Volusia Matters Podcast

EP 147 Deland Mayor Chris Cloudman

Synergy Billing is celebrating 20 years and expanding their headquarters into the former WyoTech building at Destination Daytona. That facility is 93,000 square feet — and Jayson Meyer is looking for good neighbors! Interested? Call us!
March 3 - County Council
reallocated $571,926 for FY 2025–26 Community Cultural Grant Program funding for ONE YEAR…..Councilmembers expressed concerns about legislature proposing a constitutional amendment to eliminate property tax on homestead which would severely curtail their revenue stream
approved ECHO Advisory Committee’s 2026 Work Plan and Goals which includes reviewing grant applications….also approved ECHO’s 2025 Annual Report
amended ECHO Committee’s current 2-year terms to a system where prior service would count immediately toward the 8-year cap…..approach ensures immediate turnover and mean departure of multiple experienced members.
Public Works Director Ben Bartlett and Coastal Director Jessica Fentress presented a Mini-Budget workshop regarding use of Property Taxes and/or Unrestricted Revenues for Beach Related Services….
voted down a proposal for a county charter amendment regarding elements of a rural growth boundary.
Recap…week 8 of Legislative Session…..
March 4 - DB City Commission
took first step to amend City Charter to prohibit use of reclaimed blackwater as a direct source water for either (1) injection into the aquifer or (2) introduction into the City’s potable public water system.
approved measures to secure/manage a $42 million planning, design, and construction loan from the Fla Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWSRF) for a resiliency project at the Brennan Water Treatment Plant
Reminder - Volusia Elected Officials Roundtable meets Monday, March 9, 9 am at DBIA
Reminder - Volusia Charter Review Commission meets Monday, March 9, 5:30 PM at DBIA

EP 146 News and Interview with Jack Nicholson

Volusia State of the County reviews 2025 highlights, key initiatives, financial investments, and district-specific priorities
President Trump delivers State of the Union…..key issue highlights….details…..
Florida Legislative Session……Week 7 Issues….Details……
Feb 20 - Economic Development Q breakfast…..Deltona Economic Development Director John Cox highlighted investment/development activity in Volusia cities…….Volusia Economic Development Director Lou Paris reports on Volusia’s employment rates, commercial/resident building permits
Volusia Schools Career & Technical Education… CTE is a district-wide program designed to help middle/high school students build job-ready skills, earn industry certifications, and prepare for college or careers in high-wage and high-demand fields
City of New Smyrna Beach is looking to install a Parking Guidance System to help alleviate traffic congestion along Canal St and Flagler Ave. City will pay Risetek Global $462K to install a system that will show peak demand and parking space turnover rates….plus more details….
Orange City Council heard a presentation from Halifax Health/UFHealth Medical Center Exec Ben Eby….they also took up a contract for a new roundabout
Volusia/Flagler Transportation Planning Organization heard plans to upgrade Clyde Morris Blvd including…..resurfacing from Beville Rd to Mason Ave….adding multi-use paths and sidewalks..build new pedestrian tunnel at  ERAU….upgrade/improve drainage, lighting, traffic signals and landscaping
FACTOID…..Volusia Coastal Director Jessica Fentress points out that beach tourism contributes $4.3 billion annually to the County’s GDP (17% total) which generated 31% of Volusia’s annual sales tax revenue
FACTOID…..in 2025, Volusia Sheriff’s office made 10,717 arrests countywide with overall 80% case clearance rate

EP 145 OB Mayor Jason Leslie

Feb 17…..by a 4-3 vote, County Council voted down 2 proposals that would have prohibited "blackwater" or water with treated sewage from being recycled into drinking water
City of Daytona Beach continues work on Boardwalk Beach Access…adjacent to the Bandshell….project includes 4 parallel ramps and 14 sets of stairs designed to improve public beach access
Volusia Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and Volusia Emergency Management to host Hurricane Expo Saturday, April 18, 10 AM – 4 PM at Daytona Intl Speedway
Feb 16 - Deland City Commission
held a Workshop regarding subdivision regulations i.e. Streets, Parking, Side Walks, Tree Regulations, Landscaping, Lighting/Design….
discussed on short term rental rentals, which are currently prohibited in the City since 2011
Feb 17 - Port Orange Mayor Scott Stiltner presented a State of the City report AND City Council approved their list of road projects for the TPO’s Priority List
Average monthly rental rates for 1-2-3-bedroom apartments in Daytona/Volusia
January numbers for First Step Shelter
Sunrail update……Dec 31 - FDOT stopped direct funding SunRail costs after Dec  31…SO 5 Central Florida Commuter Rail entities (Orlando, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Volusia) to start paying the bills…plus other SunRail news/ideas
Legislature focused on FY 2026-27 budgets….Senate proposes to spend $115 B while House is proposing $113 B budgets
US economy…..
Labor Market added ~130,000 jobs in January, beating many forecasts…bringing unemployment down to ~4.3% i.e. stable job market.
Inflation….Consumer prices rose 2.4% slightly below economists’ expectations
Interview with Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie
Stormwater Management
Legislative Session
Toilet to Tap Issue

