seminole county, florida

Seminole County is a county located in the state of Florida. It is located in the central part of Florida between Orlando to the south and DeLand/Daytona Beach to the north. As of 2000, the population is 365,196. Its county seat is Sanford, Florida ⁶.

History

Seminole County was created on April 25, 1913 out of part of Orange County by the Florida Legislature. It was named for the Seminole tribe of Indians. The name "Seminole" is thought to be derived from the Spanish word cimarron, meaning "wild" or "runaway."

Government

The government currently operates under a County Charter originally adopted in 1989 and amended in November, 1994. Policymaking and the legislative authority are vested in the Board of County Commissioners, a five-member board elected to four-year terms in partisan, countywide elections and from single member districts. The Board adopts the County budget, levies property taxes and other fees, and hires the County Manager and County Attorney. In addition to the Board there are five Constitutional Officers who are elected to partisan, four-year terms in accordance with the constitution of the State of Florida. The Constitutional Officers, Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts, Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections, maintain separate accounting records and budgets. The Board funds a portion or, in certain instances, all of the operating budgets of the County's Constitutional Officers. The County provides a full range of services; the construction and maintenance of the County's infrastructure, public safety, recreation, health and human services, and development and protection of the physical and economic environment. In addition to the County Government described above, there are other political entities which are controlled by the County:

Principal Officials

Commissioner, District I - Grant Maloy Commissioner, District II - Randall C. Morris Commissioner, District III - Dick Van Der Welde Commissioner, District IV - Carlton Henley Commissioner, District V - Daryl McLain Clerk of the Circuit Court - Maryanne Morse Sheriff - Donald F. Eslinger Tax Collector - Ray Valdes Property Appraiser - H. W. Suber Supervisor of Elections - Sandra S. Goard County Manager - J. Kevin Grace Deputy County Manager - Sally Sherman Deputy County Manager - Robert Frank County Attorney - Robert McMillan Finance Director - Robert L. Wilson Fiscal Services Director - Lisa Spriggs Human Resources Director - Janet Davis Library & Leisure Services Director - Janet S. Goldman Public Safety Director - Ken Roberts Public Works Director - Gary Johnson Community Services Director - Phillip Stalvey Planning & Development Director - Don Fisher County Engineer - Jerry McCollum Tourist Development Council Director - Suzan Bunn Economic Development Manager - William McDermott Environmental Services Director - Robert Adolphe

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 893 km² (345 mi²). 798 km² (308 mi²) of it is land and 95 km² (37 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.63% water. Seminole County's location between Volusia County and Orange County has made it one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. The Greater Orlando Metropolitan District which includes Seminole, Osceola, and the surrounding counties of Lake and Orange counties, together with neighboring Volusia and Brevard counties create a viable, progressive and diverse setting for economic growth and residential development.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 365,196 people, 139,572 households, and 97,281 families residing in the county. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of the County has grown to 394,878 by 2003. The population density is 458/km² (1,185/mi²). There are 147,079 housing units at an average density of 184/km² (477/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 82.41% White, 9.52% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.50% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.06% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. 11.15% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 139,572 households out of which 33.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% are married couples living together, 11.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% are non-families. 22.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.59 and the average family size is 3.07. The Department of Education states that in 2003, school enrollment was approximately 72,630. In the county the population is spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.90 males. The median income for a household in the county is $49,326, and the median income for a family is $56,895. Males have a median income of $40,001 versus $28,217 for females. The per capita income for the county is $24,591. 7.40% of the population and 5.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.60% of those under the age of 18 and 6.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Economics

Principal Taxpayers

Taxpayer	Type of Business	Assessed Valuation	Percent of Total Taxable Valuation
Colonial Realty LP	Property Management / Development	$ 217,597,511	1.18%
Florida Power Corp.	Electric Utility	162,934,377	.88%
BellSouth Telecommunications	Communications	91,591,862	.50%
Seminole Towne Centre LP	Shopping Mall	87,867,747	.48%
Altamonte Mall A Jt. Venture	Shopping Mall	86,903,276	.47%
Sprint-Florida Incorporated	Communications	83,090,520	.45%
Convergys		68,774,402	.37%
United Dominion Realty Tr		61,467,400	.33%
Nextel South Corp., FL-FL9007	Communications	61,461,521	.33%
Rouse-Orlando Inc.	Shopping Mall	60,318,083	.33%