Volusia Matters Podcast

Podcast News Topics The DB City Commission will have an attorney-client shade meeting with their City Attorney to discuss litigation strategies regarding Avalon Park Daytona and City of Ormond Beach. look to ratify a $133 K grant with the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.. enter an Agreement with the Fla Dept of Transportation for $8.5 million in federal funding to support construction/engineering to retrofit Beach St from Bay St to Michigan Ave Check out DB Police Dept Scam School on FaceBook…. Deltona City Commission is moving forward to collect non-ad valorem assessments to fund fire rescue services starting October 1 next year. This annual Fire Service Assessment will cover a significant portion of fire dept costs split a 3-3 vote on lifting a development moratorium, 1 commissioner was absent. This goes back to the legislature’s SB 180 which restricts local growth regulation including building moratoriums Gov DeSantis announced his FY 2026-27 budget totaling $117.4 billion which emphasizes fiscal discipline, tax relief, education, economic growth, environmental conservation, support for law enforcement and vulnerable populations. Final Legislative Interim Committee week in Tallahassee….House Speaker Daniel Perez calling it “Artificial Intelligence Week”… committees/subcommittees focus will include discussions, presentations, and briefings covering opportunities/risks that AI presents for Fla’s economy, education system, workforce, and public safety. Last week, US Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill to create new federal subsidies to help Americans fund health insurance savings accounts. It would send up to $1,500 to individuals earning less than 700% of the federal poverty level (about $110,000 for individuals or $225,000 for a family of 4…. funds would require verification of beneficiaries' immigration/citizenship status (provisions Democrats reject). In turn, Senate Republicans voted down a Democratic proposal to extend for 3 years Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire on December 31. House Republicans introduced the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act, aiming to address rising health insurance premiums by expanding access to association health plans and increasing transparency in the pharmacy benefit manager industry November unemployment rate was 4.6%…..highest level in 4 years…64,000 jobs added to the workforce….reflects a slowdown in labor market momentum with employers adding jobs at a weaker pace. November Inflation Rate was 2.9%. Gov DeSantis appointed Fidelia Roster to the Fla Bd of Nursing….she’s Vice President/Chief Care Continuum Officer at Halifax Health Volusia School District to host a Submittals Meeting Thursday, December 18, 9:00 AM…Facilities Services Building, Olson Drive, Daytona Beach. This will be for firms interested in providing consultant services NSB crews have begun repairs to the 27th Ave Beachfront Park’s promenade, seawall and access ramp. Comments from Charles Guarra, free-lance reporter with HomeTown News… on his YouTube/Podcast “The Opinion Guy” Interview with retiring Daytona Region Chamber President/ Nancy Keefer

Podcast News Topics The Federal Reserve voted 9–3 to lower the benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.50% to 3.75%, the lowest level in three years. The move was intended to guard against a more-than-expected slowdown in hiring. Gov DeSantis announced a $112 million water-quality package for projects throughout the State….including $50 million for “Springs Restoration Grant Program”. Holly Hill City Commission takes further action on 3 Charter ballot questions for the November 2026 election DB Shores City Commission updated their city code regarding appointed boards South Daytona Public Works Dept is continuing multiple stormwater and drainage enhancement projects New Smyrna Beach…. is conducting a fire assessment study with results expected in Spring 2026 to explore funding options for fire services has a grant program which allocates up to $50,000 total with grants in $10,000 increments support non-profits that assist homeless/disadvantaged individuals Legislature is currently in its 5th “interim committee week”…the Session set to begin January 13, legislative strategies…. regarding how to tackle Florida’s cost-of-living pressures are shaping up…. State Audit for City of DB…. redrawing Congressional districts Daytona State College ATC campus will offer a new associate of science degree in aerospace technology in Spring 2026 Volusia Forever Advisory Committee meets Friday, Dec. 12, 9 AM County Admin Bldg..DeLand Recap of Volusia Charter Review Commission Dec 8 meeting This Week’s Congressional Agenda will include: Senate to address extension of ACA healthcare subsidies House Small Business Committee to address bills to ease regulatory burdens and make it easier for small/midsized firms to raise capital or invest House/Senate to address backlog from recent government shutdown, tax legislation/regulation changes i.e. foreign tax credits, tax-benefit definitions, and regulations on certain IRS processes Committee-level activity related to federal budgeting i.e. pressure to address looming fiscal deadlines REMEMBER Federal Reserve Board meets December 9-10….will they reduce benchmark rate? Look for announcement at TODAY…2 PM

