Hello Winter Springs residents,

As your City Commissioner, I am pleased to share an important update on the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget. Our commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and maintaining our community’s high quality of life remains steadfast. Below, you’ll find key highlights and details from our proposed budget, reflecting our collective efforts to ensure Winter Springs remains a thriving and beautiful community.

Budget Overview

The total proposed budget for all City funds is approximately $68.3 million, representing a 6% decrease from the prior fiscal year. This reduction is achieved without compromising the quality of services we provide to our residents. Our General Fund spending, however, has increased to $26.6 million, a 10.4% rise, due to several essential capital improvement projects, insurance premium hikes, and the rising costs of goods and services.

General Fund 

Capital Expenditure Overview for the 2024-2025 budget. 

Enterprise Funds: Water & Sewer

• AMR to AMI Meter Replacement $1,000,000.00
• Auto flushers $10,000.00
• Dump Truck $60,000.00
• East Waste Water gravity system capacity study $100,000.00
• Flow Meters at RCW Disposal Sites Installation $240,000.00
• Oak Forest RCW Controls Installation $50,000.00
• Pipe Relining/Replacement RECLAIMED WATER $174,000.00
• Pipe Relining/Replacement SEWER LATERAL PARTS $250,000.00
• Pipe Relining/Replacement WATER $50,000.00
• Radio and PLC upgrades $300,000.00
• Reclaimed Water Main Extensions – Construction $1,040,000.00
• RIBs rehabilitation construction $510,000.00
• Sheoah Blvd Water Main Replacement – Construction $500,000.00
• Winter Springs Blvd Valve Addition – Construction $40,000.00
• WTP 2 Ground Storage Tank Rehab. – Construction $500,000.00
• WTP 2 Pumps and Meters – Construction $500,000.00
• Winter Springs Village Reclaim – construction $50,000.00

Information Services-General

• IT Network Infrastructure Replacement- Routers Phase 2 $70,000
  • Replacing end of life critical infrastructure for IT routers. Current infrastructure scheduled for replacement is more than 10 years old.
• Multimedia Storage Backup Enclosure (Communications) $7,000
  • Public Communication division needs suitable storage solution to save multimedia content/graphics.
• Replace Server Room Electrical Protection, UPS’s and PDU’s (IT) $15,000 
  • Replacing end of life electrical protection infrastructure for IT server room at City Hall (battery backups and electrical). These components ensure that key IT infrastructure is protected from electrical surges and can operate during electrical outages.
• Fuel Pump Control System (Public Works, Parks, Finance) $16,000 
  • Automated fuel monitoring system for fueling of city equipment (mowers/tractors/excavators etc.) An automated system tracking will reduce staff time needed for monthly fuel reconciliation.
• Police Mobile Command Trailer Tech Overhaul Phase 2 (Police) $10,000 
  • IT infrastructure in WSPD mobile Command Trailer has reached end of life. Recommending replacement of cellular connectivity technology used for large scale operations.
• Replace Police Fingerprint Equipment and Upgrade Software $7,000
  • PD fingerprint equipment nearing end of life, software upgrade integrates with new hardware.

Facilities Maintenance

• Pressure Cleaner $7,500
  • Replacing end of life pressure washer that is used for maintenance of sidewalks and City facilities.
• Scissor Lift $20,000
  • Staff recommending purchase of 26ft scissor lift for maintenance of facilities and projects that are inaccessible via bucket trucks.
• Vehicle Replacement $50,000
  • The City’s fleet maintenance division recommends replacement of one 4WD ½ ton truck due to it being beyond the recommended service milage.

Community Development (Urban Beatification)

• 60” Mower Replacement $28,000
  • Replacement of existing 60” mower that has exceeded recommended service life
• Vehicle Replacement $70,000
  • The City’s fleet maintenance division recommends replacement of one 4WD ¾ ton truck due to it being beyond the recommended service milage.
• Workman Cart $25,000
  • Multipurpose utility cart for addressing maintenance issues on medians, right of ways and other areas that are difficult to access in traditional vehicles.

Executive and Legislative

• City Manager SUV $38,000
  • Existing Ford Escape used by Interim City Manager to be transferred to Public Works for administrative staff use.

Fleet Maintenance

• A/C machine 1234YF $12,000 
  • Needed to repair automotive air conditioning systems in accordance with the EPA. Vehicles that use this A/C system are no longer in warranty and having this machine will lessen the out of service times.
• Diagnostic Scanner $9,200
  • Is used to diagnose all check engine lights, ABS warning lights along with other computer systems in our vehicles. This scanner will diagnose most vehicle brands both off road & on.
• Wheel Alignment machine $82,000
  • Will help fleet division deduce replacement tire costs and will lower the down time of vehicles. We will also cut down on mechanic time driving to & from third party alignment shop
• Welder $9,000
  • Allows fleet division to repair & fabricate brackets & plates for all offroad equipment. They will be able to repair more metal work in house to have less down time.
• Zamboni floor cleaner $15,000
  • Allows fleet shop to maintain a safe shop free and clear of oils & lubricants on the floor preventing an employee from slipping & falling.

