WINTER SPRINGS, FL — Winter Springs mayoral candidate Jesse Phillips applauded the decision of city commissioners to move forward with the rolled-back property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, calling it an important step toward addressing affordability for Winter Springs residents.
Phillips had previously asked commissioners during the city’s budget workshop to adopt the rolled-back rate rather than maintain the current 2.6200 millage rate. The city’s original FY2027 proposed budget called for approximately $27.5 million in General Fund spending, an increase of roughly $950,000, or 3.5%, over the previous year.
Following further budget review, city administration identified approximately $434,000 in reductions from proposed FY2027 spending necessary to accommodate the rolled-back rate without cutting police or other essential services.
“This is exactly what residents have been asking for: protect essential services, look carefully at spending, and give families some relief wherever we can,” Phillips said. “We don’t start by asking what government wants to spend. We start by asking what residents can afford.”
Phillips emphasized that the $434,000 represents reductions to proposed future spending, not a cut from current city spending.
“The Mayor has argued that lower taxes means painful choices. But once there was political will to do it, City Hall found a way,” Phillips said. “That’s an important lesson. The answer to every challenge can’t be another tax increase, another rate increase, or another bill for residents.”
Phillips thanked all the commissioners who fought against a tax increase and said he hopes the commission maintains that commitment through the final public budget hearings in September.
“Affordability should be a priority for everyone at City Hall. Let’s pass a responsible budget, protect essential services, and give residents a break.”
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