by Beth Kassab | Aug 27, 2025 | City Commission, News
Can Winter Park afford to finish burying power lines by 2030?
A rate increase, taking out more debt in the form of bonds or both are up for debate in the final weeks before the City Commission must approve the 2026 budget
Aug. 27, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Just two months ago, city officials extolled hitting the 20-year mark since Winter Park won ownership of its electric utility from what is now Duke Energy.
With a mini documentary and celebratory events, the city lauded the anniversary of the hardfought acquisition and its accomplishments — namely delivering on the promises to provide high reliability, low rates and underground all overhead power lines in the city.
In the background, though, a debate was already brewing over how the city would be able to continue to deliver on those pledges to residents, who voted in 2003 to purchase the electric grid.
Now that debate is reaching a boiling point with a vote by the City Commission on Winter Park’s $233 million budget for 2026 just weeks away and a recent 5-1 vote by the Utilities Advisory Board against a recommendation by city staff to raise electric rates for the first time since 2019.
The proposal to increase customers’ electric bills by 10% starting in October is largely on the city’s plan to finish burying the remaining 20% of overhead power lines by 2030, the target leaders announced three years ago when it moved the date back from 2026. (See map above and at this link to track the status the project by neighborhood.)
But critics say that increase will be just the beginning of more significant increases to come because the price the city pays for the electricity it sells to residents and businesses will likely go up in the coming years as contracts are up for renegotiation and as Winter Park is also planning additional big expenses to replace aging substations as well as install new streetlights.
“I’m all for undergrounding, but I can’t see charging my fellow residents [more] this year and then keep doing it in following years because it’s going to get higher and higher,” said Michael Poole, an advisory board member who is leading the charge against the rate increase, at a recent meeting with commissioners.
Poole, an investment banker who has served on the advisory board since 2020, said the purchase of the electric utility “was one of the greatest things the city has ever done.”
But the promise of finishing the undergrounding project by 2030 is unrealistic without taking out debt through bonds and spreading the cost out over a longer period of time.
“Undergrounding is a monumental pledge … we’re restringing every street,” he said. “That’s just an astonishing capital cost.”
Very few cities across the United States have undergrounded their entire grids because of the cost and time required.
City staff has said the proposed increase for a customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours will result in a $15 monthly increase and generate an extra $4.8 million in revenue. But homes and businesses in Winter Park typically use nearly double that amount of electricity so the actual impact to people’s wallets will be higher.
The cost of burying power lines, which looks cleaner and is heralded as a way to keep the system safer and more reliable, especially during storm season, has more than doubled from about $4 million a near to more than $9 million, according to city documents.
So far nearly 104 miles out of 128 total miles — as measured in overhead lines — that serve Winter Park’s 15,000 customers are now underground.
But work has slowed on those last 24 miles as well as the connections from feeder lines to individual homes.
The utility fell short of its goal this year and last year to complete five miles a year because there isn’t enough money to fund the projects.
“I could very easily meet that goal if I had funding to support that,” said Jamie England, director of the electric utility.
England has also said the 2030 target is for the main overhead lines and that finishing the connections to individual homes will likely take a couple extra years. Initially, the city charged residents for those connections but in 2022 decided to take on those costs as part of the overall project, which added to the pricetag and the time required.
Poole has said the city’s current “pay as you go” policy for financing the work is problematic because it puts too heavy of a burden on current customers.
City Manager Randy Knight has also discussed issuing bonds or doing so in combination with a rate increase.
But Knight has also taken exception to some of Poole’s figures and said in a recent meeting that some of the statements Poole made in a memorandum to the City Commission “defy logic.”
A memorandum prepared by Wes Hamil, director of finance, weighed the pros and cons of financing the project through bonds.
“The main advantage of borrowing is the ability to accelerate some capital improvements and reduce the necessary rate increase now,” the document said. “The main disadvantages of borrowing are the cost of interest on the debt ($28M) in the scenario presented which means customers pay more in the long-term. Flexibility is also reduced because rate revenue dollars committed to servicing debt cannot be used for other purposes.”
