Volusia Matters Podcast

EP 113 Dr. Carmen Balgobin

Legislative FY 2025-26 budget negotiations delayed until June 2
Charter Review Commission applications available now on Volusia.org …County Council to appoint members on July 22
County Council approves 5 new projects to reduce flooding and improve storm water infrastructure in several communities
Volusia League of Cities Annual Service Award Banquet
County’s Permit/Code Concierge Service helped 334 businesses
with their permit projects
Fla was host to 143 million visitors in 2024, a new all-time annual record ….. a 1.7% increase over 2023
Volusia’s Community Assistance Division survey seeks input to identify/prioritize needs in affordable housing, homeless prevention, neighborhood improvements, economic development opportunities for low-and moderate-income residents
US House votes 215-214 to advance HR 1 to extend 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips, cut Medicaid, clean energy funding, boosts defense and immigration enforcement
spending…bill moves to Senate
US Senate passes SB 129 No Tax on Tips Act…creates federal income tax deduction for cash tips for servers, bartenders, barbers/beauticians, delivery drivers, etc
Annual Volusia County Chamber Alliance MEGA MIXER
Thursday, June 5, 4 – 7 pm at ERAU
Reminder - Real Estate Values Forum - June 10, 8:30 AM DBIA

EP 112 Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila

EP 111 Holly Hill Mayor John Penny

EP 110 County Councilman Danny Robins

Legislature adjourns (temporarily)…House & Senate leaders at impasse on FY 2025-26 Budget…to reconvene May 12
254 bills approved by House/Senate..sent to Governor
County Council agrees to voluntary low-impact development and amends zoning standards for affordable housing
County Council agree to 15 members for Charter Review Commission…adopt application…it’s now available volusia.org
Meeting dates to add to your calendar
May 8 - Law Enforcement Appreciation
May 12 - Volusia Elected Officials
May 16 - Volusia Economic Report Q1 Breakfast
May 17 - Armed Forces Celebration Day - DB Shores
US Economy slowing down amid uncertainty over tariffs
US Federal Reserve Bd keeps rates at 4.25 - 4.5%
Congress dealing with MAJOR budget bill (tax cuts, spending cuts, shift in funding) with Memorial Day deadline…..

EP 109 DB CVB Exec Lori Campbell Baker

Legislature…House & Senate budget leaders at impasse on FY 2025-26 Budget
Fla House tax package includes property tax relief using bed tax dollars…..still being negotiated with Senate
DB City Commission approves linkage fees for affordable housing
DB City Commission hears report regarding impact fees…agrees to discuss at a later meeting
Volusia's sea turtle nesting season starts Thursday, May 1 and runs to October 31
May 6….County Council to discuss County Charter Review Commission…adopt application
Charlene and Kurt Greer host a fabulous 2025 Jeep Beach Week
Deltona Commission working on a zoning overlay to preserve natural areas in City’s southeast area

EP 108 John Nicholson

DB City Commission approves linkage fees for affordable housing
DB City Commission hears report regarding impact fees…agrees to discuss at a later meeting
DeBary is updating their Comp Plan which will outline growth, development, land use policies for next 20 years
School Bd takes up an amendment to its contract with Daytona Beach PD for SROs
NSB City Commission discussing updates to their 1,600-acre Deering Park planned unit development (PUD)
2025 Session enters its final phase, House/Senate leaders negotiate competing tax plans, and bills regarding education, environment, health care…..
US Treasury market’s $28.6 trillion of outstanding securities, is often called the lifeblood of the global financial system
Fla House tax package includes property tax relief using bed tax dollars…..still being negotiated with Senate

EP 107 Jami Gallegos

DB City Commission to take up linkage fees for affordable housing
City of Daytona Beach seeking Advisory Bd members
County Council takes up an ordinance creating flexible, voluntary process to implement Low Impact Development and Green Stormwater Infrastructure with incentives
Volusia School District is addressing a projected $25 million budget shortfall for the upcoming school year..
County Chair Jeff Brower gives update on SunRail
City of NSB has named Chris Kirk as their Police Chief
JeepBeach Week - April 18 to 27 is a celebration for Jeep enthusiasts
Grand Opening of Veterans Memorial Bridge April 25, 9 AM  125 E Orange Ave Court House Parking Lot…..
Florida House/Senate are negotiating their budget proposals for FY 2025-2026
US House approves a FY 2025-26 budget framework by a 216-214 vote to advance Trump's legislative agenda (Reps Cory Mills, Randy Fine voted YES)
US budget deficit was $1.3 trillion spanning from October 2024 to March 2025

EP 106 Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie

Randy Fine Wins Special Election for Congressional District 6 and Jimmy Patronis wins Congressional District 1..
House, Senate budget committees float their spending plans for Fiscal Year 2025-26…
County Council addresses stormwater management strategies…Orange City, Ormond Beach, S Daytona addressing it also
NSB using technology in regard to their parking situtation
County Charter Review to be selected in May or June (but soon)
DB CVB is working to retain Collegiate Cheer/ Dance Championship at Ocean Center and Bandshell
Volusia Forever Committee meets Friday, April 4, 9 AM at County Admin Bldg Deland
Fla’s Revenue Estimating Conference updates revenue projections by about $1.3 billion for FY 2025-26
Fla House, Senate budget committees release their DRAFT spending plans for FY 2025-26…
Fla’s labor force hits 11.3 million in January…. unemployment rate hits 3.2% in February
US national debt is projected to exceed 106% of GDP by 2027…

EP 105 Sheriff Mike Chitwood

Former Congressional District 6 Director Ernie Audino to come on board with CEO Alliance President Kent Sharples
DB City Commission moves forward on improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark and expansion to City Hall
April 1 - County Council to address 6 Stormwater Management/Flood Control strategies (from Jan 14 Special mtg)
April 1 Special Election for Congressional Dist 6 (early voting runs
to Saturday 5 PM...Volusia Elections office, Ormond & DB libraries)
Volusia Schools’ Half-Cent Sales Tax Oversight Committee meet Thursday, March 27, 4 PM 3750 Olsen Dr DB
NSB City Council addresses traffic impact fees
County Coastal Dept still seeking public input on long-range beach resiliency plans
Elected Officials’ Roundtable Flooding & Stormwater Subcommittee meets Friday, March 28

EP 104 County Manager George Recktenwald

Volusia’s Community Assistance Division has a draft plan outlining the County’s affordable housing goals through various homeownership/rental strategies for FYs 2025-2028.
The County will hold a public hearing March 25, 10 AM County Admin Bldg in DeLand regarding Transform386 Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) action plan for Hurricane Milton recovery.
The US Senate voted 54-46 to pass the stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown and provides government funding until Sept 30. Sens Rick Scott and Ashley Moody voted YES.
April 9…..Daytona Beach CVB to make pitch to National Cheerleaders Assn to KEEP cheerleaders’ competition at Ocean Center, 2027-2030. Orlando and Texas cities also making bid. CVB Exec Lori Campbell-Baker shares how can you help.
Dr. Femi Ishola Founder & CEO of Phemotron Systems, a leading innovative company developing Space/Aerospace technologies, has won the Satellite 2025 StartUp Space Business Pitch Competition….one of the most prestigious international competitions in space technology.
Sen Tom Wright provides this week’s legislative update on what bills are moving in the Fla Senate as well as other news from Tallahassee.