Winter Springs Meet the Candidates Recap and Priorities

Winter Springs Meet the Candidates Recap and Priorities

Winter Springs residents filled the room for the recent Meet the Candidates forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Seminole County and moderated by Oviedo Community News. The evening covered the mayoral race and both commission races, and the questions came straight from residents, with water bills, stormwater, and the reliability of the city’s utility systems at the center of the conversation.

Commissioner Victoria Bruce, who represents District 2, used her time to talk about the work of the past four years and the priorities residents raise with her most often.

Fixing a system that had been neglected

Bruce’s central message was that Winter Springs inherited infrastructure that had gone years without the routine maintenance it needed, and that closing that gap has been the main work of the current commission. She described a stormwater fund that had been operating in deficit and borrowing from the general fund, and years of deferred maintenance on the systems residents rely on every day. Her point was not that the system is finished, but that the city now has the people and the plan in place to keep it reliable.

Why utility rates have gone up

Residents asked, as they do at nearly every forum, about rising water bills. Bruce addressed it directly. Water and sewer rates rose because the utility carries real debt from the plant and system investments the city is required to make, and an independent consultant set the schedule through a formal rate study. Those rates fund the utility system itself, and they are separate from property taxes. Bruce has committed that any rate change comes with a clear public explanation of exactly what it pays for, and that the city keep pursuing grants and low interest state financing to reduce the burden on ratepayers.

Stormwater and water quality

On stormwater, Bruce pointed to a fee that had not changed in decades while the fund fell into the red. Raising it in steps has funded the pond maintenance that had been deferred, which she tied directly to water quality. When ponds are not maintained, flow slows, water stagnates, and algae blooms follow. Protecting water quality, she said, is the reason the maintenance matters.

Reliability and straight talk with residents

Residents have also raised fair questions about water main breaks and day to day reliability, both at the forum and online. Bruce has been straightforward about it. An aging system will have breaks, and the honest answer is not to claim the system is perfect. It is to invest in the replacements and maintenance that reduce failures over time, and to keep residents informed along the way.

She has also stressed that residents deserve to know the difference between events. A boil water advisory on the drinking water system is a public health notice that calls for immediate, plain language communication. A routine repair, or an issue on a reclaimed or irrigation line, is not a drinking water emergency, even when it is disruptive or messy. Bruce supports prompt notice through several channels at once, text, email, the city website, and traditional notice for neighbors who are not online, so residents hear about genuine concerns quickly and directly from the city rather than secondhand.

Conservation as the next step

Looking ahead, Bruce highlighted water conservation as a practical way to protect the aquifer and help residents manage their bills. She pointed to rain sensor and irrigation programs that can prevent overwatering, noting that a single irrigation cycle can use as much water as dozens of loads of laundry. She also noted that reclaimed water lines are expanding into more Winter Springs neighborhoods, which can lower costs for the homes that connect to them.

Available and accountable

Bruce closed on accessibility. She described her role as a watchdog and an advocate who answers residents directly, keeps the community informed through a regularly updated website, and treats residents as the eyes and ears that help the commission catch problems early.

More information and ongoing updates are available at https://www.facebook.com/victoriaforwintersprings.

Paid for and approved by Victoria Bruce, for Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2.

Winter Springs 2026 Legislative Session Recap

Winter Springs 2026 Legislative Session Recap

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session has wrapped up, and I want to share a recap of what happened and how it affects Winter Springs. I want to thank our city lobbyist, Andrew Kalel of Sunrise Consulting Group, for briefing the Commission on this session and for the information behind this recap. The session was originally scheduled to run from January through the first week of March, but it extended well beyond that timeline, requiring three special sessions on redistricting, the state budget, and property taxes. In total, 1,926 bills were filed and 237 passed, a 12.3 percent pass rate, down from 13.5 percent last year.

The State Budget

The Governor proposed the Floridians First Budget, and the House and Senate each proposed different spending levels before reaching a final agreement during Special Session E. The final budget settled at $114.4 billion, below both the Governor’s and the Senate’s initial proposals.

Funding Sought for Winter Springs

Our legislative delegation worked to secure funding for two important local priorities this session. Representative Smith pursued $500,000 for the Sheoah Asbestos Cement Water Main Replacement, and Representative Plakon pursued $300,000 for the Water Treatment Plants SCADA Upgrade. Both were ultimately vetoed. We will continue pursuing this funding in future sessions.

