David Strong’s campaign Web site says, “Winter Park remains financially strong, even as Central Florida has entered uncertain economic times.” This is complete baloney. Our general fund reserves had to be bolstered by the $1,000,000 sale of land owned by our water company and the cancellation of over $500,000 in previously approved capital projects (among other “adjustments”). Our reserves would be $5,500,000 higher and would have been available to soften the shock of the economic downturn if David Strong had not mismanaged the post office redevelopment controversy. Currently, revenues and spending (and thus service levels) are falling faster than projected…
Category: Money
Issues related to city finances including taxes, spending, utility pricing, debt, and revenue.
Super-Duper
History of super-majority voting in Winter Park: Since 1971 – Any rezoning request denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission requires a super-majority vote of the City Commission to approve. Since 1991 – (same as 1-1.1.5 below) Any proposed amendment of this Comprehensive Plan denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission, shall not become effective except by a super majority (4 votes) of the City Commission. Several new super-majority voting requirements have been added to the Comprehensive Plan finalized in February 2009 as detailed below. These new super-majority voting requirements are intentionally designed by David Strong and his friends to…
Your property is about to be devalued.
In August 2008 David Strong, Margie Bridges, and Beth Dillaha voted to reduce the maximum residential Floor Area Ratio to 38% in the Comprehensive Plan (see page 10, here). What’s the big deal? The big deal is that: The existing maximum Floor Area Ratio is 43% for lots less than or equal to 11,600 square feet. The 43% ratio is only available if the second floor side setback is increased to reduce the mass of the home and its relationship to neighboring homes. This new rule will reduce the buildable square footage of renovated and new construction on over 60%…
We get what we deserve.
The letter below is my response to a question posed to me by Winter Park City Commissioner Beth Dillaha related to the downgrade of the City’s debt by one (not all) of the rating agencies. This one question and my response get to the heart of our problems as a city.
Why was Winter Park’s debt downgraded?
One (not all) of the agencies rating Winter Park municipal bonds recently downgraded our debt. Why? Why? Because Mayor David Strong and his friends insisted that the developers of the former post office redevelopment project be “made whole” (David Strong’s words) at the expense of Winter Park taxpayers. When David Strong and his friends achieved their goal of denying final approval for the post office redevelopment in 2007 he exposed the city to $25,000,000 in liability (according to the litigation attorney hired by the city to defend the city in a law suit brought by the investors). The city was…
Why did the City Commission Increase Your Taxes?
Please read the Mayor’s Message in the November/December 2008 City of Winter Park Update. David Strong is straining to tell you that the City Commission increased your millage rate for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008, raising taxes for all Winter Park property owners. David Strong, Beth Dillaha, Margie Bridges, and Phil Anderson voted for the increase. Karen Diebel voted no. If you own a homestead property your taxes may be lower than last year because of the increase in your homestead exemption but they WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN LOWER if the City Commission had not increased the millage…