HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 05 11 Regular 500 - Seminole County Interlocal Agreement Local Fuel Tax - Seminole Connector ProjectREGULAR AGENDA ITEM 500
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA | MAY 11, 2026 REGULAR MEETING
TITLE
Seminole County Interlocal Agreement Local Fuel Tax - Seminole Connector Project
SUMMARY
Seminole County is requesting an opportunity to present to the City Commission
regarding a proposed SR 417 Connector Expansion project that would provide a direct
connection to Orlando Sanford International Airport. As part of the proposal, the County
is seeking the City’s participation in an Interlocal Agreement (ILA), under which the City
would forgo its share of the recently approved 5-cent local option gas tax revenues for a
period of ten (10) years to help fund the project.
FUNDING SOURCE
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission review and discuss.
110
April 20, 2026
The Honorable Mayor Kevin McCann
City of Winter Springs
1126 East State Road 434
Winter Springs, FL 32708
SUBJECT: Partnership Opportunity – Seminole Connector S.R. 452 (fka S.R. 417 Connector)
Dear Mayor McCann:
As we continue advancing the Seminole Connector (S.R. 452), I am writing to invite your
partnership in delivering one of the most significant regional transportation investments currently
underway.
This project has been in development for more than two decades and has reached key milestones
in recent years, including completion of the Project Development and Environment (PD&E)
study, approval of a preferred alignment by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX)
Board, and, most recently, the formalization of a funding partnership between Seminole County
and CFX.
The Seminole Connector is designed to address long-standing transportation challenges while
positioning the region for future growth. It will reduce congestion on East Lake Mary Boulevard
and Ronald Reagan Boulevard by shifting traffic to a new limited-access corridor. It will also
provide a direct and reliable connection to Orlando Sanford International Airport, improve
emergency response times through an alternate evacuation route, and enhance freight movement
for logistics and commerce.
Beyond mobility, the project supports a growing tourism and economic corridor. The airport and
Boombah Sports Complex already generate significant visitation, and the proposed new indoor
sports complex is expected to further expand year-round demand. The indoor sports complex
alone is projected to generate approximately 322,000 annual visitors, 38,000 hotel room nights,
and an estimated $2.1 billion in long-term economic impact.
The Seminole Connector’s total estimated cost is approximately $200 million, which includes
construction, right-of-way, utilities, and environmental mitigation. Current funding commitments
include $150 million from CFX, along with Seminole County’s investment. Earlier this year, the
County contributed $25 million from the One Cent Infrastructure Sales Tax, commonly known
as the Penny Sales Tax, to help jump-start the project’s design phase. Despite this strong
progress, a funding gap of approximately $25 million remains.
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The Honorable Kevin McCann
Page 2
April 20, 2026
The positive impact on our community is significant and therefore, to close this gap, Seminole County
is requesting municipal partnership from the impacted cities and the airport. Specifically, we propose
an interlocal agreement under which your city would allocate its share of the five-cent Local Option
Fuel Tax, approved by the Board of County Commissioners last year, to the project for a period of up to
10 years. These funds would be dedicated solely to the Seminole Connector, and any grants or external
funding secured would proportionally reduce each partner’s contribution. These funds, which will be
available for 50 years, are new to your city and have not previously been allocated through your
budgeting process.
This is a shared investment in regional mobility, economic development, and long-term quality of life.
The Seminole Connector will serve residents, businesses, and visitors across jurisdictional boundaries,
and its success depends on a coordinated, regional approach.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal with you and answer any questions as we work
toward the timeline for executing interlocal agreements.
Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to our citizens.
