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.
