Legislation Archives - Victoria for Winter Springs

Winter Springs Fireworks 2026 Celebration of Freedom FAQ

The 28th Annual Winter Springs Celebration of Freedom returns to Central Winds Park on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Presented by AdventHealth, the evening brings live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and a fireworks finale to close out the night.

The questions below cover what residents ask most often, from timing and parking to what you can and cannot bring. Event details are subject to change, so it is always worth checking the city’s channels before you head out.

When and where is the Celebration of Freedom?

Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Drive, Winter Springs.

Is the event free, and who can attend?

Yes. It is a free community event for all ages, presented by AdventHealth.

What time are the fireworks?

The fireworks finale closes out the evening and has begun around 9:00 p.m. in recent years. The display is weather-dependent, and timing can shift slightly for safety, so plan to be settled with a clear view well before then.

What entertainment and activities are planned?

The evening features live entertainment throughout the night, food vendors and refreshments on-site, and family-friendly activities for children, leading up to the fireworks display.

Where can I park?

Parking will be available at Central Winds Park, Choices in Learning, and Winter Springs High School. Handicap parking is available at Central Winds Park. Parking and traffic information will also be shared through city email updates and social media in the days leading up to the event.

Please note that the Publix lot at the Town Center is private property. It is reserved for customers only, and signs will be posted in advance of the event.

Are any roads closed?

Yes. Orange Avenue and portions of Central Winds Parkway will be closed during the event and will reopen afterward. Expect traffic delays, plan to arrive early, and lock your vehicle with valuables out of sight.

Is there a shuttle?

No shuttle service is provided. Plan to use one of the three parking areas listed above and allow extra time for traffic.

What should I bring?

To stay comfortable through the evening, attendees are encouraged to bring folding or beach chairs, picnic blankets, water to stay hydrated, and a small personal cooler no larger than a six-can size.

What items are not allowed?

For everyone’s safety, the following are prohibited: drones, bikes including e-bikes, fireworks or sparklers, pop-up tents, BBQs or other cooking devices, glass bottles or containers, outside alcohol, coolers larger than a six-can size, and pets. All bags and coolers are subject to search upon entry.

Can I bring my dog?

Pets are not permitted. Trained service animals are welcome.

What happens if it rains?

This is an outdoor event and takes place rain or shine unless otherwise announced. The fireworks display is weather-dependent and may be adjusted for safety.

Who can I contact with questions?

For questions about the event, contact Maura Caruso, Recreation & Events Manager, at (407) 327-6593 or winterspringsparks@winterspringsfl.org.

How do I get real-time updates?

Event details can change, so stay informed by following the City of Winter Springs on social media, signing up for Alert Winter Springs for real-time weather, traffic, and event notices, and checking the official city website before you attend.

I will have a booth at this year’s celebration and cannot wait to celebrate alongside our community. Come find me and say hello!

Presented by AdventHealth. Thank you to our sponsors: AdventHealth, A Budget Tree Service, Modern Plumbing, Championship Martial Arts, Wharton-Smith Inc., WastePro, Chick-fil-A, Rentaland Tent & Event Rentals, Duke Energy, Dive Nerd Outfitters, Carollo, and Action Church.

Florida Opens a New Path for Developing Agricultural Enclaves

A bill passed during the 2026 legislative session creates a new pathway for owners of isolated agricultural lands to convert their property into residential housing, with implications for communities across Florida including those within Seminole County.

The Agricultural Enclaves bill applies to counties with populations of 1.75 million or fewer, which includes Seminole County, and takes effect July 1, 2026 if signed by the Governor or allowed to become law without a signature.

What the Bill Does

Agricultural enclaves are pockets of farming land that are largely surrounded by existing development. Under current law, converting these properties to other uses requires a public hearing process. This bill replaces that process with a new certification pathway.

Under the new process, a property owner can apply for certification confirming their land qualifies as an agricultural enclave. Once certified, they may submit development plans for single-family residential housing consistent with the land use requirements of adjacent parcels. Local governments are prohibited from applying regulations to these properties that are more burdensome than those applied to comparable uses or densities elsewhere.

What Residents Should Know

For communities that have worked to maintain rural character and manage growth carefully, this bill shifts some of that decision-making authority away from local governments. The provisions are temporary, expiring January 1, 2028, at which point the law reverts to its prior form. But during that window, agricultural enclave conversions could move forward with less local oversight than currently required.