Property Taxes and Special Session F

During Special Session F, the Governor released a ballot referendum proposal offering a phased approach to homestead exemption increases rather than full elimination of property taxes. The proposal creates a new $150,000 homestead exemption in 2027, increasing to $250,000 in 2028, and indexed for inflation beginning in 2029. It requires 60 percent voter approval to take effect, and school taxes are not exempt from the proposal.

Senate Bill 4F, passed during this special session, also establishes higher approval thresholds for local governments seeking to exceed the rolled back millage rate. Rates up to 110 percent of the rolled back rate now require a two thirds vote of the governing body, and rates above that threshold require a unanimous vote, a three fourths vote for larger boards, or voter approval through referendum.

HB 4083, the Winter Springs Local Bill

This bill would require a municipal charter referendum in November, decrease overall elected commission membership from six to five, and make the Mayor a voting member of the commission. It was heard in its first House committee but was not heard in any subsequent committees this session.

Setting the Record Straight on Accessory Dwelling Units

I have heard from residents about a bill that would have required Winter Springs to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in all single family residential areas. I want to clarify where that stands. SB 48 passed the Senate but did not pass the full Legislature, it died in messages. This language did not make it into the Live Local Act, the development bill, or the building permits bill. Some inaccurate reporting suggested otherwise, similar to confusion that occurred in another Florida county, but as of now, Winter Springs is not required to adopt an ADU ordinance under this bill.

Other Bills Affecting Local Government

Several other bills passed this session with implications for how local governments operate. HB 1329 mandates an annual 10 percent budget reduction exercise and requires local governments to publicly post employee salaries. HB 1389 extends an existing opt-out exemption tied to the Shimberg study from one year of historical data to three. HB 803 makes several changes to building permits and inspections, including prohibiting inspection fees based on total project cost and removing permit requirements for most single family work valued under $7,500.

I will continue to monitor how these changes affect Winter Springs as implementation moves forward, and I will share updates as they become available.

Thank you again to Andrew Kalel and Sunrise Consulting Group for their work representing Winter Springs in Tallahassee this session.

Answering Resident Questions Ahead of the Election

Answering Resident Questions Ahead of the Election

A Winter Springs resident recently reached out with a detailed set of questions ahead of the election. This is exactly the kind of research residents should be doing before an election, and I want to answer them directly.

1. Beyond the projects already approved, what will you do to improve water quality and reliability?

Beyond the projects already underway, such as ION Exchange Replacement, new aerators in drinking water plants, new wastewater plants, lift station replacement, and purchase of generators, my focus is on preventive maintenance and replacing aging pipes and lift stations on a planned schedule rather than waiting for failures. I will keep working to protect our drinking water at the source through conservation and responsible growth, and to keep our wastewater capacity ahead of demand so the system is not strained by new development.

2. How will you ensure the new east water treatment facility is completed on time, within budget, and with public oversight?

The contract is under CMAR, which is Construction Manager At Risk, therefore, we are guaranteed a maximum cost of $65.8 million with Wharton Smith.

3. What measurable standards would you publish so residents can judge whether water quality is improving?

I support publishing the information residents need to judge for themselves, in one place that is easy to find. That includes water testing frequency and results, regulatory compliance status, complaint and response-time data, maintenance milestones, and outage history. Much of this data already exists for compliance purposes. My goal is to make it transparent and usable, not buried. https://www.winterspringsfl.org/475/Annual-Drinking-Water-Reports

4. How will you provide prompt notice to residents during a water quality concern or service disruption?

When there is a boil-water advisory, a regulatory violation, a service disruption, or a major project delay, residents should hear about it quickly, and not from a third party. I continue to push for notice through several channels at once, including text, email, the city website, and traditional notice for neighbors who are not online, so no one is left uninformed.

Online Alert Center: Residents can check the Alert Center for active notices and advisories.

Alert Winter Springs: This system uses Everbridge to send mass notifications via voice and text messages. Residents can sign up through the Everbridge portal to receive these alerts.

5. What is your plan to prevent residents from absorbing infrastructure costs through rate increases?

The property tax is set by the millage rate, and I have recently been pushing to roll it back to equal the amount paid last year.