In Partnership,
Andria Herr
Chairman/District 5 Commissioner
cc
Deputy Mayor/Commissioner Matt Bentron, Winter Springs District 1
Commissioner Victoria Bruce, Winter Springs District 2
Commissioner Ted Johnson, Winter Springs District 3
Commissioner Cade Resnick, Winter Springs District 4
Commissioner Rob Elliott, Winter Springs District 5
City Manager Kevin Sweet, City of Winter Springs
Vice-Chair/Commissioner Amy Lockhart, Seminole County District 4
Commissioner Bob Dallari, Seminole County District 1
Commissioner Jay Zembower, Seminole County District 2
Commissioner Lee Constantine, Seminole County District 3
County Manager Darren Gray, Seminole County
County Attorney Kate Latorre, Seminole County
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Seminole Connector (S.R. 452)
City of Winter Springs
City Commission Work Session
May 11, 2026
113
Purpose
Discuss SR 452 Seminole Connector funding options and benefits
supporting growing tourism and economic development for the region.
114
Background
•Planning for this project began in the early 2000s
•Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) PD&E study completed in 2025
•CFX Board approved the preferred alignment on October 9, 2025
•Seminole County BCC and CFX Board approved an interlocal agreement in
February 2026 to formalize the partnership
•Project design kickoff anticipated with CFX procurement advertising in
May 2026
115
Will Hawthorne, PE | Director of Transportation Planning & Policy
SR 452 Seminole Connector
(F.K.A. SR 417 Sanford Airport Connector)
April 2026
116
Corridor History
SR 417 Extension
Planning Feasibility
(FTE)
From SR 417 to I-95
SR 417 Connector
Feasibility Study
SR 417 to Orlando
Sanford International
Airport (OOCEA)
2003 2007 2015 2018
Sketch Level Toll and
Revenue Study (FTE)
From SR 417 to I-95
SR 417 Extension
Feasibility Study (River 2
Sea TPO by FTE)
From SR 417 to I-95
2021
East Lake Mary
Boulevard
Small Area
Study
(Seminole
County)
SR 417 to SR 46
2022 - Current
SR 417 Widening Design (FTE)
4 to 8 lane widening from SR 434 to Airport
Boulevard Design
Lake Jesup Basin Study - Ongoing study
SR 417 – Sanford Connector CF&M Study
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2003
2026
E. Lake Mary Blvd.
Sa
n
f
o
r
d
A
v
e
.
118
Project Benefits
•Reduced Local Congestion: Shifts traffic off Lake Mary
Blvd. and Ronald Reagan Blvd., improving daily commutes
•Direct Airport Access: Faster, more reliable connection to
Orlando Sanford International Airport for travelers and
employees
•Enhanced Regional Connectivity: Expands and integrates
into the Regional Expressway System
•Enhanced Emergency Access: Provides a critical alternate
route for first responders and evacuations
•Improved Freight Movement: Increases efficiency and
reliability for cargo and logistics operations
•Support Economic Growth: Supports job creation,
tourism, and business investment in the airport area
119
East Lake Mary Boulevard Intersection Operations
120
Project Typical Section (2 lane)
Design Speed = 45 mph
Approximate Right-of-Way = 150 feet
121
Estimated Project Costs
5
Item Cost
Construction/Engineering/Administration $172,200,000
Utility Relocation $3,100,000
Right-of-Way $18,300,000
Mitigation, Wetlands, and Wildlife $6,800,000
Total Estimated Project Cost $200,400,000
122
Project PD&E Study
Viability
Estimated Project
Cost $200.4 Million
Projected Toll
Revenue $48.1 Million
Viability Percentage 24.0%
123
Project Delivery Milestones
Interlocal Agreement
5
May 2026
Advertise for
Design
Consultant
October 2026
CFX Board
Design
Contract
Award
November
2026
Design NTP
September
2028
Second Phase
of Interlocal
Agreement
December
2034
Construction
NTP Deadline
December
2038
Construction
Completion
Deadline
124
Thank You
125
Winter Springs Benefits: Expanding the Tourism Economy
•Improves regional connectivity to S.R. 417 and surrounding destinations
•Supports access to employment centers and tourism activity
•Enhances opportunities for local businesses to capture visitor spending
•Strengthens integration into Seminole County’s growing tourism network
(source: Zartico)
Based on the 2025 Tourism Report
•24% of visitor spending in Winter Springs
came from outside Seminole County
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A Shared Investment
CFX CITIES & GRANTS COUNTY FUNDS
$25M
$150M
$25M
Total Project Cost: ~$200M
Funding Gap: $50M
Current Commitments:
•CFX
•Seminole County ($25M committed)
Opportunity:
•Potential contributions from cities of
Lake Mary, Oviedo, Sanford and Winter
Springs, and grant funding
127
Moving Forward Together
•Regional project with
shared benefits
•Aligns investment with
long-term growth of East
Lake Mary Boulevard
•Opportunity to act now
128
Request
Approve an interlocal agreement with Seminole County designating the
5-cent fuel tax contribution for up to10 years to support the Seminole
Connector project.