I will continue to monitor how this bill affects land use decisions in Winter Springs and the surrounding region and will share updates as they develop.

New Florida Bill 399 Changes How Cities Can Regulate Development

A bill passed during the 2026 legislative session is set to have meaningful implications for how cities like Winter Springs manage land use and development decisions.

House Bill 399 significantly restricts local governments’ ability to block or tightly regulate land development and affordable housing projects. For residents who follow planning and zoning decisions in Winter Springs, it is worth understanding what this bill does and what it means at the local level.

What the Bill Does

HB 399 makes several changes to how local governments can regulate land use and development. Key provisions include requiring that application fees for development permits be reasonably related to actual review and processing costs, prohibiting fees based on a percentage of project costs. Local governments must also include specific compatibility factors in their comprehensive plans and land development regulations when reviewing residential development applications.

The bill requires local governments to administratively approve applications for minor special exceptions or variances by large destination resorts, limits the ability of cities to restrict off-site constructed residential dwellings beyond what applies to other residential types in the same zoning district, and allows residential manufactured homes to be placed on any lot in a recreational vehicle park.

What It Means for Winter Springs

These changes reduce the discretion local governments have when reviewing certain development applications. For a community like Winter Springs, where residents have consistently expressed interest in smart, compatible growth that fits neighborhood character, this shift in state authority is worth monitoring closely.

The bill may also have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on local governments as development fee structures are adjusted to comply with the new requirements.

I will continue to follow how HB 399 affects Winter Springs as the city works to implement its requirements and will share updates as they become available.

Victoria Bruce
Winter Springs Commissioner, District 2
Protecting Winter Springs

2025 Florida Legislation Changes

Key Changes Across the State

The 2025 Florida Legislative session introduced significant changes across a wide range of issues—from disaster recovery and development permitting to education and environmental protections. As a City Commissioner, it’s important to me that residents remain informed on these statewide developments. Here’s a breakdown of key legislation taking effect this year, impacting our communities across Florida.

Senate Bill 180: Streamlining Emergency Recovery

SB 180, signed by Governor DeSantis, addresses recovery after major hurricanes. It prohibits local governments in federally-declared disaster areas (Hurricanes Debby, Helene, Milton) from imposing:

Construction moratoriums on damaged properties.
Restrictive land-use amendments after storms.
Overly burdensome permit procedures post-disaster.

It also requires cities and counties to:

Develop expedited permitting plans for storm recovery.
Provide clear permitting guidelines to residents after hurricanes.
Waive impact fees for replacement structures that match prior use.

These measures aim to reduce bureaucratic delays and help Florida communities recover faster after natural disasters.

Senate Bill 784: Simplifying Plat Approvals

This law transfers the approval authority for subdivision plats and replats from elected bodies to designated city or county staff. SB 784, effective since June 2025, significantly reduces delays by streamlining the administrative process, providing clarity for developers, homeowners, and municipalities alike.

Senate Bill 1080: Expedited Development Permitting

To improve efficiency and transparency, SB 1080 standardizes local government processing of development permits by requiring:

Clear, publicly accessible information on application requirements.
Defined review timelines and rapid response to applicants.
Refunds for delayed processing beyond established timelines.

This bill also tightens rules on how local governments increase impact fees, protecting residents from unexpected costs.

House Bill 7031: Eliminating Commercial Rent Taxes

Starting October 1, 2025, HB 7031 eliminates all state and local sales taxes on commercial rent, aiming to boost Florida’s small businesses and economic growth by reducing overhead costs.

House Bill 209: Protecting Florida’s State Parks

Florida’s treasured state parks—encompassing over 800,000 acres and 100 miles of beaches—will now benefit from stronger protections. HB 209 prohibits the construction of golf courses, resorts, sports facilities, and similar developments within state parks, safeguarding these natural spaces for future generations.

House Bill 949: “Bell to Bell” Cell Phone Restrictions in Schools

To enhance student focus and academic achievement, HB 949 bans the use of cell phones by elementary and middle school students during school hours, ensuring a distraction-free learning environment.

