Volusia Legislative delegation met today…..Oct 29, where Sens Tom Wright, Tom Leek and Reps Chase Tremont, Webster Barnaby, Bill Partington and Richard Gentry heard
from local govt entities, community agencies, organizations
and individuals on what they'd like to see accomplished in the upcoming legislative session which meets in Tallahassee, January 13 to March 13, 2026
Oct 21 - County Council approved 5 flood-mitigation projects designed to increase stormwater management capacity, protect vulnerable areas and support long-term resilience across the County. They reflect coordinated efforts between the county/cities under Transform386
Deltona City Commission voted to withdraw from lawsuit challenging SB 180…a reversal from their August decision to join the lawsuit. SB180 is new legislation that temporarily confines small local entities impacted by hurricanes—from enacting stricter development regulations until October, 2027.
It also nullified building moratoriums.
Fla Dept of Environmental Protection (FDEP) awarded $94,500 in grant funding to City of Holly Hill to implement their Regional Drainage/Estuary Program to address increased flood risks affecting LPGA Canal
Gov DeSantis wants to eliminate property taxes entirely for homesteaded properties while a special House committee is proposing 8 separate bills offering different forms of tax relief via constitutional amendments on the 2026 ballot
Volusia Forever Advisory Committee met Oct 24 and evaluated 2025 Cycle 5 properties for Volusia Forever criteria. The committee also ranked Cycle 3 and 4 applications
School District’s Bargaining Team and Volusia United Educators (VUE) met October 29, for a bargaining session regarding Instructional Staff for 2025. at Facilities Services Building.. 3750 Olson Dr, Daytona Beach
Volusia Schools’ Technical Coordinating Committee for School Facility Planning meets Oct 31 to exchange ideas between cities, school district, and county regarding student enrollment, development projects, and future projections for growth.
Volusia recently lost 4 fine individuals…. Dave Castagnacci, Lowell Lohman, Sandy Bishop Burke, Dick Kane.
Volusia County Schools announced 70 nominees for Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced on Jan 10 at the FUTURES TOTY banquet at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
October 20 – as a means to expand affordable housing options, DeLand City Commission approved an ordinance allowing tiny homes to be built in designated areas of the city.
DB Shores City Mgr Kirk Swartzlander recently retired…Public Safety Director Mike Folwer is now Interim City Manager…SO Mark Swanson (formerly County Public Safety Chief) is now Acting Public Safety Director at DB Shores Dept of Public Safety
Sheriff Chitwood reported school threat arrests are down 45% from this time last year
Gov DeSantis and Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky announced improved conditions for homeowners and auto policy holders in Fla’s insurance market
Zane Ertel, former Regional Director with former State CFO Jimmy Patronis and current CFO Blaise Ingoglia, is now Development Liaison for City of Claremont in Lake County.
(FDOT) will host an open house regarding proposed improvements to Nova Rd from Flomich St to US 1 in Holly Hill/Ormond Beach…Wednesday, Nov 5, 5:30 to 7 PM
The Federal Government shutdown is in its 4th week (and counting)….no clear end-in-sight.
An estimated 750 federal employees in Volusia are either furloughed (not working) or working without pay….with a lot of talk about food assistance and early education programs (e.g., Head Start) running out of funds if the shutdown continues.
Latest CPI report showed prices rose at a slower pace than expected in Sept. Inflation increased 3% in 12 months through Sept vs 2.9% the previous month. Economists expected a 3.1% increase.
US Federal Reserve Board is met today…. Financial Markets are confident that the Board (via the will cut interest rates by 25 basis points) moving the benchmark fed funds rate to 3.75% to 4.0 %.
National debt is NOW $38 trillion. US spent $4 trillion on interest over the last decade but will spend $14 trillion in the next 10 years. Interest costs crowd out important public/private investments in our future, harming the economy for every American
INTERVIEW - John Nicholson…..Local Govt Observer/Commentator
Volusia Economic Development “Q” Breakfast will be Friday, Nov 21, 7:30 am Daytona Intl Airport with a panel discussion on “Make It Here. Positioning Volusia to Attract Industry.” Click the button to RSVP…..
