What Winter Springs Residents Should Know About This Weeks Stormwater Workshop

What Winter Springs Residents Should Know About This Weeks Stormwater Workshop

Today the Winter Springs City Commission is holding a workshop focused on two connected topics: a stormwater pond maintenance plan and a rate study recommending significant changes to what residents pay each month. The presentations will be led by consultants from Kimley-Horn, Pegasus Engineering, and Raftelis.

This is the kind of meeting that does not always get much public attention, but the decisions that follow will affect most households in Winter Springs. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what is being discussed.

What the City’s Stormwater System Looks Like

Winter Springs has 346 stormwater ponds. Of those, 122 are currently the City’s responsibility to maintain. That group includes 43 fully public ponds on City-owned property, and 79 “hybrid” ponds — ponds on privately owned land that receive runoff from public roads and rights-of-way.

The distinction matters because the Commission is being asked to decide how much maintenance responsibility the City takes on for those hybrid ponds. That decision directly affects staffing levels, operating costs, and ultimately the stormwater rate.

Maintenance on these ponds typically runs on a 15-year cycle and covers things like pipe relining, sediment removal, control structure repairs, and scour protection. The average estimated cost per pond is $152,000. The plan calls for addressing six ponds per year at a total annual cost of $912,000 once fully phased in.

The Proposed Rate Increases

This is where residents will feel the impact most directly.

The current stormwater rate is $10.00 per equivalent residential unit per month. The rate study, prepared by Raftelis, recommends the following schedule:

  • FY 2027: $15.00 per month
  • FY 2028: $17.50 per month
  • FY 2029: $19.50 per month
  • FY 2030: $20.50 per month

That is a proposed increase of more than 100 percent over four years. A resident paying $10.00 per month today would pay $20.50 by 2030.

The rate study frames this as necessary to cover expanded pond maintenance, a new stormwater crew planned for FY 2027, equipment acquisitions, and 12 capital improvement projects totaling $8.825 million. For context, Winter Springs currently has one of the lower stormwater rates in the region. Even at $15.00 in Year 1, the City would fall below several neighboring communities. That context is worth knowing, but it does not answer every question about pace and scope.

What the Commission Needs to Work Through

Today’s workshop is informational. No votes will be taken. But the direction Commission provides on several questions will shape what the final rate picture looks like.

The biggest open question is the hybrid pond scope. The presentation materials note directly that Commission direction on how many ponds the City maintains will affect the staffing cost category in the rate study. A narrower maintenance scope means lower costs and a different rate trajectory.

Other questions that deserve clear answers before any rate vote: whether there are grant or outside funding opportunities being pursued for capital projects, what drove significant repair and maintenance spending in FY 2025, and what the billing mechanism for the stormwater fee will look like as rates rise.

What Comes Next

Additional rate study meetings are expected before any formal vote. Residents should have the opportunity to see the full study findings and understand the options before the Commission acts.

Stormwater infrastructure is not a glamorous topic, but it affects flood management, water quality, and neighborhood conditions across Winter Springs. Getting the maintenance plan and the rate structure right matters. I will continue sharing updates as this process moves forward.

Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

Protecting Winter Springs

Winter Springs Takes a Major Step Forward on Wastewater Infrastructure

Winter Springs Takes a Major Step Forward on Wastewater Infrastructure

Last Monday night, our Commission took a vote that has been years in the making—and I left the meeting genuinely encouraged about where Winter Springs is headed.

By unanimous vote, the Commission approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the East Water Reclamation Facility expansion project: $65,847,589, with construction anticipated to begin in early June 2026 and reach final completion in November 2028. This is the last major Commission vote required on the East facility. From here, the work begins in the ground.

What Is a GMP, and Why Does It Matter?

A Guaranteed Maximum Price is exactly what it sounds like: a firm ceiling on what the project will cost the city. It’s not an estimate—it’s a contractual commitment from our construction manager at risk, Wharton-Smith, backed by competitive bids from 85 subcontractors and suppliers across 37 individual bid packages.