Senate Bill 7016: Restrictions on Citizen-led Amendments

SB 7016 imposes new restrictions on citizen-led ballot initiatives. Petition circulators must be Florida residents, register and train with the state, and voters who sign must now provide additional personal information, including Social Security numbers. Deadlines for submitting petitions have also been significantly shortened.

Senate Bill 700: Florida Farm Bill and Fluoride Ban

Among other provisions, SB 700 bans local governments from adding fluoride (and similar chemicals) to public water supplies, citing concerns about informed consent for residents. This represents a major change in local water management across Florida.

House Bill 575: Gulf of America Map Change

HB 575 renames the “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America” throughout Florida statutes—a symbolic change reflecting our state’s unique geographic identity.

Senate Bill 268: Enhanced Privacy for Public Officials

To increase the safety of elected officials, SB 268 exempts home addresses and telephone numbers of members of Congress, state legislators, and certain local officials from public disclosure, marking a shift toward increased privacy protections.

Senate Bill 2508: Expanding Florida’s Judiciary

SB 2508 establishes 22 additional circuit court judges and 15 new county court judges statewide, addressing Florida’s rapid population growth and the ongoing need to reduce judicial backlogs, including new positions in Palm Beach and Bonita Springs.

Moving Forward Together

These new laws significantly reshape policy in Florida, affecting everything from development to disaster recovery, environmental protection, and education. As your Commissioner, I’m committed to helping Winter Springs navigate these changes responsibly and transparently.

For questions or to discuss any concerns, please reach out or attend our upcoming city meetings.

Winter Springs 2026 Proposed Budget Explained

What’s In the 2026 City Budget? The Good, the Bad & the Urgent

As your Commissioner, I believe every resident deserves to know how your tax dollars are being used and what kind of future we’re preparing for. The Winter Springs 2026 Proposed Budget offers a clear view into our city’s priorities, and it’s important that we break it down together. Here’s what you need to know.

The Good: Smart Investments with No Tax Increase

Let’s start with what’s working.

The proposed $79.8 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026 holds the line on the millage rate, keeping it steady at 2.6200. That means no local property tax increase, even as we continue investing in critical services and infrastructure.

Some key wins:

$25.9 million allocated to capital improvements, including:
- Road resurfacing
- Stormwater system repairs
- Police department equipment upgrades
- Park enhancements
A 15% decrease in crime during 2024, reflecting our ongoing commitment to public safety
Upgrades to our aging water and wastewater systems, with early-stage planning for new treatment facilities
Better compensation to retain our talented city employees and reduce turnover costs

These are forward-thinking choices that help protect quality of life today while planning for the city we want tomorrow.

The Bad: Growing Costs, Shrinking Buffers

At the same time, we’re facing some concerning trends.

The General Fund balance is projected to fall by 14%, and the Enterprise Fund (utilities) by 19%—which limits our emergency flexibility.
State shared revenues dropped nearly 10%, even as our service demands grow.
Solid waste costs continue to rise, now at $30.17 per month for households—driven by factors outside our control, but still burdensome for many families.

These aren’t red flags yet, but they’re definitely flashing yellow.

The Ugly: Deferred Fixes That Can’t Wait

Some items in the budget signal urgency, not just concern.

Stormwater infrastructure remains vastly underfunded. Even with this budget’s investments, we need millions more to resolve long-standing issues.
Several assessment districts, like Tuscawilla and Oak Forest, are at their funding limits, yet still don’t meet the needs. New rate studies are in progress, but we’re overdue for solutions.
The budget relies on $1.3 million in one-time General Fund allocations to balance the books, an unsustainable approach in future years.

From My Heart to Yours

“This year’s budget reflects our city’s commitment to responsible growth, environmental stewardship, and fiscal accountability. While we’ve made major strides in infrastructure and safety, we’re also facing real challenges—like shrinking fund balances and rising service costs. That’s why I’m fighting for smarter planning, fairer funding, and transparent solutions that work for all of Winter Springs.”

I’m committed to protecting both our economy and our environment. That means being honest about where we’re headed and making sure residents have a seat at the table as we make important decisions.

If you have questions about the budget or want to weigh in, I encourage you to contact me directly or speak during public comment at our upcoming Commission meetings.

We are in this together—and together, we can build a stronger, smarter Winter Springs.

With appreciation,

Victoria K. Bruce

Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2

“Your purpose will only be found in service to others…”