Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 10 minutes. Hey,
hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey, Hey, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Hey hey hey, hey, Hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey. Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 5 minutes. Hey, hey, hey. Hey,
hey, hey. Wonder. Happy. Here we go. Hello. Hey down. Hey, hey, hey. Hello.
Hey. Welcome to the county meeting. The meeting will begin in 2 minutes. Let me just let me just Good morning. Looks like everybody's already found a seat. We will call the
June 2nd, 2026 Felicia County Council meeting to order at 9:01. Um, in just a just a minute, I will ask you to stand if if you care to for the
invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Um, if you are a member of a faith group who would like to take part in invocation, please just send a an email to K green, the letter K uh green at
valucia.gov and um she will get you the information that you you need to do that. Um this morning we have uh the Reverend Daryl Demerit of KBY Memorial Temple Southern Casadega Spiritualist Camp Meeting
Association. If you would like to come and start us off with an invocation. Thank you. Please join me in a moment of silence and prayer. Infinite and loving God, we open our hearts and minds to you this morning and
we ask that you shine your light on these proceedings as our council members consider the opportunities that have been brought before them. We ask that you guide them as they work together in the best interest of our county residents, businesses, visitors, working
collaboratively and in harmony for the greatest and highest good for all that this council has been entrusted with. And we ask this in all grace and gratitude. Amen. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. >> Chrissa, would you call the role, please? >> Mr. Kent, >> here.
>> Mr. Reinhardt, >> here. >> Mr. Robins, >> here. >> Mr. Santiago, >> here. Mr. Dempsey, >> Mr. Johansson >> here, >> Mr. Brower >> here. We have a full house and almost a full house out there. Do we have any
public participation? >> Oops. >> Okay. Okay, we do. I'm wondering if they will all be wearing blue shirts. No. Okay. When I call your name, just come up to the podium. Please make sure that there
is a microphone near your mouth so that everyone can hear you and all the millions of people listening and all online get to hear you. And uh the podium raises up and down if you need that. There is a button on the left hand side of the podium. Uh you have three
minutes to talk about anything that pertains to Valuchia County, something that uh we may be able to act on as a future council. Uh please uh stick to the three minutes because we've got a quite a few people that want to talk and u uh a limit of one hour to to get
through it. Um we appreciate you coming and we like to hear from the public. So uh you are welcome. First up we have Mary Dickinson. right there. >> Good morning. Morning,
>> Mary Dickinson. I live on Marsh Road. And Mr. Bower, I know that you have gotten a hold of Ben Bartlett to help you out with me. All of a sudden, a surveyor showed up at my house. My neighbor across the street came out and
told him that he pulled the platform from Marsh Road, and it only shows a 5-ft easement. And if you don't believe the 5-ft easement, ask Mr. Don Dempsey because his fence is maybe 6 foot from
the edge of the road and y'all were trying to get a 38t easement. Well, 38 foot would mean that I own Marsh Road. Now, from where your guy took and stuck
the sticks up and said, "That's the line." He could not find the other five foot of my property. If he would have just turned around and looked towards the street and did the five-foot, it would have ended up at the
sidewalk where I had put my fence that y'all insisted was on county property. Now, I think what's good for the goose is good for the gander. So, you should go out to Mr. Dempsey's property and have him move his fence. And now,
as far as this is a picture of a dump truck on Marsh Road Bridge, and you can see he's straddling the double yellow line
because the the lanes on that bridge are not 10 foot wide. And with the big mirrors on those dump trucks, they two of them can't get on there. And this is a picture in front of my house. And that
Mac truck is straddling the yellow line. And this happens to be a picture of the end of Old Daytona Road where it comes out on 92. a tractor trailer was
going around that curve, which the curve is so cut in that he stopped all traffic coming and going. And you want to say that these plaques
that y'all put out are correct? Well, let me point out this is Palmetto. This is Palm right here. And this is Maple Avenue.
Well, the Martians must have come down from outer space and taken Maple Avenue back up with them because that street is on this plat and does not exist. And we will discuss at the next meeting
the 12 cents gas tax. That's illegal. >> Thank you very much. >> Have a good day. >> You as well. Crystal Wells. Also forgot to say when you come up, you don't have to give your entire address for safety reasons, but if you would
just tell us what part of the county you're in, then your representative knows who he's talking to. So, Crystal, welcome. >> Good morning. My name is Crystal Wells. I live just outside of Dand. Today I am asking you to support the local youth sports community here in West Valuchia.
The families, volunteers, and children who rely on Dand Little League every single season. The proposed fields in Orange City are not the solution to our community needs. Those fields are outside the area where most of our families live and where our league traditionally operates. They would still
require rental fees and they still would not fully solve our problem because the proposed fields do not meet little league international safety requirements for official Little League games. Many of our volunteers are coaches personally paying out of pocket every week to rent fields so their teams have
a place to practice. For many families, registration costs alone are already difficult to afford, so they are often unable to help cover additional practice field expenses. As a result, either volunteers choose not to step up as coaches because of financial burden or
teams simply lose valuable opportunities to practice and develop. We have been told by parks and wreck that our rental costs are lower than other areas in Central Florida. However, there are communities showing what can happen when local government chooses to heavily
invest in youth sports access. In Groveland, Florida, working together with Lake County government, new youth fields were built with affordability in mind. Residents can rent fields for $10 an hour or $25 an hour with lights.
We're about double that. This is the type of partnership and support we hope to see here in West Valuchia. Our long-term vision is for the city and county to work together to secure the property on Jacob's Dair Road and dedicate approximately 40 acres for a
permanent youth little league sports complex. We understand this cannot be built overnight. We are not asking for a $20 million project tomorrow. We are asking for a commitment to a long-term solution. A phased approach could begin
with a five field baseball clover while our existing fields transition into a dedicated softball complex for our girls. Over time, that vision could expand to meet the growing needs of our community. Today, we are asking you to support immediate solutions that reduce
the burden on our families and volunteers while also helping us begin planning for a permanent home for youth baseball and softball in West Valuchia. And finally, we respectfully ask each of you to respond to the meeting requests we have sent. We would greatly
appreciate the opportunity to sit down individually, answer questions, and work together toward real solutions for our youth. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. Gail Grenzig, you will be followed by Connie Colby.
Good morning, Gail Grrenzig from Dand. About a month ago, I was attending a council meeting and councilman Dempsey, you reminded us of George Washington's view on property rights and essentially it is that property rights and freedom go hand in hand and you can't have one
without the other. And that sparked me to take a look at some of the property rights. So, Valuchia County residents obviously have property rights. of importance is the covenant of quiet enjoyment. This refers to an individual's right to use, possess, and
enjoy their property without substantial unreasonable interference of neighbors. And it also ensures privacy, peace, and utmost important safety. Enjoined in this covenant is the right to be free from nuisances.
Nuisances are those activities that interfere with the safety, health, welfare, and enjoyment of the residents. Common nuisances are excessive noise, pollution, vibrations, access to emergency services, or
anything that substantially interferes with daily living. When the county considers changes in land use, they are required to analyze the land use compatibility, infrastructure conditions, emergency service access, and the characteristics
of the preexisting neighborhood. That's very important, and determine the impact on others. This is all guided by the county council, I'm sorry, the county comprehensive plan which outlines the legal grounds by
which you can deny special exceptions. A proposed travel centers of America franchise just feet from historic Dand is now under review by Valuchia County despite the city of Dand's formal objection. The reasons are clear and
well documented. This project would create a public nuisance, violating the freedom and rights of the established residents to quiet enjoyment of their homes. More than 2,000
trucks and cars per day would generate noise levels exceeding county ordinances. While storm water from an impervious industrial truck plaza would increase flooding, sending toxic runoff into adjacent wetlands and the flood
plane. Added traffic would worsen congestion for commuters traveling to work and school and would delay emergency response times along an already strained corridor. These impacts, noise, environmental harm, traffic hazards, and threats to public
safety are the very conditions in which the county is legally empowered to deny a special exception. Thank you. >> Thank you, Connie Colby. And you will be followed by Chris Kinslow. >> Tough act to follow. Connie Colby um
Orman Beach um following I'm going to speak about the Hand Avenue um between Nova and um Nova and Clyde Morris the construction that's going on there widening the road um following a meeting with um Mr. Kent um a couple weeks ago
his own meeting um I've been more aware of what's going on there and the medians where their turns need to be made or not made um and Prince of Peace has had their entrance exit to their thrift shop
um closed off. Um, some of the problems that I've seen with that area is that the U-turn lane that is at Wellington station is near the end of a dedicated left turn lane onto Nova. And those two
lanes almost run together. So, traffic's going to be stacking up at that left turn lane onto Nova. Um, also at the Wellington station, uh, U-turn area, there's a votron bus station, a bus stop right there. So, the buses are going to
be stopping at that location as well. Um the U-turn is going to also that area is also going to be ex getting the traffic from the 7-Eleven gas station that's coming that way and from traffic coming off of Nova
in all directions, north, south, and east coming that way. Um across the street from that location is a warehouse that's in Valuchia County. It's um your county property. There's um semi trucks
come off of Nova and they're going to have to turn left turn into that warehouse as well for their business. Um there's a trailer park that's across from the entrance to um the Prince of Peace driveway
and I'm not quite sure I can't tell exactly where that's going to be as far as left turns. Um, I drive that area probably at least once a day. What I see happening there is that people now are driving through the barrels that are up
and down the road. The median is quite low. They're driving over the median and sometimes they're going to drive over the median and try to get into an oncoming traffic just for about half a block to get into another driveway on the opposite side of the road. Also,
Prince of Peace parking lot and driveway are becoming a road. People are going in there from Hand Avenue and going around the parking lot to come back out to Division to the Light at Division instead of going up to
um Nova and turning left. Um, just down the road from this entrance, there's a large church called Tamoka Christian Church. >> We'll see what happens with them. It's not done yet. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Chris Kinslow. >> Good morning. Chris Kinsow with the St. John's River Water Management District. I'm a land resource planner. Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the council, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm here to announce that the St. John's River Water Management District is
hosting a public meeting on Thursday, July 9th from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Edgewater Public Library to solicit public comments for the district's Turbo Hammock Conservation Area. This is for the land management plan, developing the land management plan for the conservation area.
