Volusia Matters Podcast

Podcast News Topics The new Fountainhead Innovation Center located just north of destination Daytona….at the I95 / US 1 interchange in Ormond…. The building is coming together….. Jayson Meyer has different types of office space available… Details regarding square footage and type a business can be discussed. If your business is looking to relocate or expand, call me at 566-2140 and I'd be glad to arrange a tour. Oct 1 local budgets…….see all tax rates and new year budgets in Volusia Matters newsletter…… Oct 6 - County Council…… addressed the Army Corp of Engineers to complete a $3 million coastal-risk study at no cost to the County. voted 7–0 to advance an ordinance banning large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas. This comes after new legislation took effect, preserving local authority to regulate large data centers through land-use rules.   voted 6-0 to implement a 12-month moratorium on license-plate readers on county rights-of-way….as opposed to an outright ban. Sheriff Mike Chitwood told council members all cameras have been turned off and will be removed within 30 days. voted to support the ECHO Advisory Committee recommendations to fund10 projects totaling $12.7 million. approved new technology to support Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatchers handling medical, fire, and law enforcement calls.   Port Orange City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated with their Firefighters Union   Ormond City Commission addressed several resolutions pertaining to city employee healthcare.   Deltona City Commission addressed an ordinance to update their Land Development Code to match changes to Florida’s Live Local Act.   Deland City Commission renewed their membership with Team Volusia and Deland Chamber of Commerce. Made appointments to their Airport Advisory Bd and Volusia Growth Management Commission. Approved a REVISED resolution to update their building permit and inspection fees to make them compliant with state law.   I’d like to thank WSBB GM/Announcer Ammie Ryan for hosting our recent issue programs. Sept 15 - Charter Adm 1 – pertaining to selection of the County Chair……CRC Chair Mark Watts spoke in support and County Chair Jeff Brower spoke in opposition. Sept 29 - Charter Adm 5 - creation of a conservation lands registry…CRC Chair Mark Watts spoke in support and Growth Management Commentator Catherine Pante spoke in opposition. Oct 6 - Fla Const Adm 3 - pertaining to Homestead Exemption……Stan Escudero spoke in support and Edgewater Mayor Diezel Depew spoke in opposition.     October 7…..political forecasters are seeing Democrat momentum in the House, while the Senate remains closely contested. Republicans currently hold a 220–215 House advantage, and Democrats need a net gain of 3 seats. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53-47 majority…..so Democrats need to 4 seats to win that majority. US added 29,000 jobs in September, fewer than economists expected. Unemployment was 4.2%, with about 7.1 million people unemployed.   Volusia…..Votes by Mail to Date 10/7……Total Votes by Mail Returned 9,031….Democrats 3,406…..Republicans 3,475…Other Parties 299…NPAs 1,851   Volusia School District’s Audit Committee will meet Thursday, October 15, 10:30 AM at Facilities Services Bldg purpose is to review recent audit findings, discuss FY 2027 Risk Assessment, and consider audit priorities and planning activities for the upcoming fiscal year.     US Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22 that would create national rules for college athletics and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) payments. (Sen Ashley Moody voted YES/Sen Rick Scott voted NO). It would give college athletes a clear federal right to earn money from their NIL   Daytona Regional Chamber Advocacy Director Drake Wyman spoke about the Chamber’s role in expressing the business view on issues in Volusia, Tallahassee and Washington….