City spokeswoman Clarissa Howard said the latest recommendation is still being finalized ahead of a meeting Thursday scheduled for commissioners to talk about changes to the budget ahead of the first of two required budget votes on Sept. 10.
Knight has emphasized that Winter Park’s electric rates are lower than average among municipal-owned utilities in Florida and far lower than the prices charged by Duke Energy.
A comparison chart shows Winter Park charged just higher than $120 per 1,000 kilowatt hours for power in July, according to the Florida Municipal Electric Association. That was about even with the Orlando Utilities Commission and just under the average bill of $126.81 among the 32 municipal utilities.
By comparison, Duke charged customers more than $180 per 1,000 kilowatt hours in July, higher than the average of $160.86 among investor-owned utilities.
Winter Park last tried to raise electric rates in 2022 but backed away from the plan after upset among residents and concerns that the Russian invasion of Ukraine could send fuel costs higher.
Commissioners are also considering paying a consultant up to $109,000 to produce a new study on the city’s rates and, potentially, justification for future rate changes.
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by Beth Kassab | Aug 25, 2025 | Arts and Culture, City Commission, Historic Preservation
New Park Avenue archway underscores historic Winter Park
A group of private donors combined with public dollars made the $400,000 project possible
Aug. 25, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park leaders on Monday celebrated the installation of the first of two archways that will bookend Park Avenue.
The $400,000 pair of signs emphasize the city’s commitment to historic preservation and were one of the last projects spearheaded by former Planning & Zoning Director Jeff Briggs before he retired at the start of the year.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio gives remarks at an event to celebrate the new signs on Monday.
The City Commission provided about half the money for the arches made by Don Bell Signs and eight private donors covered the remainder.
Briggs has said the calls for donations were among the “easiest” he ever made with lots of enthusiasm for the markers that call even more attention to Winter Park’s popular dining and retail corridor, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
The sign on the north end stands at the intersection of Park and Webster avenues next to the public golf course known as the Winter Park Nine and in sight of historic home-turned-venue Casa Feliz.
The city seal now adorns City Hall as part of a refresh of the building over the summer.
A second arch on the south end near Park and Aloma avenues and just across the street from Rollins College is slated to go up at the end of September.
Private donors to the cause are: Rick Baldwin; Jim and Diana Barnes; Mike and Gail Winn; the Allan E. and Linda S. Keen Family; Larry and Joy Williams Private Foundation; Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation; Joe and Sarah Galloway Foundation and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation.
The signs aren’t the only noticeable public upgrade along Park Avenue. City Hall, at the intersection of Lyman Avenue is sporting a new paint job with the city seal, featuring a peacock, now prominently displayed to passersby.
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by Beth Kassab | Aug 14, 2025 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
Playhouse gets lease and city looks for Seven Oaks Park developer
The City Commission also took steps to limit residential pickleball courts
Aug. 14, 2025
By Beth Kassab
The Winter Park Playhouse is closer to its goal of starting a $10 million renovation of the professional musical theater, which includes the purchase of the building by the city.
On Wednesday, the City Commission approved two critical steps — the funding agreement for Orange County to provide $8 million through a grant of tourism tax dollars and a lease agreement with the city to rent the building for $1 a year.
A rendering shows the proposed renovations for the Winter Park Playhouse.
The lease also allows the playhouse to request up to a $600,000 “bridge loan” if it has not met its private fundraising requirement of $1.6 million to receive the county dollars at the start of the project. The playhouse must show it’s raised at least $1 million to request the loan.
“A lot of faith there,” Commissioner Marty Sullivan said. “But I’ve got faith in the playhouse to make this work.”
Heather Alexander, co-founder and executive director, said the playhouse has already secured $1 million in private funds toward the goal and has pledges totaling more than $600,000 set to come in over the the next three to four years.