That level of transparency is one of the things I appreciate most about this process. Rather than a single lump-sum number, the Commission and residents can see the exact breakdown of every component of the project. The contingency built into the GMP—$5.5 million—is carefully documented against a risk register, and any release of those funds requires explicit approval from city staff. This is not a blank check; it’s a structured, accountable process.

Perhaps most encouraging: when the competitive bids came back, they came in below the January 2026 internal estimate of $72.8 million. The market responded. Contractors wanted this project.

How We Got Here

This project did not happen overnight. Carollo Engineers, our design firm, has been working through the funding, permitting, and design process for years—navigating the Clean Water State Revolving Fund application process, securing FDEP permits, and collaborating closely with Wharton-Smith to value-engineer costs at every stage. The design for the East facility is now complete. FDEP permitting is in hand. And critically, construction funding is fully secured.

That funding package is worth highlighting in detail, because it reflects both strong planning and some fortunate timing. The city secured:

  • $54,179,318 through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)—low-interest financing specifically designed for public water infrastructure
  • $19,166,503 through a Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton—with 50% principal forgiveness, meaning roughly $9.6 million of that loan does not need to be repaid
  • $600,000 through the Protecting Florida Together grant program—a straight grant, no repayment required

All told, the city secured over $73 million in construction and design financing—more than enough to cover the $65.8 million GMP and associated project costs. That’s smart, patient financial stewardship on behalf of Winter Springs residents.

What This Means for Our Community

I want to be direct about something that came up at the meeting: the rate increases that helped make this project financially viable were real, and I know they were felt. They were not comfortable decisions. But they were the right ones. Our wastewater treatment infrastructure was overdue for replacement by a decade. Deferring that investment further would have meant higher costs, greater risk to our environment, and eventually a crisis rather than a plan.

The new East Water Reclamation Facility will be more efficient to operate than the existing plant. It will meet current and future environmental standards. And it positions the city to move forward on the West facility as well—with design already contracted and construction funding to be sought through CWSRF in 2027.

One resident who addressed the Commission at the end of the evening captured the moment well: “We finally come to the point where our wastewater treatment is being addressed. We’re almost to the stage of construction. What a great, great thing.” That enthusiasm is well-earned, and it belongs to everyone—residents, city staff, engineers, and the Commission members who have kept this project moving through staff transitions, funding applications, and years of detailed work.

What Comes Next

Following Commission approval, Wharton-Smith will begin issuing purchase orders and subcontracts to the project’s bidding partners. Procurement of long-lead materials and equipment is already scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026, with mobilization on-site expected in early June. The city will also pursue an Owner Direct Purchase program to eliminate sales tax on major equipment purchases—a straightforward way to stretch every dollar further.

Value engineering will continue throughout construction. The risk register will be reviewed regularly. And the contingency will be managed with the same discipline that brought us to this point.

Construction is expected to run through November 2028. That’s a 2.5-year project. It will be visible, at times disruptive, and the kind of infrastructure work that tends not to make headlines once the shovels are moving. But it is exactly the kind of foundational investment our community needs to remain healthy, financially sound, and environmentally responsible.

I’m proud of what this Commission, city staff, and our project teams accomplished to reach this milestone. And I’m looking forward to the day we celebrate a completed facility—cleaner water, a more resilient city, and a promise kept to the residents of Winter Springs.

Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

Protecting Winter Springs

Smart Growth and Environmental Responsibility in Winter Springs

Smart Growth and Environmental Responsibility in Winter Springs

Winter Springs is at a pivotal moment. Growth is accelerating across our region, and with that comes both opportunity and responsibility.

As someone who has spent a career in environmental permitting and mitigation, working at the intersection of development and natural resource protection, I have seen firsthand what happens when growth outpaces planning.

What Environmental Permitting Actually Involves

Environmental permitting is not about slowing projects down. It is about translating complex regulatory requirements into practical solutions that keep projects moving while protecting the resources communities depend on.

That work spans wetlands permitting, mitigation planning, due diligence, and regulatory compliance across transportation, utilities, land development, and conservation projects. Understanding this process matters for Winter Springs residents because it shapes what gets built, where it gets built, and what is preserved in the process.

