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.
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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.