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.
Category: Money
Issues related to city finances including taxes, spending, utility pricing, debt, and revenue.
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…