Dec 1 - Deland City Commission Addressed downtown transportation to and from the SunRail Station by replacing bus service with VoRide service Codified a previous resolution to prohibit videotaping in the DeLand Police Department lobby Dec 1 – Edgewater City Council eliminated their Business Receipts Tax and addressed several LDC matters pertaining to Deering Park project. Dec 2 - County Council agenda Annual Review for County Manager GR and County Attorney MD Accepted a $400-K Fla Division of Emergency Mgnt grant to expand Emergency Operations Center. Issued $30 million Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds to finance acquisition of Volusia Forever lands, supporting environmental conservation efforts. Approved Off Beach Parking and Beach Access Fee revisions pertaining to permanent free beach access for residents and property owners. Addressed Chair Brower's topic of Beach Driving from Intl Speedway Blvd to Auditorium. Dec 2 - Ormond Beach City Commission rejected Daytona Beach’s $2.3 million offer regarding water/wastewater rights per Avalon Park Daytona Beach development…. Dec 3 - DB City Commission heard a Travel Audit Review by the City Auditor – Abinet Belachew AND a presentation by City Manager Deric Feacher regarding draft Management Policies for use of P-cards Sen Rick Scott is leading a Republican effort to propose an alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) called the More Affordable Care Act. Central Fla Commuter Rail Commission (SunRail’s advisory board of elected leaders) from the 5 Local Funding Partners meets Thursday, December 4. Federal Reserve Board meets December 9-10….will they reduce benchmark rate? Odds are high the Fed will cut rates Opening in October 1985, the DB Ocean Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary The County will host a Winter Beach Cleanup Saturday, Dec 6, 8 -10 AM at Winterhaven Park in Ponce Inlet.

FDOT will convert SR 44 and Kepler Rd intersection (east portion of DeLand) into a new, single-lane roundabout, as a means to improve traffic flow/safety. Once this new roundabout is place….NO MORE TRAFFIC SIGNAL!!! Later, it’ll convert into a 2-lane roundabout Nov 12….US House voted 222-209 on a funding bill to end the government shutdown (Congs Cory Mills and Randy Fine voted YES). It funds most federal government operations through January 30, 2026, and includes 3 full-year appropriations bills for select agencies Oct 28 - Central Fla Commuter Rail Commission met/discussed expanding service to Saturdays and possibly Sundays with estimated costs of $23M to $26M. strong public demand for weekend service…BUT also concerns about affordability and cost per rider….there was also talk of extending to Orlando Intl Airport Deland City Commission made appointments to the Historic Preservation Board AND Beresford Reserve Brownfield Advisory Committee DB City Commission to make appointments to their Historic Preservation, Beachside Redevelopment and Nuisance Abatement Boards..PLUS Jackie Robinson Ballpark work… County Council makes appointments to HAAA and Code Enforcement Bds Nov 14 - Team Volusia Bd….Keith Norden gave an update on business prospects…announced changes in staff….heard details regarding Deering Park in NSB and Edgewater…..more details in Dec VM newsletter. DON’T FORGET…..Property taxes are due….pay at any county tax collectors offices…no long line to pay property taxes vs car tag renewals..best days to go are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday…4% discount in November INTERVIEW - Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher…. Volusia Economic Development “Q” Breakfast will be Friday, Nov 21, 7:30 am Daytona Intl Airport with a panel discussion on “Make It Here. Positioning Volusia to Attract Industry.”

Flood Control/Stormwater Management Subcommittee Co-Chairs Nancy Miller and Jake Johansson report at Nov 10 Elected Officials Roundtable Charter Review Commission Mark Watts provides recap of Nov 10 meeting Holly Hill City Commission moves on 3 separate Charter Review ballot questions for 2026 ballot NSB City Commission approved a $1 million contract with Fla Dept of Environmental Protection for the Historic Westside Stormwater Improvement Project Edgewater City Council appoint Teresa Pope to Volusia Growth Management Commission… adopt Proportionate Fair Share agreement and Wastewater agreement with Deering Park Property taxes are due….pay at any county tax collectors offices…no long line to pay property taxes vs car tag renewals..best days to go are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday…4% discount in November SunRail will extend weekday service beginning Dec 1 whereby two more trains will be run during the evening to accommodate passenger riders After 43 days of the Federal Government shutdown….the Senate advances a legislative package to re-open the government….House COULD vote later today or tomorrow…… INTERVIEW - Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila…. Volusia Economic Development “Q” Breakfast will be Friday, Nov 21, 7:30 am Daytona Intl Airport with a panel discussion on “Make It Here. Positioning Volusia to Attract Industry.” Click the button to RSVP…..