Winter Garden resumes budget talks Sept. 12

The city of Winter Garden hosted its first workshop for the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 before the City Commission meeting Thursday, Aug. 22.

The General Fund revenues budget for FY 2024-25 totals $65,447,681, a decrease of $17 million (21%) from the prior fiscal year. However, City Manager Jon C. Williams said the decrease does not reflect an accurate portrayal of the total year-to-year revenues because of the one-time $24 million grant funding source budgeted in FY 2023-24.

The recurring revenue sources for the General Fund are projected to increase in FY 2024-25. The largest revenue source in the General Fund budget is $26,321,525 for ad valorem taxes, based on the current millage rate of 4.5. Although the budget reflects no change to the millage rate, ad valorem property tax revenue will increase by $2.2 million as a result of the 9.3% increase in Winter Garden’s property values.

Williams said city staff have funded the budget to ensure a strong commitment to public safety, along with meeting the need for infrastructure improvements and funding to provide high quality services to the residents, businesses and visitors of the city. 

The General Fund expenditures budget total $66,374,340, a decrease of $24 million (27%) when compared to the budget for the prior fiscal year. This is the result of a combination of a decrease in the capital budget and an increase in personnel and operating expenditures. 

The FY 2024-25 capital budget has decreased by $31.6 million because of the capital budgeted in FY 2023-24 for grant-funded projects. The General Fund non-capital expenditures budget increased by $7.5 million (13.47%).

Williams said the FY 2024-25 budget was developed by looking at the city’s present and anticipated future financial conditions. The framework for the budget was established to maintain resources at sustainable levels to ensure quality services are delivered. The guiding principles are: promote an economically sustainable community, protect essential services on which the public depends, continue vital infrastructure improvements and maintain adequate reserves for long-term financial planning.

“This fiscal year presents us with both opportunities and challenges,” Williams said. “Our primary goal is to continue fostering the growth and well-being of our community, while ensuring responsible fiscal management. This budget proposal aims to strike a balance between the provision of essential services, targeted investments and prudent financial planning. The budget is a culmination of extensive analysis, careful consideration and the shared vision of our community.

“Economic indicators ... point to a cautionary outlook,” he said. “The city of Winter Garden’s long-term revenues anticipate property values will continue to rise, however, at a slower pace than previous years. Revenue generated by the citywide property tax is used for a wide variety of government services, including public safety, parks and recreation, and numerous infrastructure improvements. Certain state revenues could deviate from the forecast depending on consumer spending during the upcoming year. The economic outlook for expenditures continues to show the cumulative impact of sustained inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain disruptions, wage growth and tight labor market.

The next budget workshop will take place before the City Commission meeting Thursday, Sept. 12.

TOWNHOMES APPROVED

Also at the meeting, the commission approved the second reading of two ordinances pertaining to the same proposed townhouse development project. The second reading of the other related ordinance was approved at the Thursday, Aug. 8, meeting. 

An applicant is requesting to amend the Future Land Use Map from County Low Density Residential to City Medium Density Residential, as well as to rezone the subject property from Single-Family Dwelling District to Planned Unit Development.

The 8.72-acre subject property is located at 1265 and 1271 Avalon Road, on the northeast corner of Avalon Road and Rolling Rock Way.

The applicant plans to construct 61 new townhouse units in 11 separate townhome buildings, which will have five or six units each. The project also includes associated site development, such as recreation areas, open spaces, sidewalks, a lift station, landscaping and stormwater ponds.

The discussion previously was tabled at the Sept. 14, 2023, City Commission meeting. Now, the applicant is proposing the same density as previously presented, with an additional feature: All units will be Net Zero Ready homes with solar panels that offset 85% to 100% of household energy usage.

Planning Director Kelly Carson said staff recommended approval and believes the project is consistent with other development in the area.

At the August meeting, commissioners voiced concerns with the number of townhouse units, as well as the trees impacted in the area. 

Logan Opsahl, attorney representing the applicant, said the proposed density is just shy of seven dwelling units an acre, as opposed to the 10 dwelling units allowed, because of the wetlands on the property. 

Commissioner Iliana Ramos Jones inquired if the applicant would consider low density, six dwelling units per acre, as opposed to medium density. 

“When staff look at designating Future Land Use; I know compatibility is important, and your Comp Plan provides for it,” Opsahl said. “So, the medium density, I believe, is the appropriate designation and what was recommended by your staff.”

Although the two ordinances were voted on separately, they both were approved 3-0, with Mayor John Rees recusing himself from the vote — his in-law’s family owns property across the street — and Commissioner Lisa Bennett absent.