Volusia Matters Podcast

Volusia Matters Newsletter/Interview Cyrus Callum, Volusia Aviation Economic Resources Director

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Volusia Matters Newsletter/Interview Cyrus Callum, Volusia Aviation Economic Resources Director

Volusia Matters Newsletter/Interview Cyrus Callum, Volusia Aviation/Economic Resources Director

Podcast News Topics
Local entities have finalized their FY 2025-26 budgets…FINAL list of approved budgets/tax rates to be posted in October VM newsletter
Volusia Innovation Hub, 601 Innovation Way (next to Daytona Intl Airport) held its grand REopening on Sept 15 to mark the facility's management transition and expanded mission from UCF to Volusia's Economic Development Division
DB City Commission approved an ordinance to increase impact fees for residential/commercial construction projects. New fees will be applied to police, fire, transportation and general government.
Deland City Commission increased their impact fees an average of 40% on residential/commercial, office, industrial, assisted living facilities….to supplement city’s cost of Police, Fire, General Govt, Parks/Recreation
Sept 11 - DeLand’s Planning Bd approved an ordinance to allow tiny home communities with 3 or more units, between 200-600 sq ft each
County Chair Jeff Brower will host a town hall mtg Wednesday, Sept 24, 5:30 PM Port Orange Library to get residents’ input on flooding concerns affecting their neighborhoods
Six Volusia County School District employees have new homes due to Homes Bring Hope, community and business partners
NSB City Commission ratified collective agreements with Police Officers and Fire Fighters….approved resolutions for Charter amendments to go on November 2025 ballot….approved applicants for Police, Fire Pension Bds and Planning Bd
Federal Government’s fiscal year ends Sept 30…Congress must pass either complete appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR)…a temporary fix……to keep federal government funded…Trump cancelled meeting with Democrats Sen Chuck Schumer and House Minority Ldr Hakeem Jeffries..US House got back in Washington Sept 23…Senate returns Sept 29
INTERVIEW - Volusia Aviation Economic Resources Director Cyrus Callum discusses REopening of Volusia Business Innovation Hub…DBIA passenger traffic….collaboration with Team Volusia and CEO Business Alliance
NOTE - Sept 30….Fla’s minimum wage increase $13 to $14. Tipped employees’ cash wage will increase to $10.98. Per the 2020 constitutional amendment will go to $15 on Sept. 30, 2026…with $11.98 for tipped workers

EP 128 State Atty RJ Larizza; Chief Asst John Reid

Podcast News Topics
Local entities are in final stages of setting their FY 2025-26 budgets…hearings conclude next week…..click the VM newsletter included in today’s email….
FINAL list of approved budgets/tax rates to be posted in October VM newsletter
County Council approved the distribution of $8.3 million in Medicaid cost share funds for hospital districts.
Deltona has published District 6 Vacancy Applications (Comm Nick Lulli resigned)….interested persons must submit a resume or letter by Sept 18. Commissioner will then select a new commissioner
Deland City Commission modified/increased their fire/EMS impact fees for residential and commercial structures
Boeing announced new 65,000 sq ft engineering center at ERAU’s Research Park (part of the Cici & Hyatt Brown Ctr for Aerospace Technology) to work with the Dept of Defense to create advanced fighter jets
Tallahassee - House Speaker Daniel Perez names new 11-member Select Committee to redraw Fla's congressional map
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates by .25%…..first interest rate cut this year….lowers benchmark federal funds rate from 4.25%–4.50% TO 4.00%–4.25%
Purchasing Managers' MANUFACTURING Index (PMI) remains below 50 signaling a reduction in manufacturing, due to production declines and tariff-related pressures…..Purchasing Managers' SERVICES Index rose… thus sustaining US economy's 64-month expansion, despite trade uncertainties and inflation concerns….in other words, a mixed US economic outlook
Local career changes and events….
INTERVIEW - State Attorney RJ Larizza explains basics of Fla’s potential open-carry gun law….

EP 127 Dr Albert Mosley

Sept 8 - Elected Officials Roundtable….School Supt Carmen Balgobin the District’s current A rating designated by the FDOE…..Also….County Councilman Jake Johannson (Co-Chair of the Volusia Stormwater Management/Flood Control Committee) reported on their progress                
 
Deltona City Commissioner Nick Lulli resigned resigned from office……the remainder of Lulli’s term exceeds two years….Deltona City Charter requires remaining Commissioners appoint a replacement within 30 days. The seat is currently vacant and the Commission was supposed to address it at their Sept 8 meeting….but there was no quorum to address the District 6 issue
 
Gov DeSantis re-appointed Maryam Ghyabi-White to St Johns River Water Mgnt District….her appointment is subject to confirmation by the Fla Senate
 
Volusia Legislative delegation meets Oct 29 to hear from local entities for upcoming session….
 
First Step Shelter Bd increased their budget from $1.75 to $1.87 million
 
Investiture for new Volusia County Court Judge Michelle Simonsen  
 
Sept 5 - Team Volusia Bd meeting….CEO Keith Norden spoke of business prospects….
 