“We will be just fine … so don’t worry we won’t be able to pay it back,” Alexander told the commission. “It may not even be necessary, that’s my hope.”
The city will use $3.8 million of the county grant to purchase the property at 711 N. Orange Avenue. The remainder of the county grant will go toward refurbishing the theater, including expanding seating by 50%.
The future of the 23-year-old nonprofit theater was up in the air just a year ago when the owner of its building said its lease would end and the building would be sold. That left theater supporters scrambling for a new home until, ultimately, the city agreed to buy the property through the grant.
As part of the agreements, the playhouse will be required to provide a report on its performance metrics each year to the city.
City seeks developer for Seven Oaks Park
Tired of seeing little use of Seven Oaks Park, which opened in January, the city is inviting developers to submit ideas to build out a pad within the park that would potentially draw more people to the greenspace. (Red outline in above photo at top of page.)
Permitted concepts could include “bars, taverns, and cocktail lounges (with at least 51% of revenue derived from food sales); bicycle shops; breweries and distilleries (with food service); corner stores (excluding convenience stores); fine arts museums; instruction in fine arts, dance, and music; food halls; health and wellness studios; recreational facilities; restaurants (including fast-casual and fine dining); retail businesses; specialty food and beverage markets; and theaters for film, music, or performing arts.”
The city won’t be obligated to accept any of the ideas, but can use the “invitation to negotiate” as way to feel out interest in the project, City Manager Randy Knight said.
“The city expects this redevelopment will respect and grow the quality of the city’s unique attributes and special features of Winter Park while remaining relevant to today’s social gathering places like Foxtail Coffee Co. and Shady Park in Winter Park, Plant Street Market/Brewery in Winter Garden, East End Market in Orlando, and Boxi Park in Lake Nona,” the document reads.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said the neighbors and other businesses “desperately” want something to happen there.
Commissioner Craig Russell agreed, saying that despite the controversy related to the park, “I think the spirit of this park was deliberately designed for this process … it was what the plan was and I think it’s time.”
Commissioner Warren Lindsey suggested a shaded area might be a good component of whatever development plans take shape considering the Florida heat the years it will take for the park’s oaks to mature.
New limits on residential pickleball
Residents who are looking to build a pickleball court on their property will find it hard, or maybe impossible, to do so under new rules imposed by the City Commission.
The rules, which are designed to prevent noise complaints related to the game’s trademark near-constant ball whacks, will not affect commercial or public pickleball courts.
Planning Director Allison McGillis estimated there are fewer than five residential courts in the city, though some homeowners may seek to convert tennis courts to pickleball over time.
“I don’t foresee a lot of them popping up, but it’s becoming more popular,” she said.
McGillis proposed changing city code to require pickleball courts have 20-foot setbacks from the rear and side property lines, an increase from the required 10 feet for tennis courts.
But commissioners opted to increase the requirement to 150 feet, meaning new courts would be virtually impossible for now given the size of most lots.
One private pickleball court is expected to be built just off Park Avenue and Morse Boulevard as part of a private residence attached to a coffee shop. But that court would not be impacted by the new rules because of a special variance given to the project.
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by Beth Kassab | Aug 12, 2025 | Arts and Culture, City Commission, News
Winter Park gives main character energy in 'Happy Wife'
The authors explain how the city and a number of local haunts became a lavish — and sometimes dark — setting for the novel featured by Jenna Bush on the Today Show
Aug. 12, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Kendall Shores writes about Winter Park like a local because she is one.
Her parents met at Rollins College and married in Knowles Memorial Chapel. She attended Park Maitland, Trinity Preparatory and Winter Park High, where she rowed crew.
She’s seen the glitter of Park Avenue and the dirt swept under the rugs in the old-guard historic homes and the ultra modern mansions that surround the central district.
So when Shores talked to co-author Meredith Lavender about a setting for their debut novel “Happy Wife” she felt called to draw on her personal experience.
