Commissioners Propose Cuts and New Spending Ahead of Budget Vote
The first vote on the total $247 million budget is scheduled for Wednesday
Sept. 4, 2026
By Beth Kassab
In response to political pressure from state government to reduce expenditures, the Winter Park City Commission appears poised to spend less money maintaining its tree canopy as well as on code enforcement and parks programs and reduce a proposed increase to the library. But it is considering a new $45,000 payout to a local nonprofit called Men of Integrity that aims to mentor youth.
The commission is also in favor of raising more revenue for the city by adding red light cameras, starting a new program to charge non-residents for parking at the dog park at Lake Baldwin and Dinky Dock and charge credit card convenience fees on transactions with the city based on discussion at a recent work session.
The $247 million all-funds budget will be heard at the next commission meeting on Wednesday when the board is scheduled to take it’s first of two votes on the spending plan for the financial year that will begin Oct. 1. The city is expected to adopt the same property tax rate for the 19th consecutive year, though revenues from taxes have increased as a result of growing property values.
In addition to the threat of tax cuts if Amendment 3 passes in November, Winter Park leaders say they are also facing soaring costs related to police, fire and maintaining roads.
At least one commissioner pushed for more cuts to spending. Commissioner Warren Lindsey said he would prefer to reduce raises for city employees from 4% to 3.5%, but did not get consensus from other commissioners.
A photo of what parking signs could look like when the city begins charging for public parking in select areas to raise more revenue. The photo was included in city documents related to the program that will look to charge non-residents for parking.
Lindsey said he viewed a smaller raise as part of the “painful reality” of local governments facing significant reductions in property tax revenue if Amendment 3 passes in November.
“My recommendation is that we do it this coming year and not wait until November,” he said. “I feel it’s the responsible thing to do.”
But Mayor Sheila DeCiccio and others said they didn’t feel comfortable with reducing staff raises and pointed to an ongoing hiring freeze that will help conserve funds.
The group agreed to keep open a vacant code enforcement position ($75,000), freeze two vacant fire positions ($200,000) and cut back winter hours at city pools, which would reduce part-time parks staff ($100,000).
Commissioners said they would review the open positions mid-year and determine if there was a need to add any of them back into the budget.
In addition, the city appears poised to cut back significantly on its tree program by removing from the budget a vacant tree specialist position ($73,680); axing the vacant tree permitting position ($60,000) and cutting a watering truck as well as new tree plantings (approximately $270,000).
City Manager Randy Knight said the city is no longer saving many trees on private properties that owners or developers want to cut down because of changes lawmakers made to state law. It’s another example of pre-emption by state government to limit how local governments can make decisions.
While the city forestry department typically plants hundreds of trees per year on city right-of-way, the city is running out of public land for those plantings, Knight said.
- This graphic, included in city budget documents, shows how the city’s nearly $95 million general fund will be spent in the coming financial year to begin Oct. 1. The Winter Park Voice’s coverage of this year’s budget deliberations also includes the following stories linked below:
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Winter Park Residents to Pay More for Electricity and Water in Proposed Budget
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On the Chopping Block: Police, Fire, Community Groups, Trash Collection
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Winter Park Contends with Higher Police and Fire Costs and How to Maintain Roads
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Gov. Ron DeSantis Vetoes Winter Park Police Request but Allows Mead Garden Project
Also on the chopping block is $25,000 in funding for the library, $12,000 for an appreciation event typically held for people who serve on city boards, some Halloween and Easter events put on by the parks department some postage and printed materials that go to utility bill customers.
Even with a $25,000 reduction, the Winter Park Library is still slated to receive nearly $50,000 more than last year in support from the main city budget as well as the Community Redevelopment Agency budget for a total of $2.5 million.
