Volusia Matters Podcast

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.

EP 122 Chase Tramont

Podcast News Topics
This past month, all local entities (cities, county school board) set their INITIAL budgets for FY 2025-26
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
County Council selects 15 members (out of 41 applicants) for the 2026 Charter Review Commission. CRC’s first meeting to be Sept 3
County Council discusses proposed amendments to SB 180…a new legislation that preempts county/city land use powers after hurricanes…….applies statewide until October 1, 2027
DB City Commission agenda….
Ordinance (1st reading) to increase Fire, Police, Parks,and General Government Impact Fees (August 20 Public Hearing)
Advisory Bd appointments to Beachside Redevelopment Board(inactive)….Code Enforcement Bd….Downtown Redevelopment Board
Commission to host a 4:30 PM redistricting workshop
County Council approves FY 2025-26 Budgets for Halifax, SE Volusia and West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authorities
DB Shores City Commission updates procurement policy..set city manager’s procurement approval limit at $100,000.
Edgewater City Council took up Ordinance (1st reading) to request to repeal the City-wide Moratorium and the Florida Shores Building Permit Moratorium in response to the passage of Senate Bill 180
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.
Volusia’s GDP - December 2024 was $27.57 billion…ranking Volusia's economy14th out of Florida’s 67 counties based on 2024 data—making it one of the mid-to-‑large-economy counties in the state
No Change in Interest Rates…..Last week, the US Federal Reserve Bd voted to maintain the federal funds lending rate at 4.25 - 4.50%…..5th straight meeting with no change.  
Ernie Audino has a new radio show….The Frontlines Report. It’s the nation’s largest military talk show with over 150 radio stations coast to coast
Roy Young is the new Executive Director of Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM).

EP 121 Roy Johnson

Approx 200 attendees at Meet & Greet for BCU’s new President Dr Albert Mosley….welcoming comments from Mayor Derrick Henry, Commissioner Paula Reed, Volusia AALC Chair Rufus Johnson, NAACP President Cynthia Slater, City Mgr Deric Feacher  
 
County Council approved several infrastructure/planning projects via Transform386 to reduce flood risk, modernize essential utilities, and advance recovery efforts in Daytona Beach, Orange City, Port Orange, NSB .…..
 
Daytona Beach PD seeking new recruits….must pass their Physical Abilities Test plus background check, polygraph exam, etc)...starting pay $19 an hour plus health care benefits
 
Deltona City Commission has workshop to update their current travel policy…proposed flat $4000?
 
NSB City Commission hosts workshop to consider 7 proposed City Charter amendments
 
School Board, County Council, Cities set their maximum TRIM property tax rate…all to host final Budget hearings in September..look for FY 2025-26 budget/tax rate chart in next week’s Volusia Matters newsletter
 
County Council approves FY 2025-26 Budgets for Halifax, SE Volusia and West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authorities
 
Several personnel shifts of our friends in Volusia
 
School District’s Half Cent Sales Tax Oversight Committee updates their capitol projects’ goals
 
DB Shores City Commission updates procurement policy..set city manager’s procurement approval limit at $100,000.
 
FY 2024 Volusia’s GDP was $27.5 billion….ranking us 14th out of Fla’s 67 counties
 
Fla Chamber’s Mid‑Year Business/Economic Report regarding the state's economic performance... Fla had estimated 1.4% growth in GDP (approx $1.76 trillion…adding 142 k jobs (a 1.4% increase) 3.7% unemployment rate
 
After Fla Supreme Court ruled with Gov Desantis to maintain his plan redrawing black-majority District 5 along I-10 into 3 other Congressional Districts….he’s now considering to call Special Session to redraw other Congressional districts