Progress is happening every day at the new Fountainhead Innovation Center at the US 1/I-95 interchange, north of Destination Daytona. If your business is looking for new office space, call me at 566-2140 for a tour……     Oct 1 is the first day of local entities’ new FY 2026-27 budget. Everything has been finalized with all the budget hearings this past month. See NEXT WEEK’s VM newsletter for each city, county, school board’s general fund/tax rate. Some went to rollback and others had a slight tax increase.   Sept 28…. WSBB’s Ammie Ryan and Volusia Matters hosted broadcast regarding Volusia Charter Adm #5 pertaining to conservation lands registry. Environmental Commentator Catherine Pante spoke against amendment 5 and Attorney/Charter Review Chair Mark Watts spoke in support. Next issue forum….Tuesday, Oct 6, 8:30 to 9 AM regarding State Constitution Adm #3 pertaining to homestead tax exemption.   Florida Vote-by-Mail ballots were provided ~1.9 m….to date, 15k were returned             Of that Volusia Vote-by-Mail ballots were provided ~69 k…to date, 592 were returned mail   Early voting in Volusia….. Oct 19 - 31 that includes weekends…. 8 AM to 6 PM... Look for early voting sites on county election page or Volusia Matters newsletter….basically community centers and libraries throughout the county….. One important note is that you can vote anywhere in the county during this time…..   Sept 27–29, Mayor Derrick Henry outlined a new push to revitalize the Boardwalk area, including the city-owned property at 29 S Ocean Ave, near the pier and existing entertainment district. The city hopes to attract year-round entertainment, family activities, jobs, and tourism while encouraging area property owners to make improvements. The goal is to restore the Boardwalk as a destination for residents and visitor The Mayor ALSO wants to look at how Main Street can connect across the river to Beach St downtown.   SEV Chamber hosted a candidates’ forum last night with candidates from new Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, County Council and legislature.   Volusia School District proposed an enhanced compensation package during Sept 22 contract negotiations with VUE to attract, retain, and support employees. The proposal includes a $3 retention-pay increase, 2% higher supplements, a 1.05% cost-of-living adjustment for all bargaining-unit members, and additional salary increases based on experience. Negotiations continue October 6, balancing employee support with financial stability.   Sheriff Mike Chitwood recently swore in 12 new deputies who have completed their New Deputy Training program. Many came with prior years of service with other law enforcement agencies across the county, state and country as well as military service.   County will hold two free household hazardous waste collection events October 9 at Ormond Beach Public Works, and October 10 at New Smyrna Beach Public Works.   Volusia County's Purchasing and Contracts Division has received a 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute…..its 18th award since 2003.   SunRail commuter train daily average ridership for June to August was 5,516……greater than those months in 2025 and 2024.   While Brightline’s PARENT company recently entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company operating the Miami-to-Orlando trains is OK. Their trains continue running, with ridership increasing 14% and revenue increasing 17% in August over a year ago.. The bigger question is what happens to future expansion. Brightline still plans to pursue an Orlando-to-Tampa extension that could connect with the planned Sunshine Corridor and SunRail system.   Space Florida continues to invest in launch facilities, aerospace manufacturing, and commercial space infrastructure at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, thereby supporting the Space Coast economy, including Volusia.   Interview School Bd member Krista Goodrich, Dist 2/Vice Chair discussed…… the district’s Career/Technical Education program the aviation/aerospace CTE program at Atlantic HS the District’s FY 2026-27 budget

Podcast News Topics Progress is happening every day at the new Fountainhead Innovation Center at the US 1/I-95 interchange, north of Destination Daytona. If your business is looking for new office space, call me at 566-2140 for a tour…… Local entities are hosting budget hearing through the end of the month on proposed budgets and tax rates for FY 2026-27.  Check out pages 1-4 of VM newsletter to see what numbers are being considered. WSBB and Volusia Matters broadcast regarding Volusia Charter Adm 5 pertaining to conservation lands registry will be Tuesday, Sept 29, 8:30 to 9:00 AM with Environmental Commentator Catherine Pante speaking against Amendment 5 with Attorney/Charter Review Chair Mark Watts speaking in support. Tune In to 12:30 AM or 106.7 FM. Our host will be WSBB general manager Ammie Ryan.   