Volusia School District’s Bargaining Team and Volusia United Educators (VUE) set 2 meetings to negotiate employee contracts
 
Local entities are in the middle of their FY 2025-26 budget hearings….click the VM newsletter to see upcoming hearing dates
 
Estimated tax year 2025 3rd quarterly federal income tax payments are due September 15

EP 126 Nancy Miller

Local entities’ public hearings began this week regarding FY 2025-26 budgets. This month is when Volusia’s 16 cities, county and school board set their final budgets and tax rates before the new fiscal year begins October 1.                  
County’s 2026 Charter Review Commission held organizational meeting on Sept 3…to begin their (10 year) review the Charter (County’s Const) and recommend amendments which go to the Nov 2026 ballot. Elected Mark Watts as Chair…Pat Northey as Vice Chair. Set meeting schedule.
September 3 - DB City Commission…
took up an Ordinance 1st reading to amend Land Development Code (LDC) to facilitate development of affordable housing.
an Ordinance to extend Deferred Retirement Option Program for Police Officers and Firefighters (DROP) from 60 to 96 months.
Addressed a resolution calling for the Voluntary Removal of Vulgar T-Shirts and Displays from Storefronts
Continued discussion to address City Commission zone boundaries.
Volusia School District’s Bargaining Team and Volusia United Educators (VUE) set 3 meetings to negotiate employee contracts
Dale Arrington has retired as City Manager of Orange City
Central Fla Commuter Rail Commission Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meets Wednesday, September 10.
Important meetings and events for your schedule……
…..Volusia Legislative delegation meets Oct 29
With new tariffs being imposed….a status update of our international trade partners
Congress has until September 30 to fund most of government or risk a shutdown

EP 125 Jeff Brower

Former Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette is new President/CEO of Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber
DB Shores City Manager Kurt Swartzlander resigns….Police Chief Mike Fowler appointed at Interim Manager
August 20 - DB City Commission…
approved development entitlements for the new 5-Star luxury Pearl Beach Club Hotel…(A1A..just south of Silver Beach Rd)
approved a phased-in $1,045 increase in impact fees on new single-family homes starting in 2026….consensus was to phase in the increase over multiple years…..to be determined at their September 3 meeting
confirmed Abinet Belachew as their new City Auditor and James Lloyd as their new Sustainability/Resiliency Officer
Volusia Forever Advisory Committee meets Friday, August 29 County Admin Bldg, DeLand
August 26 - NSB City Commission…
discussed their Westside Stormwater Master Plan and received $1,000,000State allocation check from Senator Tom Wright
heard Economic Development Task Force report from Director Samantha Bergeron
heard an update on Stormwater and Dredging Projects
Volusia-Flagler TPO approved their 2029/30 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and supported the Expedited Completion of Improvements to the I-4 St. Johns River Bridge project
School Board appointed 3 new members to FUTURES Foundation Board of Directors….also approved Supt Carmen Balgobin’s evaluation
Average 1..2..3 BR apartment rents in Volusia (August)
VISIT FLORIDA President/CEO Bryan Griffin announced that Fla welcomed 34.4 million visitors in 2nd quarter of 2025..  
Next Federal Reserve Bd meeting is scheduled for Sept 16–17... Recently, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated he MAY BE open to a rate cut
President Trump fires Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook due to “mortgage discrepancies”….it'll probably be played out in court overtime 
US House and Senate are in recess until September 1...upon return they’ll address…
avoid a Government Shutdown by Sept 30
Appropriations& Budget Obligations
Immigration Reform
Sheriff Mike Chitwood discusses their use AI in addressing crime….warns of financial fraud scams, hard core drugs
Sept 19…Volusia County Council will host Votran 50th Anniversary Celebration
OTHER NEWS…..not included on podcast
All local entities (cities, county school board) set their INITIAL budgets/tax rates for FY 2025-26…still contemplating figures… 2 public budget hearings in September (Click August Newsletter below)
Elected Officials Roundtable meets Monday, September 9, 9 - 11 AM…Daytona Intl Airport…..Mayors/Vice Mayors, City Managers and County reps to address topics of mutuel concern throughout Volusia

