AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Oviedo City Council to Vote on Consultant Agreement
The City of Oviedo is preparing for possible financial changes by considering an agreement that would allow it to hire a financial consultant to evaluate the consequences of Amendment 3, a property tax reform measure that could alter city funding if passed during the upcoming election.
Piggyback Agreement with Groveland Proposed
The city council is scheduled to vote Monday on a proposed piggyback agreement with the City of Groveland. This arrangement would enable Oviedo to contract Raftelis Financial Consultants, a firm that specializes in providing financial analysis and consulting services to municipalities. The partnership is designed to give Oviedo access to expert input as officials seek to understand the implications of the proposed property tax changes.
Potential Impacts of Amendment 3 on Local Finances
Amendment 3 on the Florida ballot seeks to introduce a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes statewide. While this could mean savings for homeowners, critics argue that it would reduce the property tax revenue relied on by local governments, such as Oviedo, to fund essential city services.
Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek has expressed concerns about the need for significant budget cuts if the amendment is approved. According to Sladek, if the amendment passes the 60 percent approval threshold, "It would be about 71 employees. We have about 320 right now and the only way to do it, it would impact personnel," signaling potential staff reductions as a result of decreased funding.
Scope of Consultant’s Services
The agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants would allow the city to request a variety of services. These include financial sustainability analysis, rate studies, capital planning, and utility valuation. The arrangement ensures that each specific task would require an individual work order, adhering to the city's established purchasing policies.
Approval of the agreement itself will not have an immediate effect on the city’s budget since costs will arise only when specific projects or analyses are commissioned.
Funding and Meeting Details
Earlier in the year, Oviedo allocated $114,328 in its budget for consultant services. The funds are intended to ensure the city has expert guidance as it navigates potential changes prompted by statewide tax reforms.
The Oviedo City Council meeting where the agreement will be discussed is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Oviedo City Hall. Officials will consider whether to proceed with the consulting arrangement as a step in planning for the possible financial impact of Amendment 3.
Key Issues Moving Forward
With the election approaching and the outcome of Amendment 3 uncertain, Oviedo’s city leaders are taking steps to prepare for future fiscal challenges. The decision on the financial consultant agreement forms part of a broader strategy to assess and respond to changes in local government funding and maintain core city services should property tax reform move forward.
Source: clickorlando.com.