Each year the city spends a quarter of one percent of gross revenues from the general fund, electric utility fund and water utility fund — or about $480,0000 total — on nonprofit community groups. This year those expenditures are proposed as:
- $105,000 for Mead Botanical Gardens, a $3,000 increase over last year
- $99,900 for the Winter Park Historical Association, also about a $3,0000 increase
- $43,800 for Winter Park Day Nursery, a $1,300 increase
- $20,000 for United Arts representing no change from last year
- $28,900 for the Polasek Museum, a $900 increase
- $0 for Blue Bamboo, a $12,500 decrease after discussion by the City Commission
- $45,000 for Men of Integrity, which had not received any funding since $18,000 two years ago
Men of Integrity is a nonprofit that operates out of the Winter Park Community Center and serves about 24 boys, including 10 in high school and 14 under the age of 12, said Antwon Carter, the group’s leader. Many of the kids attend Winter Park schools but some travel from outside the city to attend the weekly program.
Carter’s group is the only nonprofit commissioners proposed adding to the budget after wrote to the city in August and asked for the money to support his mentoring program that provides help with college readiness, STEM activities, financial literacy, fieldtrips and a hot meal during weekly meetings among other services.
An administrator for the program provided the Voice with a copy of Men of Integrity’s most recent tax form that show’s the group’s revenues are typically less than $50,000.
The group said it mostly relies on volunteers and out-of-pocket expenditures by Carter.
“This mission is also deeply personal to me,” Carter said in an email to the Voice. “I grew up in Winter Park, and I understand firsthand what can be produced when a young person is given a strong foundation. For generations, programs centered around the Winter Park Community Center have played an important role in youth development. Whether young people came directly from the surrounding neighborhood or were brought there by their parents, the Center provided a place where they could experience mentorship, structure, opportunity, and the positive influence of the broader community.”
Carter, who said he now lives in Apopka, appeared at the budget work session and told commissioners the $45,000 would provide a needed infusion of dollars to reduce the group’s need to ask for more in the future.
Some commissioners, including Lindsey and Kris Cruzada, questioned if the group should receive the full amount of its request without providing more information to the city.
But there appeared to be enough commissioners in favor of the expenditure to move it ahead to a vote on Wednesday as part of the overall budget.
The nonprofit organizations slated to received money from the city’s CRA budget are:
- $14,000 for the Enzian Theater, a $4,000 increase
- $51,500 for the Heritage Center, a $1,500 increase
- $44,300 for the Welbourne Day Nursery, a $1,300 increase
- $50,800 for the Winter Park Playhouse, a $1,500 increase
- $398,610 for the library, part of it’s overall $2.5 million in city funding
When it comes to raising more funds for the city government, red light cameras and credit card convenience fees are among the top projected generators.
Police Chief Tim Volkerson said the city is still considering where additional cameras could be placed and, if they are approved by the state, they likely would not be up and running until May or so and could generate some $750,000.
Credit card convenience fees could yield $1.2 million for the city when people buy permits, pay bills or conduct other business at City Hall.
And a pilot program to charge non-city residents to park at Dinky Dock or the dog park at Baldwin Park could bring in an estimated $100,000 or more when it begins as early as the spring.
Paid parking has long been a controversial topic in Winter Park, which offers free parking throughout the city including along busy Park Avenue. If the pilot is successful, city officials said program could expand to other areas and, once again, be aimed at non-residents.
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Men of Integrity may be a good cause, but they can barely raise a dime from anyone because they can’t provide any basic information that anyone would require to fund them. The City Commission is a bunch of hypocrites to fund this organization and reduce funding to well known and well documented other organizations in our town.
Agreed
agree are they funding the organization because they serve black kids
weak at best.
I was wondering the same when I looked for their 990….nope, don’t see one on Candid and may be because of their revenue is less than $50K? With a single donation the City of Winter Park is going to almost double their grants from 2023 and 2025 provide $45K?
Has the commission learned nothing from the Blue Bamboo situation. The only grants shown were from Anderson-Devitt Foundation Inc. $1,000 in 2025 and Central Florida Foundation, Inc., $5,000 in 2023. Unsure how they entered the fray but perhaps a matching grant of up to $5,000?