Police Department

• Replacement Police Vehicles-Complete Package Vehicles (11) $863,500
  • The City’s fleet maintenance division recommends replacement of 24 vehicles due to either being beyond the recommended service milage or having excessive maintenance cost due to their age. $78,500 per vehicle is inclusive of necessary accessories for law enforcement purposes (lights, graphics, cages etc.)
• Broken Sallyport Replacement Roll Door $20,000
  • Roll-up sallyport door at WSPD has become inoperable and needs to be replaced by a qualified commercial vendor. This repair is needed for the police department to maintain CJIS compliance facilities.
• Police Building Access Control $75,000
  • The access control system for the police department needs to be updated to be compliant with new CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) regulations as mandated by the FBI. The existing access control system for the police department is original to the construction of the building from 1997.
• Replace Unserviceable X2 TASERS to TASER 10 Model Year 1 of 5 $55,440
  • X2 TASERS originally purchased in 2015 and are no longer available to purchase, under warranty, or serviceable by the manufacturer. This less-than-lethal device has been deployed hundreds of times and has de-escalated numerous violent situations.

Parks & Recreation

• Sprayer $70,500
  • Used for applying pesticides/herbicides in City Parks. Existing sprayer is beyond service life, OEM replacement parts no longer available.
• Vehicle Replacement $50,000
  • The City’s fleet maintenance division recommends replacement of one 4WD ½ ton truck due to it being beyond the recommended service milage.
• Gators (2) $30,000
  • Replacing past service life utility carts used for daily maintenance of City Parks.
• LJ Boardwalk (design/permit) $50,900 (Funding Paused)
  • Lake Jesup boardwalk project requires permitting through local/state agencies and engineered plans.
• Reel Mower $88,200
  • Replacing end of service life reel mower used for maintenance of sports turf at Central Winds Park.
• Roof Replacement CWP Office $30,000
  • Existing roof of 2 story building at Central Winds Park baseball complex has surpassed useful life, original to construction of Central Winds Park in 1992.
• Digital Display $15,000
  • Digital display that is rated for outdoor use will be used to display information pertaining to daily facility reservations and programs.

Other Governmental Funds

SP Law Enforcement Trust (Fed) #103

• Traffic Trailer $49,800
  • Existing traffic trailer has reached end of service life. Enables WSPD to conduct traffic and speed studies, and it has LPR technology for intelligence-led policing.

Transportation Improvement Fund #120

• Roadway/Drainage Projects $600,000
  • Repair of Damage Roadways and drainage systems.
• Road Improvements (Safety) $400,000
  • Pedestrian safety improvements 
• CIP Resurfacing $2,000,000
  • Resurfacing of City roads that have been designated to be at the end of their life cycle. 

Infrastructure Surtax Fund #121 (3rd Gen)

• Stormwater Rehabilitation City Wide $1,300,000
  • City wide surveying of the stormwater system to assess and implement a rehabilitation schedule.
• Tuskawilla Crossing Stormwater Pond Repair $1,500,000
  • Repair of stormwater pond due to berm failure
• Wetland Park $700,000
  • Retrofit of current stormwater system that is discharging to Wetland Park to alleviate flooding issues on Michael Blake Blvd. in the Winter Springs Village subdivision.

Arbor Fund #140

• Agricultural Drone $30,000
  • Used to survey and monitor tree canopies and disperse biological (air potato beetle/ladybug) invasive vine control. 
• Wheel Loader $100,000
  • Used for existing landscaping demolition and installations of larger landscaping materials, can also be used for emergency use to clear downed trees from roadways.
• Grapple Truck $130,000
  • Used for picking up and haul tree debris and large landscaping debris

Transportation Impact Fee Fund #150

• Integra/434 Traffic Signal (Design and Construction) $379,000
  • Holding funds per development agreement, will have to return if no light is necessary. 

Police Impact Fee Fund #151

• Body-Wear Camera (8) Year 1 of 5 $52,424
  • Eight additional body-worn cameras for newly hired officers/positions.

Parks Impact Fee Fund #153

• LJO Boardwalk Phase 1 $400,000 (Funding Paused)
  • New boardwalk along lake Jesup at Central Winds Park. Phase 1 consists of approximately 600 linear feet of new boardwalk.
• Ranchlands Restroom-holding style $75,000
  • Currently there is no restroom at this park.
• Trotwood Pavilion @ Basketball Courts $120,000
  • New larger covered pavilion for this area of the park
• Veteran Walk at Torcaso $100,000
  • Provide for improved connectivity between Torcaso Park and Sunshine Park, with enhanced landscaping and areas recognizing veterans.