EP 120 David Robinson

Come welcome BCU’s new President Dr Albert Mosley Wednesday, July 23, 5:30 – 7 PM Cherry Community Ctr 
Volusia to host Regional Surf Lifesaving Competition July 23-24 highlighting skills, endurance, and lifesaving expertise of Fla’s top lifeguards….takes place at Hard Rock Hotel…..
Gov DeSantis has appointed Sen Blaise Ingoglia as Fla's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to replace Jimmy Patronis (recently elected to Congress). DeSantis may soon appoint new Lieutenant Governor..Sen Jay Collins?
Gov Desantis announced that Fla has No. 1 economy in the US for the third year in a row
Volusia Free Clinic/Volusia Volunteers in Medicine opens new location 1901 Mason Ave x Fentress Blvd Ste 110….provides primary/preventative healthcare to Volusia’s WORKING but UNINSURED residents based on income (under $45k individual or $61k couple annually).
VOTRAN resumes DeLand SunRail Circulator bus route Monday- Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm…4 stops along the route, connecting riders from downtown DeLand to SunRail’s train stop  
Deltona City Commission recently approved a 9-month building moratorium to allow city officials time to review development standards/building regulations and perhaps write new rules to prevent flooding…however, that appears to conflict with Fla’s NEW SB 180 recently signed into law by Gov DeSantis which prohibits local entities from adopting a building moratorium for 1 year after a storm
After 2 years on the job, PO/SD Chamber Exec Barbara Ann Heegan will be leaving July 30
Public Works crews throughout Volusia continue stormwater management maintenance to prepare for next big storm…
Local Entities in the process of setting their maximum TRIM property tax rates regarding their FY 2025-26 budget (look for VM’s budget tax rate/budget chart)
VCARD and Green Volusia will host Shaping Tomorrow's Spaces program on July 24, 8:30 - 10:30 AM Daytona Intl Airport with focus on implementing Volusia County's new voluntary low impact development stormwater practices
Volusia’s Schools’ Half-Cent Sales Tax Committee meets Thursday, July 24, 4 PM at School Facilities Bldg
Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission/SunRail Advisory Bd (Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Volusia counties in city of Orlando), will meet Thursday, July 24, 1:30 PM LYNX Central Station Admin Bldg, Orlando
Deltona City Commission and Orange City Council are taking up ordinances outlining dos and don'ts of how individuals may solicit within their cities…..
Trump Admin heard employers’ concerns of mass deportations is raising labor costs and producing labor shortages in agricultural-based states that heavily rely on immigrant labor.  
SO……Fla Cong María Elvira Salazar has introduced Dignity Act of 2025….a bipartisan immigration reform bill that aims to overhaul the US immigration system by balancing border security with legal pathways for undocumented immigrants
Fla’s Supreme Court upheld the state's congressional redistricting map, rejecting a challenge to maintain former Black-majority District 5 stretching from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, encompassing Black communities in North Fla
$37 trillion national debt has tripled over 25 years…interest payments on ‘govt credit card’ now exceeds Medicare and defense spending, and is putting US’ creditworthiness increasingly at risk

EP 119 Jake Johansson

Podcast News Topics
Long-time friend/Hotel-Motel Leader Bob Davis has passed away
Local entities in the process of setting their TRIM Truth in Mileage ceiling property tax rate and proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 - 26
Brightline has decided to defer their July 15 interest payment on approximately $1.2 billion in tax-exempt bonds (10–12% coupon), signaling financial pressure
Albert Mosley…..BCU’s 8th president began his tenure on July 7 after a national search. He has over 30 years of experience in higher education and non-profit leadership
Volusia Matters Newsletter Real Estate/Money Scorecard highlights local mortgage rates
Port Orange City Council takes up an amendment to their Land Development Code to support their development and redevelopment goals
First Step Shelter Board discusses their upcoming 1000 new beginnings program to Shelter to Stability which will take place Sunday, September 21, 1 - 4:00 PM
Recap of Team Volusia July 11 Board meeting
MainStreet merchants and Daytona Beach City officials meet to focus on parking accessibility, safety and guest experience in the Main St corridor
VCARD and Green Volusia will host Shaping Tomorrow's Spaces program on July 24, 8:30 - 10:30 AM Daytona Intl Airport with focus on implementing Volusia County's new voluntary low impact development stormwater practices
US Treasury reports $27 billion unexpected budget surplus in June, a contrast to $316 billion deficit in May and $71 billion deficit in June 2024…surplus was driven by a surge in tariff receipts, with customs duties doubling to a record $15 billion in April and reaching $113 billion gross for the fiscal year

EP 118 News & Updates

Podcast News Topics
US Senate is currently debating and amending the Big Beautiful bill with a final Senate vote expected in the next few days. As of now, Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are supporting the bill
Gov Desantis signed $115.1 B budget for FY 2025-26 …includes $14.5 B (12.5%) in reserves….also repeals repeals business rent tax and adds numerous sales tax holidays on necessities/hurricane preparedness items….provides a $1.5 billion to Budget Stabilization Fund over 2 years
Gov DeSantis…”students continue to improve on Fla’s Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments”. These results reflect success of statewide progress monitoring system, which provides real-time data to support student achievement
New Smyrna Beach’s Economic Development Office (Samantha Bergeron, Director) is implementing a comprehensive strategy to enhance job opportunities and diversify the local economy. Leaders want to maintain the City’s small-town character while welcoming strategic growth
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 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