Winter Park City Commission Work Session: Arts Grants and Sponsorship Policy, October 23, 2025

The Winter Park City Commission held a work session on October 23, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:44 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers. Mayor Sheila DeCiccio presided, with Commissioners Marty Sullivan, Craig Russell, Kris Cruzada, and Warren Lindsey present. The session included two discussion items: the proposed Arts & Culture Non-Profit Grant Program and a City of Winter Park Sponsorship and Marketing Policy. No formal votes were taken; the Commission provided consensus direction for staff.

Discussion Items

Arts & Culture Non-Profit Grant Program

• Peter Moore, Office of Management & Budget Division Manager, presented a proposal to repurpose the former $100,000 annual DPAC allocation into a competitive grant program for local arts and cultural nonprofits. The program would award grants of up to $10,000 per applicant, with applications reviewed by a panel drawn from existing city advisory boards.
• Mr. Moore noted the proposal had been tabled earlier in the year due to budget uncertainty. He expressed concern about pending state property tax reform proposals, stating that 44% of the city's general fund revenue, about $40 million per year, comes from property taxes. He also cited ongoing public safety pay negotiations, limited flexibility for road repairs, and uncertainty about federal grants, including a $500,000 grant for the Plymouth that was approved but has not yet been received.
• Mayor DeCiccio shared these concerns, saying the city would continue supporting current charities but could reallocate funds from DePugh, previously $24,000 per year, and Blue Bamboo, another $12,000, if needed. She noted contingency funds were needed for urgent infrastructure issues such as Howell Branch and a recent stormwater pipe collapse.
• Several commissioners agreed with the cautious approach, citing concerns about a potential property tax referendum, the state legislature's impact on municipal revenues, bond market implications, and the need to prioritize public safety and infrastructure.
• Discussion also addressed program timing. The proposed timeline would open applications in May, with review panels in July and August and recommendations to the Commission in September as part of budget adoption, making it a fiscal year 2027 expenditure. Staff noted a decision would be needed by April 2026 before advertising the program.
• The Commission reached consensus to continue refining the program scope and revisit it in spring or April 2026, once the city's financial outlook and any state legislative actions were clearer. This was framed as a contingency-driven approach rather than canceling the program.

City of Winter Park Sponsorship and Marketing Policy

• Jason Seeley, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that the discussion was intended to obtain Commission direction on exploring sponsorships and partnerships with local businesses, emphasizing partnerships rather than broad advertising.
• The presentation outlined four sponsorship categories: special event sponsorships, programming sponsorships, facility sponsorships, and third-party organizations. Examples included banner sponsorships, golf course scorecard sponsorships, digital advertising on golf carts, facility naming or adoption opportunities, and sponsorships for events such as Weekend of the Arts, Fourth of July, and Dinner on the Avenue.
• Commissioners and staff discussed existing examples, including Weekend of the Arts sponsor Advent Health at $20,000, the carousel plaque courtesy of Hill Gray, and the Advent Health presence at the Tunnel of Lights. Clarissa, from the arts and culture team, noted some sponsorships are already handled at staff level and that developing a formal policy would create consistency.
• The Commission emphasized that sponsorships should reflect true partnerships that add community value, be tasteful and consistent with city branding, and not imply city endorsement. Commissioners expressed support for a structured, transparent approval process, with staff approval for smaller sponsorships and City Commission approval for larger or naming-rights sponsorships.
• The Commission also stressed that fundraising efforts, especially for local nonprofits and youth groups, should be supported and kept distinct from city sponsorships. Discussion included concerns about exclusivity conflicts with third-party leases and the need to review agreements with organizations such as Rollins College, Mead Botanical Garden, OCPS/Winter Park High School, and Blue Dolphins as they come up for renewal.

Key Outcomes

• Staff were directed to develop a formal sponsorship policy defining approval processes, sponsorship levels, and the distinction between sponsorship acknowledgment and city endorsement.
• The Arts & Culture Non-Profit Grant Program was not approved or canceled; staff will refine the program scope, eligibility rules, criteria, and structure, and return in spring 2026 with a go/no-go recommendation based on the city's financial outlook.
• The Commission directed staff to review existing third-party leases for consistency with future sponsorship policies and to bring new or upcoming agreements with Rollins College and OCPS/Winter Park High School to the city's attention.
• Neither discussion item resulted in a formal vote; decisions were recorded as consensus direction for staff.