The conservation area contributes to the protection of Central Florida's water resources and is home to a long list of comm of natural communities, plants, and animals. I forgot to mention the the properties near Florida shores uh between uh Creek Road and essentially Florida Shores um by Edgewater.
It's over 4,900 acres and this conservation area provides tremendous benefit to for the citizens of Valuchia County. The land management plan establishes goals and objectives for managing Turbo Hammet conservation area over the next 10 years. The district would like to invite review and comment
from the from the county's leaders and citizens. Once again, the public hearing for the Treble Hammock Conservation Area Land Management Plan will be held on Thursday, July 9th from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Edgewater Public Library. Comments
may be presented orally or in writing at the meeting itself, and they can also be submitted via mail or email to the district. A copy of the draft land management plan is currently available on the district's website. Additional details regarding the public hearing are available also on the district's website
under meetings and announcements. And we can also provide details to the county for utilization on the county's social media or on their website. Thank you all for your time and look forward to having participation in the public meeting. >> Are are you working with Michael Ryan to
get that on our social media as well? >> I can. Okay. >> So So he's in the back there. >> Excellent. I'll take with him. Appreciate it. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you for the information. Uh Katherine Pante. >> Good morning, council. I want to address the Valuchia County Attorney's opinion
that Miami date article 7 and Elatcha Countyy's Charter Section 1.7 would be unlikely to withstand judicial scrutiny in Florida. These charter provisions, which require voter approval by referendum for the sale or lease of county parks, reserves, and conservation lands, are consistent with Florida's constitutional home rule authority.
Miami Dade Countyy's experience demonstrates the enforcability. In 2006, Miami Dade voters approved a referendum under article 7 authorizing limited commercial development of Metro Zoo, now Zoo Miami, but only on land that was not environmentally sensitive. In 2022, the county entered into a lease agreement
with Miami Wilds for a leisure tourism development. Planists included citizen Jose Barrows filed suit on October 4th, 2022, alleging that the proposed development violated the 2006 referendum because it would impact environmentally sensitive land, specifically the Richmond tract, which contains one of
the most biodiverse remaining fragments of critically endangered pine rocklands outside of Everglades National Park. The countyy's attorney's office acknowledged that the referendum requirements applied to the Metro Zoo property. Following litigation and significant public opposition, the Miami Dade County Commission ultimately terminated the
lease agreement in December 2023 with formal recision in early 2024. Importantly, the underlying voter approved referendum requirement in article 7 was never judicially invalidated. The litigation concerned the county's compliance with the provision, not the validity of the charter amendment itself. The fact that
Miami date successfully implemented the referendum process, faced enforcement challenges, and ultimately adhered to its terms underscores that these voter protections are both practical and legally operative. Florida law supports charter counties authority to adopt procedural safeguards. Under the Florida's Constitution, home rule
provisions, article 8, section 1G, charter counties have broad authority to govern local affairs, including the management and disposition of county-owned property. Florida courts have historically upheld local voter referendum requirements for significant public actions as valid exercises of home rule authority. Voter approval
requirements for the disposition of a major or alteration of public parks, conservation lands, serve as legitimate procedural checks. They align with public trust principles regarding government stewardship of public assets and do not constitute a substantive prohibition barred by general law. Management of county owned parks,
preserves, and conservation land is a local issue where Florida law strongly favors local control. Elatchua County section 1.7 provides a comparable example. For lands acquired or used for conservation, voter approval is required for their sale or conversion to a use that would diminish the qualities for which they were protected. Like Miami
Dade's provision, it rests on the same constitutional home rule foundation. They represent a direct expression of the electric's will to safeguard irreplaceable public assets for future generations. In conclusion, charter provisions requiring voter referendum for major dispositions or commercial uses of public parks and conservation
lands are legally sound and consistent with Florida's law. I strongly encourage the council to give serious consideration to adopting similar protections for Valuchia Countyy's valuable public lands. Thank you. >> One breath. >> Oh boy. Uh,
next is the mayor of Daytona Beach Shores, Nancy Miller. It's good to see you here. >> Thank you so much, Jeeoff. I appreciate it. Kat, I don't know if I can talk that fast, but I'm going to give it a try. So, again, Nancy Miller, mayor of Daytona Beach Shores. Before I begin, I just want to tell you I left this
morning the scene of that tragedy of Tammy Joe Baker um that happened on our beaches. Um, able to talk to the family. I had no words to say. What do you say to that family? So please remember them in your prayers. Also I want to express my gratitude for the law enforcement
officers that were there yesterday in that scene. So um as sadly the hurricane season is upon us and I am here as co-chair of the storm water mitigation that I have the privilege of um serving with um Mr. Joe Hansen or Valuchia
County at large. So we have been working on that for 18 months and I just wanted to give you an update. The committee has been collaborating and these are what we've come over with last week. So, our partnership with the county has been especially critical and they have
supported us with a sense of urgency. This includes each of you that approved the transform 386 for over $400 million that is helping our cities and communities managed by Donna Butler. So
last week we heard from each of our cities what is in their works due to this special funding and their future plans. It was with pride that they were able to share their plans for inf infrastructure upgrades, basin improvements, retention strategies and
resiliency planning. What affects our community impacts one another. Clint Meech gave us an update on anticipated weather this season. He's not reporting any hurricanes, so we're going to hold him to that. As well as the commitment
from them that the emergency operations are prepared and they're ready to assist us. I want each resident to know that we are working hard and a lot is being done in each city on the county website. You can find the transform 386 funds, what
the distribution was, and what they have done, the projects that were supported. I want to also report that U. Michael Ryan gave us an update on an interactive inactive interactive dashboard. Residents can focus on the address to
review what maintenance plans and projects are available in their area. In addition, Mr. Johansson and I prepared a video that we plan on presenting to each city council meeting on our progress what is happening. There is still much
work to be done with funding still needed. But we are no longer working in silos, but approaching the challenges with best practices, sharing lessons learned. We are moving forward together, collaborating, sharing knowledge,
strategic partnerships, and a clear vision for a more resilient future in Valuchia County. Thank you. >> Thank you, Amy Manzi. and you will be followed by Rosemary Laam. >> Good morning. Amy Meszi de Leon Springs.
On March 15, 2022, water resources director Mike Olrich came before the county council seeking approval for FD grant funds to construct water and sewer lines to provide clean drinking water for our commercial corridor and elementary school where an underground
fuel plume from the 80s caused petroleum pollution in wells. Mr. Brower voted against that. At the same meeting, Ginger Adair sought approval for an FD grant for Deleon Springs homeowners to comply with state mandates to upgrade their septic systems to reduce pollution
to Deleon Springs. Mr. Brower voted against that. At the end of the April 21st, 26 county council meeting, Mr. Brower stated, quote, "Toilet totap is the practice of injecting cleaned up sewage water into our drinking water
because we don't know what to do with the amount of sewage we have anymore or just placing it into the aquifer." This statement is false. During the meeting, Mr. Brower also said, "The state is forcing homeowners in Deleon Springs to spend $4 to $60,000 on new septic
systems." This statement is false. He stated many people in Dillion Springs would just lose their homes if they were forced to completely redo their septic systems and drain fields. The statement is false. During Team Valuchia's presentation at the May 19th County
Council meeting, Mr. Brower stated, "You just heard from Stson about a research project that's going to be crucial to all of Valuchia County." That statement is false. During the April 21st council meeting, he stated that he had spent two
years working with Rioation to get a permit to test a filter that would clean up your septic tanks and drain fields and it would clean up the state of Florida and save trillions of dollars. That statement is false. Wendy Anderson wrote and won the FD Stson grant to
obtain a permit to test a filter that admittedly does not remove phosphorus or nitrogen. That filter is now in a testing phase that will take up to two years to find out if it's even effective in reducing pollutants. In the meantime,
hundreds of citizens within our BMAP have already converted their conventional septic systems with three technology options that have already proven to reduce nitrogen pollution in our spring. And the FD grant funding already has been awarded to Valuchia
County for this. Words like toilet to tap are designed to manipulate the public by exploiting their fears. These false statements show an ignorant of ignorance of current technology that's in use around the world to produce safe, clean drinking water known as purified
water, a product that is for sale at every grocery store today. Please, I ask the council to request a presentation from our water resources division so the public can hear factual information instead of fearful rhetoric designed to
mislead the public. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. It's always good to see you, Rosemary Laam. And you will be followed by Lynn Peterson. Good morning, Chair Brower, Councilman Rosemary Laam. I live in Southwest Dand.