In the course of reporting this story I asked Men of Integrity for a 990 and they provided the form that asserts they have gross receipts less than $50,000 per year. This is stated in the story. As a result they do not have to file the 990 we typically see for orgs that earn more revenue. Hope this helps.
Agree. This expenditure shouldn’t even be considered.
I believe Men of Integrity is a charity originated and run by Commissioner Craig Russell and his spouse. Beth may want to look into this.
Russell’s charity is called Army of Angels Inc. Men of Integrity Mentoring Program Inc. was started by Antwon Carter. These are two different entities.
Isn’t enzian theatre in Maitland?
Didn’t WP playhouse just receive $500,000 private donation?
In the future, city should evaluate employee count and figure out if some positions can be eliminated with the advent of so much new technology. Not suggesting firing any current employees, but perhaps freezing rehires.
So if paid parking will be aimed at non-residents of WP only, what is the plan to determine who is or is not a resident? Running tag numbers, resident parking decals for vehicles? This does not sound well thought out, which would be typical of the City Council. Also, in my opinion, an audit should be done on the Men of Integrity group to determine what the money is used for prior to receiving the funds. Frankly, an audit should be done on any group receiving City funds.
agree
Hard to believe the commission sees adding over $1,000,000 in new penalties and fees while provisionally cutting about $1,000,000 in services is the answer to profligate spending.
They can solve their problem simply by ending the Community Redevelopment Agency, putting over $6,000,000 a year into the General Fund to support the residents. Winter Park residents should grab a cup of coffee and wake up!
Pete, Where do you get $6 mil? Which projects in the CRA CIP would you NOT fund? CRA board is proposing: $1 mil on West Fairbanks stormwater/drainage; $1 mil on US 17-92/Fairbanks intersection; $2.4 mil on Canton Avenue drainage; $3.5 mil on Park Avenue refresh. Also, the recent CRA extension means that over the 10 years some $60 million that would normally go to the county government will stay in the city. Yes, the city rebates a certain portion per the agreement once it his certain thresholds: “The CRA receives 95% of all TIF up to $2 million, 70% of TIF between $2 – 3 million, and 50% of anything above $3 million.” Also: (per the budget fine print) “the CRA paid off all debt after FY26, which lowers ongoing annual operating costs and allows for increased investment in capital.” This is not a blanket defense of all CRA spending. But are you suggesting that these infrastructure projects not be done at all? Or that the money should be spent from another city fund? Because pulling from another fund is not “saving.” Paying the guy who helps administer the CRA and other overhead is less than even $1 million. So if you cut the CRA, sure you save that maybe, but you also cut all the projects? Are you aware that your home is worth what it’s worth, in part, because of its proximity to Park Avenue and a city that generally attempts to prevent problems like flooding and does other maintenance etc. I thought I heard you were in real estate or something but if you don’t know about this stuff I’m happy to help you!
Beth, I refer you to the recent CRA Board meeting agenda packet for the project list. Please explain how each of these projects benefits Winter Park residents.
Pete, It’s the same projects I already listed in my comment. These are infrastructure projects. The CRA also spends less than $500k to help homeowners and businesses improve their properties — think curb appeal as well as (I think) some structural issues. Not sure how you could argue that doesn’t “benefit Winter Park residents.” I have not line-by-lined the spend for facades etc. but I understand it’s a popular program. They also spend $30,000 on a summer youth employment program. I’ve seen the young workers acknowledged at commission meetings. They do this every year at the end of the summer. Allowing some benefit of the doubt here, it stands to reason that the kids taking summer jobs at a pretty low price to do things for the city also “benefits the residents.” Please, though, tell me where I am wrong.
Beth, you should be aware that when the CRA ends, city property taxes immediately go to the General Fund where the commission can allocate it to priorities they agree upon. So, the façade program you like and the subsidized training can continue to be funded if approved. The real money is in unproductive capital projects such as $20,000,000 for 17.92 cosmetics where developers have already invested in improved project generating new property tax dollars without relying on government subsidies.
PS – You would do your credibility a favor by forgoing opinions on city policy and let the all speakers speak freely.
