Fellow Winter Park Residents,

Please share with friends and neighbors.

Several readers have commented that my views of the policy decisions of the current city commission are negative. Perhaps that negativity is deserved but two recent policy decisions deserve praise.

First, the decision to increase the non-fuel electric rates effective October 1, 2025 should be applauded. This decision supports completion of the city-wide electric undergrounding plan within the next several years without adding debt, and while keeping our electric bills materially lower than Duke Energy. Residents should keep an eye on how a subsequent commission manages electric company cash flow after the undergrounding plan is complete.

Second, the commission has been actively working to serve Winter Park interests as the Orange County Commission seeks to redistrict the county, increasing local representation from 6 to 8 seats. The Mayor's push to consolidate Winter Park, Maitland, and Eatonville as one district, together with other close by neighborhoods in unincorporated Orange County, if realized, will better represent our local needs. Currently, Winter Park is within a highly gerrymandered district where the elected county commissioner has little incentive to serve Winter Park interests.

All to the good.