Water and sewer rates are separate. They fund the utility system itself and are tied to actual infrastructure needs. My commitment is that any rate change comes with a clear public explanation of exactly what it pays for, that we pursue grants and low-interest state financing to reduce the burden on ratepayers, and that fees are never used as a hidden substitute for general revenue. Up until last year the Stormwater account was operating in the red and borrowing from the Winter Springs General Fund. We have to have enough money in the separate accounts.

6. Would you support an independent review or public audit of utility operations?

Yes. That is a great idea. Depending on the cost, I would support more independent reviews and regular public audit of utility operations, maintenance, capital spending, compliance, and water quality results. Transparency has been one of my priorities on the commission, and residents deserve verification, not just assurances. Independent review also tends to catch small problems before they become expensive ones.

The City of Winter Springs does currently conduct independent reviews and audits of its utility operations. According to the Master OM&M Agreement, the city retains an independent engineering firm to perform periodic inspections and performance audits. These audits verify water quality testing, equipment performance, and compliance with permits.

Additionally, a comprehensive sufficiency review of water, sewer, and reclaimed water user rates was conducted with the help of a consultant, as authorized in a City Commission agenda from January 24, 2022.

7. How would you prioritize repairs to aging pipes, lift stations, hydrants, and wastewater facilities?

Aging pipes, lift stations, hydrants, and wastewater facilities should come first. I favor a priority schedule, such as a worst-first, data-driven replacement approach, funded before discretionary projects. Growth should not be approved faster than our infrastructure can support it, and I apply that test to every development that comes before us.

8. What accountability should apply if the city fails to meet its milestones or commitments?

Great question. Accountability should be built in from the start, through public milestone reporting, contract terms that hold contractors to their commitments, and a commission willing to press staff and vendors in open session when timelines or standards slip. Elected officials also answer to residents at the ballot box, which is as it should be.

9. What is your position on eliminating property taxes without offsetting increases elsewhere?

I share your concern about any change that simply moves the burden from one line item to another. Eliminating property taxes entirely is a statewide constitutional question rather than a commission decision. However, our first priority is to protect residents from a hidden or heavier burden while preserving core services like public safety, water, and roads. However, the city will lose $2 million the first year and $4 million every year thereafter if the amendment is approved. How we cut costs or reallocate capital is a big question for the entire state of Florida and something our commission will discuss deeply in Q4 of 2026.

10. What steps will you take to maintain or improve public safety without shifting costs onto residents?

Public safety is a core service, and core services come first in how I approach the budget. I will continue to support the staffing, training, and equipment our police, fire, and emergency responders need, and to pursue grants where they are available, rather than shifting those costs onto residents through less visible charges. We recently improved the pension for the police, provided new vehicles, new body cameras, top tier training, and other important resources available to our police to encourage retention of our seasoned professionals. We also want to fully staff our police force to avoid unnecessary overtime costs.

11. What is your overall approach to growth and development?

My approach to growth is that infrastructure comes before approval. Traffic, drainage, utilities, and public safety capacity should be addressed before new projects move forward, not after. I also believe in protecting our neighborhoods and our remaining rural and conservation land, which is why I have supported conservation efforts and responsible planning rather than growth for its own sake. I also support the Rural boundary in Seminole County.

12. What distinguishes you most from a challenger in terms of leadership and readiness to serve?

What I would point to is a consistent record rather than promises. I answer residents directly, and I have been in the room for the budget and infrastructure decisions that shape this city. I know how these systems work and what it takes to keep them reliable and affordable, and I am ready to keep doing that work. I am professional, diligent, and quick to answer questions. As for my opponent, I would simply encourage residents to Google him.

Residents raising these kinds of questions is exactly what keeps local government accountable, and I welcome it. I will keep working on behalf of District 2 with the same transparency and attention to detail reflected in these answers, and I encourage anyone with further questions to reach out directly.

Victoria Bruce Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2

Holding the Tuscawilla Assessment Flat for 2027

Holding the Tuscawilla Assessment Flat for 2027

At its August 24 meeting, the Winter Springs City Commission voted to hold the Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District assessment flat for the coming year. A proposed $33 per household annual increase was set aside after the city confirmed that a long running billing error had left the district owed roughly $279,000, with additional savings expected going forward.

What the District is

The Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District, often called the TLBD, pays for the entrance monuments, fountains, street lighting, and landscaping along the community’s main corridors. It was established decades ago at the request of Tuscawilla residents and is funded only by the roughly 4,600 households within the district, not by the city at large. Each year the commission reviews the assessment that supports the district’s maintenance and capital projects.