The Challenge and the Opportunity

The most significant challenge Winter Springs faces in the years ahead is ensuring that development keeps pace with infrastructure, water resources, and environmental resilience.

That means investing in infrastructure before problems arise, protecting natural systems that reduce long-term costs, and planning with a regional mindset. If we get that right, we can support economic growth while preserving the quality of life that makes Winter Springs a place people are proud to call home.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Since 2022, Winter Springs has secured over $30 million in infrastructure funding, elevated 12 lift stations for flood resilience, completed a $1.5 million stormwater improvement study, and secured a $580,000 federal grant for creek and waterway restoration. A wetland outfall redesign on Michael Blake Boulevard and ongoing stormwater pipe relining projects reflect the same commitment to protecting natural systems while modernizing city infrastructure.

Smart growth is not anti-development. It is pro-community. It means making decisions today that do not create problems for residents tomorrow.

A full summary of infrastructure investments and environmental accomplishments is available here.

Victoria Bruce Winter Springs Commissioner, District 2 Protecting Winter Springs

Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

Protecting Winter Springs

Backflow Testing in Winter Springs: What You Need to Know

Backflow Testing in Winter Springs: What You Need to Know

If you have recently received a letter saying you need backflow testing done on your property, do not dismiss it — and do not assume it is a scam. This is a legitimate notice, and it matters for the safety of our community’s drinking water.

The City of Winter Springs has operated a formal Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Program since 1990. That program exists for one simple reason: to protect the water you and your neighbors drink every day.

What Is a Backflow Prevention Device?

A backflow prevention device is a mechanical safeguard installed on properties that use potable (drinking) water for outdoor irrigation or landscaping. Its purpose is to prevent water that has already left the public water system from flowing back into the drinking water supply after it has exited.

In plain terms: once water leaves a clean pipe and enters your irrigation system, it can pick up fertilizers, pesticides, soil bacteria, and other contaminants. Without a properly functioning backflow preventer, that water could reverse direction — a phenomenon called 

backsiphonage or backpressure — and re-enter the pipes that supply your home and your neighbors’ homes with drinking water.

If your property has an active irrigation system connected to the city’s potable water supply, you almost certainly have one of these devices. And if you have one, the City requires it to be tested annually.

Why Does It Need to Be Tested Every Year?

Like any mechanical device, backflow preventers wear over time. Seals, valves, and check components can degrade, allowing contaminants to slip through even when everything looks fine from the outside. Annual testing — performed by a certified technician — confirms the device is functioning as designed and catches any failures before they become a public health risk.

Testing typically takes between five and twenty minutes. If a device fails, it must be repaired and retested promptly. Devices that repeatedly fail are required to be replaced entirely.

Property owners are responsible for the cost of testing, maintenance, and any repairs. Testing can be done either by the City’s certified technicians or by a private licensed contractor — with results submitted to the City.

What If You Got a Letter?

The City of Winter Springs sends notices when it is time for a property’s device to be tested. If you received one, here is what to do:

•  Do not ignore it or assume it is spam.

•  Contact the City of Winter Springs Utility Department to confirm the notice and get next steps.

•  Schedule your test with either a City technician or a certified private contractor.

•  Keep records of testing and any repairs, and provide copies to the Utility Department.

What If You No Longer Have an Irrigation System?

Not everyone with a backflow preventer still needs one. If you have capped or permanently decommissioned your irrigation system, that removes the cross-connection to potable water — and with it, the testing requirement. This is a personal decision, but if your irrigation system remains active and connected to the city water supply, the device and its annual testing requirement remain in place.

Our Neighbors in Oviedo Are Talking About This Too

Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek recently shared a helpful reminder about backflow prevention on social media that is worth passing along to Winter Springs residents as well. Her message reinforced something important: this is not a bureaucratic formality. It is a real protection for the water we all rely on every day.

Learn More

The City of Winter Springs publishes its full Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Manual on the city website. It outlines the types of devices in use, installation standards, testing requirements, and what happens in the event of non-compliance. If you have questions about whether your property is affected, the City’s Utility Department is the right place to start.