TEAM Volusia Board of Directors met September 18 Kirsten Pierce, Volusia Schools’ Workforce Innovation Director explained the district’s current/upcoming career/technical education programs. Prospects……. TEAM Volusia received 74 initial inquiry calls…..21 additional inquiry site visit calls….13 additional site visits……with 14 negotiation stage projects. TEAM Volusia next board meeting will be Friday, November 13, 8 AM at ERAU    Central Florida Commuter Rail Customer Advisory Committee (CAC) will meet Thursday, October 1, 5 PM at the Lynx Admin Bldg in downtown Orlando…… Details will be reported in the October VM newsletter. Volusia voters can request vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3 election via online, phone, email, mail, or in person. Requests need personal details and signature. Request deadline is October 22 at 5:00 PM.. Officials suggest mailing ballots by October 26 so completed ballots arrive by November 3 at 7:00 PM…Drop boxes are available at designated locations.   Volusia’s July Bed tax collections on short-term rentals were up 1.37% countywide ($1.50 M for 2025 to $1.52 M for 2026) NASCAR moving its summer Daytona International Speedway races from July to the end of August has paid off. While July remains one of the year’s top tourism months, the area now sees a lot more visitors in August despite schools starting back.   Daytona Beach Area CVB will host Tourism Partner Day on Thursday, October 8…at the PMR Daytona Beach Club at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bryan Griffin, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA will be the keynote speaker. No cost to attend but you MUST RSVP by calling 255-0415.   This week in Washington……..Congress is focusing on spending, trade, transportation, regulation, and the economy. Now that Congress has approved a temporary continuing “band aid” resolution, Congress must decide whether to approve the FY 2027 spending bills before the next government shutdown deadline…Dec 11. Senate is considering legislation about college sports and NIL payments. Congress is preparing for a funding debate.   US House recently passed National Fraud Enforcement Division Act and Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act Both bills now move to the Senate.   Comments by FBH Communities’ Exec Director Mica Lill…   Daytona Regional Chamber’s 2026 Annual Awards ceremony will be Wednesday, Sept. 30, 4 to 6 PM at the Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel.   Longtime State legislator and County Council member Pat Patterson passed away earlier this week.   Gov DeSantis awarded over $10 million in bonuses to 1,500 new law enforcement officers.   Interview with Lake Helen Mayor Roger Eckert discussed… How can Lake Helen accommodate new residential/ commercial development and protect its small-town character that makes unique? What are the city’s biggest challenges with its water system, and what improvements are planned to ensure reliable service for residents as the community grows? What proactive steps is the City taking in regard to stormwater management/flood control? As Lake Helen works on its budget, what are your thoughts regarding the potential revenue impact of Adm 3 – Homestead Exemption? What are Lake Helen’s most urgent infrastructure needs—roads, stormwater, drainage, sidewalks or other public facilities—and how will the city pay for them? What do you want Lake Helen to look like in the next 5-10 years

Podcast News Topics Progress is happening every day at the new Fountainhead Innovation Center at the US 1/I-95 interchange, north of Destination Daytona. If your business is looking for new office space, call me at 566-2140 for a tour…… Local entities are hosting budget hearing through the end of the month on proposed budgets and tax rates for FY 2026-27.  Check out pages 1-4 of VM newsletter to see what numbers are being considered.   Sept 14 - Edgewater City Council….. ·   unanimously approved a permanent moratorium to block development of data centers, hyperscale facilities, and other high-energy data-processing facilities. Edgewater voters are also scheduled to consider a November charter amendment that could make the prohibition part of the city charter. ·   approved fire services assessments for FY 2026-27 to fund fire protection services, facilities, and programs, distributing costs among properties… ·   will attend a joint public meeting with New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, and the Volusia County Council to address shared economic development priorities affecting SE Volusia on October 14 at the Brannon Center. ·   looked into adjusting their Fire Rescue Law Enforcement General Govt, Parks & Recreation, Multi-Model transportation impact fees.   