EP 160 John Nicholson

EP 162 Deland Mayor Chris Cloudman

County, School District, and the county’s 16 cities are now in the budget development phase for FY 2026-27. Last week was candidate qualifying week……several new candidates qualified at the last week while numerous announced candidates either withdrew or didn’t qualify. SO……….. Check out my UPDATED VM newsletter in today’s email. It includes a list of ALL QUALIFIED candidates for 2026 elections. DB City Commission - June 17 * Daytona Beach Housing Authority advanced its FY 2027 budget proposal/scheduled a public hearing for next month. * Commission appointed Jazmin Felix to represent the Planning Board on City’s Downtown Redevelopment Bd * Adopted changes to the Land Development Code to speed up affordable housing reviews by allowing most qualifying projects to get administrative approval without public hearings Deltona City Commission - June 15 * Addressed a study regarding 2026 impact fees to see if current fees cover the costs of new growth…..study recommends updating Fire/Rescue, Parks, Transportation (renamed "Complete Streets"), and Law Enforcement fees, adding a new Municipal Impact Fee, so new development pays its fair share for needed infrastructure. Pt Orange City Council - June 16 * addressed several measures to elevate, demolish and replace homes in low flood plain areas…… * accepted a proposed charter regarding elections that would require 12 months of continuous residency immediately before qualifying, County Council - June 16 * hosted 3rd public hearing on amendments to the County Charter proposed by the Charter Review Commission * Tadd Kasbeer provided a Capital project schedule update. * staff presented a 5-year financial forecast for the County's taxing funds as part of the FY2027 recommended budget development process… * By a 4-2 VOTE……Council TABLED a SEPARATE charter change BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO require  a unanimous County Council vote to sell or transfer conservation land Daytona Regional Chamber's 2026 Candidate Hobnob is July 28, 4 - 7:00 PM at ERAU (Henderson Welcome Ctr)   State  economists estimate the proposed homestead-exemption increases could cut local  government revenue by nearly $5 billion in FY 27–28 and eventually about $11.86  billion per year, forcing counties to make tough spending choices. 2026 preliminary tax roll from County Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett gives early totals for countywide market and taxable values for land, homes, buildings, and other improvements.  For a full report/details, come to VCARD’s Real Estate Values Forum…..June 25, 9 - 10:30 AM (8:30 breakfast and check in). Co-hosted by Daytona Regional Chamber, Daytona Area Assn of Realtors and New Smyrna Beach Bd of Realtors. Open to public. There is a cost. For more details, contact Kelly at 320-6292.  US economy…..the job market remains relatively strong adding ~172,000 jobs in May…unemployment is 4.3%…. still considered low by historical standards….economy is still growing, but at a moderate pace…..Inflation is back up with CPI at 4.2% in May, the highest inflation rate in ~3 years Federal Reserve Bd, led by NEW Chair Kevin Warsh, faced a mix of economic, policy, and political pressures at its monetary policy this week…Bd voted unanimously to leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%  to 3.75%. NOTE - JUST ANNOUNCED….Volusia Schools has earned an A rating for a 2nd year…back-to-back NOTE - See Avalon Daytona Beach’ Press Release in today’s VM newsletter….pg 14 This week in Congress… * Congress is voting on several bills that could tighten oversight of billions of federal grant, disaster‑recovery, and infrastructure dollars. Florida’s economy and Volusia County could feel the impact of the federal fraud‑prevention and spending‑oversight bills. * A separate House bill pertaining to supply‑chain/energy‑security could benefit this area’s logistics/manufacturing sectors by strengthening US access to critical minerals that support aerospace, EV components, and advanced manufacturing Deland Mayor Chris Cloudman comments on * status of Deland’s City budget * addressing homelessness in the City * new affordable workforce housing projects * development near Deland SunRail station