Visit 

winterspringsfl.org

Protecting our drinking water is a shared responsibility. Staying current with required testing is one of the simplest ways each of us can do our part for the community we call home.

Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

Protecting Winter Springs

A Letter to Senator Brodeur on the Rural Boundary

A Letter to Senator Brodeur on the Rural Boundary

Senate Bill 208 includes a late amendment that could significantly weaken Seminole County’s Rural Boundary — protections that voters have repeatedly affirmed at the ballot box.

Why I Wrote to Senator Brodeur

As your District 2 Commissioner, I felt it was important to go on record. I wrote a formal letter to Senator Jason Brodeur expressing my concern about a proposed amendment to Senate Bill 208 that could fundamentally alter how Seminole County’s Rural Boundary functions.

I want to be clear: I respect Senator Brodeur and the work he does for our region. My letter reflects that. But on this particular issue, I believe the proposed changes deserve a careful, community-informed conversation — and they are not getting one.

What the Rural Boundary represents

The Seminole County Rural Boundary has served as a foundational planning commitment for decades. It was created to maintain low-density development in sensitive areas, protect wildlife preserves, and preserve the buffer between natural lands and suburban growth.

This isn’t an obscure policy. In 2024, more than 82 percent of Seminole County voters affirmed the Rural Boundary — choosing to require a supermajority of county commissioners before any land can be removed from its protections. That is a clear, democratic mandate.

Concerns about the proposed amendment

The amendment to SB 208 would allow property owners inside the Rural Boundary to request rezoning to match the density of neighboring areas. If the county denies the request, it could be required to pay the property owner for the difference in fair market value — even while a separate court process could still result in the land being removed from rural protections entirely.

There is also a practical concern: the existing utility infrastructure in rural-designated areas was built to support low-density use. Utility providers have limited easement access in these areas. The capacity to support a sudden, large-scale shift in density simply is not there.

And because this amendment was filed late in the legislative session, the public has had no meaningful opportunity to weigh in through the normal committee process.

“The Rural Boundary was created as a commitment: low-density development to safeguard wildlife preserves and maintain a critical buffer between natural lands and suburban growth. That agreement has guided responsible planning for decades.”

— From my letter to Senator Brodeur, March 12, 2026

An Update on the Senate Vote

A fight over rural boundaries in Central Florida led to an 11th-hour amendment and a tense exchange on the Senate floor.

In the final days of Session, a fierce fight played out on the Senate floor and behind the scenes to protect rural lands in Central Florida from developers.

Ultimately, the Senate voted down an amendment that critics said would have destroyed rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. 

The environmentalists and elected leaders guarding the rural lands will likely have to keep fighting in the 2027 Session, since the issue is unlikely to go away.

About 8 in 10 voters approved Seminole’s rural boundary in 2004, and the issue survived challenges in state and federal courts. Orange County voters also overwhelmingly approved their own rural boundaries in 2024.

Winter Springs Commissioner Victoria Bruce emailed Senator Brodeur and voiced her opposition to the “sudden push to change the Rural Boundary.”

“Utility providers have limited access to easements in this area, meaning the existing infrastructure cannot support a dramatic shift in policy or density. The capacity simply isn’t there,” Bruce wrote March 12.

For additional context on how this fight unfolded, Florida Politics published a detailed account of how this issue played out in the final days of the legislative session.

Moving forward

I will continue to advocate for land use decisions that reflect the values and long-term interests of Winter Springs residents and the broader Seminole County community. The Rural Boundary is not just a line on a map — it is a generational commitment to responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

I encourage residents who care about this issue to contact their elected representatives and make their voices heard before the full Senate votes on SB 208 this session.

— Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

High Oaks Ranch Under Review for Florida Forever Acquisition

High Oaks Ranch Under Review for Florida Forever Acquisition

A Public Hearing with Regional Impact

Florida Forever held a public hearing in Lakeland to evaluate three properties for potential acquisition and long-term conservation.

One of the properties under review is High Oaks Ranch, a 669-acre parcel located within the Seminole County Rural Boundary. I submitted a formal letter encouraging Florida Forever to give strong consideration to acquiring the property.

