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Home My WebLink About00-2025 09 22 City Commission Regular Meeting MinutesCITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 AT 6:30 PM CITY HALL -COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kevin McCann called the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 22, 2025 of the City Commission to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor Kevin McCann, present Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick, present Commissioner Paul Diaz, present Commissioner Victoria Bruce, present Commissioner Sarah Baker, present Commissioner Mark Caruso, present City Manager Kevin Sweet, present City Attorney Anthony Garganese, present City Clerk Christian Gowan, present Pastor Bob Melhorn provided the invocation and then led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McCann asked if there were any agenda changes. No changes were noted and the agenda was adopted. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100) Recognition of Senator Jason Brodeur for his Assistance and Support during the 2025 Legislative Session Mayor McCann introduced Senator Jason Brodeur. Senator Brodeur thanked the Commission for the opportunity to attend, noted the upcoming legislative session, and reviewed what was done in the 2025 session including appropriations for Seminole County and Winter Springs. Senator Brodeur highlighted the elimination of the business rent tax, clarification of sales tax holidays (hurricane preparedness tax holiday year-round, back to school tax holiday during the entire month of August, and a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday that was ongoing), and noted money put aside to pay down the state's debt. Locally, Senator Brodeur highlighted appropriations to numerous Seminole County organizations focused on mental health, the Seminole County Sheriffs Office, and the Seminole State College nursing school. For Winter Springs, Senator Brodeur noted over $1 million in appropriations for a variety of projects including potable water tray aerator improvements, and the Michael Blake Boulevard reclaimed expansion. Finally, Senator Brodeur recommended looking for regional impacts in appropriations requests for the upcoming session. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200) Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input. Gina Shafer, Winter Springs asked that the Commission consider a Coffee with a Commissioner event and a mother and son event similar to the father daughter dance. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Not Used PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400) Final Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Ms. Holly Queen, Director, Finance Department presented the item and noted Resolution 2025-19 would establish the Final Operating Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the City of Winter Springs at 2.6200 mills, 5.94% greater than the rolled back rate of 2.4730 mills. Brief discussion followed where it was noted that this was considered a tax increase. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Item 400 No one addressed the Commission. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Item 400. "I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-19 ESTABLISHING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 OPERATING MILLAGE RATE FOR THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS AT 2.6200 MILLS AND PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THAT THE FINAL OPERATING MILLAGE RATE OF 2.6200 MILLS IS 5.94% GREATER THAN THE COMPUTED ROLLED -BACK RATE OF 2.4730 MILLS." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (AYE); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 401) Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Ms. Queen introduced the item and noted the only change since the tentative budget hearing was the approved adjustment to the Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District fund following the Special Meeting of September 9, 2025. Manager Sweet reviewed the budget process and discussed the time and effort put into the budget to maintain the current level of service. Manager Sweet thanked the budget team for their assistance. Mayor McCann opened the Public Hearing for Item 407. No one addressed the Commission. Mayor McCann closed the Public Hearing for Item 401. "I MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-20, ESTABLISHING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2026." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. DISCUSSION. Commissioner Bruce noted a variety of expenses that she believed should be cut from the budget.' VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (NAY); CARUSO (NAY); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION FAILED: 2-3 Discussion followed on the budget process and previous opportunities to express and address concerns, discussions with city staff, and options to review the noted expenditures at a later date while meeting statutory requirements to adopt a budget. ' A list of the identified expenditures is attached to the end of these minutes. Commissioner Bruce noted she believed the items in question were wish list items and thought the city should work to pay down debt interest payments. Manager Sweet noted the restricted nature of several of the funds in question, discussed carryforward funds, and discussed the need for vehicle replacement to allow for crucial job functions to continue and services to be delivered. Manager Sweet noted there were no wish list items in the presented budget. Discussion followed on the proposed purchase of two mowers as well as the arbor fund and planned expenditures for the TuskawiIla Crossings tree replacement. "I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO CLAW BACK FOR THE 545270 REPAIR & MAINTENANCE GROUNDS TO NOT FUND THE TUSKAWILLA CROSSINGS REPLANTING OF THE LITTLE MAGNOLIA GEMS IN ADDITION TO INCLUDING ANY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO BE CROSSED OUT INCLUDING THE TROTWOOD LACROSSE WALL." MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRUCE. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. Commissioner Diaz recommended a placeholder or set aside in the budget of $1 million which could then be discussed further at a future meeting. Discussion followed on other communities reducing their millage rates and differences in services provided. "I MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-20, ESTABLISHING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2026." MOTION BY DEPUTY MAYOR RESNICK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BAKER. DISCUSSION. VOTE: BAKER (AYE); BRUCE (NAY); CARUSO (AYE); DIAZ (NAY); RESNICK (AYE) MOTION CARRIED: 3-2 REGULAR AGENDA 500) Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Mayor McCann opened Public Input, Gina Shafer, Winter Springs asked if the Michael Blake reclaimed project would include Winter Springs Village, urged the Commission to place trust in the city manager, and noted surprised that concerns about the budget were not brought forward previously. Mayor McCann closed Public Input. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCann adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. RESPECTFU LLY SU BM ITTED: CHRISTIAN D. GOWAN, MPA, CMC CITY CLERK APPROVED: MAYOR KEVIK McCANN of W i n ter V� �orPo, � N a `D /959 0 . County, NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the October 13, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting. Commissioner Bruce's Areas of Financial Spending Concern: 545270 R& M Grounds: $25,089.00 22/23 $153,865.00 23/24 $457,600.00 24/25 $850,000.00 25/26 Governmental Funds: (Special Revenue Funds) Arbor #140: $142,749.00 22/23 $370,575.00 23/24 $825,886.00 24/25 $923,286.00 25/26 Development Services Plans & Inspections #420: Building Services Inspections Vehicle $35,000.00 Counter Remodel $125,000.00 Lobby Kiosk $200,000.00 Park Impact Fee Fund #153: Trotwood Lacrosse Wall $100,000.00 Community Development: 60" Mower (2): $28,000.00 F250 4x4 (rebudget): $70,000.00 Parks & Rec: Admin Car Replacement $35,000.00 Gators (2): $30,000.00 F150 rebudget: $50,000.00 Facilities Maintenance: F150: $50,000.00 Other Capital: Dump Truck: $90,000.00