“I said, ‘Look, I know everyone thinks their hometown is interesting, but hear me out,'” Shores recalled. “… I think we understand that readers really enjoy a strong sense of place. And Winter Park, when you are there, has a strong sense of place.”
Cue the applause from the urban planners and preservationists.
‘Happy Wife’ throttled to the buzzsphere after the Today Show’s Jenna Bush featured it last month and called it a “delicious, fun summer” read.
City Commissioner Warren Lindsey then passed out copies at the next City Hall meeting and declared the mention not only a worthwhile book rec, but also a little atonement for the Today Show’s recent snub of Winter Park.
Not a word about the city was spoken during multiple unrelated segments filmed at Central Park for the Today Show’s third hour, which only promoted neighboring Orlando. The May appearances, coordinated by Visit Orlando, prompted Mayor Sheila DeCiccio to question the city’s future cooperation and waiver of park rental fees with the taxpayer-funded tourism marketing agency.
“They made up for it,” Lindsey said. “And we have to be able to make fun of ourselves a little bit.”
Is it any wonder the city lends itself so well to fiction?
The book is filled with local references from Interlachen Country Club to Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and the condominium Enron’s Kenneth Lay called home when he was still with Florida Gas Co.
“Do you not like living here?” the main character, Nora, a 28-year-old whose marriage is at the center of the thriller, asks a friend.
“I like tax breaks. I like boat rides and sunsets on the lake and summer all year. But people like Autumn act like this place is $%&ing Paris or something. It’s Florida, not the %&* center of the universe.”
“You’re spicy this morning. Who hurt you? Did someone at the party try to tell you the Morse Museum is better than the MoMA again?”
Lavender and Shores, who both live in Atlanta, say they’ve heard talk of people wondering if any of the characters are based on specific individuals, but they aren’t.
All of the characters formed organically as the authors said they explored the dangers of “romanticizing your life, your partner or even your community too much” through a mystery with a number of turns.
Lavender, a television writer whose credits include “Nashville,” grew up on the north shore of Chicago and hadn’t spent much time in Central Florida.
Now, though, she’s had a proper introduction to Winter Park via Shores including, of course, the Scenic Boat Tour.
“People really have Florida in their minds as one thing and, for me, it had touches of Wisconsin and lake country and I loved that,” she said.
The co-authors expect to be in town again soon for events related to the book. Stay tuned for dates.
And there’s already another story in the works that builds on the last.
Winter Park, Shores said, continues to be the “anchor.”
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by Beth Kassab | Aug 5, 2025 | City Commission, News, Taxes, Uncategorized
Winter Park to keep property tax rate the same for 18th year
The city’s $233.5 million budget accounts for 7% growth in property tax revenue based on higher values as well as increases in utility fees
Aug. 5, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park City Commissioners will keep property tax rates the same for the 18th year in a row despite pressure from two commissioners to consider increases.
With a 3-2 vote to hold the line at the July 23 City Commission meeting, officials signaled that the increase in property values will drive a 7% increase in property tax revenues — from $36.2 million to $38.9 million — will be enough to cover expenses along with significant proposed increases in utility rates.
The city’s overall budget is proposed to increase by 8.9% or $19 million to $233.5 million.
City Manager Randy Knight cautioned that its likely he will ask commissioners to raise the property tax rate next year on top of the utility increases that are being proposed this year.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio along with commissioners Warren Lindsey and Kris Cruzada voted to keep the millage rate the same. Commissioners Marty Sullivan and Craig Russell dissented.
Sullivan began talking about a potential increase months ago in a letter to residents, citing growing costs and changing economic conditions. He said he wanted to raise the millage rate by a quarter mil with the intent of revising it back down in September after receiving reassurance from the city’s share of revenue from the state sales tax and other sources wouldn’t plummet.
“That’s a big unknown,” he told the group, citing needs like a new fire training center and continuing to build the city’s reserve fund, which would prove crucial in the event of a major hurricane or other disaster.
Russell surprised some observers by going even further, proposing a half mil increase.