EP 144 Chase Tramont

Feb 9 - Charter Review Commission Meeting Update – Pat Northey
Volusia’s 4th Quarter 2025 Economic Statistics
Fla Senate/House budget subcommittees are completing their work as leadership begins preparing draft budgets
Volusia Values Veterans Program launched Honor a Veteran initiative to recognize local veterans who continue to serve their community
Orange City has appointed Jerome Miller as their Police Chief of the Police Department
S Daytona City Mgr Les Gillis reports on the City's efforts to address storm water management
Holly Hill Historic Society has been coordinating plans with the City Commission for the City’s 125th Anniversary
 
School Board accepted grants to provide bonuses for computer science teachers and to harden school buildings against harsh weather
Gov DeSantis reappointed Audrey Butler, Harold Goodemote, Andrew Lupoli, and Thomas McCall to the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners
Regarding the State compact with the Seminole Tribe…. Fla is receiving $4.4 billion through FY 2028–29
With recent Congressional vote, 11 of 12 federal government
departments/agencies are funded thru September 30….per a $1.2 trillion appropriations bill.
BUT…Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) is only funded through today...if Congress doesn’t reache a deal today to resolve the DHS standoff —agency funding could lapse leading to a partial shutdown of DHS functions.
Interview with Rep Chase Tramont
Property tax bills
FY 2026 Budget talks
Education

EP 143 Bill Partington

Feb 3 – Per their recent 2026 Goal Setting Session……County Council scheduled several Mini-Budget Workshops
Feb 3 – County Council accepted a long-range ECHO Vision Strategic Plan and directed staff to maintain current procedures, continue implementing it.
Feb 4 - DB City Commission approved a resolution Bike Week 2026 Master Plan for Public Property (Bike Week runs Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 8)
Deltona’s Economic Development Department has engaged Retail Strategies (a national retail recruitment/consulting firm).
Feb 2 - City of DeBary is offering a Business Façade Grant to help local commercial properties improve the exterior of their buildings
Feb 1 - Edgewater City Council adopted a wastewater treatment master plan
Fla Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has reported 42 auto insurance companies have filed for rate decreases for 2026 — indicating price relief is broad-based across the market
US House of Representatives voted 217–214 to approve a spending package of 11 annual appropriations bills that fund government agencies and programs through Sept 30…. effectively ending a partial government shutdown
January Consumer Confidence Index fell to 84.5, a sharp drop from 94.2 in December…. the lowest since 2014, reflecting consumers are worried about inflation, job market conditions, and overall economic outlook.
Interview with Rep Bill Partington
Affordability Issues…property tax, auto insurance
FY 2026 Budget outlook
Jason Raynor Act

EP 142 Jake Johansson

Daytona Beach City Commission delayed a proposed $4.3 million purchase of the Cruisin' Café (at the corner of A1A at Main St) and two adjacent parcels. This is part of an effort to provide additional parking and rejuvenate the area.
City of Daytona Beach hosted a community meeting to discuss a proposed update to its Code of Ordinances regarding mobile food vendors.
Port Orange Riverwalk Development project update from Port Orange City Manager Wayne Clark…..
Volusia Forever Advisory Committee meet at Friday, Jan 30, 9 AM in the County Admin Bldg DeLand…..Members will rank the 2025 Cycle 6 Volusia Forever eligible applications.
County Council approved $6.8 million for stormwater improvements at Corbin Park in New Smyrna Beach…AND $1.6 million allocated for Phase II of NSB's Stormwater Master Plan (part of the Transform386 initiative)
New Smyrna Beach City Commission passed an ordinance to prohibit overnight sleeping in vehicles or outdoors on public rights-of-way and private property without permission from 11 PM - 6 AM
Tickets are STILL available for First Step Shelter Mayor’s Gala on Feb 7, 6 PM at the Daytona Beach Hilton
Jan 28 – Volusia/Flagler Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) will review for approval…..
a resolution to amend their 5-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
a resolution regarding their 2026 Transportation Safety Targets
a presentation regarding their TPO FY  2026 -28 Unified Planning Work Program
Florida legislature is focusing heavily on affordability….property tax relief…AI Bill of Rights….budget….during Week 3 of the 2026 legislative session
Political standoff in Washington — especially over Dept of Homeland Security (and ICE) funding — heightens the chance that Congress will not approve the funding bills by the January 30 deadline, making another shutdown more likely
Interview with County Councilman Jake Johansson
Recap of recent County Council Goal Setting Session
Update of Elected Officials” Stormwater Mgnt Task Force
Potable Water Update