EP 124 Randy Fine

August 15 - Volusia’s Economic Development Q2 Breakfast focused on need for skilled trades i.e. electricians, plumbers, AC technicians, machinists, etc….Economic Development Director Lou Paris updated local 2nd quarter economic data…
JetBlue is returning to DBIA with 2 daily, non-stop routes to New York City (JFK) and Boston (BOS)…service begins Dec 4….tickets on sale now.
With JetBlue’s addition, DBIA is now served by 5 commercial carriers, offering 11 nonstop destinations and seamless one-stop connections to national and international destinations.
Cong Randy Fine was in town last week where he spoke to numerous entities and meetings throughout the County. Listen for Interview…..
August 20 - DB City Commission meeting….
ordinance to revise the existing regulations pertaining to camping on public property to make it consistent with 2024 Fla Legislation
ordinance to redesignate boundaries of six City Commission zones in accord with federal/state law
ordinance to increase Fire, Police, Parks, and General Government Impact Fees as recommended by 2025 Municipal Impact Fee Report prepared by Raftelis Financial Consultants
August 18 - Deland City Commission held a workshop to review their impact fee rates and took up an ordinance in Commission meeting regarding stormwater utility rates.
Deltona City Commission has been evaluating options to challenge SB 180 and is seeking litigation partners (Weiss Serota law firm is leading a statewide coalition to challenge SB 180)….see Edgewater article below..
Edgewater City Council voted 3-2 to maintain City-wide Moratorium and Fla Shores Building Permit Moratorium in response to the passage of Senate Bill 180
August 19 - Ormond Beach City Commission
appointed Billie Jo Kaler to their Budget Advisory Board (appointee of Zone 3 Commissioner Kristin Deaton)….
approved a contract with PCI Municipal Services to implement a paid parking at Andy Romano Beachfront Park
Pt Orange and NSB received FEMA Hurricane grants to demolish flood prone homes
There’s talk in Tallahassee of a study to eliminate property….here’s a list of local entities’ amount of property tax revenue which is applied to their general funds
City of DeLand hosted an open house regarding tiny home regulations where City Planners shared details about where and how tiny homes could be constructed in the City.
Sen Tom Wright presented checks to Volusia County EOC and Halifax Health’ IT
OTHER NEWS…..not included on podcast
All local entities (cities, county school board) set their INITIAL budgets/tax rates for FY 2025-26…still contemplating figures… 2 public budget hearings in September (Click August Newsletter below)
Elected Officials Roundtable meets Monday, September 9, 9 - 11 AM…Daytona Intl Airport…..Mayors/Vice Mayors, City Managers and County reps to address topics of mutuel concern throughout Volusia
August 19 - County Council appointed Raymond Tyner as Growth/Resource Management Director (to succeed Clay Ervin who announced his retirement last month)
Council confirmed Gustavo Zambrano as Assistant County Manager

EP 123 Donna Brosemer

All local entities (cities, county school board) set their INITIAL budgets/tax rates for FY 2025-26…still contemplating figures… 2 public budget hearings in September
On opening day, School Bd and District staff hosted an event at Deland HS to reiterate their accomplishments so far this year…..
Daytona Regional Chamber names Kristin Weiss as their next President/CEO…she’ll become Incoming President on October 6 and work to the end of year with current President/CEO Nancy Keefer who will retire December 18
New home construction in Daytona Beach slowed down in the first 6 months of 2025….January to June, the City issued 447 new single-family homes permits….$137.1 million construction value.... a 23% decrease in permits vs same period in 2024
August 19 - County Council will vote to appoint Raymond Tyner as Growth/Resource Management Director (he will succeed Clay Ervin who announced his retirement last month).
Council will also vote to confirm Gustavo Zambrano as Assistant County Manager
Edgewater City Council took up Ordinance (1st reading) to request to repeal City-wide Moratorium and the Fla Shores Building Permit Moratorium in response to the passage of Senate Bill 180
New Smyrna Beach City Commission took up 1st reading of charter amendments to be voted upon Nov 4, 2025
DB CVB gives presentation on the status of local tourism at Starry Night Art gallery…Tourist district includes 200 properties with approx 12,000 rooms which collects 3-cent Tourist Development Tax (for Ocean Ctr bonds) and 3-cent Convention Development Tax which generates $15 m for tourism advertising
Gov DeSantis believes legislature should pursue mid-decade redistricting due to population shifts after 2020 Census…House Speaker Daniel Perez forms Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting to redraw maps
Gov Desantis names Sen Jay Collins at new Lieutenant Governor.
Trump Admin has imposed tariffs on nearly 100 countries thus increasing US import duties….new negotiated rates range 10 to 15% for Japan, the EU and UK that being agreements. US also imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil and India. Yale Unv’s budget lab says average tariff rate is now 18%...the highest since 1933
July inflation rate REMAINS 2.7% (same as June)
US Federal Reserve Bd in a wait and see mode (not sure if they’ll lower interest rates at September 17-18 meeting)
County Economic Development Q Breakfast…Friday, August 15, 7:30 – 9 AM….Daytona Intl Airport….Program is panel discussion on how 3 entrepreneurs turned their skilled trade careers into successful local businesses.. RSVP NOW!!!!
Elected Officials Roundtable meets Monday, September 9,  9 - 11 AM…Daytona Intl Airport…..Mayors/Vice Mayors, City Managers and County reps to address topics of mutuel concern throughout Volusia.
US is adding about $1 trillion every 5 months during the 2020s—more than twice the 25-year average AND net interest payments on US’ NATIONAL CREDIT CARD debt now exceeds $1 trillion annually…..now one of the largest components of the federal budget—surpassing defense and Medicare.