addressed, but not without considering how such a loss in revenue would impact public safety and basic social services. Seminole County is safer because we have consistently increased funding for our first responders.

Data centers should not be threatening utility rates, period. The legislature recently passed a law that outlaws any rate increases on utility customers because of data centers. I support this measure and will do everything in my power to protect our utility customers in Seminole County.

Seminole County’s rural boundary and wildlife corridor is home to thousands of acres of protected lands. However, commercial development has threatened portions of this land. We must do everything in our power to preserve the natural resources that make Seminole County a beautiful place to live.

America is a nation of immigrants, but equally a nation of laws. I understand that some abroad may wish to join us, sharing in the freedom we are blessed with, and strengthen our society. But citizenship requires a lawful process, and honoring that process protects fairness, accountability, and equal opportunity for all who aspire to live here.

Abortion is not an issue that is legislated locally. As a County Commissioner, nothing related to abortion will come before me.

More people are moving to Florida every day. We must develop responsible solutions to this issue that do not negatively affect our environment, public transportation, or social services.

Increasing costs are a concern for everyone. Balancing predictable costs with sustaining quality infrastructure is the challenge for every utility. For Seminole County Utility customers, we have pegged our water rate to a predictable modest increase. However, water rates for private utilities are governed by the Public Service Commission and municipal utilities are not subject to the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners.

No elected officials should personally benefit from ANY policies or projects considered by the institutions to which they are elected. The laws of the State of Florida already prohibit this. The level of financial transparency required to run for office is greater than in any other state. If you have concerns that an elected official has financial entanglements, you can always look up their Form 6, which is the required annual financial disclosure. If there is evidence of an unethical or illegal circumstance, it should be reported to the appropriate agency and investigated. I am committed to ensuring transparent and efficient government for our residents.

I think the premise of this question might be a little off but … The county works with our seven cities to prioritize projects utilizing the Penny Sales Tax to improve infrastructure which is vital to reducing congestion on our roads. Working with our state and municipal partners, we are prepared to widen, maintain or improve our roadways in an environmentally and economically responsible manner. Because of the Penny Sales Tax, we are equipped with matching dollars for state and federal grants that help us to complete projects more quickly.

Synchronization is important and our Traffic Engineering team is very responsive to concerns. That being said, I would tell people to get off their cell phones. Most of the time, when I see this happen, it’s because a driver is looking at their phone and they sit through most of the light until people start honking.

Not only do I support keeping the rural boundary in place, we have expanded protections of the rural boundary in Seminole County during my tenure!

I have been approached by several School Board Members to address these concerns. This is something that we will need to collaborate on with our law enforcement partners and traffic engineering experts. Improving rights of way, increasing signage near schools, and education are first steps until we can address this holistically.

I will respect the outcome of any election. Having previously served on the County’s Canvassing Board and working with our current Supervisor of Elections, I am confident in the processes and procedures that the State of Florida has in place.