Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Volusia County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in environment
Tree canopy protection
DeLand Quakers urged the council to strengthen tree protection rules — bigger medians, arborist supervision of removals, and larger mitigation fees — citing flooding, heat and overdevelopment.
Volusia Forever Charter Amendment 5
Public speakers urged a no vote on Charter Amendment 5, arguing its 'county public purpose' carve-out lets the county develop conservation land without supermajority approval or notice. Speakers also tied the issue to the Taylor Road flood mitigation project, which works because the county owns Lake Moore outright.
Septic-to-sewer upgrade grant application
Public speakers and council members clashed over wastewater and the aquifer. Johansson assured residents raw sewage will never be pumped into the aquifer; Brower countered that treated Deltona water with dangerous PFAS levels has been approved for aquifer injection.
Coastal storm risk management feasibility study
The county locked in a zero-cost federal partnership for an Army Corps feasibility study — the first step toward a 50-year beach resiliency plan. The beaches carry a $4.3 billion economic impact and 31,000 jobs.