City weighs cuts against a possible $10 million hit
Plus: the Flock cameras come down, and what your library card unlocks.
Short week, and a fair amount moving. Here is what changed around town and what is actually worth your Saturday.
Winter Park leaders are planning for a possible $10 million revenue loss over two years. The gap would open if Florida voters approve proposed property-tax changes. That number is a planning figure, not a decision.
Staff has put several options on the table. The city could freeze or phase out some positions. It could also cut public-pool hours and swap mailed billing notices for digital ones. Each option would touch daily service in a different way.
City Manager Randy Knight said the target is $200,000 to $600,000 in savings for the coming year. That is a fraction of the projected two-year loss.
The current fiscal-year budget is balanced, so nothing changes today. Leaders are expected to vote on the recommendations in September. If pool hours or paper bills matter to your household, this is the month to pay attention.
A library card opens more than the stacks
Winter Park residents and property owners qualify for a free library card with a government ID and proof of address. That card reaches well beyond books and DVDs.
The Dream Lab has 3D printers for turning digital designs into prototypes. The Memory Lab helps patrons digitize VHS tapes and other older media. Musicians and podcasters can also use a recording studio with microphones, recording equipment and a weighted keyboard after an orientation.
The library is at 1052 W. Morse Boulevard. It is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Free programs, all ages, at the Rollins museum
The Rollins Museum of Art offers free programs for all ages. The lineup includes art making, guided tours and lectures with visiting guests. Some programs are also offered in Spanish.
Admission is always free, but registration is required. The museum directs visitors to its Eventbrite page for the current schedule and registration. That page carries the upcoming lectures, tours and art-making sessions.
The current program mix changes through the season, so choose a session before going. Registration is the step that holds a place even though admission costs nothing.
Three lakefront acres most of us drive past
The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens occupies three lakefront acres along Lake Osceola. The museum centers on the life, work and legacy of Czech sculptor Albin Polasek.
The museum and sculpture garden share one three-acre lakefront site. The grounds are part of the visit, rather than a separate stop. It is a compact local look at one artist's work and the setting built around it.
Winter Park will take down its Flock cameras
Police Chief Tim Volkerson said the city's three Flock license-plate-reader cameras will come down within 30 days. The removal is required by a Florida Department of Transportation order. That order covers equipment placed on state roads.
Commissioner Warren Lindsey described both sides of the issue. The cameras have investigative and security benefits. They also raise privacy and surveillance concerns.
The immediate change is clear: Winter Park must remove all three of its readers. The deadline comes from the state order, rather than a voluntary city timetable.
Electric Avenue EV car show set for September 26
- When
- Saturday, September 26, 2026
Winter Park's Natural Resources & Sustainability department will host the Electric Avenue EV Car Show on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The show is a save-the-date item for now. Time and location have not been announced. Contact the event organizer for tickets and details.