A Neighbor's Fact Check: What the Record Shows

Like a lot of you, we watched the candidate interviews Oviedo Community News posted this week. In the District 2 race, Commissioner Victoria Bruce's opponent made some big claims about Winter Springs. We looked up the public record on a few of them, and here's what I found.

What the record shows

• Stormwater rate study: A full study was done. The fee had not changed in about 20 years, so the city made one interim increase while a consultant studied it. The new rates are built on that study, dated April 1, 2026. Sources: Ord. 2025-11 and Ord. 2026-01.
• Grants: Winter Springs has brought in more than $18 million that residents never have to pay back, including about $9.58 million forgiven on the city's sewer plant loan. Sources: Oviedo Community News, Nov. 12, 2025 and the city's press release.
• Reclaimed water: The city paid for a reclaimed water study in 2024, won $380,000 from the state and $1.03 million from the St. Johns River Water Management District, and put a new reclaimed water main on Michael Blake Boulevard out to bid in 2026 (RFP 05-26-01).
• The Super Walmart: It was real. A developer proposed it to the Commission in July 2022, residents spoke up, and it never moved forward. Source: Oviedo Community News, July 25, 2022.
• The budget: Florida law requires cities to balance their budgets. This year the Commission trimmed about $434,000 from the proposed budget and lowered the city tax rate to 2.516, and Victoria voted yes. Source: Oviedo Community News, Aug. 12, 2026.

Don't just take our word for it. Every source is listed at VictoriaForWinterSprings.com, so you can check them yourself.

Early voting runs through Nov. 1, 7 AM to 7 PM. Election Day is Nov. 3.

See you at the polls, neighbors.

Interview clips: Oviedo Community News, Oct. 22, 2026.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Victoria Bruce, for Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2.