The Correction

This year’s review surfaced an accounting issue dating back to 2022. A change in Duke Energy’s streetlight rates, combined with a staffing transition in the finance department, meant the district had been charged incorrectly for several years. After months of analysis, staff determined that about $279,000 rightfully belonged to the district and recommended returning it to the district’s fund balance. A related correction is expected to save the district roughly $90,000 a year moving forward.

The Vote

Commissioner Victoria Bruce moved to forego the proposed increase for the coming year, pointing to the restored funds as reason to pause before adding to residents’ assessments. Her position was straightforward. With that money returned to the district and additional savings ahead, the district can continue advancing its priorities, including the planned fountain rehabilitation and entrance lighting, while first demonstrating results with the funds already in hand. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 2.

Results Residents Can Already See

Residents do not have to look far for an example of what those funds can deliver. The recently completed improvements at the Tuscora Drive entrance, with new landscaping and lighting, drew praise from the district’s advisory committee and from residents at both the district and commission meetings. Work like that reflects the kind of visible, well-managed investment the assessment is meant to support.

Looking Ahead

Holding the Tuscawilla assessment flat this year does not change the district’s long term goals. It reflects a commitment to using existing dollars well, showing residents measurable results, and returning to future decisions with a clear public explanation of what any change would pay for. That is the standard Commissioner Bruce has worked to apply across the city’s budget, and it is the same standard she brought to this vote.

Victoria Bruce Launches Reelection Campaign

Victoria Bruce Launches Reelection Campaign

I have officially launched my campaign for reelection as Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2. Four years ago, you placed your trust in me, and tonight I am asking for the chance to keep going. Since taking office in 2022, my focus has been on taxpayer affordability, water quality and safety, environmental restoration, and public transparency.

Clean Water and Infrastructure

Early this year, we secured a $19.16 million infrastructure package on favorable terms, including principal forgiveness and interest-free financing, to fund the replacement of the aging East Water Reclamation Facility. This approach protects local taxpayers from standard commercial interest rates while addressing a long-standing infrastructure need.

Improving Our Drinking Water

We secured a $1.0 million direct state appropriation to build advanced potable water tray aerators. This project is aimed at reducing water contaminants and improving the taste, odor, and safety of Winter Springs drinking water.

Protecting Neighborhoods From Flooding

We secured a $580,000 emergency federal grant through the Natural Resources Conservation Service to clear debris and sediment from Gee Creek and Sheoah Creek. This work restores natural water flow and helps reduce flooding risk in low-lying residential areas.

Storm Resiliency

We used federal Hazard Mitigation grants, which reimburse 75 percent of costs, to flood-proof major sewer lift stations citywide. This included elevating control panels, installing watertight hatches, and adding backup generators.

Public Safety

Working with the Winter Springs Police Department, we have seen three consecutive years of declining crime, with annual reported incidents down 19 percent, from 860 to 698.

Transparent Government

We recruited a qualified, non-partisan administrative team, including a new City Manager, CFO, Utility Director, and HR Manager. We also launched a map-based Public Development Tracker and added closed-captioned broadcasts of Commission meetings to improve public access.

There is more work ahead, particularly as we move into the next budget cycle. I remain focused on securing outside funding for infrastructure, protecting taxpayers, and keeping city government open and accountable to residents.

You can view the full, detailed record of achievements here.

Victoria Bruce Files for Reelection to Winter Springs City Commission District 2

Victoria Bruce Files for Reelection to Winter Springs City Commission District 2

After nearly four years serving Winter Springs residents as City Commissioner for District 2, Victoria Bruce has filed for reelection to seek a second term.

Since taking office in November 2022, Bruce has been part of some of the most significant infrastructure and policy decisions the city has faced in recent memory. From wastewater plant expansions to environmental grants, stormwater planning, and public safety improvements, the work has been substantial and in many cases years in the making.

What the First Term Involved

The most visible milestone of Bruce’s first term is the March 2026 Commission vote approving the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the East Water Reclamation Facility expansion, a $65.8 million project with construction funding fully secured and groundbreaking expected in June 2026. The project represents years of advocacy around wastewater accountability and compliance that predates her time in office but accelerated under her watch.

