WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — The mayor of Winter Springs is addressing a draft audit report that he says is confidential and should have never been released.
The Spectrum New 13 watchdog team obtained that report from the Seminole County Comptroller’s office. The city of Winter Springs is under audit after complaints from taxpayers, claiming the city is misspending money from a 1% sales tax.
In a briefing on Monday, Mayor Kevin McCann said state statutes and a court case citing audit reports are to remain confidential until they are completed.
The draft report News 13 obtained is alleging the city is in compliance with Florida statute, but also says the city commission did not follow the intent of the tax referendum.
The lengthy draft audit is of a 1% sales tax in Winter Springs that would help with infrastructure projects, like road improvements, pedestrian trails, stormwater facilities, and other improvements. The audit was requested by a Seminole County commissioner following complaints from citizens about how the money from that sales tax was being spent.
While the audit found the city is in compliance with state statute, it does say that in the auditor’s opinion the city commission did not follow the intent of the 1% tax referendum.
According to the audit, some of the funds were used to purchase police and city fleet vehicles, and police heavy equipment. However, taxpayers were not allowed to weigh in on the decision.
The cost of those vehicles is more than $2.1 million.
McCann says this audit isn’t complete, but once it is finished, it will show no wrongdoing on the city’s part. He also says it is improper to discuss this draft audit.
“It is highly unethical for me to respond about notes that are incomplete and not part of the public record,” McCann said.
The audit shows the city had to move money designated for roadwork and other infrastructure projects in order to pay for the city vehicles.
Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Grant Maloy emailed a statement saying:
“My office’s work on the audit was finished and we are looking forward to the City’s response. The audit calls for more transparency and controls over how our tax dollars are spent. I would hope the Mayor would work towards that goal, and stop blaming others for the findings included in the report.”
The mayor sent Maloy a letter, where he lambasted the comptroller for being interviewed by the media regarding the audit. Below is the letter.