Winter Garden adopts 2025–26 millage, operating and CRA budgets; annexations, land-use changes and multiple ordinances approved

Winter Garden City Commissioners on a single evening approved the city’s proposed fiscal 2025–26 millage rate and multiple ordinances, adopted the operating and Community Redevelopment Agency budgets and approved annexations and future land‑use changes for two properties along East Oakland Avenue and State Road 438.

The commission voted unanimously to set an ad valorem millage rate of 4.8565 mills for fiscal year 2025–26, above the rollback rate cited in the ordinance. Commissioners also adopted the city’s operating budget and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget for the same fiscal year, which staff presented as balanced against projected revenues.

Why it matters: These votes set tax rates and spending for the coming fiscal year, authorize spending by the CRA and clear the way for pending development actions tied to annexed parcels. Several land‑use votes accepted annexation and future land‑use amendments that staff said will precede planned PUD rezoning applications on the affected parcels.

Key actions and figures - Millage (Ordinance 25‑30): 4.8565 mills (reported as greater than the rollback rate of 4.2012 mills). Staff said the rate ensures ongoing revenues to cover expenditures. - Operating budget (Ordinance 25‑31): Staff presented total available revenues of $70,303,710 (ad valorem $30,277,220; other…