Beyond wastewater, the city secured over $30 million in infrastructure funding during her tenure, including a $19.2 million package through the American Relief Act and supplemental hurricane appropriations. Twelve lift stations were elevated for flood resilience. A $600,000 grant was secured for the East Wastewater Reclamation Facility, and an $8 million hazard mitigation grant covered a police safe room and public works generator.

On public safety, the Winter Springs Police Department recorded three consecutive years of crime reduction, with reported incidents falling from 860 in 2023 to 698 in 2025, a nearly 19 percent decline. The department maintained an average emergency response time of 3 minutes and 23 seconds in 2025.

Environmental work during her tenure includes a $580,000 federal grant for creek and waterway restoration and protections ensuring the city’s tree and arbor fund is used exclusively for planting and maintaining public trees.

A full record of accomplishments is available on the results page.

Background

Bruce is a Florida native who has lived in Winter Springs since 2009. She is the founder and CEO of The Mitigation Banking Group, Inc., an environmental restoration company she established in Winter Springs in 2017. With over 20 years of experience in Florida’s environmental permitting and mitigation banking industry, she has managed credit purchases for more than 20 mitigation and conservation banks throughout the state.

Her civic involvement includes serving as an Advocacy Ambassador for the Florida League of Cities, membership on the FLC Legislative Policy Committee on Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works, and service on the Winter Springs Performing Arts Board of Directors. In May 2026, she attended the Florida League of Cities Leadership Class in Orlando, an advanced program for municipal elected officials focused on leadership, civic engagement, and community impact.

Looking Ahead

There is meaningful work underway in Winter Springs right now. The East Water Reclamation Facility is moving into construction. Stormwater infrastructure planning is underway. Parks improvements are in progress across the city. And the conversations residents care most about, from smart growth to environmental protection and government accountability, continue at every Commission meeting.

Residents who would like to stay connected or learn more can visit victoriaforwintersprings.com.

When Winter Springs Residents Reach Out, Here Is What Happens

When Winter Springs Residents Reach Out, Here Is What Happens

One of the most common questions residents ask about their local government is simple: if I reach out, will anyone actually respond?

For a growing number of Winter Springs residents, the answer has been yes.

Over the past several weeks, a handful of community members have shared their experiences publicly, and the consistent thread running through each one is accessibility. Not a form letter. Not a referral to another department. A real response, followed by real action.

A Street Light Eight Years in the Making

Edwin Jesus Hernandez Erazo lives on a one-way street that dead-ends near a natural reservoir, surrounded by tortoise nests and forest. Most of his neighbors are over 65. For nearly eight years, the street had no light pole, and repeated attempts to get one had gone nowhere.

After reaching out to Commissioner Bruce, he received a same-day reply asking him to photograph the street both day and night to document the conditions. A week later, her office called to let him know they had connected with Duke Energy and the Mayor’s office. The pole was approved.

Four months from first contact to installation.

“She kept her promise that she will fight for that pole no matter what,” he wrote, “and she did.”

Living Next to Trotwood Park

Brian Boehly lives adjacent to Trotwood Park, close enough to the water park that the surrounding activity is a regular part of daily life. He has emailed Commissioner Bruce about various neighborhood concerns over time and noted that her team and the park rangers have been attentive to the area.

“Appreciate the team of park rangers and Victoria for what they do,” he wrote.

Straightforward to the Point

Anthony Rossetti kept his review brief: “She is very responsive to issues.”

It is a short sentence, but it reflects something residents consistently value in local government. When someone reaches out, they want to know the message landed.

What Accessibility Looks Like in Practice

Responsiveness in local government is not just a courtesy. It is how residents learn whether their concerns are being heard, and whether the process of local government is actually working for them.

The situations described above cover different parts of the city and different types of concerns: infrastructure, park management, general issues. What they share is that a resident made contact and something happened as a result.

If you have a concern about your neighborhood, a question about city services, or something you would like Commissioner Bruce to be aware of, you can reach out through the contact page at victoriaforwintersprings.com.

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

Legislative Update: Key State Policy Developments Affecting Winter Springs – January 2026

Legislative Update: Key State Policy Developments Affecting Winter Springs – January 2026

Commissioner Victoria Bruce provides an overview of recent legislative activity in Tallahassee, highlighting bills that could directly impact local code enforcement, environmental protections, and funding for city services. This update connects pending legislation with recent Winter Springs issues, including enforcement concerns and tree mitigation reforms.

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