Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Volusia County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues with high priority
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.
Heavy truck traffic on Marsh Road
A Deland resident said removing weight-limit signs on Daltry, Carter and Marsh Roads brought non-stop 18-wheeler traffic, cracking driveways and endangering schoolchildren at a bus stop.
Lake Helen fire station toxic mold
Firefighters union president Jeremy Karaginis said toxic mold at the Lake Helen fire station was known for three years, made firefighters sick, and has now cost taxpayers roughly $350,000. He asked for resilience testing of other stations and a bonding plan for fire facilities.
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.
ECHO Grant Legacy Definition
Council agreed to keep the current ECHO grant rules for 14 pending applications and revisit the 20-year requirement after the November election, with a review set for October 6.
Amendment 3 and Senate Bill 1329 looming
Council members warned that if they can't find 2-3% cuts voluntarily, the property-tax abolition amendment on November's ballot — or the state's new 10% reduction law — will force far deeper cuts next year. Budget workshops start in January.
Sheriff's Office funding dispute
The law enforcement fund stayed at 1.5994 mills — 3.29% above rollback — fully funding Sheriff Chitwood's request. Deputies and their supporters packed the room; rollback advocates argued the sheriff's budget has grown 30% since 2024.
Building Inspections Internal Audit
The county's own audit found inconsistent inspection coding, no reinspection fees for repeat failures, and an outdated shed fee — costing roughly $400,000 a year — though no bribery. Several employees left during the investigation, and the county manager says fixes and the AUG fee correction are underway.
Domestic abuser database
Volusia becomes the first Florida county to create a public database of domestic violence offenders, requiring just one conviction and reaching back ten years. Survivors and advocates packed the meeting; Dempsey alone voted no.
Proposed I-4/State Road 44 truck plaza
Residents urged the council to oppose a proposed truck plaza nine miles from the I-4/I-95 interchange near a 55-plus community, citing trafficking, crime, noise, and serious health risks from diesel pollution.
Charter Review Commission amendments
Five proposed charter changes head toward the November ballot, including rotating the county chair and a conservation-lands registry requiring a 5-of-7 vote to sell protected land. Residents split on whether the registry is strong enough — some want the Alachua County voter-referendum model — and the council is now drafting a competing amendment requiring unanimous approval for any conservation land sale.
Highbridge Park riverfront expansion
The county is spending $2.855 million in park impact fees to buy 14 acres of Halifax Riverfront land next to Highbridge Park in Ormond Beach. Council Member Kent called it exactly what residents want — more boat launch and fishing access on the river.