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Residents press commission to cut spending, question mayor's messaging on Amendment 3
Summary
During the citizen comment period, multiple Winter Park residents urged the commission to reduce spending and criticized a mayoral email that they said exaggerated the local budget impacts of Amendment 3. Speakers singled out newly created programs, events spending and the sustainability department.
Several residents used the citizen comment portion of the Aug. 26 meeting to urge the commission to tighten the city's budget and to criticize what they called alarmist messaging from city leadership about Amendment 3.
Hattie Bridal, who identified herself as a Winter Park resident, told the commission she was "sad and sorry that power is being used to frighten us, the taxpayers," referring to a mayoral email about potential fiscal impacts if state Amendment 3 passes. "You have overspent, and now it's time to get back to the basics," Bridal said, listing parks spending, a new library and the sustainability department among programs she said should be trimmed. Other residents echoed those concerns and urged cuts of 5–10% across departments and closer fiscal stewardship.
Commissioners acknowledged the public comments during the meeting; staff and commissioners said they will continue to review budget proposals ahead of upcoming hearings. No formal budget actions were taken at this meeting.
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