Op-ed by Jesse Phillips
Founder, Winter Springs Water Quality Initiative
Co-Founder, Winter Springs Community Association
SUMMARY: ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
There is a change to our charter being considered. Here’s what it does:
• End the archaic current structure of six members, five who regularly vote, with mayor only breaking ties
• New, unified commission would have five voting members (mayor + four commissioners) like every other Seminole County city
• Remove mayor’s veto power, which has been used to create gridlock and influence-peddle
• All elected officials would be equally accountable for decisions of the city and the mayor required to operate in the sunshine
• A phased-in approach means no current elected official’s term of office would be affected
• All Winter Springs voters would vote on all commissioners and the mayor
• Commissioners would still be required to live in various districts, ensuring fair geographic representation across the city
If our city commissioners truly believe in home rule, it’s time for them to put their money where their mouth is — and let the voters decide.
The Florida Legislature is considering this local bill to correct a long-standing oddity in Winter Springs’ city government. Commissioners opposed to this may be worried about losing one of their seats. Instead, they need to take a stand for home rule — by passing an ordinance to put these reforms before the voters on the local ballot.
That’s what real home rule looks like: trusting the people of Winter Springs to rule OUR own home.
Anything less is empty rhetoric. They haven’t done it yet. Do you know why? It’s because the number of commission seats would go from 5 to 4. It would mean potentially losing one of their seats. Is that what politicians care about the most?
Do they care about keeping their seats more than they care about home rule, and your right to determine the direction of your city?
Our association first published that 83% of residents want this change to the charter back in 2021. Now the number is over 97% of residents in support. Our city could have put this to the voters in 2022 or 2024, but they didn’t. Now, after four years of their silence, we are demanding action.
The city has abdicated its responsibilities under home rule, while residents like you and me suffer the consequences: water rates spikes, the erosion of public trust, and our city’s credibility collapse.
We, the residents of Winter Springs, deserve to be able to vote for change to end our archaic, out-dated structure, and enact the same leadership structure we have in virtually every other local city (Lake Mary, Casselberry, etc).
If our commissioners want to claim local control, there’s a clear path: pass the ordinance, put the charter reforms on the ballot to bring our city in line with other better-run local cities, and let residents decide. That’s how you prove you believe in democracy — not by hiding behind talking points, but by trusting your own voters.
Winter Springs doesn’t need more speeches about “local control.” We need leaders with the courage to give local control back to the people.
So here’s the challenge: follow through on your “home rule” campaign slogans, and start practicing it. Pass the ordinance. Let the people determine our own future.
Because if you truly believe in home rule — prove it.