Charline L. Santos

Problem: Amy Lockhart said “Yes” to increasing your property taxes, utility taxes and gas taxes – all while families in Seminole County are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

Solution: Work to roll back taxes – starting with the County imposed Gas Tax, 5 cents for the next 50 years! This should have been placed in front of the voters and it was not. I will work to roll-back the Gas Tax, to help relieve the pain at the pump.

Problem: Amy Lockhart replaced our mass transit with a microtransit system designed for a county half our size –leaving residents stranded with waits of two hours or more.

Solution: Build a reliable, yet affordable interconnected transportation system that gets residents where they need to go –throughout Seminole County, including Geneva, and beyond.

Problem: Across the county, our neighborhoods are still flooding, while our Penny Tax dollars fund projects that can wait. Flood relief can’t. Period.

Solution: Put our Penny Tax dollars to work where they’re needed most—fixing drainage, reducing flooding, and protecting our homes and neighborhoods.

#1: “I’m human, fighting for other humans here in Seminole County.”

We’ve been put on the back burner and talked down to for too long. Enough is enough. We deserve a leader who digs into the issues, asks tough questions, and understands what a vote will mean for residents before saying “yes.”

#2: Strategic thinking. Human kindness. Common sense.

Leadership means seeing the bigger picture without losing sight of the people in it. Every decision should start with one question: How will this improve life for the people who call Seminole County home?

#3: Fresh thinking starts with changing who’s at the table.

Without term limits for County Commissioners, it’s up to us to change things up. We deserve a fresh perspective, honest answers, and leadership that puts people first. No more gaslighting. No more scripted talking points. It’s time for leadership that listens—and follows through. And most importantly, Leadership that’s not only there when you call, but a Leader that’s there every step of the way.

Counties across Florida and beyond are finding creative ways to tackle housing affordability. As a strategist, I would start by studying what’s working and asking: How can we adapt those ideas to meet Seminole County’s needs?

That means strengthening local efforts that support more housing options, including YIMBY (“Yes, In My Backyard”), and identifying opportunities to restore and repurpose existing buildings. Before pushing to tear down, we should ask what we can preserve, improve, and make affordable.

I would vote NO for Amendment 3. I’ve read the bill both versions and it is really another “bill” for voters to pay. Besides the fact we will lose home rule, voters will be hit with blanketed fees. And what’s more alarming, we’re already hit with increased taxes.

What I would defer or cut first, in order:

1. Discretionary spending within county government. Reduce nonessential travel, conferences, ceremonial spending, optional consulting and duplicative software. Review administrative vacancies before filling them. These demonstrate discipline, although I would not pretend they solve the entire shortfall.

2. New administrative facilities and optional upgrades. The Five Points County Administration Building would be an early review priority. In February, commissioners approved $6.5 million for FY26 design and preconstruction work; the agenda described $15.5 million across that phase, with future work orders contingent on budget approval. I would assess remaining commitments, renovation alternatives and the cost of delay before authorizing additional discretionary work. Those figures are for design and preconstruction, not the complete building.

3. Amenity expansions and cosmetic improvements. Defer new recreational amenities, beautification and optional facility enhancements before reducing maintenance or closing existing services.

4. New subsidies and program expansions. Require evidence of public benefit and an affordable ongoing funding source before approving discretionary incentives or expanding programs.

On pausing major projects: I would propose a 90-day review of all major county capital projects, with a temporary hold on new discretionary commitments.

Each project would receive a public recommendation: continue, phase, defer or cancel. The review would show:

• Remaining spending and annual operating costs.

• Funding restrictions and whether savings could actually support essential services.

• Contract termination costs, grant deadlines and the cost of delay.

• Safety implications and lower-cost alternatives.

I oppose bringing large-scale data centers to Seminole County, and I would push for a moratorium on new approvals in unincorporated Seminole County. Our residents’ utility bills, water supply, and quality of life must come first.

Florida’s utility regulators must demand transparent accounting, reject unjustified rate increases, and enforce protections that prevent data center costs from being passed on to families and small businesses. Residents should not bankroll the infrastructure or financial risks of these projects.

As a County Commissioner, I would also act where we have direct authority. While we don’t set investor-owned electric utilities’ rates, we do control county-imposed utility taxes—and I would work to reduce that burden. My priority is relief for residents, not adding more pressure to their monthly bills.

Your ZIP code should never determine the quality of the water coming out of your faucet!

I believe ensuring safe, clean, reliable water across Seminole County is one of the most important environmental issues government should address.

Residents deserve clear answers about their water, consistent testing, and timely action when problems arise. Government must bring the county, cities, and utility providers together to identify aging infrastructure, address recurring concerns, and prioritize improvements where the need is greatest. That includes protecting the groundwater and watersheds that supply our communities.

As a County Commissioner, I would push for transparent, publicly accessible water-quality reporting and a coordinated improvement plan with clear deadlines and accountability. Clean water is a basic necessity. Residents should never have to fight to make it a government priority.

As a County Commissioner, I would scrutinize every immigration-related funding request that comes before our board. Residents deserve to know what we are approving, what it will cost, and what obligations come with it, like the recent “Biden” Immigration Grant that the County Commission approved. While commissioners do not direct immigration enforcement, we are responsible for making informed decisions about the public dollars and agreements within our authority. I will insist on transparency, accountability, and respect for every resident’s right

County Commissioners do not vote on abortion.

Planning for growth should also mean protecting the quality of life of the people who already live here. Residents deserve a meaningful voice in how their communities change.

As a County Commissioner, I would evaluate proposals within the county’s authority by asking: Does this comply with the law and our comprehensive plan? Can our roads, drainage, water systems, and public services support it? Does it address a real community need? And have residents’ concerns been meaningfully addressed? Does this require displacement of our wildlife?

I would prioritize opportunities to revitalize existing developed areas while protecting our Rural Boundary, green spaces, and established neighborhoods. Redevelopment should also consider the residents and small businesses already there, including potential displacement.

Oviedo and Winter Springs make their own municipal land-use decisions, but growth affects infrastructure beyond city boundaries. I would work with city leaders to coordinate those impacts. Where we have discretion, I will push for changes or vote no when a proposal fails to serve our community. Where state law limits that discretion, I will be honest about those limits and pursue every available protection.

I will work to roll back county-imposed utility taxes and strengthen county programs that help residents lower their costs. I will also look at what’s working in other counties and states and bring practical, proven ideas to Seminole County. Residents need relief, and I will pursue every opportunity to deliver it.

Absolutely! The Rural Boundary is voter-approved and reflects the will of residents. If elected, I will fight to protect the Rural Boundary, defend home rule, and oppose state efforts to override our local protections.

As a strategist, I would start by examining what other counties and states are doing to improve e-bike safety and how we can apply those lessons here. Safety comes first, and collaboration is essential. I would bring together our schools, parents, cities, and law enforcement to turn those lessons into practical steps that protect our students.

Respect for the election process starts with how we conduct ourselves as candidates (before and after our candidacy). I will communicate honestly, correct misinformation (including my own) and reject intimidation or harassment of voters, candidates, elected officials and election workers. Unnecessary bullying has no place in the election process or Seminole County, period. I believe that those who have the “energy” to bully (cyber or in person), should have the same energy to run or pay the consequences of bullying.

Running for office, should be commended at all levels, because it’s not easy. But what makes it harder when you have unnecessary players that think that have the biggest voice, but essentially are saying nothing.

As a County Commissioner, I would support the resources needed for secure, accessible elections while respecting the Supervisor of Elections’ independent responsibilities. Public trust is earned through transparency, accountability, and leaders who hold themselves to the same standards they expect of others.