Bond Counsel Services

The City of Winter Park (hereinafter referred to as "City") is requesting proposals from qualified firms interested in providing bond counsel and/or disclosure counsel and related legal services to the City in connection with its outstanding and future issuance of indebtedness and other obligations, as well as ongoing legal counsel with respect to various financing matters of the City. Interested law firms may propose to provide either bond counsel or disclosure counsel services or both, as long as they are staffed separately. Generally, the City issues debt on a competitive sale basis, but negotiated or private placement sales may be conducted as circumstances warrant.

The City is currently considering bond financing for undergrounding power lines. If this debt were undertaken, the amount to be issued would likely be in the $25,000,000 to $50,000,000 range. Debt service costs would be paid from electric service fees. There are no debt issuances contemplated in the City's five (5) year capital improvement plan.

The City, incorporated in 1887, is located in Central Florida in north Orange County and is considered part of the Orlando Metropolitan Area. The City operates under the commission-manager form of government. Policy-making and legislative authority are vested in the City Commission (hereinafter referred to as "Commission"), consisting of the Mayor and four commissioners. The Commission is responsible, among other things, for passing ordinances and resolutions, adopting the budget, appointing committees, and hiring both the City Manager and Attorney. The City Manager is responsible for implementing the policies and ordinances of the Commission, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the City, and appointing the heads of various departments. The Commission is elected on a non-partisan basis. Commission members serve three-year staggered terms, with two (2) commission seats or the mayor’s seat up for election each year. The mayor and commissioners are elected at large.

The City provides a full range of services, including police and fire protection, the construction and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure, engineering, planning and community development, code enforcement, general administration and support services, as well as recreational activities and cultural events. In addition, the City operates two (2) enterprises: water and sewer service and electric service.