Winter Garden proposes 4.8565 millage rate to shore up reserves; commission approves budget ordinances at first reading

The City Commission of Winter Garden on Sept. 11 approved first-reading ordinances that set the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2025–26 at 4.8565 mills and adopt the proposed general fund and CRA budgets for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

City staff told the commission the 4.8565 rate is an increase from the current 4.5 mills and would generate roughly $2,200,000 in additional recurring ad valorem revenue. Staff said the change is intended to move the general fund reserve from about 17% to the city’s 20% target and to ensure ongoing revenues cover ongoing expenditures.

At a public hearing before the vote, staff presented the general fund overview: proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund spending of approximately $68,000,000, with public safety accounting for about 57% of that total. Staff explained that revenues include an estimated $30,277,220 in ad valorem (property tax) collections and roughly $40,026,490 in other revenues, yielding total available revenues of about $70,303,710. Staff said investment earnings are projected at $2,900,000 but…