Winter Garden City Commission approves $80 million in bonds

The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved a resolution for the issuance of water and wastewater revenue bonds not exceeding $80 million.

The bonds, approved during the commission meeting Thursday, March 13, will be used to finance and reimburse the costs of various capital improvements to the city’s water and wastewater utility system. 

The planned improvements and expansions to the system will meet the current service area needs as well as state and federal mandates. 

From Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2029, the city has identified $163.8 million in utility system capital expenditures. The city plans to fund the expenditures by using approximately $12.6 million from rate revenues, $13.1 million from grant proceeds and $138.2 million from debt, including $68.3 million from proceeds of the bonds. 

BUILDING PURCHASED

The commission unanimously approved the purchase of a modular building at 902 Avalon Road for $62,500. 

The 1,440-square-foot building currently is being used as temporary Winter Garden Fire Station 21 quarters and office. 

The lease agreement for $1,540 per month has expired, and Creative Modular Buildings agreed to either renew the lease or sell the unit to the city for $62,500.

If the city renewed the lease, another two-year lease would cost the city about $36,960, with additional costs upon the removal of the unit at lease-end including $7,195 for Creative Modular Buildings’ cost for removal from the site, as well as the cost of cleaning and repairing any damage. 

Additional costs include making improvements such as adding ADA ramps, stairs, equipment, furnishings, vehicle bays and a new lift station to continue to be used as a fire station. 

The cost of the lease and subsequent removal could cost up to $54,155. 

As a result, Assistant City Manager Frank Gilbert said the building would be more effective if used as a multi-purpose facility for the southern end of the city.

Using the building as a multi-purpose facility will allow police patrolling the southern zones to have a place to fill out reports as well as have meal and bathroom breaks. The city also would be able to eliminate rented storage facilities used for records and equipment. The existing vehicle bay also could be converted into additional storage in the future.

FIREFIGHTERS CBA

Commissioners unanimously approved and ratified the collective bargaining agreement between the International Association of Firefighters Local 4947 “B” Group, which is battalion chiefs, for Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2027. 

Cheryl Jones, the human resources director, said the city proposed enhancing existing leave and wage benefits and aligning Winter Garden more closely with other local municipalities as well as with the “A” group contract for firefighters, engineers and lieutenants. 

Battalion chiefs will receive the same annual wage increases, which includes a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for Fiscal Year 2025. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, the increase will be the same annual citywide wage increase provided to other city employees, accompanied by a market adjustment for a maximum 7.5% increase. This is subject to budgetary appropriation and the commission’s approval.

The union can reopen the wage article in any year in which the total increase from the city would be less than 3%.

The new paramedic incentive rate, which will increase but no longer compound for future employee wage adjustments, is $11,007.36 for solo certified and $5,503.68 for non-solo certified. The current rate is $9,027.20 for solo certified and $3,513.60 for non-solo certified. 

The new contract also includes the addition of two personal days, and all personal days will be forfeited if not used within the fiscal year.