Public Facilities Capital Project Fund #303

• Fencing in CWP (Parks) $250,000
  • Allows for securing Central Winds Park lower practice fields when the fields after hour or during maintenance periods. Reduces risks of vandalism to fields during overnight hours. 
• Trotwood Playground Surfacing (Parks) $150,000
  • Can be used to replace existing surfacing. 
• Upper Athletic Fields to LED’s (8) (Parks) Budgeted: $1,000,000 (Project Funded for $100,000.00) 
  • Staff still evaluating financial feasibility of various options for implementation of this initiative.
• Convert Bay to Tire Room (Fleet) $10,000
  • Fleet division needs a more practical storage solution for both new & old tires to minimize risk to employees. 
• Rehab Lunchroom/Kitchen (Fleet) $10,000
  • Will be used as a combination break room, a small training room for mechanics to keep credentials current, and meeting space to meet with outside vendors/suppliers.
• 2 Post Lift (Fleet) $7,500 
  • Current 2 post life in fleet shop is past useful life and cannot pass safety certification. 
• Shop Rehab lead Mechanic Office (Fleet) $10,000
  • Will allow lead mechanic to have designated workspace to complete essential administrative functions.
• Shop Rehab-Paint and Gutter (Fleet) $7,500
  • Fleet building needs new gutters to allow the rain to drain and not pool on the roof causing internal water leaks that could damage City equipment. The building also needs to be resealed & painted and have all cracks filled in.

Excellence in Customer Service Initiative #305

• Thorguard at Torcaso Park $50,000
  • Lightning Prediction warning system. Currently installed at Central Winds and Trotwood
• Closed Captioning $60,000
  • Live streaming closed captioning hardware/software to maintain upcoming ADA legislative rulings that will be required for public meetings.
• Senior Center HVAC $30,000
  • One of the existing HVAC units at Senior Center has reached recommended replacement age. 
• Camera for Parks $100,000
  • Phase 1 Central Winds amphitheater. Is a force multiplier for Law Enforcement. Allows for WSPD to have improved crowd monitoring capabilities at large vents (July 4th/Highland Games).

Other Governmental Funds

Development Services-Plans & Inspections #420

• Building Services Inspection Vehicle $35,000
  • Recommended replacement of current vehicle used for inspections that has reached end of service life.
• Counter Remodel $125,000
  • Permitting counter/workspace is currently not functional for needs of department, there are also safety enhancements than can be achieved by raising counter tops.
• Lobby Kiosk $200,000
  • Self-service station where applicants for building permits can submit applications, documents, and payments.

TOTAL CAPITAL OUTLAY – ALL FUNDS $19,732,558

Key Highlights

1. Capital Improvement Projects: Significant investments are being made in infrastructure, including the design and construction of new wastewater treatment plants and updates to our water and sewer systems. These projects are critical for maintaining and improving our city’s essential services.
2. Increased Millage Rate: To support these projects and maintain service levels, we have proposed a modest increase in the millage rate by 0.21 mills. This change will help generate necessary revenue without relying on General Fund reserves for recurring operational costs.
3. Environmental Conservation: Our budget continues to prioritize environmental protection. Efforts include ongoing maintenance and upgrades to our water treatment facilities to ensure safe and clean drinking water for all residents.
4. Community Development: We are seeing steady growth in residential construction and commercial development. Projects like the Hickory Grove Townhomes and the Living Life independent living facility highlight our commitment to expanding housing options and supporting local businesses.
5. Public Safety and Community Services: Investments in public safety remain a top priority. We are enhancing our police services and community programs to ensure Winter Springs remains one of the safest cities in Florida.

Budget Workshop Announcement

We invite all residents to join us for a budget workshop on July 15th at 4:30 PM. This workshop will provide an opportunity for you to learn more about the FY2025 Proposed Budget and ask any questions you may have. It’s a great chance to engage with the Commission and understand how your tax dollars are being utilized to improve our community.

Message from the Interim City Manager

Our Interim City Manager has also provided an update on the budget process, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of all departments to minimize operating costs while maintaining high service standards. Here is the key message:

“Mayor and Commissioners,

In accordance with State Law and the City Charter, I am pleased to transmit the City of Winter Springs Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget for your consideration and review. This document is available on the City public website under the Finance link.

As presented, Fiscal Year 2025 total budgeted spending (all funds) represents a 6% decrease over the prior fiscal year, while total General Fund spending of $26.6M is up (10.4%). These increases are attributed to numerous capital improvement projects, notable insurance premium increases, and the cost of goods and services throughout the City. Our continued adherence to our fiscal plan includes a proactive approach of working directly with each Department Director in minimizing operating costs. Thus, I am recommending a budget for Fiscal Year 2025 that includes an increased millage rate of 0.21, no utilization of General Fund reserves for recurring operating purposes, and no reduction in the level of services currently provided to our citizens.

Staff and I remain ready and committed to assist you with any information and support you need to successfully finalize the budget. Thank you for your trust and support, resulting in this FY2025 Budget!”

Conclusion

The FY2025 Proposed Budget is a testament to our commitment to responsible fiscal management and sustainable community development. We are dedicated to ensuring that Winter Springs continues to flourish, balancing growth with the preservation of our natural environment. Your feedback and support are invaluable as we move forward with these plans.

Thank you for your continued trust and involvement in our community’s future. I look forward to seeing you at the budget workshop on July 15th!

Warm regards,

Victoria Bruce

City Commissioner, District 2

Winter Springs