Winter Springs Commission Debates Stormwater Repairs, Capacity Trade-Offs and Funding

The Winter Springs City Commission voted 3–1 on May 12 to raise the stormwater utility rate to $10 per equivalent residential unit, while separately approving an intent-to-award for creek debris removal to Zulu Marine Services using federal NRCS funds. The May 12 meeting featured extensive public comment about repeated flooding dating back to Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Ian and a sharp divide over funding timing and sources.

Mayor Kevin McCann framed the vote as urgent for homeowners, saying, “We cannot put our head in the sand when we know homes continue to struggle.” Supporters argued the stormwater utility has been underfunded and needs recurring revenue to pay for emergency work and regular maintenance, with several speakers urging immediate action so cleanups could begin.

District 1 Commissioner Paul Diaz pressed an alternative: he proposed moving $1 million from the city’s general fund into the stormwater fund instead of an immediate rate hike. “Move the million dollars today,” Diaz said. “We have the money. It’s been proven we have the money.” Diaz also warned about budget uncertainty: “I'm just overall concerned about how open-ended everything is,” he said. “We've got a lot of open-ended costs … We're going to be dealing with things that we have to budget first. And we have no numbers.”

The broader stormwater program is driven by a recently approved stormwater master plan, adopted unanimously at a special meeting. Prepared by city engineers in partnership with Kimley-Horn, the plan identifies 46 areas of interest and lays out 12 capital improvement projects intended to reduce flooding. Matt Brosman, an engineer on the master plan team, told commissioners that the final pond maintenance policy could cause a “significant financial swing” in total program costs.

Agenda item 500, the Stormwater Pond Maintenance Program, was presented by Julia Felter of Kimley-Horn. Felter told the commission, “There is a current city maintenance list. This is based on a no-handshake deal. This is all of the data presented from recorded information.” The city has more than 300 lakes and ponds, some of which are hybrids with multiple parties responsible for upkeep, a complexity Public Works Director Clete Saunier said warrants separate discussion.

Operational capacity remains a flash point. Commissioner Sweet warned staffing is limited: “We have four people maintaining the entire city of Winter Springs, of boots on the ground,” Sweet said. “Folks, that’s three workers and a foreman to maintain substantially more ponds, creeks and areas than in the City of Oviedo, and arguably much more complex and difficult stormwater infrastructure to deal with.” Staff noted two pond repairs and wetland park work are planned in the current fiscal year, and cautioned certain revenue sources such as the penny sales tax cannot be used for recurring operations.

Next steps include a financial services sub-consultant guiding a budgeting process and a utility rate study next year, and presentation of a pond maintenance policy that will inform long-term costs. At the April 28 audit meeting, HOA representative Art Gallo urged the commission to reflect on community priorities: “We want to be respectful, and we didn’t have some of that tonight,” Gallo said. “So I’m asking you all to be introspective here. We’re here for the residents of the community. You all love the community and that’s why you’re in the position that you are.”