Currently, our state legislature is in special session debating property tax. Why the issue of property tax superseded the issue of property insurance remains unknown. Proposed property tax cut would start in 2027 with homestead exemption
being increased to $150,000 for homeowners who have owned their home for at least 5 years. The homestead exemption would increase to $250,000 in 2028. The property tax proposal is drawing
alarms from cities and counties. This proposal would lower this proposal would cut revenue and shift power of local government to Tallahassee. Are our local city and county leaders going to sit idally by why we allow the
loss of home rule and give Tallahassee permission to dictate how our cities and counties are run? The Florida Association of Counties estimates a10 billion revenue loss in the first two years. In session yesterday, an amendment of this bill carved out
protection for education. The tax cut does not carve out protection for law enforcement or public safety, which would leave districts, police, fire, infrastructure, and emergency management to compete for remaining dollars. Sounds
a bit like defunding the police. Critics warn veteran services, health care services, libraries, parks, senior centers, and services to vulnerable populations could take major hits. This
tax cut is merely a cost shift. Services that are provided by local government may be shifted to private comfort companies. There is no control of that cost. Tax burden to non-h homesteaded properties such as businesses and rental
units will have devastating results. Businesses will either shift increased tax burden to consumers or they will close their doors. Landlords will shift their tax burden to increased rate for rent. How will this help current problem
of affordable housing? The current governor says local governments can provide the same services at lower costs. Let's ask Let's ask our police chief, fire chief, city managers, county managers if they can continue their
current level of operation at lower cost. The property tax constitutional amendment would need 60% support from lawmakers to reach the 2026 ballot, then 60% voter approval to take effect. As
citizens, we must educate ourselves before we vote. Lower property tax sounds nice, especially as people are contending with out of control gas prices along with everything costing more. >> Nothing is free. Many services will be
sacrificed and we must vote smart. >> Lynn Peterson and you will be followed by John Nicholson. Good morning, chair. >> Councilman. My name is Lynn Peterson. I live in Dand. Uh there is this is a followup on
Rosemary Laam. There is so much to say about the attempt by our lame duck governor to grab the power of our elected county officials to work for us and all our hopes, needs, and requests.
I want you seven to know that we will fight this and vote against it if that comes to pass. We support you. Absolutely. There is so much at stake. I wish us all well. Thank you.
>> Thank you, John Nicholson. And you'll be followed by Asher. Is Asher in the room? Okay. John Nixon, Daytona Beachside. One, I'd like to thank the uh council and George for putting up signs for First Step
Shelter on uh 92. Uh one, it's informative and secondly, it's an advertisement that this county and the city of Daytona Beach has put millions of dollars to help those that are uh less fortunate off the streets. Uh
secondly, listening to the radio on the way over here, uh comment was made about FEMA and how they're basically closing it down. Uh I believe we have 13 or million dollars, George, on the property on Beach Street. Um we had a property,
the county had a property there and it was demolished uh for when a hurricane maybe 10 years ago or so. Um will we lose that 13 million? Is there a way of developing beach street property so that we use it wisely? $13 million is a lot
of money to throw out the window like the city of Daytona Beach just threw out $1 million. Uh third, going across the ISB bridge um just uh west of 95, there's only about
14 in to walk on either side of that bridge. So, it's really not a walkable uh bridge. uh when traffic increases, which it will, there are now nine properties okayed by the city of Daytona Beach south of ISB uh from 95 to LPGA.
The traffic there is going to be horrendous. That little bridge is not going to work. I told Daytona Beach 25 years ago, there's a little bridge on LPGA west of 95 that when Margaritavville goes in, it's going to be back just jammed. it is. So, this
bridge also needs to be widened and we need to do it now. Actually, we needed to do it yesterday. Uh third, um we had graduation this past weekend and I understand I'm in the middle of all of
that mess, but the idea of going and taking 20 minutes to get to and from my house from a block away is not the way to go. um going down A1A. I was a block from the house right in front of the ocean center and you can't turn there
and there was a traffic uh person who wouldn't allow A1A to continue. They had to empty the parking garage. So I sat there for four traffic lights 3 minutes a piece and then when I go block to turn into my street you there's no turn lane because that's the other end of the
parking garage. So, I had to go down to Seab Brief, turn around, and then I couldn't get back to my house because the traffic backed up getting to the graduation. Something had to be done. You owe us a parking garage when you expanded. We need that parking garage. The Ocean Center needs that parking
garage. And uh running out of time, so I'll talk in the end of the meeting. Have a great night. >> Thank you for your comments, Asher. Okay. Good morning, Chairman Brower, Vice Chair Reinhardt, and members of Valuchia County Council. My name is
Asher and I am the policy and advocacy pride fellow for Valuchia Pride. I am also a student at Stson University where I'm double majoring in environmental studies and political science and I am a rising senior. Members, yesterday marked
the first day of Pride Month. As a proud member of the LGBTQ plus community, I would like to share why this month is so important for me. For generations, LGBTQ plus people were told to hide who they were in order to protect their safety
and avoid discrimination. Today, we reject the idea and instead live openly and proudly as members of the LGBTQ plus community. On June 28th, 1969, the Stonewall riots began after police
rar. While this was not the first time police had reared a gay bar, it was one of the first times the LGBTQ plus community fought back in such a visible way, representing a major shift in LGBTQ plus
activism. Activists such as Marcia P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera went on to help found STAR, an organization that support LGBTQ plus youth experiencing homelessness, particularly transgender and youth of
color. Fast forward nearly 46 years later on June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court decision Oberfel v. Hajes legalized samesex marriage nationwide. While marriage equality is now the law
of the land, our community still faces challenges. According to the Trevor Project, 38% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 40% of
transgender and non-binary young people. That is why Pride Month remains so important. It's both a celebration of how far we have come and a reminder of the work that remains. This month and every month is important that all
members of this great county feel safe, valued, and protected, including members of the LGBTQ plus community. Thank you all so much for your time and happy Pride Month. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments.
Okay, that ends the uh public participation for this part of the meeting, which brings us uh to item one. And before I have a a motion or a second, this item is for the approval of the agenda, I would like to
call on County Manager George Rectal to give us a little bit of information about business that's currently being conducted in Tallahassee. >> Yes. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah. Uh I asked for this time from the
chair uh to um speak for a minute because of the issues that are going on in Tallahassee as we speak. Of course, this came up on us uh middle of last week. Uh we've had very little time to react and the the team has uh worked through the weekend to uh look at what
some of the proposals and some of the actions in Tallahassee uh may do to us. So, what uh I'd like is I I put a uh draft of a letter that I would send uh up to the delegation and I wanted the council to see that letter
first and it's also attached to that is a aformational sheet that our CFO had put together that gives uh the outline of what would uh be potential issues here in Lucia County. And if if I could, I'd like to uh have a minute for our CFO
to come down and speak to that uh before we get going. And of course, it just turns out uh we're going to be talking budget later on today. So, I just think it's important that we talk about this this morning. And so, if the council uh uh is okay with me sending that letter, it can go out this morning because
they're going to be meeting uh later on today. So, it was important that I got this out before they actually met. Ryan Good morning, council. Ryan Oowski, chief financial officer. I'm waiting for my PowerPoint to come up.
All right. So, uh, as George mentioned, uh, things have moved quickly, uh, over the weekend, uh, and yesterday in Tallahassee related to proposals for property tax reform. Uh, the the two items that were were first out were the
Senate Joint Resolution 2F and Senate Bill 4F. It's all the way up. Uh, okay. But I did move the microphones closer. Hopefully you can hear me now. So, um, one thing that I'd like to to point out before that sets the
discussion is the reform measures that are currently being discussed would be applicable for January 1st, 2027. In Florida, that is a tax roll date. And what that means, it's the tax role of 2027, which is what funds the fisc year
2028 budget. It is not the budget that we would be developing over the next four months. Although it will foreshadow everything that we do over the next four months, it does not have a direct impact
on the next fiscal year budget. Um I think uh a lot of people are probably familiar, but just as a summary, Senate Joint Resolution 2F is the part that puts the amendment on the ballot. It raises the homestead exemption with a path towards full
elimination of homestead property taxes. It was amended and as I've got on the slide here, this is the latest information. It was amended to exclude school taxes. The original proposal included school taxes. School taxes would be subject to the same exemptions that they currently are, just the
$25,000. It tightens the annual assessment cap on other property from 10% to 5%. and it would go to voters in November only if the legislature passes it first. The second piece which is also important
is the state law change. It raises the vote thresholds needed by this body to set millage rates. We'll talk about that a little bit on the next slide. It has state offsets for fiscally constrained counties. County is not a fiscally constrained county
and it would take effect uh upon becoming law. The four key provisions of the amendment are a much larger homestead exemption, $150,000 in 2027 for the fiscal year 2028 budget and $250,000 in 2028 for the fiscal year
2029 budget for non-school levies. I mentioned the tighter assessment caps. I would just mention that the 3% save our homes cap still also applies for values above the exemption amounts. There is language in there that has a
5-year weight for new residents. And originally there was a list of things that you were allowed to use advalorum on. It was amended uh yesterday with a catchall provision. As it stands right now, the ballot
language would still list the things that are there, but the catchall provision actually doesn't limit you to those things. Senate Bill 4F, uh, the millage vote thresholds. Today, a simple majority is required for a roll back rate plus an
inflation adjustment. There is actually a state defined rate that includes inflation, and that is what the simple majority threshold is. It actually has a cumulative effect as well. So if you don't take advantage of an inflation adjustment in one year and you go to a full roll back, those cumulative
adjustments build up and the state department of revenue tracks that for us. So we are well below our simple majority threshold because of all the years during the the downturn of 2008. The 2/3 vote threshold today is 110% of
the adjusted rate and the unanimous or referendum vote is anything above that. Under Senate Bill 4F, the only thing that a simple majority of this body could approve is a roll back rate. There is no inflation factor.
