Winter Park passes $208 million budget
Mayor also provides update on the city’s plan to extend and expand the CRA
Sept. 29, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park City Commissioners gave final approval Wednesday to a $208 million budget, a $9.5 million increase over last year.
City Manager Randy Knight proposed a last minute change, which won consensus from the board, to drop the city’s federal lobbyist and hire a grant writer, a move that he said will bring “more bang for our buck.” The city’s $6,500 per month contract with Thorn Run Partners will end.
The second and final budget hearing brought little public debate. Two residents complained that the commission is too “progressive” with “out-of-control spending.”
Gigi Papa, who frequently attends the public meetings, urged more people to run for office, noting that the two commissioners up for re-election earlier this year — Sheila DeCiccio and Marty Sullivan — did not face any opposition.
Mayor Phil Anderson, who is up for re-election in March, but is not expected to run again, addressed some of the concerns. He explained that inflation and increased labor costs are the biggest drivers of the budget increase as the city sought to add positions such as in the police department in order to maintain the same level of service to residents.
One person complained that the city’s efforts to underground powerlines are still not complete even as spending has increased on the library and other projects.
Anderson noted that the undergrounding is still underway and delays are not related to a shortage of funds, but long supply lags for transformers and other in-demand equipment.
“We’re not undercapitalized, we can do it,” Anderson said. “We just don’t have the materials to allow us to complete it.”
Anderson and Knight also provided a short update about a recent meeting with Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who represents Winter Park.
They said she was receptive to the city’s proposal to extend and expand its Community Redevelopment Agency or the special tax district centered on downtown that is scheduled to end in 2027.
Winter Park leaders want to continue the district beyond that and expand its boundaries (see above map for proposal), but that plan must be approved by the county. The decision will be critical to the city’s future considering the CRA is a key source of budget revenue such as providing $350,000 additional dollars next year to expand the hours and services at the library.
Anderson noted that Bonilla and county officials will want to see solid proposals to address affordable housing and transportation needs with those dollars. A consultant is preparing a report for the city and the application for the extension is expected to be considered by the county in the Spring.
Questions or comments? Email the editor at WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com
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By: Beth Kassab
No biography available at this time
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Should have put more park buys in the budget.
CRA’s were formed to revitalize blighted areas. This commission strangled OAO and now wants to designate it as “blighted”. Okaaaay!
CRA’s were initiated to revitalize blighted areas. This commission choked off the oxygen to OAO and now wants it designated as “blighted”. hmmm
And inflation and labor costs are higher, but does that prevent attempting a little belt tightening? How about a 3% spending reduction? Trim the Aloma street painting to a couple hundred thousand. Delay the 2 high income hires in Engineering and Electric Utility. Cancel the $35,000 electric mower. Many other tactics to slow spending. Taxpayers and their property taxes aren’t bottomless wells. Let’s try spending a little less.
Years ago, a co-worker and hubby were filing for bankruptcy. Their attorney looked at their spending and recommended eliminating the $400 a month dining expenses (1995). Co-worker said to me, “Are we supposed to not have any fun?” Sort of sounds like this commission and mayor!
This looks like one of those gerrymandered voting districts folks complain about.
Well I guess they really let the cat out of the bag this time.
No secret as to what parts of town the next development battles will be about.
If you liked Ravadage, the Library and Events Center, and Orange Avenue Overlay (Version One), you’re gonna LOVE West Fairbanks and Lee Road redevelopment!
It’s not a political football.
It’s a CRA horseshoe!
Will these large annexes help us get electrical under grounding quicker? Will our roads get repaired more rapidly? Will we need more police/fire personnel? Will traffic be alleviated? Will the tax base benefits outweigh the costs? We now have potholes in our neighborhood streets named after our city officials!
Orange Avenue should NOT be added to CRA. Orange Avenue does not need additional density/affordable housing. Traffic is too heavy there as it is with all the existing apartments and hospital developments on Orange, Virginia, and Mills. Does anyone remember the storm water crisis after Ian last year? Sewage dumps into lakes because of system failures? There are now three parks (7 oaks, Mead Gardens, Leu Gardens) in the area, and two lake chains (Interlachen, and Winter Park) that would be negatively impacted by any large developments along Orange Ave.