Civic Issues

Parks, Recreation and Culture director appointment

Caleb Marcum was up for confirmation as Division Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, the department running county parks and recreation programs. The confirmation outcome isn't on record.

Fiscal Year 2025-26 year-end budget reconciliation

The Council was scheduled to close out the books on the 2025-26 fiscal year with a $13.3 million reconciliation and appropriation. This adjusts county spending to match how the year actually ended.

Additional December Council meeting

The Council was scheduled to discuss whether it needs an extra meeting in December — a scheduling question that can affect how quickly late-year items get handled.

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.

Ban on large-scale data centers

Council weighed a six-month moratorium versus an outright ban on data centers using 50 megawatts or more, after testimony about water drawdown, sinkhole risk, noise, and few permanent jobs. All seven members ultimately directed staff to draft a complete ban, with a freeze on applications in the meantime.

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.

Law library services

Attorneys and library trustees urged the council to restore the 75-year-old law library's funding, calling it a low-cost gateway to the courts for people who can't afford lawyers. Staff offered to meet with advocates before the October 20 meeting.

Beachside business parking fees

Vice Chair Reinhart raised complaints that customers of beachside businesses like a pizza shop must pay the full day's parking fee just to make a quick stop; staff will bring back options.

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.

Veteran homelessness and V3P program

The county's veteran program cut unsheltered veteran homelessness from 27 to six since January 2025, placed three homeless veterans into housing at its stand-down event, and raised $32,000 for a veteran support endowment.

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.

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.

License plate reader moratorium

After FDOT ordered LPR cameras off state rights-of-way, the council imposed a 12-month moratorium on county property, requiring removal of existing cameras within 30 days while exempting beach parking cameras. Sheriff Chitwood recommended a moratorium over a ban, anticipating legislative action.

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.

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.

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.

FY 2026-27 tentative budget and millage rates

The council cut the general fund to rollback but kept other rates — including the sheriff's — above it, splitting the difference with one-time reserves. Your countywide rate technically went up 0.24% on paper, but most homestead bills rise only a few percent thanks to state caps.

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.

Ocean Center turnaround

The venue got named a top-10 volleyball venue nationally and its director won a hospitality award; Kent pushed for more concerts after the $40 million renovation.

State property tax reform threat to county services

If November's property tax reform passes, the county could face roughly $100 million in cuts. The forecast shows a flat millage raises $11 million more, the Sheriff wants $168 million, and the stormwater fund runs out of money for projects by 2030.

Union Cemetery maintenance

A resident asked the council to act on the neglected historic African American cemetery in DeLand. County staff said inmates are already doing basic maintenance; the property is abandoned and not county-owned.

County facility naming policy

New rules require a person be deceased before permanent commemorative naming, though temporary honorary namings and waivers are allowed. The debate was sparked by the planned Dunlawton approach renaming.

$5 Million Road Subsidy Review

Beach access and Plaza Resort tunnel closure

Chair Brower raised the Plaza Resort tunnel closure that cuts off beach access between University Blvd. and the Dunlawton area; staff is exploring scaffolding options with the contractor.

Backyard Chicken Regulations

Final approval of Ordinance 2026-05 updates zoning classifications and loosens rules so residents can keep backyard chickens.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds

Nearly $4 million in state housing funds were appropriated to support affordable housing programs in Volusia County.

Emergency Medical Services Headquarters construction

An $10.7 million, mostly federally funded EMS headquarters moves forward with A.M. Weigel Construction, giving EMS personnel an efficient modern facility with vehicle rehab bays.

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.

Hope Street paving and stormwater concerns

Wendy Anderson asked whether canals have been cleaned before storm season; the county says Road and Bridge crews constantly maintain over a million feet of canals, inspected eight times more than national standards.

County Fee CPI Adjustment Policy

Camp fees, range passes, pavilion rentals, junior lifeguard fees and more will now rise with inflation each year in whole-dollar increments — about 3% now. Two council members pushed back, saying it nickel-and-dimes residents.

Public participation rules

A proposal to stop taking speaker cards after an item's comment period begins was floated but died without a vote after residents and most council members pushed back.

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.

Board term limits denied

A proposed ordinance imposing eight-year limits on appointed board members was rejected 5-2. Members said they can manage their own appointees; critics of the denial worried about losing experienced long-serving volunteers.

Traffic and growth concerns in Daytona Beach area

Residents flagged dangerous conditions: trucks straddling lanes on Marsh Road bridge, congestion on Hand Avenue widening, the too-narrow ISB bridge walkway, and Ocean Center graduation gridlock — with a call for the promised parking garage.

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.

Lien reduction policy for blighted properties

A corporate owner wanted a $19,000 lien cut to $9,342 on an Ormond Beach lot vacant since demolition. Council split over whether forgiving liens rewards scofflaws or spurs redevelopment, and punted to July 21.

Beach driving and handicap parking safety

After a vehicle sped into a pedestrian zone and memories of a fatal crash, council directed staff to bring back designated, signed handicap parking areas on the beach.

Youth sports field shortage in West Volusia

DeLand Little League says coaches pay out of pocket because county field rentals cost double neighboring counties' rates; council ordered a rate study and a look at the old landfill for ballfields.

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.

Beach/dune ordinance performance guarantees

Seawall repair rules require costly performance guarantees from oceanfront property owners. Staff got the green light to explore reducing them while still protecting the public beach.

Hand Avenue median blocking church access

A thousand-signature petition from Prince of Peace Catholic Church says the new median on Hand Avenue blocks eastbound access to the church, food pantry, and thrift shop, forcing seniors into dangerous U-turns. Council Member Kent's district dialogue addressed it; the county engineer explained the safety rationale.

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.

Taylor Road (CR 421) bridge repair

The hurricane-damaged Taylor Road bridge gets its repair contract underway in about two months, with completion expected by year's end.