City of Winter Haven Approves $251 Million+ Budget for Next Fiscal Year
by James Coulter
A new fire station, new police vehicles, and aid to programs that provide affordable housing and homelessness initiatives. These are some of the projects and programs that will be funded through the City of Winter Haven’s budget for the next fiscal year.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Sep. 22, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the second reading of next fiscal year’s budget and millage rate.
The total budget is estimated to be nearly $252 million, less than $45 million from this year’s current budget. The slight difference is due to capital projects that had been budgeted into last year’s budget, explained Deputy City Manager T. Michael Stavres.
The budget will be funded through the millage rate, which has been set at 6.95 mills, which is the same rate since 2022. Under this rate, homeowners with a property value of $10,000 will pay $6,950 in property taxes, according to calculations from Anytime Estimate.
The rate is expected to generate more than $31 million in ad valorem revenue. The city’s overall gross taxable property value has increased by 12 percent, with 10 percent of that 12 percent slated for new development.
The general fund has been budgeted at more than $79.5 million, retaining a 31 percent fund balance from this current year’s general fund. Deputy Manager Starves noted how the general fund balance has been “looked upon very favorably” by the city’s creditors.
Included in the budget are market-based salary adjustments to keep the city competitive in recruitment and retention. The city will have a total of 766 positions, including 653 full-time positions and 113 part-time positions.
The 7 new positions include three police officers and four firefighters. Significant funding will also go towards fire and rescue, including the construction of Fire Station 5 and 30 new police vehicles.
Nearly $1.29 million will fund non-profit organizations that provide community assistance, with $1 million going toward economic support for programs focused on affordable housing, homeless initiatives, and small business programs.
Several significant projects will focus on infrastructure, including $1.3 million invested in transportation improvements, $2 million toward street resurfacing, $43.3 million toward water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and $2.3 million in water and sewer repair.