Uh up to 110% of the roll back rate would be a twothirds vote. And anything beyond that, anything beyond 10% above roll back would be a unanimous vote. That will be very important as we move forward with how we fund the county if
this amendment were to be approved. Essentially, one member of the deis could block any funding above 10% for the services that that the majority even the super majority six out of seven
would prefer to keep funding. routine cost growth that pushes costs above roll back such as wages and union paycale increases, third-party contracts, escalation factors for CPI, health insurance
growth, and just general inflation, especially in construction. None of these would be captured in uh any type of inflation adjustment which exists today. The local fiscal impact I did an analysis of just the general
fund, the law enforcement fund, and the municipal service district. These are our broadest funds. If we had held the rates that we had in 2016 constant through today, the property tax levy in those funds would
be $427 million. Our actual levy today is $324.9 million. Through actions of this county council over the last 10 years, rates have been reduced to a
point that that is now worth $13 million a year. The current discussion on property taxes focuses on how much values have gone up, but this council has reacted to values going up by
reducing rates. The savings are already being passed along today. However, if this amendment were enacted, we would be looking at at the same property tax valuation without a change
in rates another 93 92.8 million of added loss of property tax revenues to $232.1 million. The $92.8 million is only three of the 10 taxing funds. It's only the the three that are listed with the red bars on
here, which is the general fund, law enforcement, and MSD. The fire district would actually be the third largest impacted of all. Even if language were added in potentially, uh there one of the speakers earlier today mentioned how
law enforcement or fire are not protected. If amendments today were to do something like that, our fire district is a separate taxing millillage. We would have no choice given the conflict between state law and wherever they I don't know if they
would decide to put that in the state law or if they would try to put that in the constitutional amendment. You'd have a conflict on the fire fund because you might have a mandate to only be able to increase taxes with a unanimous vote but not harm fire.
Previously, we discussed the fire district with council and we are proceeding with a study on special assessments for fire. It is something that you are allowed to do particularly because fire benefits properties and that could be a measure that could alleviate some of the the funding stress
for the fire district. The remaining funds options like that don't do not exist. You can see the impact to our library system, to the voter approved echo and forever programs, mosquito control, and the poor district as well.
Property taxes that fund required obligations equal $250.8 million. That includes funding the sheriff, funding the courts, funding the county jail, funding statemandated expenditures such as DJJ,
the Medicaid cost split, the Florida Department of Health, state attorney's office, public defender, and the list goes on. I have a detailed flyer that lists out where the $250.8 million comes from. So currently our property tax
levies in these funds generate $326 million. That leaves $75 million for remaining services. If we lost another $92 million, we'd be at a $17.7 million deficit just for our required services.
The required obligations, as I mentioned, consume $250 million. the rest of it, $75 million of property taxes, as well as $57 million of other recurring revenues. That includes state shared sales tax, state revenue sharing,
as well as uh investment income and some other smaller general revenues. And actually, I meant to mention this earlier, but the numbers that you were seeing, the $250 million, that is the net draw on property taxes. That is not the budget for those items. That is not the budget for the sheriff plus the
courts plus those. That is the net draw on property taxes. The sheriff, for example, generates 20 plus million dollars of charges for service when he has contracts with the city of Deltona, city of Deerry, town of uh Pearson, and Oakill. Those have
already been netted from those numbers. The 250 million is just the draw on property taxes. It is not the total budget of those areas. The numbers you see below on this chart are also just the draw on property taxes. So, beach and coastal. You may remember during our last budget
discussions the $17.3 million subsidy. That doesn't include the almost $10 million of beach uh fees and off- beach parking fees that we also collect. This is just the net draw on property taxes.
So, in short, this list that you see on this page totals $132.9 million. There's a rounding of.1 million. we would have to lose absent any other funding increases or shifts in how we
fund things like potentially other fees for services for some of these things that are listed here for wherever we can. Absent those types of maneuvers, if you were to just reduce expend expenditures, reduce spending,
you would have to reduce $92.8 million out of $132.8 million. about 70% of everything that's on this slide. And some of these are going to be less palatable than others. Other public safety is on this slide because some of
those public safety mandates are are not considered part of the the list that included sheriff and jail like EMS subsidy funding. A question that I was asked recently was $92.8 million, but you have a $1.8
billion budget. Why can't you just find it in there? That's less than 5%. That is the total county budget across all fund types. The general operating funds are 638 million of it and the flexible recurring revenue, and I have slides that are
going to break this down further, are 383 million of it. for which property tax is 325 million and we're proposed to lose 93 million of that. It's about 28% of the property tax revenue that funds general government services.
So here's the charts that help break that down. $1.88 billion budget. That number includes the budget for all funds added together. A lot of activity occurs between funds. are inner fund transfers. We might collect a tax revenue in one
fund but then transfer it to another fund. For example, the municipal service district that funds the sheriff's office. It collects utility taxes, property taxes. It budgets for that revenue. It also budgets to transfer that to the sheriff's office in the sheriff's office fund that becomes a
revenue in that fund. So things get double counted. The internal service funds are one example of that. So automatically you have to take some numbers off the top for that. A lot of the budget is one-time money such as capital projects. Those are multi-year capital projects
where we've set aside operating dollars yearbyear and are waiting for the completion of those capital projects. A lot of those capital projects were also sourced from restricted or special revenue funds like uh county transportation trust, storm water
projects or other types of restricted projects. Enterprise funds are self-supporting systems where the revenues are restricted to specific operations. That includes your water and sewer utility system, your airport, which would be totally restricted by the FAA. You can't use airport resources to
balance these property tax obligations, the um solid waste collection system, the the garbage collection contract, which is done as a special assessment. You cannot raise a special assessment for garbage collection to help offset your general property tax burdens. And
then restricted and special revenue funds which includes things like the gas tax or the storm water fee or other uh things like the mosquito district echo forever. Those are all the restricted special revenue funds. So the
general operating funds makes up 638 million of the $1.8 billion budget. That is the general the law enforcement beach management and MSD funds which are now broken out on this slide. So out of that 638 million I mentioned earlier that the numbers I
was presenting were net draws on property taxes but this number includes the gross revenues for things like the sheriff's office. So, if you were to look at the second item on the left where it says revenue generated by and offsetting the
need for property taxes for required and constitutional expenses, $40.4 million. That includes approximately $25 million of sheriff's revenues that we're using already and reduce the draw on property taxes. So, those are not additional revenue sources to be tapped. Those are
already shown in the reduct as as a net figure. In my previous slides, I mentioned double counting. There are transfers that occur between here. I mentioned the MSD fund transfers money to the law enforcement fund. So that gets counted twice. It gets counted as
an a revenue in the MSD and a revenue in the law enforcement fund. So when I add them all together and come up with this gross budget number of 1.88 billion, included in that are double counted transfers even in the general revenue piece. And then carry forward of prior year
funds. Majority of that is your reserves. Your reserves for future capital, your reserves for emergencies. And those are carry forward of one-time money. While some of it could be used to fund capital projects, funding recurring obligations out of that piece of the pie
would be short lived. So your flexible recurring revenue is what's left. The 383 million, 325 million of that as property tax. The other 57 million, as I mentioned before, is state revenue sharing, sales taxes, investment income, other things that are
general in nature and could be used on any particular purpose. This is the piece of the budget where the $92 million deficit lands. And as I mentioned before, these are the areas that we'd be looking at. At this point, I'll take any questions
or direction. Questions first. Uh, Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. chairman. Um, thank you for the detailed uh analysis. Um, it's a very serious issue that we should obviously have a discussion on. Um,
I I I I appreciate you sharing the uh where the shortfalls of where we would lose money is very factual. But I I I want to expand a little bit more on one piece that you did mention, but it was pretty quick because I want to make sure we have the the ying and
the yang, right? Um c can you elaborate that the legislature as they're considering this allows or does not disallow the opportunity to fund other areas with
other assessments based on what the governing body feels is appropriate. Is is that an accurate statement >> for and I might rely on Paulo if he's in the room or Russ or Mike to fill in, but special assessments for
services that benefit properties are a revenue tool that we have today that we could look at for certain areas, specifically the fire district >> for the portion that benefits properties. And that's a very important part of the distinction is special
assessments have to benefit properties. They can't benefit people. So commonly what you see for fire is you find out how much of the fire is benefiting how much of the fire rescue service is benefiting the structure versus how much is EMS calls and benefiting people. That
portion cannot be done as a special assessment because special assessments have to benefit properties. >> So it is >> because it's a property tax basically. Special assessments are not a property tax. They are a charge that is not set on a value, but they're limited to
benefiting properties. So, there's a lot of services that we provide that would be not benefiting properties. In general, law enforcement does not benefit properties. At least that's what the uh case law or that what the attorneys have have researched. There's a lot of services that don't. And
>> did you want to if you want to exp. >> Yeah, I think you did good. Thanks. But I think the point that I'm trying to make is that we're it's still really early, but there may be opportunities for local governments to do things to
fill the gaps in certain permissible areas to uh reduce this impact. whatever the state will allow us to fund because property taxes are one of the things that are constitutionally provided to local governments. So
anything else that looks like a tax, smells like a tax, you need to derive that source of power from the state. >> Um so you know your revenue options become very restricted and become very limited um once you are out of that
property tax bucket. So, as Ryan mentioned, oh, sorry, Paul Sorya, senior assistant county attorney, um, special assessments are one of those things that are highly litigated, and that line on whether or not it is an allowable special assessment or a prohibited tax
is very fine. Um, and and the smaller it is and the more that you can tie to the benefit to the property, the more valid your special assessment is, but there's not a good guarantee. And I and another question um you know I know we have the
letter that George provided to us and I'd like to discuss that letter when we get the chance to Mr. here. But is it something given the call of the legislature where the governor made they within this you you may or may not know this but they can consider other
opportunities to let's just say uh give more flexibility to local governments on certain ways of assessing whatever it might be. >> Oh yes. Um so you know the the state has given local governments the power to tax
that is beyond your property tax because that's the one that's controlled by the the constitution. So community service taxes which we've removed business tax receipts which we've removed um you know their gas taxes like all of those are derived from the legislature. So the
legislature controls any other taxes that they would allow local governments to impose. So, you know, if you're just looking at a term, a type of revenue that is more unrestricted, you'd have to derive that authority from the legislature. It's not something that is
inherent um from the >> and they could expand those in this call also if they wanted to. >> I don't know about the legislative session in this. I think they may be stuck on what is currently proposed. So, that's that's a story for another legislative session. >> And and last question, Mr. chair. Um, is
there anything that prohibits us to re reviewing and reassessing user fees across all services? >> I think I mentioned that. And everything that you see on the slide you have here, if a user fee is applicable, it might be
something we need to consider. Um, >> what about other user fees for other stuff if it I'm just I'm brainstorming here, right? I'm just this is all this is not suggesting um but user fees in other areas that could help support general funds.
