- April 20, 2024
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The wish reveals what areas the city sees as important for 2015.
The City Commission endorsed an “action agenda” that was presented to the Volusia County Legislation Delegation in December. The list communicates to the state representatives and senators the areas that the city officials feel reflect the city’s needs for the coming year, and should be considered for possible legislative action.
The following action agenda was prepared by the city, with the help of Pennington Law, of Tallahassee, a government relations firm, based on proposed legislation.
Item 1: Protect Natural Resources
1. Replacement of septic systems along coastal and inland rivers and waterways.
2. Storm water treatment and flood control areas.
3. Reuse water tanks and lines to limit discharge to rivers and waterways.
Item 2: Help fund the replacement of aging infrastructure
The needs of aging infrastructure throughout the city far out-pace the city’s ability to replace these critical systems in a timely fashion. The city has spent more than $100 million in the last ten years, but that hasn’t been sufficient to meet the needs.
The city needs assistance with:
1. Replacement of 50-year-old, two-inch waterlines throughout the city, which have degraded over time and slaked off rust and lime into the water system.
2. Replacement of 50-year-old sewage collection systems, including clay pipes that have deteriorated over time allowing infiltration into the ground water.
Item 3: Incentivize Economic Development
The City spurs economic development by offering incentive programs to attract and retain businesses. However, the city needs state assistance with providing targeted economic development incentives for building infrastructure that aids in creating and/or fostering regional economic development opportunities for business development.
Key projects in Ormond Beach include:
1. Infrastructure assistance for roadways in Ormond Crossings.
2. U.S. 1 Corridor requires upgrades to the Interstate-95 interchange and pedestrian sidewalks.
Item 4: Fund Pedestrian Safety Initiatives
The Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metro area has the highest pedestrian death rate per 100,000 population among the state’s 20 metro areas. Local jurisdictions have recognized the need for both structural improvements to roadways and increased education and enforcement of existing laws. To be successful, this must be done on an area-wide basis with leadership from the District 5 FDOT, similar to the extremely successful “click it or ticket” campaign.
Funding should be identified, made a priority and be available to provide safe pedestrian crossings with rectangular flashing beacon signals on state roadways in the urban areas, especially along school corridors and coastal highways where pedestrians, specifically families and children, should be able to cross safely.
Item 5: Keep Local Governments Whole
1) Communications Service Taxes — Communication Services taxes represent 6.5% of the city’s general fund budget or $1.76 million annually. Elimination of this revenue source could result in an increase in property taxes of $0.69 mills. Be revenue neutral in changes to this tax.
2) Pension Reform — Continued focus on pension reform honoring the city’s home rule authority to make changes to pension plans that are fiscally sustainable.
