WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – City leaders are addressing concerns about excessive spending after Winter Springs spent more than $400,000 on tree removal over several months.
On Monday, commissioners will discuss the city’s tree management and arbor fund initiative.
The conversation was initiated after Commissioner Mark Caruso highlighted the expenditures during a meeting on June 8.
“What I have in my hand here is gross spending,” Caruso said. “Seven months of spending right here in my hand. $427,000. How is that possible?”
Caruso raised concerns about mismanagement as he questioned how the costs reached that level.
The commissioner’s concerns came a year after a controversy involving tree removal along State Road 434 at Michael Blake Boulevard.
At the time, a majority of commissioners voted not to charge a developer nearly a quarter of a million dollars in arbor fees for the tree removal after the developer claimed it had already paid the agreed-upon arbor fee.
During Monday’s meeting, City Manager Kevin Sweet will offer clarification about the recent spending on tree removal.
In a memo, Sweet said Winter Springs was found liable for damages from a serious incident in April 2025.
Since then, the city has been working with an arborist to identify and remove trees that may pose a risk to life and property.
The discussion on spending will happen during Monday’s regular commission meeting at 6:30 p.m.
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