129
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___________________________________________________________
Interlocal Agreement Between Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs
Regarding the Assignment of Local Option Fuel Tax Proceeds for the SR 417 Connector Expansion
Project
Page 1 of 6
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN SEMINOLE COUNTY AND
THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS REGARDING THE ASSIGNMENT OF LOCAL
OPTION FUEL TAX PROCEEDS FOR THE SR 417 CONNECTOR EXPANSION
PROJECT
THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT is made between SEMINOLE COUNTY, a
political subdivision of the State of Florida, whose address is Seminole County Services Building,
1101 East First Street, Sanford, Florida 32771 (hereinafter referred to as “COUNTY”), and the
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, a Florida municipal corporation, whose address is 1126 East
State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708 (hereinafter referred to as the “CITY”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, section 336.025(1)(b), Florida Statutes (2025), authorizes counties to levy a
local option fuel tax up to five cents ($0.05) per gallon on every gallon of motor fuel sold within
the county and taxed under Part I of Chapter 206, Florida Statutes (2025) (hereinafter referred to
as the “Fuel Tax”); and
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2025, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners
adopted an ordinance imposing the five-cent ($0.05) Fuel Tax, effective January 1, 2026, for a
term of fifty (50) years; and
WHEREAS, under section 336.025(1)(b)2., Florida Statutes (2025), the distribution of the
Fuel Tax proceeds may be established either by interlocal agreement or, in the absence of such
agreement, pursuant to the statutory formula set forth in section 336.025(4), Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, because there is currently no interlocal agreement establishing an alternative
distribution formula, the Florida Department of Revenue distributes Fuel Tax proceeds among the
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___________________________________________________________
Interlocal Agreement Between Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs
Regarding the Assignment of Local Option Fuel Tax Proceeds for the SR 417 Connector Expansion
Project
Page 2 of 6
COUNTY and eligible municipalities, including the CITY, pursuant to the statutory formula
contained in section 336.025(4), Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the COUNTY is participating in the funding and construction of the SR 417
Connector Expansion Project (the “Project”), a transportation improvement that will enhance
regional mobility and benefit residents throughout Seminole County, including residents of the
CITY; and
WHEREAS, the CITY desires to voluntarily assign its statutory share of Fuel Tax
proceeds to the COUNTY for a limited duration to assist in funding the Project, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained
herein, the parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein
by reference as material terms of this Agreement.
Section 2. Term. This Agreement shall become effective upon approval by both the
COUNTY and the CITY and shall apply to Fuel Tax distributions beginning January 1, 2027. The
assignment shall remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years, expiring December 31, 2036 (the
“Assignment Period”), unless earlier terminated or extended by mutual written agreement. Upon
expiration of the Assignment Period, the CITY’s statutory distribution shall automatically revert
to the CITY without further action by either party.
Section 3. Assignment of Statutory Share.
(a) The parties acknowledge that, pursuant to section 336.025(4), Florida Statutes (2025),
the CITY is entitled to receive a statutory share of the Fuel Tax proceeds.
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___________________________________________________________
Interlocal Agreement Between Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs
Regarding the Assignment of Local Option Fuel Tax Proceeds for the SR 417 Connector Expansion
Project
Page 3 of 6
(b) During the Assignment Period, the CITY voluntarily assigns to the COUNTY one
hundred percent (100%) of the CITY’s statutory share of Fuel Tax proceeds and authorizes the
Florida Department of Revenue (“DOR”) to remit such proceeds directly to the COUNTY, subject
to DOR administrative procedures.
