Urban forestry budget cuts

Read letters from Clayton Ferrara and Bob Bendick of the Winter Park Land Trust urging the commission not to abandon tree canopy stewardship.

A Rollins environmental studies professor and Land Trust member urged the city not to cut tree maintenance or the residential permitting program, noting delayed maintenance costs more later.

Called trees living investments requiring consistent care and urged the commission not to slash the urban forestry budget, suggesting a future public-private tree partnership.

Described the loss of mature trees and wildlife — woodpeckers, owls, gopher tortoises — in her neighborhood and urged protection of the tree canopy.

A Land Trust trustee detailed that four tree-related cuts made up 80% of the $511,618 in suggested budget reductions, and urged keeping residential tree permitting and looking at what other Florida cities are doing.

Gave a century of Winter Park tree-planting history and argued trees are the soul of the city, urging the commission to keep supporting planting and canopy maintenance.

Asked the commission not to cut tree maintenance or staff and not to abandon tree removal permits, sharing his own experience planting 25 live oaks.