Winter Park City Commission Work Session: FY27 Budget Amendment Review - August 27, 2026

On August 27, 2026, the Winter Park City Commission met at City Hall Commission Chambers for a work session to review FY27 budget amendment recommendations. The agenda listed one discussion item; no minutes were available. Staff presented revised state revenue estimates, results of a 10% departmental budget exercise, and a menu of possible reductions, studies, and revenue enhancements. Commissioners tested consensus on immediate cuts, items tied to the November Amendment 3 vote, and mid-year actions.

Budget Context and State Revenue Estimates

• Staff reported a combined downward revision of roughly $350,000 in FY27 ad valorem and state revenue estimates, equal to about 0.6% of general fund revenues. The change was attributed to updated property valuation estimates included in the TRIM notice and lower state revenue forecasts.
• The state local option gas tax estimate is still pending; a commissioner asked about EV registration fee proposals, but staff said no replacement revenue is reflected in the current numbers.
• Staff said a changed millage voting threshold could affect how the commission approaches the two September budget readings, though the transcript does not include a detailed discussion of that item.
• Staff estimated that if Amendment 3 passes, the homestead exemption impact could reach roughly $3.4 million in FY28 and $6.7 million in FY29. Staff said today's changes, if fully realized, could put the city more than two-thirds of the way toward that first-year challenge.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Antoine Carter, representing Men of Integrity, spoke in support of the requested $45,000 increase. He said the funding would support college visits, STEM events, NASA trips, and other enrichment activities for students, noting that the program currently serves about 27 kids from Winter Park, including 10 high schoolers.

November Review Items

• The commission discussed a proposed 3% nonprofit funding increase. Commissioner Lindsay recommended a $25,000 reduction to the Winter Park Library's proposed funding rather than the $210,000 that closing the library one day per week would save; the commission reached consensus on the $25,000 cut.
• The commission agreed to eliminate funding for Blue Bamboo entirely, because the organization pays rent to the city and the funding was seen as circular.
• The commission agreed to eliminate the Board Appreciation Event.
• The commission agreed to reduce or remove the city-run Halloween and Easter events and directed staff to return with savings figures. The Hannibal Square tree lighting and fishing event were discussed separately and not included in that consensus.
• Public Art Advisory Board funding and some other November-review items were left for the November conversation.
• Commissioner Lindsay proposed reducing the planned 4% employee wage package, composed of 2% COLA plus 2% merit, to 3.5% for FY27. Several commissioners opposed cutting employee compensation while benefit costs are rising and a hiring freeze is in place; the final consensus was to keep the full 4% package.

Study-Required Items

• Staff noted a study on discontinuing cash acceptance found about four cash transactions per day, five credit card transactions per day, and many check drop-offs; further study is needed.
• Staff explained that reducing solid waste collection frequency would lower customer rates, not general fund savings, because garbage service is rate-funded. Commissioners asked for a resident survey once pricing scenarios are known.
• A citywide software review is underway, and staff expect some savings to be identified.
• Historic preservation grant program review and other study items will continue.

Implementation Items and Revenue Enhancements

• Code enforcement: consensus to keep one vacant code enforcement officer position frozen, review mid-year, and decide later whether to refill or reallocate the roughly $75,000.
• Legal services: staff will implement tighter controls, use more internal drafting and AI tools, require city manager approval for legal access, and report mid-year. Litigation made legal spending more than $600,000 this year versus a typical $500,000.
• Fire department: two vacant firefighter positions will stay frozen as a minimum-staffing test and be revisited mid-year.
• Communications: the commission did not reach consensus to move the paper newsletter to digital; it will remain for now, while staff explore electronic utility billing.
• Tree planting: the commission agreed to reduce general fund tree-planting funding by about $210,000, eliminate a vacant tree specialist position and the planned watering truck, and phase the change over two years. The city would still plant about 200 trees per year through electric utility funding.
• Pools: consensus to reduce Katie Way pool availability during colder months and close the community center pool October through April, saving about $100,000; this will be recognized at mid-year.
• Golf course management: the WP9 management contract savings of about $150,000 are already in process and will be recognized at mid-year.
• Red light cameras: studies are underway for additional directions and new locations, including St. Andrews and Aloma and potentially Dunning and Fairbanks; the chief estimated April or May as the earliest implementation if approved. Commissioner Russell asked that new red light camera revenue be earmarked for road repairs.
• Credit card convenience fees: fees will be implemented for building and permit credit card payments at the start of FY27, with broader utility billing convenience fees phased in later; check and ACH payment options will remain free.
• Paid parking pilot: staff will present a non-resident paid parking pilot for Dinky Dock and the dog park at the first September meeting, including potential resident definitions and annual passes.
• Fund allocation corrections: street light costs, parks mowing of utility-owned green space, and similar cross-fund costs will be addressed in the FY28 budget process.
• Men of Integrity: the commission agreed to fund the full $45,000 request as a one-time allocation using unallocated organizational support/trust funds.

Key Outcomes

• The commission directed staff to incorporate the agreed immediate reductions into the September first reading of the FY27 budget, including the library reduction, Blue Bamboo elimination, Board Appreciation Event elimination, parks event reductions, and tree-planting reduction.
• Immediate reductions total about $500,000, more than covering the roughly $355,000 state revenue deficit; the excess will go to the general fund contingency.
• About $600,000 in potential savings will be revisited at mid-year, including the code enforcement freeze, legal services savings, two frozen fire positions, pool hour reductions, and WP9 golf contract savings.
• Staff will continue studies on red light cameras, convenience fees, paid parking, cashless payments, electronic utility billing, solid waste collection options, and FY28 fund reallocations.
• Staff said a summary email would be sent to the commission the following day, and the meeting adjourned.