Why High Oaks Ranch Matters

High Oaks Ranch is located within a designated rural area that has faced increasing development pressure. Portions of the property have previously been associated with high-density development proposals, including the Rivercross project.

The Seminole County Rural Boundary was established to preserve rural character, protect water resources, and limit urban sprawl. Properties like High Oaks Ranch play an important role in maintaining that balance.

Preserving this land would help:

  • Protect environmentally sensitive acreage
  • Maintain open space within the Rural Boundary
  • Support long-term water quality and ecological health
  • Uphold long-standing community conservation efforts

The Role of Florida Forever

Florida Forever is the State of Florida’s land acquisition program focused on conserving environmentally significant properties.

Through this process, lands with ecological value and public benefit may be purchased and permanently preserved. The program provides a structured and transparent framework for evaluating conservation priorities.

Why I Submitted a Letter of Support

As a Winter Springs City Commissioner, I believe it is appropriate to support conservation efforts that align with regional environmental priorities and established rural boundary protections.

High Oaks Ranch represents an opportunity to reinforce those commitments and protect valuable natural land within Seminole County.

Moving Forward

The Florida Forever review process will determine whether High Oaks Ranch meets the criteria for acquisition.

I will continue to support responsible land use planning that protects natural resources while balancing thoughtful growth across our region.

—

Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

Protecting Winter Springs

5G Towers in Winter Springs: Protecting Our Neighborhoods

5G Towers in Winter Springs: Protecting Our Neighborhoods

Protecting Our Neighborhoods: The Ongoing 5G Small Cell Discussion in Winter Springs

Over the past several weeks, many residents — particularly in the Tuscawilla community — have reached out with concerns about the installation of 5G small cell towers in residential areas.

I want you to know: I hear you.

At our February 23, 2026 City Commission meeting, residents spoke passionately about small cell installations occurring in close proximity to homes and schools. You can view that meeting in full on the City’s YouTube channel, including the public comment portion and our discussion during New Business .

This issue is not about opposing technology. It is about balance, transparency, and protecting property values while complying with state and federal law.

Why Is This Happening?

In 2017, the Florida Legislature passed the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act (Florida Statute 337.401). This law significantly limits the authority of cities to regulate the placement of small wireless facilities within public rights-of-way.

Under current law:

  • Cities cannot prohibit small cell installations in public rights-of-way.
  • There are strict timelines (“shot clocks”) that require permits to be processed quickly.
  • Local governments are limited in the reasons they can deny an application.
  • Municipalities are even restricted in how and when they can provide public notice regarding installations.

This is a state preemption issue — meaning Tallahassee has removed much of the local control cities traditionally held.

What Authority Does the City Still Have?

Despite the limitations in state law, there are areas where local governments may have influence:

  • Reviewing applications for compliance with safety and ADA standards
  • Evaluating objective aesthetic standards
  • Suggesting alternative locations (although carriers are not required to accept them)

At the February 23rd meeting, we discussed ensuring that staff evaluate every available opportunity within the law to:

  • Request alternate locations when feasible
  • Explore camouflage or aesthetic adjustments
  • Protect residential character wherever possible

Moving forward, I support ensuring we use every ounce of local authority still available to us.

The Bigger Issue: Local Control

One of the most important concerns raised by residents is the lack of setback requirements for towers placed near homes. Many cities across Florida are now asking the Legislature to revisit Statute 337.401 to restore reasonable local authority.

Residents have already begun engaging at the state level, including conversations with State Representative David Smith and the Florida League of Cities.

I support exploring legislative solutions that would:

  • Restore meaningful local input
  • Clarify communication rights between cities and residents
  • Allow reasonable setback considerations
  • Provide municipalities clearer guidance

Technology should advance — but not at the expense of neighborhood integrity.

What Happens Next?

Here is what I am committed to:

  • Transparency – Continuing to discuss this publicly at Commission meetings.
  • Due Diligence – Ensuring staff reviews each application carefully within the law.
  • Legislative Engagement – Supporting conversations at the state level regarding amendments to 337.401.
  • Community Communication – Keeping residents informed as this evolves.