I would like to hear what Men of Integrity does for fund raising and how much money do they raise. Are all of the kids involved from Winter Park?Every organization has some kind of fund raisers .
Yes Enzian is in Maitland and why are we funding them.
See my comment above…
agree
Not-for-profit organizations that don’t benefit every resident, or city employees, should be eliminated regardless of lofty purpose. That includes Men of Integrity. The support Enzian needs to be stopped. Also, totally agree with Pete Weldon.
agree .
By this logic, since few of our residents play golf, tennis, pickleball, use our playgrounds or our lakes or walk in our parks, should we eliminate those amenities as well?
Cultural non-profits add to our commerce, our property values and more importantly, our high standard of living. Not everyone wants to live in the sticks.
The funding of certain cultural and social programs is necessary. However, we live in an affluent community and an increase in private donations would help offset city funding, which sometimes is questionable as to who in the community benefits. Perhaps the city could have central park event (a catchy name) where social and cultural non profits are encouraged to set up educational/donation tables along, with food/beverage vendors.
Again, Peter Weldon stretches the facts about the CRA and how it benefits the City. In the past 3 decades, improvements provided by the extra TIF funds (i.e. non-Winter Park taxes) from Orange County (over and above what property owners in the CRA pay in taxes), have increased property values in the CRA 2 to 3 times over those of surrounding properties. Private investment in those areas have far surpassed what would occur without a CRA. Higher property values have increased revenue to the General Fund much more than the $6 million Weldon whines about. Is this the “ideology” he keeps complaining about?
Some of what the commission is looking to reduce is silly, nickels and dimes when it comes to making a difference. Yes they add up but. Instead of charging service fees on credit card transaction; renegotiate the fees the City pays, or change providers to a firm with lower fees. Don’t forget the cost to handle other payment processes.
Has the Commission initiated a program asking City Employees where they suggest operating costs could be reduced?
Yes, the city has done exactly this exercise. The departments had to present 10% reductions and the admin and commissioners picked some of those things to implement now and/or pursue later. That is where the frozen positions and other cuts are coming from.
First, proposed Amendment 3 is budgetary kryptonite for local gov’t. Don’t be fooled by this slick preemptive Trojan Horse.
Secondly, re: proposed cuts; Our WP tree canopy is our city’s largest parks and greenspace asset, towering 70 ft overhead with disregard for boundaries created by lakes, roads, driveways. We all share this resource —every day. It is a critical baseline to our envied WP brand. So why cripple it?
Local budget and economic fortunes rise and fall but cut down/lose a tree and you’re set back 20-25 years before you see viable replacement recovery.
Commissioners: Preserve our canopy safeguards and forward-thinking investments. It’s simple: it’s our generational legacy. In the overall budgetary scheme, as well as ROI, these proposed cuts do not warrant serious consideration. Please take them off the table.
As Star Wars composer John Williams, now 91, likes to say, “Listen to the Trees: that’s where the music is!”
-CJ Williams
The city should have bake sales! I would recommend that the non-profits work with each other and Rollins, Full Sail, and UCF and become partners for fund raising. I would also recommend that those that are okay with these budget cuts rethink the consequences of their vote and the negative effects it will have on the community (not just the savings for yourself).
“Not-for-profit organizations that don’t benefit every resident, or city employees, should be eliminated regardless of lofty purpose.”
Eliminated? Really?
Perhaps you enjoy living your life in front of a TV set. Some of live more enriched lives, enjoying the arts and serving others. I feel sorry for people that think Enzian should be “eliminated” or defunded because they are block away from Winter Park. You have no idea what you’re missing. So sad.
I may be wrong but I think the WP contribution to the Enzian Theatre was related to the cooperative arrangement the Enzian has with the Regal Theatre in Winter Park Village to host the Florida Film Festival. The Enzian has hosted the event since 1992; it is one of the “Oscar’s” stepping stones for filmmakers. It attracts producers, directors, writers, actors, and investors and movie theater executives and media representatives. There were 160 films shown this year with 31 countries represented, and thousands of professionals and film buffs attended. The economic impact is significant, primarily in the Winter Park city limits.