EP 161 Rep Chase Tramont

2026 preliminary tax roll from County Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett gives early totals for countywide market and taxable values for land, homes, buildings, and other improvements.  For a full report/details, come to VCARD’s Real Estate Values Forum…..June 25, 9 - 10:30 AM (8:30 breakfast and check in). Co-hosted by Daytona Regional Chamber, Daytona Area Assn of Realtors and New Smyrna Beach Bd of Realtors. Open to public. There is a cost. For more details, contact Kelly at 255- 0981.  June 8 - Daytona Beach 1st Step Shelter Bd meeting. Exec Director Victoria Fahlberg to remain on the job until June 12. After that, she’ll work as a consultant to help with the search process and job transition. HR Exec Leslie Bonner announced that the search has been narrowed down to 4 candidates. Plans are being made for Monday, June 22 to interview these candidates individually before the Bd votes that evening. City Commission/Council meeting updates…..County Advisory Bd meetings this month….. May 29 - Legislature approved a $114.5 billion state budget which included numerous local projects requested by Volusia legislative delegation. Education. Infrastructure plus other projects pertaining to Habitat for Humanity as well as Volusia Volunteers in Medicine. DeSantis has 15 days to approve/veto the budget after it is formally presented to him once the Legislature has adjourned. He also has line-item veto authority to remove specific local projects without vetoing the entire budget. NOTE – July 1 is the start of the new fiscal  year After Legislature voted June 2 to put a homestead property tax measure on the November ballot……Gov Desantis posted on X……. that the Legislature’s version was different from his original proposal….it doesn’t provide for the elimination of all taxes on homesteads (they exempted school taxes) and it doesn’t create a fund  to provide state grants to local governments to assist with core services as homestead taxes are phased out. If the amendment is approved…. will funding to make up local government shortfalls, come before the legislative session in March? Gov DeSantis appointed 4 new members to Daytona State College District Board of Trustees This week in Congress… * Congress is voting on several bills that could tighten oversight of billions of federal grant, disaster‑recovery, and infrastructure dollars. Florida’s economy and Volusia County could feel the impact of the federal fraud‑prevention and spending‑oversight bills. * A separate House bill pertaining to supply‑chain/energy‑security could benefit this area’s logistics/manufacturing sectors by strengthening US access to critical minerals that support aerospace, EV components, and advanced manufacturing State Rep Chase Tramont comments on * $114.5 billion state budget * Volusia delegation special requests * Homestead Property Tax Special Session

EP 160 John Nicholson

May 29 - legislature approved a $114.5 billion state budget… Major allocations include K-12 Education ($21 B), Higher Education ($9.9 B), Healthcare spending ($49.2 B), environmental projects ($2.5 B), and Budget Reserves ($17 B).  June 1-2 Special Session….Legislature adoptes measure for property tax relief Constitutional amendment….provides incremental increases of homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 then $500,000 County CFO Ryan Ossowski told Council that Legislature’s property‑tax  changes — including a lower the non‑homestead assessment cap  and adding new supermajority voting rules for certain millage increases — could significantly reduce County revenue starting in 2027 if voters approve the amendment…..warned the cuts could create a $92.8 million  shortfall by 2028 City Meetings Update….. June 3 - DB City Commission * (as CRA) had a frank conversation regarding homeless in the beachside tourist district… * approved a measure to expedite affordable housing applications and let accessory dwelling units qualify as affordable housing. June 1 - Deltona City Commission appointed Davison Heriot as the City’s representative to Team Volusia’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors June 1 - Deland City Commission addressed several grant applications related to infrastructure at the Deland Airport June 1 - Edgewater City Council * created a new sign code. * applied for a $44,000 State grant to fund a Building/Planning Efficiency Fee Study to modernize its permitting process. * heard public comments regarding proposed City Charter amendments. Council will address at a later meeting.   June 3 – DeBary City Council hired a consulting firm to prepare Non-Ad Valorem Fire Assessment Rate Study for the City June 9 – Orange City Council will conduct a workshop regarding concept a Fire Assessment Fee…. June 2 - County Council…. * hosted a 2nd public hearing/presentation on amendments to the County Charter (see pg 5 VM newsletter) * addressed how impact fees are charged for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). * heard a 5-year financial forecast for the County's taxing funds as part of the FY2027 recommended budget development process. * appointed James Jones to their Contractor Licensing/Construction Appeals (CLCA) Bd This week in Congress… * US Senate is debating a Republican-backed plan to spend about $70–72 billion on immigration enforcement and border security. * US House to take up 2 major funding bills…..1 funds agriculture, rural development, and FDA ……AND a bill that sets 2027 funding for FEMA, environmental and coastal projects, transportation and housing grants New Chair of Federal Reserve Bd Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting  will be June 16–17…… fed funds rate is currently 3.50%–3.75% Will they raise or pause or lower interest rates? Community Commentator John Nicholson discusses…… * DB City Commissioners’ discussion regarding homeless in the beachside tourist district and surrounding neighborhoods * County CFO Ryan Ossowski’s presentation to Council regarding potential impact of proposed homestead property tax relief amendment on the Nov 3 ballot * proposed County Charter Adm 1 (selection of County Chair) and Adm 5 (creates a conservation lands registry whereby Council can "lock" specific properties to protect them from being sold or transferred)