This is not the last small cell application we will see. As 5G infrastructure expands, these conversations will continue — not just in Winter Springs, but across Florida.

My Position

Winter Springs deserves:

  • Safe neighborhoods
  • Protected property values
  • Transparent government
  • Balanced economic and technological growth

As your Commissioner, I remain committed to protecting both our economy and our environment — and that includes protecting the character of our residential communities.

If you have questions or would like to stay engaged on this issue, please reach out. Public input matters, and your voice is important.

Together, we will continue working toward smart growth, responsible governance, and a stronger Winter Springs.

—

Victoria Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

Protecting Winter Springs

Stormwater Pond Maintenance in Winter Springs: Why We Continued the Discussion

Stormwater Pond Maintenance in Winter Springs: Why We Continued the Discussion

Stormwater Pond Maintenance Program Continued for Further Review

At our February 9, 2026 City Commission meeting, we had a significant and necessary discussion about Winter Springs’ Stormwater Pond Maintenance Program.

This conversation directly impacts infrastructure, flood prevention, environmental stewardship, and future utility rates for residents. Because of that, it deserves careful and deliberate review.

The Scope of the System

Winter Springs has 368 stormwater ponds throughout the City .

These ponds fall into several categories:

  • 48 Public ponds maintained by the City
  • 95 Hybrid ponds that receive stormwater from City roads
  • 180 Private ponds
  • 12 maintained by FDOT
  • 33 maintained by Seminole County

Of the 95 hybrid ponds, 55 have recorded maintenance responsibilities, while 40 do not have clear recorded agreements . That distinction is critical as we evaluate legal responsibility and fairness to taxpayers.

Current vs. Anticipated Level of Service

Currently, pond maintenance includes:

  • Monthly vegetation inspection and mowing
  • Debris removal
  • Minor erosion repairs
  • Limited visual inspections

The proposed enhanced level of service would add:

  • Major erosion repairs
  • Yearly structural inspections
  • Proactive sediment removal
  • Outlet protection and control structure repair

While proactive maintenance improves long term resilience, it also increases cost.

Financial Impact to Residents

The presentation outlined three maintenance scenarios and their projected impact to the stormwater utility rate:

Scenario 1
  • Maintain only public ponds
  • 48 ponds
  • Estimated increase of $1.40 per month
Scenario 2
  • Public ponds plus hybrid ponds with recorded agreements
  • 103 ponds
  • Estimated increase of $3.45 per month
Scenario 3
  • Public ponds plus all hybrid ponds
  • 143 ponds
  • Estimated increase of $4.80 per month

Each scenario represents a significant policy decision about responsibility, fairness, and long term financial planning.

Key Concerns Raised

During discussion, Commissioners raised several important questions:

  • Clarifying which ponds the City is legally responsible for
  • Distinguishing between ponds that directly serve public infrastructure versus private property
  • Ensuring fairness for taxpayers across all neighborhoods
  • Reviewing documentation for hybrid ponds that may lack recorded maintenance agreements
  • Before asking residents to absorb potential rate increases, we must ensure that responsibility is clearly defined and legally supported.

Why We Continued the Item

Given the complexity of the system and the financial impact involved, the Commission agreed to continue this item. We have requested a more detailed breakdown, including spreadsheet level analysis of pond classifications, maintenance obligations, and long term cost projections before any rate related decisions are made.

Stormwater resilience is a long term priority for Winter Springs. After the flooding our community has experienced in recent years, we know infrastructure matters.

However, transparency and fairness must guide the process. We will move forward carefully, thoughtfully, and with full accountability to the residents who fund this system.

—

Victoria K. Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner District 2

Protecting Winter Springs The Economy and The Environment

Why I Supported the Charter Review And Why Local Control Matters for Winter Springs

Why I Supported the Charter Review And Why Local Control Matters for Winter Springs

Charter Review Committee Discussion

At our recent City Commission meeting, we began formal discussions to establish a Charter Review Committee, something that has not taken place in Winter Springs since 2010.

Sixteen years is a long time for any governing document to go without review.

