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 cautioned those are market-dependent and not a reliable source for ongoing operations.

Why it matters: Staff emphasized that personnel costs, insurance and pension contributions, and other inflationary pressures have outpaced revenue growth. According to the presentation, meeting the 20% reserve target would otherwise require either identifying new recurring revenue sources or cutting about $2,200,000 in expenditures—roughly an 11.4% reduction in unrestricted spending. Staff said no new positions are included in the proposed budget and that the city employed a zero-based budgeting approach for FY 2026.

Public comment focused on tax impact for households and on alternative revenue ideas. Several residents asked for examples of how much the increase would cost a homeowner: staff said a home with $200,000 assessed value and a $50,000 homestead exemption would see about a $53 annual increase if the millage moved from 4.5 to 4.8565. Speakers also raised concerns about developer incentives, impact fees and whether growth will produce near-term tax revenue because new construction value is captured in the next year’s certification of taxable value.

Commission action and immediate outcome: The commission moved and seconded approval of Ordinance 25-30 (levying ad valorem tax), Ordinance 25-31 (appropriating and allocating general fund revenues), Ordinance 25-32 (CRA budget), and Ordinance 25-33 (appropriation in accordance with the city charter and Florida Statute 166.241). Each of those items passed at first reading by voice vote; the public hearings and second readings are scheduled for Sept. 25, 2025.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded Sept. 11, 2025)
- Ordinance 25-30 — Set millage at 4.8565 mills (first reading public hearing). Motion to approve carried (ayes recorded). Outcome: approved at first reading; second reading Sept. 25, 2025.
- Ordinance 25-31 — Appropriations and allocations for the general fund (first reading public hearing). Outcome: approved at first reading; second reading Sept. 25, 2025.
- Ordinance 25-32 — CRA appropriations and allocations for FY 2026 (first reading public hearing). Outcome: approved at first reading; second reading Sept. 25, 2025.
- Ordinance 25-33 — Appropriation of city funds per city charter and Florida Statute 166.241 (first reading public hearing). Outcome: approved at first reading; second reading Sept. 25, 2025.

What residents said: John Wall (Black Lake Park Homeowners Association) asked whether an earlier-discussed $400 fire/ambulance assessment is included; staff said the assessment is excluded from the budget before the commission that night. Brenda Vanover, a retiree, said the difference felt large until staff showed examples clarifying the typical increase would be $35–$53 per year depending on taxable value. Troy Knight and other speakers urged a smaller, incremental increase rather than a single larger jump.

Next steps: The ordinances return for second reading and final public hearing on Sept. 25, 2025. Staff and commissioners said they will continue reviewing potential cost reductions and other revenue options, and staff will provide requested dollar-amount comparisons to last year’s collections on request to media.