EP 141 School Board Member Krista Goodrich

Podcast News Topics
City of Daytona Beach is seeking proposals to renovate the historic Fire Station One into a sit-down restaurant/lounge that preserves the 100-year-old bldg’s architectural features/ historical significance.
Jan 21 - DB Commissioners will hear….
2026 Bike Week Master Plan for private property (prepared by Daytona Regional Chamber’s Bike Week Task Force.
Presentation of Beachside Policing Strategic Plan by Police Chief Jakari Young
Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie outlines plans for the new Ormond Crossings
County Council Members Jake Johansson (At-Large) and Danny Robins (District 3) will host a Town Hall Thursday, Jan 29, 6 to 7 PM
..Edgewater/New Smyrna Beach Elks Lodge, 820 W Park Ave NSB
VCARD hosted their 38th Annual installation event…2025 Chair Jessica Gow passed the gavel to 2026 Chair Kris Rowley for 2026. They presented awards and introduced new Board members
Deltona City Commission approved an agreement with Tax Collector Will Roberts regarding collection of the Non-Ad Valorem Assessments…..approved amendments to their Land Development Code….and made appointments/reappointments to their Affordable Housing Committee
County Aviation/Economic Resources Director Cyrus Callum has exciting news regarding Daytona Intl Airport
Citizens Property Insurance policy holders should soon see premium reductions based on 2023 insurance/tort reform legislation
Gov DeSantis appointed Charlie Lydecker to the State University System’s Board of Governors
President Trump released a broad healthcare framework aiming to lower prescription drug prices
Interview with School Bd Member Krista Goodrich

EP 140 Rep Richard Gentry (House District 27)

Erika Kazma, a physical education teacher at Longstreet Elementary School, has been named Volusia’s Teacher of the Year. Chosen out of 70 teachers, she moves on to compete for Fla Teacher of the Year.
The legislature began this week and runs until March 13. There will be several bills of interest to the business community. See list of bills below…..
The County has a new online permit guide with project zoning and permitting info in one location to assist residents, business owners and developers with the permitting process.
The County will host a beach cleanup 8 to 10 AM Tuesday, Jan 20, at Winterhaven Park in Ponce Inlet. For more info….call Lynne Walter at 943-7889.
And for a complete beach cleanup schedule, see my VM newsletter.
City of Deltona is actively considering a fire-related assessment on property owners. Deltona’s fire dept faces facility/service cost challenges, so the City is considering fire assessment fee to cover these costs
Lake Helen City Commission recently appointed S Daytona Fire Chief John Brant as their administrator.  
County has a new online permit guide with project zoning and permitting info in one location to assist residents, business owners and developers with the permitting process.
Fla Annual Business Reports Due….see details below….
Fla Annual Business Reports Due…….
Every corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership and LLCs registered to do business here must file an annual report with Fla Dept of State. These reports are due between January 1 and May 1.
Updating your info with Fla’s Secretary of State ensures that your business is active and authorized to do business in the State.
 

EP 139 Will Roberts

Jan 7 - DB City Commission will
DB City Attorney and Commission held a shade meeting to discuss litigation strategies and settlement in the Minto Communities case.
Approved resolution to authorize Police Dept office space in the DB Oceanfront Hilton to provide an enhanced police presence and reduce crime in the Boardwalk and nearby city park areas.
Approved a resolution regarding authority and responsibility of the City Auditor Abinet Belachew
DB Shores City Commission confirmed Interim City Mgr Mike Fowler as Permanent City Manager.
Volusia TOTY will be announced Jan 10…..5 finalists are….
John Holland….Heritage Middle      
Bernadette Bryant….Southwestern Middle             
Erika Kazma…..Longstreet Elem      
Matthew Pellegrino….Galaxy Middle            
Jordan Kalkhurst…..Beachside Elem
Jan 8 - County Council meeting and 2026 goals workshop
City New Smyrna Beach hired Ralph “Tony” Miller as their first natural resources manager.
Florida Legislature runs January 13 - March 13
New 2026 Chairs for local Chambers of Commerce……
Interview with Volusia Tax Collector Will Roberts

EP 138 Daytona Regional Chamber President/CEO Nancy Keefer

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