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Local Education is Celebrated in New City Hall Exhibit 

To commemorate the start of the school year, the Art in Public Places Gallery at City Hall presents School Bells Are Ringing: Winter Garden’s Lakeview and Charles R. Drew High Schools. Provided by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, the exhibit explores the history of Winter Garden’s education institutions through a series of photographs and artifacts gathered across a century. 

From one-room wooden schoolhouses through the modern, technically advanced centers of education nourishing our students today, the exhibit shows that education has been a priority in the region since the very beginning.

School Bells Are Ringing: Winter Garden’s Lakeview and Charles R. Drew High Schools
August 1 - 30

Art in Public Places Gallery at City Hall, 300 W. Plant Street
Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Free

 Last Chance for a Dip in the City Pools 

As summer winds down, the City of Winter Garden public pools will be closing on August 17. Before it's too late, make a splash and have some family fun!

Summer Fertilizer Use Rules

Effective through September 30

To help protect our rivers, lakes, and springs from nutrient pollution caused by excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, you may only apply fertilizer with zero nitrogen and zero phosphorus from June 1 to September 30, per Orange County Fertilizer Management Ordinance no. 2022-03.

 Year-round, remember the following when fertilizing:

• All areas of property covered by lawn, turf, and landscape plants are subject to the fertilizer ordinance.
• Deflector shields must be in place when using broadcast spreaders next to streets, inlets, ditches, conveyances, and waterways.
• No fertilizer or grass clippings shall be deposited on streets, driveways, or in storm drains.
• No fertilizer can be applied within 25 feet from waterways.
• Application sites should maintain a 10-foot low maintenance zone -- planted area with no fertilizing, mowing, or maintenance – adjacent to water bodies.
• No fertilizer shall be applied when the National Weather Service issues any advisory for severe thunderstorm, flood, tropical storm, or hurricane.

Violations of this ordinance are subject to Orange County Chapter 11 code violation penalties, including monetary. For more detailed information, visit www.ocfl.net/FertilizeResponsibly.

SUMMER FUN with PARKS & RECREATION!

Click here for a list of Parks & Recreation programs, classes, sports leagues, as well as additional details about offerings below. Questions, call 407.656.4155.

Recreation classes are held at Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 N. Dillard Street.
Click here to register.

BOOT CAMP WITH BRAD
Looking for cardio and strength training exercises that utilize both weights and body weight? Join this biweekly boot camp to learn how to develop a more physically healthy body and the mental well-being that comes with exercise. 

Mondays and Thursdays | 5:30 – 6:20 pm
16 years and older
$16 City Resident / $18 Nonresident, per class
$55 City Resident / $65 Nonresident, per month (8 classes)

GENTLE YOGA
Great for beginners or anyone that wants to learn the basics of yoga. Yoga involves stretching and strengthening exercises, breathing techniques, and relaxing meditation.

Tuesdays | 7:15 – 8:15 pm
16 years and older
$9 City Resident / $10 Nonresident, per class
$32 City Residents / $36 Nonresident, per month

TAI CHI
An ancient Chinese exercise that emphasizes relaxation, breath control, correct posture, balance, and flexibility to develop the mind and body. One free introductory lesson in Tai Chi is offered for all first timers. For more information, visit returntogoodhealth.20fr.com. Free T-shirt with registration. 

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 9:00 – 10:00 am
$50 City Resident / $55 Nonresident, per month

ZUMBA
Move your hips and exercise in disguise! An exciting dance-fitness class that features exotic rhythms set to high energy international beats! 

Mondays & Wednesdays | 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Saturdays | 9:00 – 10:00 am
$6 City Resident / $7 Nonresident, per class
$45 City Resident / $51 Nonresident, per month

ZUMBA GOLD
Active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. Zumba Gold introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination.

Thursdays | 11:15 am – 12:00 pm
$4 City Resident / $5 Nonresident, per class

SUBMIT CRIME TIPS ANONYMOUSLY THROUGH WGPD ELECTRONIC TOOL

Residents can now submit anonymous, nonemergency tips 24/7 to the Winter Garden Police Department through a technology crime fighting tool, Winter Garden PD tip411. 

Anonymous tips can be submitted via any of the following three options:

1. Download the free "Winter Garden PD" app from Apple Store or Google Play to your personal device and submit through the app. Residents can also sign up to receive public safety alerts through the app. 
2. Submit via text message to the Winter Garden Police Department by texting the keyword WGPD and your tip to 847411.
3. Submit online through the Winter Garden Police Department website, wgpd.com, or the City of Winter Garden website, cwgdn.com.
   