If you haven’t attended I highly recommend this fabulous experience.
Two points. First, why are anonymous comments allowed? Are comments at least limited to folks who live in Winter Park? If so, why hide behind a moniker? A conversation between fellow residents begins with transparency. Second, regarding the proposed budget, I am shocked that we are still engaging in the give-a-ways while threatening fees for public parking and threatening new red-light cameras. In other words, we don’t want to stop spending, so let’s find new ways to tax. There are so many different ways to stop the spending and provide for essential services, but we need a willing commission to make that happen. Government, regardless of political party, is addicted to spending. When you are in a position of public trust and you take our money, what right do you have to just give it away? WP needs to stop funding charities that do not serve WP residents directly. Better yet, stop funding services that are not benefiting the majority of our residents and stop funding charities. Government is not a charity and charitable giving is supposed to be voluntary. Taxes are not voluntary. We as individual citizens have the right to decide whether to donate, what charity to donate to, how much to donate, and if we can afford to donate. Government just assumed the right to collect and donate. We never agreed and we certainly never voted for that. It just happened over time and we have allowed it for too long. Government should realign its priorities and focus our tax dollars on public safety, police, fire, parks, roads, sewers, lakes and bridges. Everything else should be a matter for private donations or sponsorships.
Hi Bonnie, Good question on the comments. We do not put our content behind a paywall and so there’s no good method to verify names and identities of commentors. As a result some folks do comment anonymously, though I see many who do use their names. I prefer people comment with their names because I think it brings a degree of added credibility to the interactions here. I also can’t easily verify if people live in Winter Park — and on that point I’m not sure I would want to. While many people who read the Voice live in Winter Park (I would even guess that most of them do), Winter Park is a high-profile city in the region and news that happens here can be relevant to other parts of Florida so we welcome all readers.
It’s always easy to spend other people’s money. Time for politicians to act like the rest of us. Spend wisely. Stop the waste.
I agree with Bonnie about the city donating to non profits. I’d much rather see my taxes go to maintenance of city property, utilities, tree preservation, public safety, etc, than to charities.
If you could pull back the curtain on most non profits and could go through their hidden “expenses” like an IRS auditor, you’d NEVER DONATE AGAIN.
I’m not sure it makes sense to spend $45,000 on an organization to provide hot meals for 24 people (some who don’t live in WP) every week. That comes down to almost $1,000 / week (I doubt they meet every week) or ~ $50 per person (assuming 20 people show up every week). That doesn’t feel like a very good use of tax payer dollars when we are in a budget crunch – how about spending $15 / person at McDonald’s if this is that important or ~ $15,000.
For some reason it doesn’t feel like the city has looked at inefficient processes or people and consider reducing those costs. A great example is the recessed parking spaces that were supposed to be established as part of the Rollins subsidized faculty housing project on W. Welbourne. As opposed to getting those spaces constructed during the project the city employee(s) responsible for making that happen waited until the project was completed. It will now cost the city over $10k extra to move sprinklers, electrical wires and landscaping. Where is the accountability from city employees who were responsible for making this happen in a timely fashion. How many projects are there across the city where similar negligence takes place? What about all the city employees who get paid overtime to collect trash at the fall and spring art festivals. There are probably 15 – 20 employees who sit around for most of the time in the lot just south of the train station and collect trash about 20% of the time.
The best item the city can come up with is more red light cameras that will generate ~$750k in revenue. The only issue is they don’t know where these cameras will be located or how many there will be and this is just an example of taxing the citizens in a different manner. How can the city depend on subsiding revenue from an undefined source, that will be variable at best and a tax to the citizens.
Why doesn’t the city get serious about cutting expenses / wasteful positions and act like they have less money to spend vs making emotional statements that services will suffer. How about defining exactly what the impacts will be vs. open ended statements.
I totally agree with Bonnie and Penny! And I too, don’t like anonymous comments!