>> One thing comes to the top of my mind which we currently collect or or transfer 4% of the gross revenues of the solid waste fund. Solid waste fund is one of those enterprise fund activities but it actually benefits the entire county. So
every resident essentially through their city or their unincorporated area garbage collection contract does pay tipping fees. We have to be careful with how much we charge for tipping fees because those contractors would still be uh looking to reduce their cost as much
as possible. So if our tipping fee is out of line with the private sector because there are private landfills out there then we could price ourselves into a place where our landfill is unsustainable and that's not something we want to do either. So there's a potential that you could look at it there, but the rest of it would probably
be the direct user fees on the services that you see listed on this slide right here. >> Thank you. Thank you. I know it's a tough topic. Um, and Mr. Chair, I'll just withhold for discussion on the uh the letter proposed by George and um I do want to have some debate when the opportunity arises. Thank you,
>> Councilman Troy Kent. Thanks, Chairman. Thanks, Ryan. George, a good starting point with the letter and um Councilman Santiago, you you said it well there, especially at the end. Um difficult conversation,
but I guess it's time to get difficult question. Ryan, you said earlier if this amendment goes through, you talked about what the county and cities would be losing, but you mentioned something about the schools.
The schools will be will be carved out of this. Originally, uh, up until yesterday, the schools were part of the additional exemption of the 250,000 or 100 150,000 the first year, 250,000 second year. >> Now, now they're not. >> The schools have been carved out. back
to the school exemption is the same exemption that is currently in existence. >> Well, here comes I guess the uncomfortable part. What is every state legislator's most important financial job? What is their
number one ticket item financially in every state in our beautiful union of 50 states? Do you have any idea of what their number one ticket item financially is every year? It's either schools or Medicaid.
>> It's education, right? So, education is number one. So, am I hearing you correctly? The state is going to put their boot on our neck financially,
but the piece they have to fund, they relieve themselves of that burden. because I'm going to tell everybody something publicly. I was excited about this. Finally, a conservative leader with some real tax
reform. I want tax reform. I want to pay less taxes. I also want to pay less in car insurance and homeowners insurance, but I want to pay less in taxes. Then when I heard I'm still going to
have a tax bill because the school piece is still there. In my opinion, that's not playing fair. That's muddy in the waters. There's the uncomfortable part of this conversation. But I guess we got to talk about it. Or
not. You can be silent up here and not say anything. I'm for real tax reform. Real tax reform. Don't play games with me. Make it fair for everybody. Don't start carving little pieces out
because then you make it unfair. My question was about the schools. Thank you, Councilman Jake Johansson. Thank you, Chairman. Uh Ryan, on on special assessments,
uh fire, let's pick fire just because I'm I'm aware of it. Um that assessment will not be based on how much property you have. Correct. Well, that that would be a set fee for everybody.
>> It is a set fee. It is based off of some sort of unit cost though. I I do believe that the the commercial property would probably have some building size or something. >> Concur commercial between residential, but but the person that owns the million-doll houses, you're going to pay
the same fee as the person living in the uh uh starter home. >> We've only just started looking at it. I'll take your word for it because I really don't know for certain. that that's what scares me the most about about these transfers of of revenue is
right now if if you pay minimal property tax because you have a smaller home um you you're paying less than you'll pay when we get rid of your property taxes for that particular service I I believe so we have to be careful moving forward
when we try to find other ways to get that revenue back to provide the services that our public needs. Uh fire being the most important from a public safety perspective, but um we we just heard some public comment on we need
parks. Well, if we go all cart with the parks, then then not only will we not move toward getting little league uh um baseball diamonds, um you you'll be paying even more than you're paying now.
So, uh, these these are some important thoughts to consider how we how we move forward to make up that deficit. Um, uh, and and and keep keep something in mind. I guess this will be a debate, so I'll wait for that. Chairman, thank you,
>> Vice Chair Matt Reinhardt. >> Thank you, Chair Ryan. And thank you, follow also for pointing out wherever he went. He left. Um, with respect to assessments, but you you brought up a point. And I just had one quick question with with respect to the requirements or
limitations there are with user fees. Are there does the state have any any constraints on that like as far as what can be charged, how much can be charged? Uh >> I imagine there could be somewhere but in general I would probably say >> it's maybe a broad question. I know
because it may be based on on the actual service itself. Paulo >> um yes it's usually based on the actual service that you're providing. Usually the standard is it has to be reasonable. So not >> and there's there's the key I was getting to. What's reasonable? >> Um so for example your beach access
fees. They are user fees. We are statally mandated to have them be reasonable. Um user fees are also subject to that fine line on whether or not they turn into an impermissible tax. You know user fees there is a there is a service that you are willingly entering
into and and and you are demanding. Um, but if you don't demand that service, you don't pay the user fee. So, if you have just like a unilateral user fee that is just imposed, it starts to become an impermissible tax. So, you know, we've had some local governments
that have tried to do like road user fees um and try to characterize each one could be argued, >> right? Um, so and that's, you know, uh the courts have come back and says said no, that is not a legitimate user fee. that is actually a tax and they've struck down that type of user fee.
>> Do they base it on the area like uh you just hit them on roads and whatnot? Say some of your larger areas, municipalities like down south or north of us may be different from that of what we we require and what's based on county versus city or state. >> It's like you can have like a toll facility for example that's a type of
road user fee or >> they base it on average. Um but something like I think uh I think it was Port Orange that tried to do the road user fee. >> Yep. >> And you know that was struck down as no that's that's a tax. >> So Gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. So each one ought to be looked. Thank you very much.
And I'll I'll wait on the other for General. >> Thank you chair. >> Councilman Don Dempsey. >> Ryan. Um what's our current sales tax? The sales tax that is charged in Valuchia County is 6.5% 6% state and the
half percent is levied by the school board. The county levies zero sales tax. >> Okay. Is there a cap on how much we could raise the county's share of sales tax? >> There are caps on how much you can raise sales tax, but more importantly, there are limitations on what you can use it
to be spent on. >> Okay. >> In general, sales taxes are limited to infrastructure, not operating. Could you repeat that again? >> In general, sales taxes are limited to infrastructure, not for operating expenses as far as the ones that counties can levy.
>> Okay. And how much could we raise potentially if we raised it to the cap? What is the cap? >> I think the last time I looked at it, if you were to levy a 1% sales tax, it would be around $130 million. But that has to be shared with the municipalities as well.
