Winter Haven residents may notice a considerable increase in the size of the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 thanks to considerable investments in infrastructural improvements.
City Manager T. Michael Stavres presented a plan for a nearly $372 million budget for next year, an increase of about 48.5% increase from last year. Stavres said the additional $120 million in city spending is primarily the result of one-time capital investments. “What you are going to see in this budget is a tremendous investment in infrastructure, in strengthening predominately our water and sewer systems,” Stavres told commissioners at a July 23 workshop.
The commissioners voted to advertise a millage rate of 6.59 mills, or a tax rate of $6.59 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Under Florida state law, the commissioners may choose to lower the rate at their September hearings, but may not increase it.
Winter Haven property owners could pay more, despite flat tax
Despite commissioners’ efforts to hold the line on taxes, it appears the average Winter Haven homeowner will pay slightly more in property taxes in fiscal year 2027.
The city’s property tax rate will remain flat at 6.59 mills, where it has been since 2022, according to Stavres. It’s slightly above the city’s rollback rate of 6.55 mills and will increase the ad-valorum revenues collected by about $1.5 million.
The average Winter Haven single-family homeowner has an assessed value of $241,467, according to data obtained from Polk County Property Appraiser’s Office. With a homestead exemption of $50,000, the homeowner can expect to pay about $1,260 in property taxes to the city this year. This is in addition to county taxes, school district taxes and other taxing districts.
Overall, Winter Haven officials said the city’s taxable property values have increased by approximately 4.97% this year — a significant drop from the 12.63% that values rose last year — to a total of around $5.61 billion. This includes all residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural land in city limits. Stavres said about 2.8% of that total is because of new development and growth.
More than $120 million in capital improvements in the budget
Stavres said the city’s overall budget contains more than $120 million in capital improvements, with the vast majority of it tied to one-time capital improvements for the city’s water and wastewater plants.
The city manager said Winter Haven has aging water plants and infrastructure about 50 years old that need replacement and upgrades to continue serving community residents.
Winter Haven is anticipating spending $10.5 million to purchase a 292-space downtown parking garage off Avenue C and Third Street from Six/Ten LLC in 2027. That budgeted price is higher than the original contractual price approved of $10.2 million in late May.
Stavres has set aside approximately $1.5 million for the city to build new pickleball courts, as it currently does not own or operate any, out of parks and recreation impact fees. The final decision on these courts and their construction would be determined by commissioners at a later date.
The city’s budget contained about $1.5 million for upgrades to Sertoma Park, specifically improvements with football operations. There would also be a $500,000 allotment for a new roof to go on Nora Mayo Hall and $500,000 budgeted for historic Ritz Theatre, which the city purchased in mid-2024, for a new roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades.
Winter Haven anticipates spending about $2 million to harden Fire Stations 1, 2 and 4 in 2027. Stavres said the city must front $720,000 to also purchase a new fire truck after one of the vehicles was permanently taken out of service by an accident in December 2025, as insurance did not cover the full cost.
The city’s parks and recreation has included approximately $673,000 for playground equipment replacement, including replacements at Trailhead Park’s splash pad.
‘Conservative’ budget excludes request for more public safety personnel
Winter Haven’s proposed general fund budget is about $85.5 million for fiscal year 2027, an increase of slightly less than $6 million from the current year. The city’s general fund budget covers public safety in terms of police and fire departments, code compliance, planning, finance, streets and all parks and recreation.
“I think it’s important when you start talking about property taxes and affordability to talk about what we are doing within the general fund,” Stavres told commissioners. “We are not spending like drunken sailors in port for the weekend. These are reasonable and realistic increases in certain areas to maintain the level of services we have.”
Stavres said he has budgeted for the city to have a total of 776 part-time and full-time employees for fiscal year 2027. This includes six new city employees in the next year, one of which will be a half-year traffic sign specialist, subject to whether Amendment 3 is approved.
The city manager said he received requests from nearly all city department heads asking for new staff to keep up with growth, including Police Chief Vance Monroe for more sergeants. Stavres said he told them “I can’t do it,” as he refused to add positions with Amendment 3 looming on the November ballot.
The amendment would dramatically reduce property tax collected by municipalities by increasing the homestead exemption on primary residences from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then $250,000 in 2028.
“I want to give him additional sergeants. I don’t know if I will be able to fund them past that,” Stavres said. “It’s a priority going forward, as community expands, we can meet the service needs.”
What Winter Haven stands to lose under Amendment 3
Winter Haven currently has a tentative budget of $38.8 million to cover public safety: police department, fire department and its safe neighborhoods program.
The city anticipates collecting 96.5% of the property taxes it’s owed, takin in $32.7 million in ad-valorem revenue. That’s not enough to pay for public safety, never mind transportation or parks and recreation.
While the Polk County Property Appraiser’s Officer estimates Winter Haven could lose about $10 million in property tax revenue if Amendment 3 passes, Stavres said estimates from the state say the impact could be closer to $13 million.
The commissioner has authorized a study about implementing a possible fire assessment fee, as Polk County, Bartow, Dundee and Haines City already have in place. It would help cover the cost of fire rescue services moving forward.
Any fire assessment fee implemented would directly offset against the potential property tax savings homeowners could see under Amendment 3.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven’s $372M budget keeps tax rate flat, but bills may rise
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
