Volusia Matters Podcast

EP 117 News Updates

Podcast News Topics
National Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships to remain at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center and Bandshell through 2030. YEA Daytona!
Paris Air Show…Gov DeSantis touts new investment in Fla’s aerospace sector with French aircraft manufacturer…AURA AERO opening its first US facility at ERAU’s Research Park
DB City Commission spends $2.2 million for a half-acre parcel south of Main St Pier to preserve public access, steer beachfront development, and assist economic vitality by enhancing the boardwalk corridor.
County Council approves funds for beach profile surveys to track shoreline changes over time to determine whether we’re gaining or losing sand by comparing current conditions vs historical baselines
Recap of VCARD Property Values Forum...Volusia Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett stated that the just value (or market value) was $108.5 billion in 2025 (a 3.7% increase over 2024) and new construction in just value was $1.9 billion….Volusia condominium sales have been down 3 years running. In 2024, sales dropped 16%...with an average value being $310 k…. a 4% decrease from 2024.
Gov DeSantis signed 2 Condo Safety Relief Bills (HB 913 and HB 393) into law to take effect July 1…aim is to maintain safety protections instituted after the 2021 Surfside collapse while easing the financial burden on condo owners, especially retirees and fixed-income residents  
ECHO Advisory Committee meets June 26, 9:00 AM County Admin Building Deland… agenda includes payments for Historic Courthouse Bldg in Deland and DeBary Hall renovations total value $456,000
City of Port Orange host two open houses to showcase Stormwater Master Plans for Sleepy Hollow and Sugar Forest neighborhoods
At its June 17–18 meeting, Federal Reserve Bd keeps interest rates unchanged, maintaining federal funds target range at 4.25% to 4.50%...fourth consecutive meeting with no change.
FLASH….applications’ window for County Charter Review Commission extended to July 18…County Council to appoint members on August 5…go to volusia.org/chartercommission

EP 116 Volusia Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett

Podcast News Topics
Legislature completes Session by adopting $115 billion budget for FY 2025-26
Edgewater Police Chief Joseph Mahoney has been named Interim City Manager
Deltona City Commission:
approved ordinance (first reading) to ban new medical marijuana dispensaries
in planning stages to implement a residential moratorium, i.e. halt new housing projects temporarily (9 months?) while it updates fees, regulations, etc
approved an ordinance to establish regulations for solicitation for public road rights-of-way and city parks and set forth restrictions on soliciting funds from motorists/park visitors
Josh McEnany, Economic Development Director (South Daytona), leads efforts to revitalize primary corridors on US 1 / S Ridgewood Ave and other commercial zones—emphasizing opportunity-zone incentives to attract new businesses
Volusia Schools’ Half-Cent Sales Tax Oversight Committee to meet Wednesday, June 18, 4:00 PM at Facilities Services Bldg
County CFO Ryan Ossowski
tells County Council that volatile economic outlook makes it difficult to reduce property tax burden without impacting essential services and any tax cut must be balanced by budget reductions or supplemental revenue
presented a 5-year forecast for General Fund, Law Enforcement, Municipal Service Districts, Library Services, Fire Services, Sales Tax, Beach Management, and Emergency Medical Services Funds
County Council took up agreement with 1st Step Shelter that provide $1.3 million over 5 years ($400,000 first year, $300,000 second year, $200,000 for remaining three years)
DB City Commission:
to take up CRA Amendment regarding Protogroup Project on A1A relating to Beach Access and Phase II (street level retail uses, parking, and amenity deck)
addresses First Step Shelter, Inc Agreement along with County i.e. City will kick in $400,000 annually
US Senate debating different facets of “Big Beautiful Bill” (Medicaid, SALT, Military, Border Security)….target date for completion is July 4
FLASH - Ocean Center announces the return of NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship through 2030, extending a decades-long partnership with Varsity Spirit….
FLASH….applications’ window for County Charter Review Commission extended to July 18…County Council to appoint members on August 5…go to volusia.org/chartercommission

EP 115 Commissioner Ken Strickland

Legislature is completing work on their FY 2025-26 budget with steps shore-up reserves and reduce spending. Ultimate arrangement is $2.25 billion in “revenue reductions,” with extra money being added to state reserves and more money to pay down existing debt
Real Estate Values Forum…..Volusia Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett said 2025 just values hit a 20 year high at $108,517,934,61 and JUST VALUE estimates increased Countywide 3.8% vs 7% in 2024 and 15% in 2023
First Step Shelter May Report…Total Shelter Intakes for May was 56…Total Rose Ann Tornatore Safe Zone for May was 94
US City of New Smyrna Beach is about to open a new Off-Beach parking lot
Volusia Schools’ Half-Cent Sales Tax Oversight Committee to meet Wednesday, June 18, 4:00 PM at Facilities Services Bldg
7th Judicial Circuit Judge Stasia Warren has retired from the bench…was a County Court Judge 1991-2012……Circuit Court Judge 2017 - 2025
Volusia’s Marine Science Center (located by the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse) to reopen June 23, following a $4.2 million renovation
National Jobs Report…..139,000 jobs added in May…unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%…same for 3 straight months
Numerous commentators are concerned about Trump's international trade agenda and stiff tariffs and how the rest of the world markets has screwed over the US. Economists at the World Bank just issued a statement saying, “Trump is right”.
REMINDER….County Charter Review Commission applications available now on Volusia.org…due by June 30…County Council to appoint members on July 22

EP 114 News Updates

Legislative FY 2025-26 budget negotiations reaching agreement….final vote planned for June 16…may June 18
Charter Review Commission applications available now on Volusia.org …County Council to appoint members on July 22
Daytona Beach City Commission approves delay in Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management study and $1.2 million required to complete it.
County Council voted unanimously to approved the extension of the Holly Hill CRA from current sunset date of Dec 31, 2026 to Dec 31, 2036
US Senate considering ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ HR 1 to extend 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips, cut Medicaid, clean energy funding, boosts defense and immigration enforcement spending…Sen Rick Scott leaning NO….Sen Ashley Moody is a YES
Congressional Budget Office says Trump’s tariffs will reduce total federal deficits by $2.8 trillion over the next 10 years
Gov DeSantis recommended his deputy chief of staff Anastasios Kamoutsas to be next Education Commissioner (Manny Diaz to be interim for Unv of West Fla) Bd of Education ratifies him…..
Volusia County Sheriff's Office is hiring for IT and finance positions….
Reminder - Real Estate Values Forum - June 10, 8:30 AM DBIA

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