Explore the exciting updates coming to Central Winds Park, including a new event hall, destination playground, boardwalk access to Lake Jesup, and other resident-driven improvements. Learn how Winter Springs is planning for smart, sustainable growth.
Winter Springs reforms the Arbor Fund to ensure mitigation dollars are used for planting and maintaining trees—not equipment or removals. Commissioner Victoria Bruce explains what changed and why it matters.
As your Winter Springs City Commissioner, I remain committed to protecting our environment, improving infrastructure, and ensuring public safety. One critical area of focus is how we manage stormwater to prevent flooding and protect property across our city.
The City of Winter Springs has released the 2025 Draft Stormwater Master Plan, a comprehensive document that identifies flood-prone areas, recommends key infrastructure upgrades, and outlines a long-term plan to improve the reliability of our stormwater system.
Here’s what residents should know about the plan and why it matters.
The Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) is a detailed study developed to assess how stormwater flows through Winter Springs. It was created in response to recent flooding challenges, including the impacts from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. The plan was prepared by engineering consultants at Kimley-Horn and includes input from both city staff and residents.
The SWMP reviews drainage issues in five major watersheds across Winter Springs: Gee Creek, Howell Creek, Lake Jesup, Little Lake Howell, and Soldiers Creek.
The plan identifies 12 top-priority Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) that address critical drainage issues. These projects include culvert upgrades, widened channels, new stormwater storage, and improved outfalls.
Some of the proposed locations for improvement include:
These areas were selected based on flooding reports, maintenance history, and technical analysis from recent watershed modeling studies.
Beyond construction, the plan also recommends a proactive, ongoing maintenance program. This includes:
The goal is to prevent system failures before they happen—especially ahead of major storm events.
The City plans to fund these improvements through a combination of:
The funding strategy focuses on cost-effective implementation without putting unnecessary financial strain on residents.
The 2025 Stormwater Master Plan is more than a technical document—it’s a plan to protect our quality of life. Flooded roads, damaged infrastructure, and overwhelmed drainage systems are not acceptable in a growing community like Winter Springs.
This plan reflects our shared priorities: transparency, fiscal responsibility, environmental protection, and safe neighborhoods.
If you’ve ever experienced flooding in your neighborhood or want to better understand how Winter Springs is preparing for future storms, I encourage you to review the plan and stay engaged.
You can view the 2025 Draft Stormwater Master Plan here:
Thank you for your continued support, and as always, I welcome your feedback and ideas.
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With appreciation,
Victoria K. Bruce
Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2
The City of Winter Springs has officially responded to the Florida Auditor General’s audit findings. Commissioner Victoria Bruce outlines what’s been corrected, what remains unresolved, and what’s next.
On October 23, 2025, during the Seminole County Legislative Delegation meeting, a local bill was introduced that could bring changes to the Winter Springs City Charter. As your City Commissioner, I want to ensure that residents have a clear, factual understanding of what was discussed, what the proposed bill entails, and what the process looks like moving forward.
The bill proposes the following changes to the governance structure of Winter Springs:
The intent behind the bill, as presented, is to modernize the city’s structure and align it more closely with other municipalities in the region. Several members of the legislative delegation emphasized that this is not a directive from the state, but rather an opportunity to place the question on the ballot for residents to decide.
During the meeting, members of the public and city leadership expressed a range of views:
I am committed to transparency, accessibility, and responsible governance. My role is to ensure you are informed about the decisions that affect our city and to advocate for open, respectful public discourse.
At this time, I am not taking a position on the proposed charter amendment itself. I believe this is a decision that should be made by the people of Winter Springs.
I trust our community to engage thoughtfully and decide what form of government best serves our shared goals and values.
I encourage all residents to:
As always, I remain available to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for being active and informed residents of Winter Springs.
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Victoria Bruce
Winter Springs City Commissioner
District 2
Many of us have seen the signs proudly stating Winter Springs is a Tree City USA. While this designation symbolizes our community’s commitment to trees, it’s important to understand what the recognition truly means and why it matters for the future of our city.
The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, provides national recognition to cities and towns committed to maintaining and growing their urban forests. To earn this status, Winter Springs must annually meet four core standards:
These standards are valuable, but they are also just the starting point. As a growing city, we have the opportunity to do more.
Recently, I spoke with John Snow, a Board Certified Master Arborist from Tree Check Up, LLC, who provided valuable insight into how Winter Springs could improve its urban forestry practices. While we have an appointed arbor manager responsible for managing tree-related issues, our city code does not specify any professional training or certification requirements for this role.
John explained the significance of professional qualifications:
“Cities without trained Certified Arborists often struggle to properly care for their trees, leading to increased risks and long-term costs. Professional expertise ensures proper tree care, healthier trees, and safer communities.”
Incorporating professional arborist certification into our city’s approach could yield several key benefits:
While being a Tree City USA is a positive reflection of Winter Springs’ commitment to our environment, we have room to grow. By considering the addition of a Certified Arborist—either on staff or as an expert consultant—we can better fulfill the responsibilities that come with this recognition and ensure our urban forest thrives for years to come.
Please share your thoughts and ideas with me at our next City Commission meeting, or reach out directly. Your voice matters as we work together to raise the bar on tree care and urban forestry in our city.
Warm regards,
Victoria K. Bruce
Winter Springs Commissioner – District 2
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.
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:
These are forward-thinking choices that help protect quality of life today while planning for the city we want tomorrow.
At the same time, we’re facing some concerning trends.
These aren’t red flags yet, but they’re definitely flashing yellow.
Some items in the budget signal urgency, not just concern.
“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…”
CS/HB 671 (Esposito) and SB 682 (DiCeglie) are comprehensive building permit bills. The bills drastically change the process that local governments have to go through before a building permit is approved, including significantly reducing the timeframes for approval of permits. On Tuesday, CS/HB 671 (Esposito) passed in its first committee of reference 11-4. The Senate companion, SB 682, has yet to be put on an agenda. (Branch)
CS/CS/SB 162 (Collins) and CS/CS/HB 23 (Bell), an FLC Policy Position, would require the Department of Environmental Protection to issue a license by reciprocity to any out-of-state water or wastewater operator that has an active and valid license from that other state with license requirements that are comparable to Florida. This week both bills passed out of committee unanimously. (O’Hara)
On Thursday, CS/CS/SB 774 (Brodeur) passed through its last committee of reference on a vote of 16-4. CS/HB 37 (Roach) is waiting to be heard in its third committee of reference. CS/HB 37 would require all municipal elected officials and all city managers to file an annual full disclosure of financial interests (Form 6) with the Florida Commission on Ethics, while CS/CS/SB 774 (Brodeur) was amended in committee to remove city managers from the more stringent requirement. (Taggart)