(c) The parties shall cooperate and provide any documentation reasonably required by
DOR to implement this assignment beginning January 1, 2027.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement modifies, replaces, or alters the statutory distribution
formula established by section 336.025(4), Florida Statutes (2025). This Agreement constitutes
solely a voluntary assignment of the CITY’s statutory share after such statutory distribution is
calculated by DOR pursuant to section 336.025(4), Florida Statutes.
(e) This Agreement shall not obligate the CITY to assign proceeds not actually distributed
by DOR.
Section 4. Use of Assigned Proceeds.
(a) The COUNTY shall use the CITY’s assigned Fuel Tax proceeds exclusively for the
SR 417 Connector Project during the Assignment Period.
(b) Eligible Project costs may include, without limitation, planning, design,
engineering, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, construction, reconstruction,
improvements, and other lawful expenditures associated with the Project, consistent with section
336.025, Florida Statutes (2025), and as may be amended.
(c) Assigned proceeds shall not be expended on unrelated transportation projects.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to alter the COUNTY’s discretion
with respect to the design, scope, timing, or administration of the Project.
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___________________________________________________________
Interlocal Agreement Between Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs
Regarding the Assignment of Local Option Fuel Tax Proceeds for the SR 417 Connector Expansion
Project
Page 4 of 6
Section 5. Additional Funding and Proportional Adjustment.
(a) If, during the Assignment Period, the COUNTY receives grants, donations, state or federal
appropriations, or other third-party funding specifically dedicated to the Project, the COUNTY
shall apply such funds toward the total Project costs.
(b) To the extent that such additional funding reduces the total amount of Fuel Tax proceeds
needed to complete the Project, future assigned Fuel Tax proceeds from participating
municipalities, including the CITY, shall be reduced proportionally based on each municipality’s
relative assigned share.
(c) Any reduction shall apply prospectively to future distributions only. The COUNTY shall
not be required to reimburse the CITY for Fuel Tax proceeds previously received or expended.
Section 6. Transportation Expenditure Reporting. For transparency, upon written
request by the CITY, the COUNTY shall provide its most recent annual transportation expenditure
data for the prior fiscal year related to the Project. This section shall not be construed to require
the COUNTY to provide such data unless requested by the CITY.
Section 7. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions or
agreements, whether written or oral.
(b) Amendments. Any alterations, amendments, or waivers of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be valid only when expressed in writing and duly signed by the parties.
(c) No Effect on Other Agreements. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to
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___________________________________________________________
Interlocal Agreement Between Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs
Regarding the Assignment of Local Option Fuel Tax Proceeds for the SR 417 Connector Expansion
Project
Page 5 of 6
amend, modify, or affect any other interlocal agreement or arrangement between COUNTY and
the CITY concerning any other local option surtax, fuel tax, or transportation mechanism already
in effect as of the date of this Agreement.
(d) Severability. If a provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party
or circumstance is held invalid, it is the intent of the parties that such invalidity shall not affect
other provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application, and, to this end, the provisions of this Agreement are declared severable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have made and executed this Agreement for the
purposes stated above.
ATTEST: CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
By:
CHRISTIAN GOWAN KEVIN McCANN, Mayor
City Clerk
Date:
Approved as to form and
legal sufficiency.
City Attorney
[Balance of page left intentionally blank; signature page continues on following page]
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___________________________________________________________
Interlocal Agreement Between Seminole County and the City of Winter Springs
Regarding the Assignment of Local Option Fuel Tax Proceeds for the SR 417 Connector Expansion
Project
Page 6 of 6
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
GRANT MALOY ANDRIA HERR, Chairman
Clerk to the Board of
County Commissioners of
Seminole County, Florida. Date:
For the use and reliance As authorized for execution by the Board of County
of Seminole County only. County Commissioners at its , 20
regular meeting.
Approved as to form and
legal sufficiency.
County Attorney
GLK/kly
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