- July 29, 2026
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The Winter Garden City Commission unanimously approved Thursday, July 23, setting the proposed millage rate at 4.8565 mills, maintaining the current millage rate without an increase.
Mayor John Rees was absent.
Public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget also were approved for Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The rate of 4.8565 mills exceeds the rollback rate of 4.5928. The rollback rate is the property tax rate a local government must set to generate the same exact amount of total tax revenue as the previous year.
The current gross taxable value is $7.061 billion, a 7.71% increase over last year.
At a 95% collection rate, the revenue generated per one mill is about $7.062 million.
Maintaining the current rate of 4.8565 mills would result in a projected ad valorem tax revenue of $32.58 million.
At the rollback rate of 4.5928 mills, the city will have a projected ad valorem tax revenue of $30.81 million, $1.77 million less revenue than if the city maintains the current rate.
During the public hearings on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, the City Commission will have the opportunity to reduce the millage rate if the commission chooses, but the commission will not be able to increase the tentative rate without starting the entire process for trim notifications over again.
Commissioners unanimously approved a site plan and Traffic Improvements Fair Share Agreement for 530 and 550 East Crown Point Road.
The plan includes the construction of three commercial office/flex warehouse buildings totaling 63,650 square feet on a 5.34-acre property.
In this phase, only two of the buildings, totaling 32,470 square feet, are being proposed.
The project also will include associated site improvements such as parking and landscaping.
The Traffic Improvements Fair Share Agreement covers the fair share amount the applicant will be required to contribute to future improvements along East Crown Point Road, including de-signalization of the East Crown Point Road and Palm Drive intersection.
The City Commission unanimously approved the first amendment to the communications site lease agreement with American Tower Asset Sub LLC.
This is the first amendment to the existing agreement executed in 1999.
The amendment extends the lease term, revises rent and escalation provisions, establishes a one-time $100,000 payment to the city, and clarifies requirements related to additional co-locators and operational responsibilities.
The lease term is extended through five additional five-year renewal terms, potentially extending the final expiration to June 13, 2054.
The monthly rent will increase to $3,600, with a 20% escalation at the start of each term beginning June 14, 2029. The city will receive $200 per month per new co-locator added, increasing 3% annually. The amendment also includes updated assignment provisions, maintenance responsibilities, fence updates, removal requirements, indemnification and updated notice addresses.