Sept 14 - Elected Officials Roundtable met to discuss current issues of common interest…… Public Works Director Ben Bartlett discussed the County’s Stormwater Resilience Dashboard which shows ongoing projects to reduce flood risks, improve drainage, and strengthen infrastructure throughout all 16 cities. DB Shores Mayor Nancy Miller and County Councilman Jake Johansson provided an update on cities’ efforts regarding stormwater management and flood control Coastal Director Jessica Fentress discussed beach feasibility/Army Corp of Engineers’ Coastal Storm Risk study Sept 14 - First Step Shelter Bd met to update on current activities……it was first official meeting for their new exec Susan Clark……shelter had 60 intakes in August…plus 96 individuals in the Rose Ann Tornatore safe zone…   Sept 15 - PO City Council approved their FY 2027 stormwater utility assessment roll and kept existing fee rates unchanged. The assessment roll lists properties subject to the fee, which will be collected through annual property tax bills.   Sept 22 - County Council will take up a joint project agreement with City of Daytona Beach on Harvey Ave Beach Approach Improvements. City Daytona Beach and the County will combine Boardwalk and Harvey Ave beach ramp improvements into one project.   County’s Emergency Management Dept recently hosted a Healthcare Summit to connect healthcare providers, fire depts to share experiences, discuss how they can better collaborate during hurricanes, etc   Sept 18 - Team Volusia Bd meets tomorrow and will report on business prospects there seeking to locate in the county. VM will report on that meeting in next week’s podcast.   Sept 16 - US Federal Reserve raised its interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point moving the federal funds target range from 3.50%–3.75% to 3.75%–4.00%……the Fed’s first rate increase since July 2023.   The interest rate on the 10-year Treasury note has climbed to just over 5%....its highest level in almost 20 years. It’s due to concerns about inflation, higher oil prices and expectations of this week’s Federal Reserve Bd meeting.   Estimated Tax Schedule. Last estimated quarterly tax payment was due Sept 15…..and the fourth estimated quarterly payment for 2026 is January 15, 2027. See October VM newsletter for a complete schedule…..   Interview with Ponce Inlet Mayor Lois Paritsky Ponce Inlet has implemented a townwide stormwater utility — what does that actually change for the town? Ponce Inlet has a septic-to-sewer project with about $10 million secured for infrastructure, but still needs roughly $1.95 million to connect additional homes. Details? Ponce Inlet is considering a fire non-ad valorem assessment — how does that fit into the same revenue strategy? Residents' Coalition's Home Rule forum — why did the group feel this forum was necessary, and what came out of it?

Progress is happening every day at the new Fountainhead Innovation Center at the US 1/I-95 interchange, north of Destination Daytona. If your business is looking for new office space, call me at 566-2140 for a tour…… Sept 1 budget hearing, County Council’s proposed 2026–27 budget would increase Fire Rescue funding by nearly 3%, from ~ $81.8 million to ~$84 million...Council is moving forward with a net budget is ~$1.06 billion. Property taxes provide $455.5 million (42.8% of net revenue). Final budget hearing is September 22. DB City Commission plans to change retirement benefits for police officers and firefighters retiring after October 1. Sept 9 - With NSB Sports Complex use/expenses increasing, NSB City Commission looking to increase fees to raise revenue by $10,000 to cover expenses tied to inflation rates. Deltona City Commission took up Fla Dept of Environmental Protection and St Johns River WMD supporting Deltona’s aquifer recharge project via a 50/50 grant to build a recharge well and two monitoring wells Sept 9 - DB Shores City Commission adopted a 2026 Vulnerability Assessment created by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and by Fla’s Resilient Florida Program Sept 9 - Deland City Commission addressed an ordinance to change water, sewer, and reclaimed-water rates by resolution and remove account maintenance fees and include those costs in monthly base charges Sept 9 - DeBary City Council discussed FY 2027-28 budget requirements pursuant to HB 1329 Local Government Financial Transparency/Accountability Act On September 30… Non-tipped employees: minimum wage rises from $14.00 to $15.00/hour Tipped employees: cash wage rises from $10.98 to $11.98/hour 2026 US midterm elections choose all 435 members of the House and about 35 members of the Senate…Biggest fight for control of the US House. Current make Up of US House is 218 Republicans—214 Democrats  - 1 Independent—2 Vacancies Fla’s gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe is still active….2021 compact gives the Seminoles exclusive control over certain types of gambling, including online sports betting. Hard Rock Bet remains the only traditional online sportsbook operating statewide. The newest challenge comes from prediction-market companies such as Kalshi Interview with Edgewater Mayor Diezel Depew New Aerospace Related Activity in the City? Deering Park Activity ? Adm 3 Homestead Exemption? Proactive Measure on Flood Control?