EP 157 TPO Eric Sander / Colleen Nicoulin

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….

EP 157 TPO Eric Sander / Colleen Nicoulin

May 8 - Team Volusia Bd met to hear an update on business prospects from CEO Keith Norden. Team Volusia will provide another update to County Council on May 19. May 11 - Volusia Elected officials roundtable heard a report by consultant Dr James Houston regarding the impact of the beach as it relates to Volusia's economy May 12 - NSB City Commission took up several measures to additional parking in the City.   May 12 - Orange City Council finalized amendments to their State Evaluation and Appraisal Report  May 12 - School Bd * held a workshop whereby Sheriff's Office Capt Todd Smith reported on school building safety/security measures. * dealt with numerous construction rehab and repair projects for multiple school buildings throughout the district. May 14 - Lake Helen City Commission is taking up an ordinance to set regulated hours for sale, service, and consumption of alcohol for licensed premises. May 19 - Volusia School District's Joint Planning/Coordination Virtual MS Team Meeting. It’s a biannual session designed to align school facility planning with local municipal growth. Volusia HS graduations are Tuesday, May 26 - Saturday, May 30….calendar is on page 34 of the May VM newsletter….along with Ocean Center parking details. Volusia Charter Review Commission is proposing 5 amendments to the County’s Charter for the Nov 3 ballot.  County Council will host 3 public hearings on these proposed amendments….June 2, 16, July 7. Council does not have authority to revise the proposed amendments or to decline to place the proposals on the ballot. Podcast includes summaries of each amendment… Interview - TPO Chair Eric Sander and Exec Director Colleen Nicoulin discuss……. * What is TPO? And what does it do? * How do you determine your priority transportation projects in Volusia? * What are the five top transportation priorities for the next 2 to 3 years in Volusia? * What about the little Tomoka River Bridge and LPGA interchange?

EP 156 Dr Victoria Fahlberg

May 6 - DB City Commission…   * voted 4-3 to renew City Manager Deric Feacher’s contract for another 3 years. * heard a discouraging report from US Army Corps of Engineers about flooding problems in MidTown and Nova Rd Canal   Gov DeSantis launched a fast-tracked reconstruction of the I-95 x US 1 interchange in Ormond Beach. Plans call for 3 new bridges, widening US 1 to six lanes, redesigned loop ramps, and modernized exits to improve safety and reduce congestion as traffic at the interchange is expected to double over 20 years. Ghyabi & Associates will design and oversee the development, with completion targeted for 2029. The initiative is projected to create about $1.2 billion in economic impact for Volusia.       May 4 – Deltona City Commission approved an ordinance on 1st reading to update their land development rules to address small wireless facilities, such as small cell towers, in compliance with state/federal law   May 5 - County Council heard a presentation regarding advisory boards [https://vcservices.vcgov.org/agenda/agendas/20260505/Item-08-13490.pdf]…current board vacancies, term durations/imposing term limits, and reviews practices of other Fla local governments     May 4 Edgewater City Council approved a Potable Reuse Charter Amendment (Limitation on Reclaimed Blackwater Use)   May 5 – Port Orange City Council made an appointment to their Environmental Advisory Bd [https://vcservices.vcgov.org/agenda/agendas/20260505/Item-08-13490.pdf]   May 5 – Ormond Beach City Commission * held a workshop meeting related to supply, storage, and treated reuse water.  * took up measures regarding Ormond Crossing Redevelopment District and sale of alcoholic beverages.     Guardian Angel program is part of a new school safety initiative being piloted by Volusia County Schools to enhance campus emergency response. It was demonstrated at Deltona HS     * Drake Wyman is the Advocacy Director for Daytona Regional Chamber. He previously was Legislative Aide to State Representative Webster Barnaby * MacKenzie Cunningtham … It's taking over Drake Wyman's position as legislative aide to Rep Webster Barnaby.     Brightline trains is facing financial troubles despite more revenue and riders….. some hiccups including higher ticket prices during major events, and safety concerns. SunRail ridership is growing with more people using the new expanded late-night service that began in late 2025. After hour trains have been popular during special events in Orlando, thus adding momentum to calls for future weekend service   1st Step Exec Director Dr Victoria Fahlberg discusses her tenure and how the facility has evolved since 2019.