FY 2027 Budget and Millage Rate
Summary
The city kept the 4.0923-mill rate it has levied for 18 years, so tax bills rise about 5.16% purely from higher property values. The budget includes roughly $511,618 in cuts, about 80% of which came from the urban forestry division, sparking strong resident opposition.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
Property owners will pay about 5.16% more than last year because of higher assessed values; the rate itself is unchanged.
Residents get maintained services and a strengthened 27% reserve, with cut tree funds kept available for restoration if canopy data or hurricanes warrant.
Taxpayers face higher bills from rising assessments, and tree advocates worry reduced planting and the end of residential tree permitting could erode the canopy.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Public Art Advisory Board - Oct 19, 2026
The board locked in about $15,000 for the year — mostly the $10,000 Community Tapestry Project plus sculpture maintenance by AGG Restoration. One member questioned spending two-thirds of the budget on a single project, but others noted new art acquisitions come from a separate, larger funding source.
City Commission - Sep 23, 2026
The city kept the 4.0923-mill rate it has levied for 18 years, so tax bills rise about 5.16% purely from higher property values. The budget includes roughly $511,618 in cuts, about 80% of which came from the urban forestry division, sparking strong resident opposition.
City Commission - Sep 9, 2026
The city adopted a budget with the general fund up about 5%, mostly for public safety and road repairs. Cuts fell on tree plantings, the library, Blue Bamboo, and the Men of Integrity grant, with more possible after November's Amendment 3 vote.
Community Redevelopment Agency - Jul 22, 2026
The CRA's proposed budget totals about $11.2 million, funded mostly by property tax increment, and shifts spending toward the newly expanded West Fairbanks district. A hypothetical 10% cut would delay capital projects by a year or more, but isn't being applied this year.
City Commission - Jul 22, 2026
The city kept its tax rate at 4.0923 for a 19th year, but a new state law requires four votes just to hold the rate flat. Amendment 3 on the November ballot could cost the city $5.4 million and cap non-homestead value growth at 5%.
City Commission - Jul 9, 2026
With state property tax reform looming and a 90% budget requirement coming in FY28, every department had to show what a 10% cut looks like. For residents this means fewer tree plantings, seasonal pool closures, fewer detectives and possibly a closed fire station if cuts go through.
City Commission - Jul 8, 2026
Winter Park's proposed FY 2027 budget keeps the property tax rate at 4.0923 mills for a 19th straight year while raising electric, water and wastewater, and stormwater rates. The tentative millage will be adopted July 22. Money is directed toward public safety, pensions, the fire labor contract, and road paving.
Utilities Advisory Board - Jun 23, 2026
Water and wastewater rates rise 4.46% and non-fuel electric rates rise 7.7% under the approved FY 2027 budgets. Even after the hikes, Winter Park stays near the regional average, but the city spends heavily on undergrounding and still services debt from the 2005 utility buyback, so big gaps with neighbors are closing.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Winter Park
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.