He was elected as a first-time candidate in 2024 and was championed by local business interests and even campaigned on cutting taxes and targeting waste.
But he said he’s learned a lot about what it takes to keep the city running with the high level of service that residents have come to expect.
“How long can we provide the level of service we do without addressing that taboo subject?” he asked.
He proposed earmarking any increase for specific needs like roads or sidewalks to provide residents with “transparency” about how the dollars will be spent.
Russell said he knows most elected officials shy away from raising taxes because it could cost them their jobs the next time voters got to the polls.
“Anybody sitting up here is afraid of not getting elected the next time,” he said. “I’m a liar …” he said referring to his own campaign materials last year that called for reducing taxes. “But when you dive into it and sit here and you take on fiscal responsibility for thousands of people you have the ability to learn what that really means.”
The seats belonging to Sullivan and Russell are up for election next year.
DeCiccio expressed some doubt about how much longer the city would be able to maintain property tax rates, even with higher appraised values. She attributed the city’s growing values to the level of service residents receive when it comes to quick police and fire response, parks, roads, electricity and other services the city provides.
“The level of service and higher property values go hand in hand,” she said. “It truly amazes me that we are able to maintain the same millage rate and still maintain that … I don’t know how long we will be able to do it, but we can definitely do it this year, make this the 18th year we don’t raise property taxes.”
Residents will, however, see other proposed changes that are likely to hit their wallets.
The average resident will pay an extra $23 for electricity, water and stormwater is the proposed changes are approved.
The next budget hearing will take place next week on Aug. 13 where residents can sign up to speak on the budget.
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by Beth Kassab | Jul 21, 2025 | City Commission, News
Winter Park looks to weigh in on Orange County redistricting maps
As Orange looks to add two more districts, how the map is drawn will decide how Winter Park is represented
July 21, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park officials appear poised to endorse an Orange County redistricting proposals that group the city with Maitland and Eatonville along with portions of Orlando and Apopka rather than the vast eastern rural section of the county that stretches to the Brevard County line.
A discussion about the proposed maps that will decide how the county of 1.5 million people is carved up and represented at the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday’s City Commission meeting.
The county districts must be redrawn after voters decided last year to grow the County Commission from the mayor plus six seats to the mayor plus eight seats.
Winter Park is currently part of District 5, which is represented by Commissioner Kelly Semrad, and stretches some 30 miles from from Orlando’s College Park neighborhood east to Christmas and the Brevard County line. As a result the district mixes urban neighborhoods and cities like Winter Park and Maitland with the eastern section of the county where large swaths of land are still undeveloped.
Meanwhile, Eatonville, the historically Black town of 2,200 people sandwiched between Maitland and Winter Park is carved out of District 5 and grouped with Apopka, the county’s second largest city at 60,000.
A memo from City Manager Randy Knight said it would make sense to group Winter Park with Maitland, Eatonville and area to the west rather than the eastern section of the county.
“That portion of Orange County is more rural and its needs and priorities are much different than those of Winter Park,” the memo read. “Staff believe Winter Park would be better served by a district made up of other more urban areas that are largely built out, like Maitland, Eatonville, College Park, north Orlando and southeast Apopka.”
Commissioner Marty Sullivan said he agreed with that idea.
“To have nearby municipalities grouped in one district I think makes a lot of sense,” he said.
Sullivan said of the 18 maps under consideration by the redistricting committee, he like the map known as Callan-1, which stretches east to capture the campus of Full Sail University, but is compactly centered on Winter Park. That proposed district runs north to Lockhart and Fairview Shores and south to downtown Orlando.
Knight’s memo cautioned that one of the proposed maps groups Winter Park with all of Apopka and cuts out Eatonville and College Park. Given the size of Apopka the city could potentially “dominate the representation,” it said.
City officials said they would like to provide input at the next redistricting committee meeting scheduled for July 30. The process is slated to be complete by September, when the County Commission will finalize the new map with eight districts.
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