Volusia Matters Podcast

EP 162 Deland Mayor Chris Cloudman

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County, School District, and the county’s 16 cities are now in the budget development phase for FY 2026-27.

Last week was candidate qualifying week……several new candidates qualified at the last week while numerous announced candidates either withdrew or didn’t qualify. SO……….. Check out my UPDATED VM newsletter in today’s email. It includes a list of ALL QUALIFIED candidates for 2026 elections.

DB City Commission - June 17

  • Daytona Beach Housing Authority advanced its FY 2027 budget proposal/scheduled a public hearing for next month.
  • Commission appointed Jazmin Felix to represent the Planning Board on City’s Downtown Redevelopment Bd
  • Adopted changes to the Land Development Code to speed up affordable housing reviews by allowing most qualifying projects to get administrative approval without public hearings

    • Deltona City Commission - June 15

    • Addressed a study regarding 2026 impact fees to see if current fees cover the costs of new growth…..study recommends updating Fire/Rescue, Parks, Transportation (renamed "Complete Streets"), and Law Enforcement fees, adding a new Municipal Impact Fee, so new development pays its fair share for needed infrastructure.

      • Pt Orange City Council - June 16

      • addressed several measures to elevate, demolish and replace homes in low flood plain areas……
      • accepted a proposed charter regarding elections that would require 12 months of continuous residency immediately before qualifying,

        • County Council - June 16

        • hosted 3rd public hearing on amendments to the County Charter proposed by the Charter Review Commission
        • Tadd Kasbeer provided a Capital project schedule update.
        • staff presented a 5-year financial forecast for the County's taxing funds as part of the FY2027 recommended budget development process…
        • By a 4-2 VOTE……Council TABLED a SEPARATE charter change BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO require  a unanimous County Council vote to sell or transfer conservation land

          • Daytona Regional Chamber's 2026 Candidate Hobnob is July 28, 4 - 7:00 PM at ERAU (Henderson Welcome Ctr)  

          State  economists estimate the proposed homestead-exemption increases could cut local  government revenue by nearly $5 billion in FY 27–28 and eventually about $11.86  billion per year, forcing counties to make tough spending choices.

          2026 preliminary tax roll from County Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett gives early totals for countywide market and taxable values for land, homes, buildings, and other improvements.  For a full report/details, come to VCARD’s Real Estate Values Forum…..June 25, 9 - 10:30 AM (8:30 breakfast and check in). Co-hosted by Daytona Regional Chamber, Daytona Area Assn of Realtors and New Smyrna Beach Bd of Realtors. Open to public. There is a cost. For more details, contact Kelly at 320-6292. 

          US economy…..the job market remains relatively strong adding ~172,000 jobs in May…unemployment is 4.3%…. still considered low by historical standards….economy is still growing, but at a moderate pace…..Inflation is back up with CPI at 4.2% in May, the highest inflation rate in ~3 years

          Federal Reserve Bd, led by NEW Chair Kevin Warsh, faced a mix of economic, policy, and political pressures at its monetary policy this week…Bd voted unanimously to leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%  to 3.75%.

          NOTE - JUST ANNOUNCED….Volusia Schools has earned an A rating for a 2nd year…back-to-back

          NOTE - See Avalon Daytona Beach’ Press Release in today’s VM newsletter….pg 14

          This week in Congress…

          • Congress is voting on several bills that could tighten oversight of billions of federal grant, disaster‑recovery, and infrastructure dollars. Florida’s economy and Volusia County could feel the impact of the federal fraud‑prevention and spending‑oversight bills.
          • A separate House bill pertaining to supply‑chain/energy‑security could benefit this area’s logistics/manufacturing sectors by strengthening US access to critical minerals that support aerospace, EV components, and advanced manufacturing

            • Deland Mayor Chris Cloudman comments on

            • status of Deland’s City budget
            • addressing homelessness in the City
            • new affordable workforce housing projects
            • development near Deland SunRail station
              • ...more
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              Volusia Matters PodcastBy jimta