Plakon: Bill to expand power of Winter Springs mayor ‘no longer needed’

A bill to expand the power of the Winter Springs mayor has been postponed – and the bill’s sponsor said she will not take the bill up again this session. 

That means the bill is effectively dead.

“It was temporarily postponed, but I don’t intend to take it up again this session,” Rep. Rachel Plakon told Oviedo Community News

It comes after the city of Winter Springs made the first moves Monday to start its own Charter Review Commission. 

“This bill accomplished its purpose, so it is no longer needed,” Plakon said. “After 16 years without a charter review, the city is finally taking action. My priority has always been accountability and giving residents a meaningful say in their government structure. Now that the city has committed to reviewing its charter, I’m stepping back to allow that process to work.”

The Florida legislator, whose district is partially in Seminole County, said she would not comment further or do an interview. Other members of the Seminole County delegation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

House Bill 4083 was filed by Rep. Rachel Plakon. If it had been approved by the Florida Legislature and signed by the governor, it would put a charter amendment on the ballot in November 2026 for Winter Springs voters. 

The goal was to make the Winter Springs mayor a voting member of the City Commission, and then eliminate one City Commission seat by 2028.

Critics of the bill, though, are concerned that the mayor could also be given the ability to hire and fire staff with a simple majority vote of the Winter Springs City Commission. 

“The bill provides that the mayor, who previously had no administrative authority, now has administrative authority over city employees as provided by City charter or ordinance,” an analysis of the bill reads. 

Metadata on the bill showed Jesse Phillips was the author of an earlier draft of the bill, which would have made the changes directly to the Winter Springs charter without the need for voter approval. Phillips, who is expected to run for Winter Springs mayor in 2026, is cofounder of the Winter Springs Community Association, which describes itself as a “grassroots advocacy organization,” but is a group critics call an unlicensed political action committee. 

Phillips, who is also the former vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said he “shared ideas” with Plakon’s office on the bill, but denied writing it. He did take credit for writing a series of talking points in favor of passing the bill. 

Phillips was surprised to learn the bill was not moving forward. 

“Well, the city capitulated to something they’ve been resistant on doing for 16 years, and it seems like that the Legislature’s action on behalf of our rights to an up-or-down vote seemed to be persuasive to the city to finally start to move,” Phillips said.

Critics of the bill have also said it would have benefited Phillips, which he denied. 

“I unapologetically have been advocating for five years that we get our right to an up-or-down vote, which we are entitled to under Florida’s home rule laws,” Phillips said. “And I will not stop that. I am proud of that. That history of advocacy is how I’ve served the community.”

And in response to online criticism that the bill would have ultimately benefited him if he had run for mayor?

“It would have ultimately benefited the residents,” Phillips replied. 

News welcomed by some members of the Winter Springs City Commission

The news of the bill’s indefinite postponement comes after the Winter Springs City Commission on Monday outlined a framework for the Charter Review Commission.

The plan is to appoint seven members to the Charter Review Commission. Each City Commissioner would get one appointment, and the mayor would get two appointments so the board would have an odd number of members.

Commissioner Sarah Baker said she wanted to make sure the Charter Review Commission looks at deciding at what interval future Charter Review Commissions should be done. The city’s last charter review was done in 2010. 

“Especially since this is a bit rushed, and being brought to us by some people trying to change our charter to a specific type of government,” Baker said Monday. “I want it to be as neutral as possible without our interference.”

When asked about House Bill 4083 being postponed, Baker called the news “outstanding.”

“This was something I’ve talked about with staff during my first year in office, and it’s important we do them at more regular intervals moving forward,” Baker said. “It’s necessary to have these reviews in order to make sure the charter is working in the best and most effective ways for our residents, staff and commission. I’m eager to see what ideas they bring to us as this process moves forward. I’m grateful there are so many passionate people that want what’s best for Winter Springs, even if we don’t always see eye to eye on how to get there.”

Commissioner Mark Caruso said the bill was an overreach. 

“HB 4083 is unnecessary state overreach,” Caruso said. “Winter Springs has a charter review process in place, along with residents willing and prepared to take part in it. Matters affecting our city’s structure and governance belong in the hands of the local community, not imposed from the state level.”

Commissioners Cade Resnick, Victoria Bruce and Paul Diaz declined to comment on the record. 

“I suspect it will be brought back in the future,” said current Winter Springs Mayor Kevin McCann, who has testified against the bill. “However, we will follow our city charter.” 

The next step is a resolution to create the Winter Springs Charter Review Committee, which could come at a later date. It’s expected to take a year for the review, and then the Winter Springs City Commission would ultimately decide what possible changes would go to voters. 

However, that wouldn’t happen until at least the 2028 election. 

Going forward, Phillips said he does not want to be on the Charter Review Commission. But he said he wants the city to look specifically at Article 9 of the City Charter. He wants the charter to allow for citizen petitions to allow for charter review changes. 

“I don’t want to be involved with it,” Phillips said. “I’ve got some ideas I’ve shared.”

Abe Aboraya is a Report for America corps member.