EP 159 Kevin Captain - Volusia EMS Chief

On Monday, legislative leaders agreed on a $114.5 billion state budget….major topics include education funding, healthcare spending, environmental projects, and tax policy.  Legislators will take a final vote tomorrow on a FY 2026–27 state budget after their required 72-hour waiting period. Gov Desantis is calling legislators back for another Special Session June 1-3 to address property tax relief. But there are several issues yet to be addressed….and they must have ballot language by August 5. Volusia County and New Smyrna Beach began ~$7 million project to improve stormwater drainage around Corbin Park and help reduce flooding during heavy rain May 26 - NSB City Commission * updated their parking rules to allow paying by mobile app and no more paper receipts on dashboard….also added a new paid parking area * made appointment to Historic Preservation Bd and Planning/Zoning Bd May 26 - Orange City Council adopted….. * a resolution related to a water facility plan with needed improvements * a resolution for Reclaimed Water Master Plan….. * a Wastewater Master  Plan and Septic-to-Sewer Update June 2 - County Council will….. * host a 2nd public hearing and presentation on amendments to the Volusia County Charter (see a summary of each amendment in June 4 VM newsletter) * address how impact fees are charged for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). * hear a 5-year financial forecast for the County's taxing funds as part of the FY2027 recommended budget development process. * make an appointment to their Contractor Licensing/Construction Appeals (CLCA) Bd June 1 - Deltona City Commission will….. * update the City’s Land Development Code regarding details related to barndominiums, metal buildings, and storage containers * update rules for small wireless facilities in public rights-of-way * appoint a City representative to Team Volusia’s Exec Committee and Bd of Directors Recently, Gov DeSantis announced Blue Origin will invest $600 million to expand its Rocket Park at Cape Canaveral, building an 830,000 sq ft facility to make rocket stages and boost Fla’s launch capacity. Volusia Flagler TPO met yesterday and began consideration of 8 updated priority road projects Kevin Captain, Chief, Volusia Emergency Medical Services discusses…… * the basics of Volusia EMS and what type AMBULANCE services are provided…. * the different type positions make up EMS * how EMS works with the community and other public safety agencies during emergencies and daily operations * the biggest challenges currently facing Volusia EMS, and how EMS is working to address them

EP 158 Economic Development Director Lou Paris

Update on new Fountainhead Innovation Center by Synergy CEO Jayson Meyer….we’re moving to the old WyoTech Bldg at Destination Daytona… May 20 – DB City Commission * rezoned/annexed parcels into Avalon Park development, which is planned for 8,818 homes and about 1 million square feet of commercial space * approved  a resolution to send City’s 2026–2029 housing plan to the Fla Housing Finance  Corporation to apply for State grant money for affordable housing * awarded a Contract to replace Lift Station 53 (constructed in 1976) which should increase stormwater pumping capacity to control flooding Update on new 400 N Beach apartment complex with Framework Group CEO Phillip Smith…. Volusia Forever Advisory Committee meets Friday, May 22, County Admin Bldg, DeLand to determine if properties are eligible for the 2026 Cycle 2 May 18 - Deland City Commission considered matching grant requests up to $7,500 from businesses owners located within DeLand’s gateway districts May 19 - Ormond Beach City Commission addressed capital improvements as well as stormwater management…. approved an ordinance to allow the sale/consumption of low proof alcoholic beverages County Council voted unanimously to purchase ~1,300 acres in SW Volusia for conservation purposes through Volusia Forever program for $20.1 million May 14 - the 4th annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Service was held at Living Faith Ministries Church in Daytona Beach to honor those police officers, correction officers, representative from State Attorney’s office Interview - County Economic Director Lou Paris 1. What is Volusia's top 5 employment sectors and how have wages ranged with them? 2. What were Volusia's recent unemployment rates for Q1? 3. How are Commercial and Residential Building permits faring for Q1? 4. Lou reflected on Stetson Professor Kevin Taylor’s presentation Volusia's InfoTech sector and why this is important to our local economy... NEXT Q breakfast…August 21….