Winter Springs commission approves smaller-than-requested increase to Tuscarawilla maintenance assessment after hours of public comment

The Winter Springs City Commission on Sept. 9 approved an amended resolution raising the Tuscarawilla Lighting and Beautification District (TLBD) maximum cap to $220 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) and set the 2025–26 maintenance assessment at $160 per ERU, a 25% increase over the current rate.

The vote followed a lengthy public hearing and discussion. Holly Queen, the city’s finance director, told the commission the study retained MBS to analyze long‑term maintenance needs and that the proposed original cap in the consultant report was $255.20. Queen said the city’s fiscal review showed a projected decrease in the TLBD fund balance and that ‘‘the adoption of the annual resolution is required under city ordinance number 98‑704.’’

The nut of the debate centered on how quickly to restore the district’s reserve and whether the commission should approve the full consultant recommendation immediately or phase increases. Residents and neighborhood representatives spoke for and against the full increase. Dr. Kurt Mierke, president of the Tuscawilla Homeowners Association, and several long‑time residents urged support to maintain property values and the neighborhood’s entrances. Other residents, including several who said they are on fixed incomes, asked for smaller, incremental increases and stronger accounting and project prioritization before raising assessments.

Commissioners weighed competing priorities: the advisory committee’s recommendation to fund a multi‑year revitalization package (medians, monument planting, irrigation and fountain repairs) vs. resident concerns about sudden tax increases. Queen explained the study and notices required to change the cap and said the study and mailing cost approximately $18,000. She also described overhead allocations and said recent insurance payouts and timing had made some fund years appear irregular.

After multiple motions and compromise proposals, Deputy Mayor Kade Resnick moved to set the maximum cap at $220 and to set the maintenance assessment for tax year 2025 (fiscal year 2025–26) at $160 per ERU; Commissioner Scribe Baker seconded. The final vote was 3–2 in favor (Yes: Deputy Mayor Kade Resnick; Commissioner Baker; Commissioner Victoria Bruce. No: Commissioner Mark Caruso; Commissioner Paul Diaz). The resolution as amended carried.

Commissioners and staff said the commission will revisit the assessment annually; any future year increases must still be approved by the commission. City staff also said they will work with the TLBD advisory committee and residents to prioritize projects and provide clearer timelines and accounting for proposed work. Deputy Mayor Resnick framed the outcome as a compromise intended to rebuild reserves while not immediately imposing the full consultant recommendation.

The commission also debated whether to explore structural changes to how the district is funded, including voluntary funding alternatives, but took no formal action on that concept during the meeting. The commission approved the amended resolution for the TLBD cap and the assessment roll for tax year 2025 before moving to other agenda items.

The decision will be submitted to the Seminole County tax collector as part of the city’s assessment roles required prior to Sept. 15.