I think it's roughly 5050. >> I can get the exact numbers for you, but again, it would be limited to infrastructure. >> So, if we How much of this $92 million that we're fixing to lose, if this goes through, how much of that is could be
made up through this sales tax increase of 1%, let's say. >> I don't know off the top of my head how much of this what you have on your screen right here would be considered infrastructure. The majority of it's going to be operating. I would hazard it'll probably be 10% maybe is capital
outlay. >> Okay. >> And that would mainly be in the facility management area. >> And then with the gas tax, how much um could we raise gas tax and how much of that would help out with this lost revenue from the uh property tax?
>> Gas taxes are part of they're not part of the general revenue. They're actually part of the special revenue that I showed in the pie chart before. >> Yep. We are currently at our maximum of 12 cents of discretionary local between the 5-cent local option gas tax, the
6-cent local option gas tax, and it was called the ninth cent. It is a single cent, but it's the ninth cent. It was the original local option gas tax. It was 1 cent. So, we're at 12 cents right now. That is the maximum, but it would be restricted for road purposes any
anyway. Now that that being said, if we did have additional road if there were the capacity for additional road gas taxes, you could help alleviate the road subsidy line that you see here. >> Okay. But that would have to come from the state.
>> Right now, we're at the maximum. We'd have to get additional authority from the state. >> All right. Thank you, Lman Robbins. >> Thank you, Chair. Um, Troy, uh, you brought up some very good, uh, points here and and
like you and probably many many of y'all, the intent is actual tax reform if we get that. You know, I'm sitting here trying to be quiet, but it's hard to uh because the last 10 minutes, it's like the body's not even cold. We don't have
actual legislation yet. Nothing's been voted on. Nothing's been voted on by the public. And we're already talking about taxing more more fees, greater this, greater that. I want to caution people before we go down that road. If we're
seeking actual tax reform, we can't say we want tax reform and then more gas tax. Let's increase this fee. Let's We're going to have to This is a sign. And this is a shot over the bow for local governments to get it
together because every day we ask the public to tighten their belts, but year after year government isn't tightening their belts. So this is a legislature saying, "Hey, you know, get it together." So I fear that there's going to be a shift
somewhere. my where where my head is at where I think this is going is they're trying to shift it to a sales tax and like that 6040 split. So I I don't I don't know. But I don't before this even gets approved. I don't want to talk. I don't want one
more word. There's not going to be a word from district 3 about any more fees and any more taxes until we see where this lands. So that's where I'm at. Thanks. Um, this is a scary moment because I think you and I agree on on this. Yeah.
Yesterday I listened to uh the governor for 54 minutes I think talking about this proposal and one of the questions he was asked um I think it was in response to a question he might have just brought it
up was and there's a question here um he he will not allow this to be replaced by more taxes this is not a tax transfer I'm we're trying to have the uncomfortable conversation of real tax reform, which doesn't mean we just raise
taxes somewhere else. So my question to you, do you or attorney Paulo or any of the attorneys have any idea if the if the governor or the state legislature has any authority to prevent cities and
counties from making up the shortfall through other taxes? I'd highlight this slide. By changing the votes needed to set tax rates, uh they've made it so a unanimous vote would be required for anything above 10%
above roll back. So that means that if on this list of services, after working through it over the course of the next beginning of the next budget season, if something were to pass in November, if we get to the end of this
list and the majority of council wants to fund some of this stuff by increasing the property tax rate on the remaining taxpayers, it's not a good good enough for the majority of council or even a super majority of council, you have to have
all seven council members agree that this service is worthy enough to stay on the budget to raise property taxes on the remaining taxpayers. So, there is control. It's built into this. Um the
I I would just highlight that if it's not a cost shift and it's true tax reform, then there's also service reform. These things pay for things and these things that they pay for will be reformed, >> right? It's it's not a just a tax
reform. It'll be a a government service reform. We we will no longer be able to deliver those services in the manner in which we do them today. So, you'll be talking uh about major service deliveries. And and what he's trying to show you with
the math is and it's going to be in areas like public safety because mathematically it has to be. There's nothing left. That's what we're trying to show you is that they say you're going to hold certain things. We're going to keep the core. They're digging deeper than the core. So they'll you'll
have to have changes uh in how you deliver those services, which is, you know, something I think we're we're we all are committed to. um performing this work in a effective
and efficient manner. Uh but this also the speed with which you know this is going to occur is going to make it very difficult to change uh the manner in which we deliver because it's going to take things like uh working with all the cities and the
county together and look at services together and say you know maybe we all can't have a fire department. Maybe we're going to have to work together on that and and and and uh regionalize
uh the services that we have, but that takes time. That'll take years. But but you're not going to have years. You're going to have two years. So that's going to be uh really what what you're talking about if this were to go through. >> I I would >> correct
>> correct that a little. You're not going to have you're not even going to have two years if this goes into effect in November. If we wait to see where it falls out, and I understand that, we don't know what's going to happen in November, but if we wait till November, we'll be back here next June starting our 5-year forecast and trim rates in
July. You'll have about six months, and that includes Christmas. >> It's correct. Our trajectory for millage rates has been steadily declining for 10 years. Um, and I think we all agree
would agree that it that needs to continue that we need to go to roll back um every chance we get. We're going to have to find ways to reduce spending. Um the uh
the uh the burden that the state is putting on us is is this something's going to have to be done um rapidly. We're kind we're almost being punished by counties that have had the opposite
where their millage rate has continued to go up and spending has not been curtailed at all. So, um, David's probably going to start the discussion on the letter. I want to read one sentence from the letter that's really the actionable part, I I believe, of of
what George is is proposing here. Um, we respectfully request that before any measure passes and it is sent to the ballot, sufficient time be provided for a thorough statewide analysis of the fiscal, legal, and service level impacts
of these proposals so policymakers and residents alike can fully understand the implications and available alternatives before moving forward. Uh, Councilman Santiago.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, and as far as the letter from my perspective, the the paragraph that you read, Mr. Chair, I I don't have a problem with. Um, I think it's it's a it's a well thoughtout paragraph on what to ask for. Um, one of the things I
wanted to point out before I share a few other comments is um I I don't necessarily support the word paused in that first sentence. Um I don't think we should ask that. I mean they have the option to extend um and spend more time on the issue. Um
I would recommend changing that to extend. I would also uh ask this council to ask George to put in the letter that this council supports uh reform or elimination of property taxes. If you
recall, we voted unanimously to ask the legislature to look into this. Um, I don't know, maybe about a year ago, a little over a year ago. So, um, we may have been the only county in the entire state to do that. So, that kind of puts us in our position that, you know, we
meant what we said. Um, and we knew, I think, going into it, it was going to be a tough subject. Um, but it's still popular amongst the citizens. >> People are frustrated. Um, others like spending money. uh that is other
people's money. Um I don't um and I believe in keeping as much taxes in people's pockets or their money is important. Um while I agree, Mr. Chair, Valuchia has been a good actor as it pertains to uh the millage rate. We've
we've been very good fiscal stewards of your tax dollars. So, you know, you've seen some of our our our our statewide officers that go around talking about how certain counties and certain cities have just gone out of control with their spending and how their budgets have just
inflated. You notice they haven't come to Valuchia because they've looked at Valuchia and they've acknowledged that we've been good actors um with the tax dollars. Um and Mr. Chair, I I I know it's not
popular. The the questions Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. It meant Danny. And I think the questions regarding fees and things like that was more of a spark of conversation. Um because we know that there are services that will be if this passes the way it is, there's going to be services that are going to be chopped
that we're like, we will probably say no, we need to find a way to fund that, right? It's going to happen. and the discussion and the questions were more in the lines is given the way the bill currently stands and what the legislature is discussing would we have
the opportunity if we so choose to fill those gaps with certain other revenue sources. Um I I do not support and condone finding ways to fill the entire gap. I think we need this is going to push us is going to push other counties and all
the cities into real serious reforms. Um, and it's probably going to be painful along the way. I don't say probably, it's going to be. And how we get there, uh, is is going to be the true test. Um, but citizens in Florida are frustrated with our tax scheme for
property taxes and all the other things we do, and we owe it to them, and I support this this this legislation, but it needs to be looked at and given options within constraints. And maybe we can put something in there, George, in the
letter that um you know, we request some other options but within constraints because that's I think what the legislature is wanting to do, not just give uh counties and cities a blank check to raise fees on something else uh to cover the gaps. So that's where I stand, Mr.
changing it to uh extend the session uh and clearly outlining that we support uh reforms um allow other options if if so need within constraints and I like that we make our case I think making the case
for Valuchia is important um and we state that in the letter. Thank you Mr. Chair. >> Yeah. Uh Danny, before I call on you, George, I want to I think your request is very timesensitive because they're they're talking about this right now.
You want to get a letter there while they're in session discussing this today. >> So, as we make changes and look at it, let's let's try and u I don't disagree with any of that, but let's try and get it done while we're all sitting here. So, that >> what you said before, what you said
right to now is easy. I mean, I've already pretty much got okay that uh the extend in there. We'll add uh that you definitely there's a spot, I think, in that last paragraph to put in the council supports tax reform and I'll
work on some wording to uh add um um working on allowable options with with constraints with proper constraints. I can we can get that added in, I think. Okay. and get that out here this morning. >> Else you have Councilman Robbins.
>> Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Kent, quick question. We can have a possibly a little dialogue back and forth. >> Would it be advantageous to us council, and I don't know if you guys want to go there, but to also maybe drop something in there about the the school taxes as
as you allude to because I'm going to tell you something. Any any government budget or every government budget has fat. I don't care if it's for our favorite one, which is a schools. To say there's not fat to be trimmed there would be a lie. And and I
could probably call for a show of hands of how many people in this audience, granted it's for the greater good, that don't have kids or haven't had kids in public schools for 30, 40, 50 years that are still paying that exuberant amount of taxes, right? It's for the greater
good. I get it. I want to do the same thing. But we talk about affordability and some of this other stuff here to leave uh and to to back up Mr. Kent to leave the schools free and clear that's not kosher to me. Right. I I
don't want to defund them. I don't want to but we all have to tighten our belts. And I think would be um if it was me and I was a soul guy, I'd say, "Hey, let's put that in there." But I don't want to if this council doesn't want to bark up that tree, I'll go with
the council. But I think everybody can tighten their belts here. >> Chairman, may I? >> Uh, yes. Thank Thank you, chairman. Thank you, uh, Don. Um, Danny, a couple quick things on that. So, first of all, 18 hours ago, our governor posted this.
Pasco County 2018 taxes 251 million. 2025 Pasco taxes, 609 million. I I I say that out loud because that has been the theme around our state. I want tax
reform. I want to change. I'm a fair tax guy. I read the John Linder Neil Borts book back in the day. I I I hookline and sinker. The last page says, "Buy 10 copies of this book, give it out to 10 people." I did that. Okay. I'm all for the fair tax.
>> Okay. I didn't know David then. That was that was BD before David. Um but Mr. Robbins, my my issue with this, my beef with this really truly it really isn't about
trying to affect the schools in a negative way and making sure they're part of this. My issue was I feel like our state wants us to do without for our people. And by the way, the
government closest to you is the most impactful in your life. Your recreation, your sidewalks, your police, your emergency, you know, all of this. My issue was the piece they have to fund, they're not touching it.
the the number one job they have is to provide a FAPE free and public education for all students. FAPE FAPE federal and free public education and the state's number one responsibility financially when you look at their budgets comes
down to that. My issue was if they're going to do this, I want them to do it across the board. Don't leave a specific group out. And it's interesting, the group you're leaving out is the one where you get
your money sent up to the state, they put in the pot, and then they send it back down to the different 67 counties in Florida that they have to pay for the education. So I I'm, you know, I'm I'm not thinking that, you know, I don't want to hurt any school districts.
That's not where I'm coming with this. I'm coming with I want tax reform and I want it to be fair. Right. >> So to make it fair, if you're going to do it to Valuchi County and Marian and Hillsboro and you name, pick one. Pasco, if you're going to do it, do it to all
of the taxing authorities. 100% of them. When you leave one out, you create problems. >> How can we put that in the letter? >> Now, that is something that you're tickling my buying bone. Um, >> can I add to that? So, if we could get that in the letter that we would like
for you to treat all taxing authorities fairly, you know, I I don't know that the letter that George has here is saying what we're saying that we're for tax reform and we want this, you know. >> Hey, Troy, given what you said, what about the strategy of suggesting to the
legislature that they absorb the school part instead of pushing it down to the locals? Have them absorb it. They absolutely they absolutely should. Don, I'm a I'm a more user friendly sales tax kind of guy. You know what I mean? It makes
everybody pay. It makes everybody pay. You know, because you have a home that is worth $3 million uh 700 feet away from my house. I don't think it's fair that I pay $3,000 a year in taxes and you pay 30,000. We're using the same services.
same roads, same 911, same sheriff, same schools, same all of it. I don't think it's fair. So, I'm for that. I I I think that's a much better way, which is why I mentioned Neil Bour's John Linder, the Fair Tax book. Um I'm I'm for that.
Help. We're a smart group. If we want that, if enough of us want that, how do we get that in the letter? Because I'm I'm I'm for that. >> Councilman Dempsey, >> talk about tickling my funny bone. buying bone Neil Borts who I have
listened to religiously for years and years. >> No, I didn't. And I'm very impressed because as you remember Herman Kaine, Herman Kaine was a frequent guest on Neil boards or a guest host. And do you remember 999 when he ran in 2012 999?
That tax code that he presented and remember now he's no dummy. He was a former CEO of the Federal Reserve of the Kansas City Bank as well as a CEO of Godfather's Pizza. That guy knew how to manage money both as a government worker and as a private sector CEO business
owner and everything he proposed through 999 9% individual flat tax which I totally agree with 9% flat sales tax national 9% business income tax flat and as he used to say if it's 10% is good
enough for God 9% is good enough for the government I used to love that I really supported him and when I'm talking about the sales tax. I'm talking about revenue based on government's economy, how the county is doing economically. If the if
the county is doing well economically in the f in the private sector, then the government should also benefit from that. But when things get hemmed in like COVID, you know, the problem, my property taxes never went down a dime.
And I mean, we hemorrhaged. I had a I had to go through a lot of business reorganization, a lot of stuff as a private sector business owner to make it through COVID or to make it through the crash of 2008. And I I think just taking
people's property taxes and the government I don't think I didn't hear of anything governmentwise of the cutbacks or any type of cutbacks the government had to go through when the economy crashed. So I think sometimes there needs to be um a sharing of the
responsibility. When times are good, everybody should share in it. But when when things go bad, things uh should be shared also equally by the government and the private sector. And if there's one thing I totally agree with with this bill and I fully support what the governor is doing is your homestead is
your home. Your home is your home. That's your castle. A person's home is their castle. We have so many constitutional protections in the criminal justice system, the fourth amendment. Okay, fifth amendment. We don't want government intrusion into our house. We don't want quartering of, you
know, soldiers in our home. And so your home is your castle. And I think once you've paid off your home, as Keith Chester says, um, you shouldn't have to even pay taxes. That's the one thing that should be I've made it. I've crossed the finish line. At least I've got my home. I may lose my job. I may
lose my family. My dog may run away. whatever, but at least I got my home and I don't have to worry about where the money's going to come from to pay for the property taxes. So, I love the fact that the governor is doing this to make it more secure for people to keep their home and stay in their home. And there's
other ways I think that we should look into, and I'm not saying we raise um sales tax, and I'm not saying we do any other type of tax increases. I agree with you, Danny. We shouldn't be talking about increasing taxes at all. But if there's ever a place we need to
make people feel secure is in their home. And I think we need to make it to where people don't have to worry about where they're going to come up with their property tax every year because I know some people's property taxes are very high. And and if they're living on social security and that's it, it's it's a struggle every year just to where
you're going to get your money. So I I don't even necessarily like the idea of sending this letter because I like what he's doing here. But I would like I agree with Troy. I mean it should be fair across the board but I think we need to for true tax reform which I am a
huge tax reform person. We need to find other sources of revenue and make it more econ tied to the economy. So when the economy is thriving when sales are good and people are spending a lot of money our sales tax increase comes in or whatever other ways we can do it or if
we need to just cut our belts because God knows I had to cut my budget drastically during COVID and we made it through. Thank God. But, you know, I I I just I like this uh reform that the governor is proposing. So, I I really don't want to send the letter to be
quite frank with you guys. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, we'll we'll vote on it. Let me vice chair Reinhardt, before I call on you, the the session started at 10:00. It's 10:37. If we're going to send it, it it needs to go out. Um, I'm wondering, George, if
you have from this discussion on schools, if the attorneys have any ideas for you to include that, and we could go on and on. I would like to include in let's end CRAAS. Let's and other taxing authorities, hospital boards, and you
know, but we can only put so much in in one letter. Um, so how do we add something with about the schools? Are we agreed on adding that and then we'll vote on it and it might we'll we'll see where everybody stands.
>> First of all, do we have do we have a majority or or agreement? >> I think time is of the essence. 80% is is close for now. This is a a great subject, but again,
half an hour into a session, we decide that we're going to do something important. I say we get this out and then work on more stuff at the end of our at the end of our meeting to to have him th this is going to be closed and locked up
tomorrow and and there's no way we can address every issue that every one of us has. So, uh, uh, if we can't get schools in there in the next 2 minutes, I suggest we vote on this. See, uh, see if it flies and get it up there before it's,
uh, moved on to the Senate and, uh, and everybody's on their way home. >> Thank you, Chair Jake. I actually agree with you. The the letter itself, and I'll go quick because time is of the essence. I think it was said earlier, this is moving quickly. We were watching the same everybody was watching that yesterday and how quick the the governor
is talking about this and the movement from the senate and the the house itself is how quickly this is is rolling. Um I did want to hit on one quick topic and Don you you hit on it too when we talked about or I asked the
question u about fees and assessments and things like that. It's not to entertain the idea that we're in favor of that. I don't know what's happening in district three. I know district two I'm getting asked those questions. So I want to be able to collectively this is
our time to talk guys. This is yeah you don't want to have the conversation about about these fees but you got to have the conversations and this is it. We can't communicate outside this this day. So this is the time that we have these discussions. So I wanted to get the information get the answers so I can
give it to my constituents. I'm having a meeting on on Saturday morning. I know this is going to be the topic of conversation. forget about what we've accomplished in Valuchia County. This is the hot topic and they're going to ask they're going to spend the hour that I have with them just talking about tax reform. So, I want to be able to answer
those questions. So, that's all I want to say, but I'm good with the letter. I like the extend part, David, u and the other caveat you said about the um uh other options for sources of revenue and whatnot. But I agree with Jake, on let's get this out because time is of the essence. Thank you, Chair.
