Winter Park’s property tax rate was extended for a 17th year as City Commission voted, at its September 11 meeting, to approve the first reading of the revised 2025 budget.
The meeting began after an observance of the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks with the Winter Park Police and Fire Department Honor Guard leading the Pledge of Allegiance. “We reflect on the immense loss, the enduring grief, and the heroism that arose in the face of the unimaginable tragedy,” said Mayor Sheila DeCiccio. The observance coincided with a proclamation of National Service Dog Month, recognizing the contributions of the dogs and their trainers.
The city’s millage rate of 4.0923 and the $214.6 million budget proposal (available here) were tentatively approved in July. Every 0.25 mill generates approximately $2.2 million in annual property tax revenue and the total represents 44% of the city’s General Fund revenue. The General Fund is expected to accumulate approximately $21 million at the end of fiscal year 2025.
Since the July approvals, commissioners and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) discussed changes and additional oversight to items in the budget proposal that include the following:
- The capital improvement plan to the CRA budget will be adjusted once Orange County leaders make a ruling in October on the possible extension of the CRA, which is currently scheduled to sunset in 2027.
- The General Fund budget is balanced with a contingency of $450,000; however, state revenue estimates are lower than projected. The difference is not expected to impact city needs, but staff will monitor costs and expenditures during the next fiscal year.
- The estimated stormwater revenue, which generated by utility fees, was reduced from a projected $1.3 million to $1.15 million, but the number still represents a 60% increase over the previous year due to a rate increase of one penny per square foot of impervious coverage. Basin studies remain in progress and funding for capital improvements based on their findings will be allocated.
The new fiscal year also marks the end of Winter Park’s $100,000 per year funding agreement with Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The money will be earmarked for distribution to the city’s nonprofit partners, and commissioners have suggested the creation of a committee to recommend policy on future allocations, which currently are discussed and voted on at City Commission meetings. City grants are generally equal to no more than 50% of an organization’s total operational cost and can be distributed throughout the fiscal year.
The September 11 meeting included a vote to grant a $25,000 request from Winter Park Institute and for a $17,000 grant to Men of Integrity Mentoring Program, Inc., which runs youth-oriented programming and holds its weekly meetings at Winter Park Community Center.
Commissioner Marty Sullivan was not at the meeting, but all budget items were approved by the attending members. The second reading of the 2025 budget and millage rate will happen at the September 25 commission meeting and is expected to pass.
Library parking plans
Three parking solutions for Winter Park Library were also discussed at the September 11 meeting. The first is a modified version of a paved surface lot by MLK Park that was previously approved on May 8. The new design will offer 33 spaces, down from 49 but at cost of $248,000, down from $841,000. The cost and volume differences stemmed from a change in lot position that prevented the demolition of the Lake Island Recreation Center and the shifting of the croquet court. The second solution, also approved on May 8, creates 26 parallel spaces along Harper Street, down from a projected 29 spaces, but at a cost of $187,000, down from $209,000.
A third option for 44 spaces along Comstock Avenue would include permeable pavers for stormwater retention and require modifications to the softball field parking entrances at a total cost of $745,000. Mayor Sheila DeCiccio was in favor of all three options, which would add a total of 103 new spaces at a total cost of $1.2 million.
Budget & Management Director Peter Moore said the CRA capital projects fund could be amended to accommodate the cost. City Manager Randy Knight suggested the project can be completed in two phases with the more expensive Comstock Avenue option put on hold for, “other things we’re looking at along that corridor that might be a better option.” The parking additions would accompany a recently approved agreement with the Heritage Park office building, located at 941 W. Morse Blvd., that opens 300 spaces to public access on weekdays after 5:30 p.m. and on weekends after 11:30 a.m. A motion instructing staff to present the library parking additions to the CRA Board for funding discussion was approved.
The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25. Meeting schedules, agendas, and virtual access is available at cityofwinterpark.org/meetings.