Why I Initially Supported the State Bill

Earlier this session, House Bill 4083 was introduced at the state level. While the bill itself generated strong opinions in our community, I initially supported it because it created urgency around an issue that had gone unaddressed for far too long.

My position was simple:

Winter Springs needed to review its Charter.

Regardless of where someone stood on the proposed changes, the conversation forced action. For over a decade and a half, our Charter had not been formally examined. That is not healthy for any city.

Now That We’re Moving Forward Locally

Representative Rachel Plakon has since stated she will not pursue the bill this session, noting that the City has now committed to launching its own Charter Review Commission.

I support her decision.

The goal was to initiate a review. That goal has now been achieved.

Local governance decisions should be shaped locally, by our residents, not dictated from Tallahassee. Now that Winter Springs is taking responsibility for this process, it is appropriate for the review to happen here at home.

What the Charter Review Committee Will Do

The Commission discussed a framework that includes:

  • Seven Members: Each Commissioner will appoint one member, and the Mayor will appoint two members to create an odd-numbered board.
  • Independent Facilitation: We are exploring bringing in a neutral facilitator to guide the process professionally and ensure fairness.
  • Comprehensive Review: The committee will evaluate our Charter in its entirety, including:
    • Form of government structure
    • Roles and responsibilities of elected officials
    • Whether regular charter review intervals should be mandated
    • Modernization of outdated provisions
  • Voter Approval Required: Any proposed amendments must ultimately go before the voters. Residents will always have the final say.

Accountability and Efficiency Matter

My priority has always been accountability and ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in how their government is structured.

However, while this process should be thoughtful and inclusive, it should also move forward efficiently. We cannot allow another long stretch of inaction.

Sixteen years was long enough.

This Charter Review Committee is an opportunity to strengthen Winter Springs’ governing document, clarify authority, and ensure we are structured in a way that best serves our residents today and into the future.

I look forward to seeing this process unfold and to ensuring it remains transparent, balanced, and locally driven.

—

Victoria K. Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner, District 2

Protecting Winter Springs – The Economy & The Environment

Property Tax Reform & Its Impact on Winter Springs

Property Tax Reform & Its Impact on Winter Springs

Property Tax Reform: Protecting Winter Springs While Pursuing Responsible Relief

As a homeowner, small business owner, and City Commissioner, I understand firsthand the financial pressures many Winter Springs families are facing. Rising home values, increasing insurance premiums, and the overall cost of living have made affordability a real concern for residents across our community. That’s why conversations around property tax relief coming out of Tallahassee matter and why they must be approached thoughtfully and responsibly.

Several property tax reform proposals are currently being discussed at the state level. While these proposals aim to provide relief to homeowners, particularly seniors and families struggling with rising costs, it is critical to understand how these changes could impact local communities like Winter Springs.

Property taxes are not an abstract line item, they are the primary funding source for essential services residents rely on every day. In Seminole County, property taxes fund the majority of public safety operations, including police, fire rescue, emergency response, road maintenance, and critical infrastructure. Any significant reduction in this revenue, without a clear and sustainable replacement, risks shifting costs elsewhere or reducing services that protect our quality of life.

I support targeted, transparent, and fiscally responsible tax relief. Helping seniors remain in their homes, easing financial strain on families, and addressing affordability are worthy goals. However, one-size-fits-all solutions crafted in Tallahassee without meaningful local input can create unintended consequences at the city level, consequences that residents ultimately feel through reduced services, deferred maintenance, or higher fees.

As a local elected official, my role is to advocate for balance. We can pursue smart tax relief while still protecting public safety, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring our city remains financially stable. That means working collaboratively with state leaders, not imposing unfunded mandates on cities and counties that are already managing growth, infrastructure needs, and environmental stewardship.

Winter Springs deserves policies that are both compassionate and practical. I will continue to advocate for solutions that respect taxpayers while safeguarding the services that keep our neighborhoods safe, our roads maintained, and our community strong, today and for generations to come.

Together, we can protect Winter Springs by making thoughtful decisions that balance affordability, safety, and long-term sustainability.

—

Victoria K. Bruce

Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2

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