   

You can also click here to sign up for Winter Garden Police Department Alerts.

The technology utilizes a third party to protect your identity and contact information, keeping tips anonymous. The tip411 service is strictly for nonemergency use. For emergencies, always contact 911.

The City currently has great career opportunities available for those with EXPERIENCE and for TRAINEES. The City offers competitive wages and full-time employees are eligible for generous benefits, pension, & tuition reimbursement plan. Click here to review all available positions and for additional information on position responsibilities and minimum qualifications. Several examples of our career opportunities include:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Building Inspector / Plans Examiner II (Full-Time): Performs inspections and plan reviews of buildings and structures, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical installations that require considerable knowledge in the electrical, carpentry, plumbing, building construction, or mechanical field, as well as in-depth knowledge of all applicable codes and ordinances. Requires 5 years of experience, with a minimum of 2 years in construction, building code inspection, or plans review. Requires a State of Florida Residential Inspector, as well as 2 of the following: Standard Inspector or Standard Plans Examiner license in Building, Electrical, Mechanical, or Plumbing.

PARKS:
Landscaper – Public Services Worker (Full-Time): Needed to perform grounds keeping and landscape maintenance of City parks, grounds, and facilities. Responsibilities include use of equipment to install, care for, and maintain turf, shrubs, trees, ground cover, plant containers, and seasonal plantings. Performs irrigation maintenance as needed. Assists with preparation, set-up and removal of decorations for special events, including holiday events. Performs custodial services at parks and other City owned facilities and buildings. Must have experience with the use of landscape equipment and performing manual labor.

PUBLIC SERVICES:
Administrative Assistant – Public Services (Full-Time): Performs a variety of clerical, administrative, and support responsibilities for the Public Services Department. High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent (Associate Degree preferred) with three years of experience in an office or administrative support role desired required. Must have demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and be able to type 40 words per minute. Must be able to exercise good judgment and provide excellent customer service, both in person and on the phone.

Commercial Route Driver: (Full-Time):  Requires Florida CDL Class B to pick up and haul garbage and refuse, experienced in using some/all of the following: Commercial Front End Loader, Rear End Loader, ASL, Boom Truck, Container Delivery Truck, & Roll off Truck. Scheduling flexibility is essential, as routes may require varying schedules including early morning, weekend, etc.

Utilities – Public Utilities Technicians: (Full-Time): Experienced or Trainees to perform physically demanding work (have/obtain a Florida CDL Class B) while using light and/or heavy equipment. Locates water mains and valves and installs, relocates, replaces, repairs & maintains gravity sewer lines, force mains, manholes, service connections, water mains, fire hydrants, gate valves, etc. related to water and wastewater systems. Must be available and able to answer emergency or service calls after normal working hours.

PUBLIC SAFETY:
911 Dispatchers  (Full-time): Experienced or Trainees to coordinate incoming calls for service with Police resources, assess/prioritize calls, dispatch Officers, maintain/monitor Officer responses, conduct/enter inquiries, relay information, and help with lifesaving instructions. Must have the ability to type proficiently at a minimum speed of thirty (30) words per minute. An online assessment is required. 

SIGN-ON BONUS for 911 Dispatchers!
There is a $2,000 sign-on bonus for entry level candidates and up to $5,000 for experienced Dispatchers. 

Community Service Officer  (Full-time): Develops and maintains positive relationships with neighborhood organizations and residents in an effort to increase community-police cooperation and to promote crime prevention and safety theories and practices that can be implemented in communities to deter criminal activity. Serves in a para-police capacity, assists sworn officers with various duties, respond to traffic accidents and parking violations, and performs other non-emergency calls for assistance. Must have valid Florida driver’s license, reside within 35 driven miles of the police station. This position requires no tobacco usage of any kind within the past year and no drug use within the past three years. Must be available to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, various shifts, and overtime, as needed.

Senior Records Specialist: (Full-Time): The Senior Records Specialist is responsible for classifying, indexing, filing, storing, retrieving, and disposing of records and responding to police-related public records requests; and is assisted by the Records Specialist. An associate degree or higher level of education is required, with 2-3 years of prior police records experience. Must have advance knowledge of public records law in a government environment and be able to type at least 40 WPM. Florida Records Management Association certification is required within 2 years of employment. Bilingual skills highly desirable. An equivalent combination of education training and experience may also be considered.