May 29 - legislature approved a $114.5 billion state budget…
Major allocations include K-12 Education ($21 B), Higher Education ($9.9 B), Healthcare spending ($49.2 B), environmental projects ($2.5 B), and Budget Reserves ($17 B).
June 1-2 Special Session….Legislature adoptes measure for property tax relief Constitutional amendment….provides incremental increases of homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 then $500,000
County CFO Ryan Ossowski told Council that Legislature’s property‑tax changes — including a lower the non‑homestead assessment cap and adding new supermajority voting rules for certain millage increases — could significantly reduce County revenue starting in 2027 if voters approve the amendment…..warned the cuts could create a $92.8 million shortfall by 2028
City Meetings Update…..
June 3 - DB City Commission
- (as CRA) had a frank conversation regarding homeless in the beachside tourist district…
- approved a measure to expedite affordable housing applications and let accessory dwelling units qualify as affordable housing.
June 1 - Deltona City Commission appointed Davison Heriot as the City’s representative to Team Volusia’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors
June 1 - Deland City Commission addressed several grant applications related to infrastructure at the Deland Airport
June 1 - Edgewater City Council
- created a new sign code.
- applied for a $44,000 State grant to fund a Building/Planning Efficiency Fee Study to modernize its permitting process.
- heard public comments regarding proposed City Charter amendments. Council will address at a later meeting.
June 3 – DeBary City Council hired a consulting firm to prepare Non-Ad Valorem Fire Assessment Rate Study for the City
June 9 – Orange City Council will conduct a workshop regarding concept a Fire Assessment Fee….
June 2 - County Council….
- hosted a 2nd public hearing/presentation on amendments to the County Charter (see pg 5 VM newsletter)
- addressed how impact fees are charged for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
- heard a 5-year financial forecast for the County's taxing funds as part of the FY2027 recommended budget development process.
- appointed James Jones to their Contractor Licensing/Construction Appeals (CLCA) Bd
This week in Congress…
- US Senate is debating a Republican-backed plan to spend about $70–72 billion on immigration enforcement and border security.
- US House to take up 2 major funding bills…..1 funds agriculture, rural development, and FDA ……AND a bill that sets 2027 funding for FEMA, environmental and coastal projects, transportation and housing grants
New Chair of Federal Reserve Bd Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting will be June 16–17…… fed funds rate is currently 3.50%–3.75% Will they raise or pause or lower interest rates?
Community Commentator John Nicholson discusses……
- DB City Commissioners’ discussion regarding homeless in the beachside tourist district and surrounding neighborhoods
- County CFO Ryan Ossowski’s presentation to Council regarding potential impact of proposed homestead property tax relief amendment on the Nov 3 ballot
- proposed County Charter Adm 1 (selection of County Chair) and Adm 5 (creates a conservation lands registry whereby Council can "lock" specific properties to protect them from being sold or transferred)
