Guest contributor Bob Sibley, President of the Parkstone HOA, provides an informative update of an issue his neighborhood has been facing for many years.
Background of Parkstone’s Artesian Well
City leadership grilled over 23 more water violations
In the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLAC) meeting in Tallahassee, state officials grilled city leadership over the results of the county and state audits, focusing on a range of financial and management issues. The most serious of which was a recent warning letter from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) which cited the city with 23 additional violations, including fecal coliform and improper testing equipment at the water plants.
“Heavy handed” attempt to push through city manager blocked by Resnick, Colangelo
As the state moves toward an investigation by the Governor’s Chief Inspector General in response to county and state audits into the city’s finances and operation, an effort was made to approve a new city manager. The effort failed as Commissioners Resnick and Colangelo cited concerns about the process and qualification of the lone candidate under consideration.
What’s 92 million minus 8.7 million? Winter Springs major accounting question
Since the legislature referred the City of Winter Springs for oversight and investigation by the Governor’s Chief Inspector General, we have received a lot of questions about various issues and what we know. Here are a few pertinent things we have learned over the last week: Where does this leave…
BREAKING: More than 1,000 Winter Springs residents call for resignation of Mayor McCann, Commissioners Johnson, Benton and Elliot
An online petition being circulated calling for the resignation of Winter Springs’ Mayor Kevin McCann and Commissioners Matt Benton, Rob Elliot and Ted Johnson, has been signed by more than 1,000 residents. The petition cites nine causes related to recent investigations and audits, and has sustained momentum as the city downplayed the auditors’ findings and moved to drastically increase utility rates (trash and water).
Winter Springs water bills will more than DOUBLE over the next 5 years without a workable plan to fix our water utility
At last night’s Commission meeting, Winter Springs city leaders approved on first reading a plan to drastically increase our water without a workable plan to fix the systemic issues with our water system. Over the next five years, residents will be paying approximately twice as much for water as they…
Trash Talk: City’s Bad Faith Price Hike Leaves a Stinky Trail
Summary: City leadership will be voting for a 59% increase to your trash service bill over two years even though Waste Pro will only receive an increase up to 4% this year, creating a $1 million slush fund By Jesse Phillips, PresidentWinter Springs Community Association Winter Springs residents are no…
Auditor: City broke the law in hiring Flint, Michigan water company & others
Summary: The recent audit of Winter Springs has unveiled significant irregularities in the City’s hiring of contractors, raising serious concerns about transparency, compliance with city laws, and the allocation of taxpayer funds. While these findings reflect a broader issue, there are two striking cases that demand closer scrutiny. Breaking the…
Urgent Need for Transparency: City Violates Sunshine Law on Public Records Requests
“Finding 4: Contrary to State law, the City did not estimate fees assessed to fulfill public records requests requiring extensive information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance based on actual costs. In addition, the City did not always promptly respond to public records requests.” SUMMARY: Finding 4 of the…
Auditor: A $10-12 million erosion of public trust
“Finding 3: The City’s use of consent agendas to revise the project list provided to the public in advance of the voter referendum approving the local government infrastructure sales surtax reduced transparency by depriving the opportunity for public information and discussion. In addition, the City did not provide for separate…