>> Councilman Dempsey, wrap it up. Yes, sir. Um, well, basically this we're not the decision makers. I mean, it's whe this is all about whether it's going to go on the ballot for the people to decide. So, I mean, there's been a big push about let vote. There's been a lot
of push about putting things on the ballot that the CRC actually didn't want to put on the ballot. So, should we let the people vote in November? I mean, they're no dummies. They're going to know through
advertising and propag propag. They're going to know what they're getting into. You vote for no more property tax. Wait a minute now. That might mean my fire services might get cut. That might mean my police security gets cut. Other services might get cut. But man, I get
tired of paying that property taxes every year. I want to retire with peace of mind. So, I'm going to vote. Why won't we just let them vote? If everybody's so concerned about let them vote, then let's let them vote. If they want to vote for less services and no
more or cut their their property taxes, then so be it. Let them let them have it. But if they want to keep the services at the cost of higher property taxes, let them vote. Let them have it. I mean, this royal really boils down to um because I'm afraid this letter is going to give mixed signals that we
don't even want it on the ballot. We send this letter up there, they may like, boy, Valuchia, they're the ones that wanted us to put it on here. Now they're backpedaling. I mean, I when you came up with this idea, David, it I credit you. I don't know if you have that much power to get the governor to do that, but it was very
coincidental that when you proposed this, it was shortly after that the the legislature hopped on. And um I love it and I don't want to give mixed signals. I'm really in support of what the governor is proposing. And so, let's let everybody vote. If they don't want it,
I'm sure there's going to be enough dissemination, dissemination, enough pro uh advertising why we don't want it and people will make an hopefully an educated vote. So, let's let them vote and let's not send a letter. Thanks, >> Councilman Kent. >> Thank you, Chairman. Uh my belief is
that this this is going to pass up the state legislature and this is going to pass when it goes to the Florida residents. This is what I would add to the letter, Jake. You said two minutes. It would be something like this. George, Mike, don't know if you'all want to write quickly, but this is what it would be. something along these lines. We would like the property tax break for
Valuchia residents. I'm sorry. We would like the property tax break for Florida residents to be real and meaningful. So, please include schools on the tax relief for all Florida residents. We also believe the state legislature should absorb the cost for all Florida schools.
>> Second. >> That's what you had mentioned. extend. >> I mean, I'm not for extend I I like that language. I really do. And I'm in support of sending a letter if it includes that, but I don't want to give any message that we're trying to defer
this to another legislative session. I mean, I'd like to see it on the ballot this year. >> Absolutely. I agree with you. >> It's going on the ballot. >> Yeah, it's going on the ballot. >> Okay. Well, I don't I just don't want to give them mixed signals, but I like what Troyy's proposing to put, you know, I'd like to see that back on the ballot to
make it fair across the board. I think that's a great idea. >> And I'd like for the state legislature to step up and say, you know, listen, the number one job is to fund schools. And and Jake, I hate to put you on the spot, but I believe in you. You're going to be there very soon. And I want you to remember sitting here and having these
conversations because this is this is forget >> you're gonna be you're going to be eating this and tasting this for a long time up there, my friend. So, it's important. It's important. Um, but anyway, that's the piece because I think it's important that it also kind of stayed in there. We we don't I don't
want to short change the schools. I want them to be funded and the state they can do that. They can come up with the money. So there's seems to be uh an emerging agreement that nobody likes the word
extended or paused. U you could actually strike the first sentence and it just says we are concerned about the potential impacts some proposals could have on local services. Would that get your vote? We could vote on this as it is and see
where we are. If we add Troy's piece, >> adding the the changes that Troy made um and the uh the other change that David made. >> Well, in the first sentence it says paused as well.
>> Yeah. So, strike that sentence. >> We eliminate the first sentence. >> Yeah. >> So, anything that says paused or extend or anything like that, we just want >> We just eliminate the first >> language put back on the >> David. >> Yeah. I just want to respond to that and I I can live with that that change. the the purpose of the word extend and maybe
I should have defined it a little bit better to expend the the call because the governor called them up and they usually will give a certain time period from this date to this date. I think it was a week and we were all talking about rush rush rush if they could extend it another week or or 10 days. That was the
intent of the extend and >> and I I should have defined that a lot more clearer, but I can live with the the proposed language as it was removing it. >> Thank you. Okay, let's let's take a quick vote on it so they know what to do. We're um
we're adding language about the schools. Sounds like we're striking the first sentence. And what was the other change you suggest? >> Support tax reform. >> Support tax. You've got it all. Chairman, I'll make that motion if we're waiting on one.
>> Waiting on a motion. And second by uh by Vice Chair Reinhardt. I thought I heard something over there. Okay, all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And we got a unanimous vote. And there it goes to Tallahassee.
>> Good job, Ryan. >> I I know it was a tough topic. >> Can I get a motion to on item one to approve the agenda? Motion to approve the agenda. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion to approve was by Vice Chair Reinhardt. The second was by Councilman
Troy Kent. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? And it passes six to zero. We'll find out. Um, okay. While we're waiting on on him, we'll move to item two,
uh, which is the consent agenda. Does anyone have an item they would like to pull for a vote? Let's start there. >> Seeing none, chairman, motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Does Does anyone have an item they would like to pull for comment after the vote?
Nobody does. We have one member of the public that would like to uh to speak on the consent agenda. So, we'll do that in um just a second. >> Motion to approve was by Troy Kent. >> Yes.
Second was by Vice Chair Reinhardt and uh go ahead John Nicholson if you wanted to speak on this item. >> I'm not as tall. Uh four items D and E which is uh St. John's. So I would go to Don
since we're giving up uh control of this property to St. John's. Is that something? Yes, no, or maybe because you've brought this up in the past. Uh secondly, um on K it's $1.5 million to
the ocean center for food. We make back $950,000. So we're losing $550,000. Uh are you concerned about it? Uh we talked this is almost exactly the same as the cultural arts amount. So 550,000
is a lot of money to lose. I ran several restaurants. I never sold food at less than cost. It just there's something wrong here in the amount or whatever. Um and third,
you're number L. You're redoing um Tamoka Farms Road and ISB. That's hopefully includes the bridge I keep speaking about. I know that there's a development south uh that in its um
uh paperwork we had talked about redoing that intersection because of the amount of traffic that it will generate. Well, now there's three projects on South Tamoka Farms Road, two projects on North Tamoka Farms Road, there's one at the
intersection of Tamoka Farms Road, and this last week, the city oayed in its planning board uh two properties south of ISB and LPGA that's going to be developed. So, that intersection of LPGA
will now have five projects in that location alone. So, um, with that, I'd like you to help with that. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you for your comments. We have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda as written. All in
favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And >> Mr. Santiago was in the room and he said I >> He was in the room and said I. Okay. Danny, what is your vote on approval of the agenda?
And so that one was seven to zero to Cararissa. That takes us to item number three. Um, proclamations to be presented inside county council chambers. Uh, Jake Johansson, you have the first one of Pierre Louise D.
>> I think Scott's going to open it up. >> Hey, good morning everybody. Scott Olsson, veteran services director. So, uh, last May, council approved our Valuchia values veterans program, and part of that program is aimed to bring honor and recognitions to veterans who not only
served honorably in the military, but continue their service to the veteran community here in Valuchia County. So, we are honored to bring before you, Mr. Pierre Lewis today as Valuchia County's very first veteran of the year, Mr. Lewis, please.
So, at this time, he will be honored with a spe a special proclamation delivered by Councilman Jake Johansson. We got a moment for that. >> Perfect. I'll see if I can get through this here, Pier. Uh whereas the Valuchia values
Veterans Program, which is establish the honor of a veteran recognition to celebrate those who continue serving our community long after leaving uniform, is proud to announce that Pierre Louu is its inaugural Felia County Veteran of
the Year. And whereas chief war officer second Pier Lewis USMC retired honorably served more than two decades in the Marine Corps. No simplify. There you go.
>> Rising from the enlisted ranks to become chief warrant officer and distinguishing himself as an aircraft maintenance data analyst and aviation maintenance engineering officer. And whereas his service earned numerous decorations,
including multiple Navy and Marine Corps achievement medals and a Navy commenation medal, reflecting superior performance and dedication of mission readiness. And whereas following retirement, Pierre has also served
multiple terms as president of the Halifax area chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, guiding it to MOA's five-star level of excellence award and served as legislative lead for the Florida Council
of Chapters, traveling to Cap Capitol Hill and to advocate for veterans. And whereas he continues to strengthen Valuchia County through leadership of the Toastmasters at 12 Club, which volunteers communication and leadership
mentorship to inmates at Tamoka Correctional Institute and compassionate advocacy for veterans navigating VA benefits and senior care. And now therefore, we the county council of Valuchia County do hereby proclaim June
2nd as Pier Lewis Day in Valuchia County. Congratulations. And then there >> and we'll get everybody up there. Yep. You sit right there. I'll go back up.
Wait for Jake. Get rid of the glare. That's it. Ready? We're done. Okay, this is nice. >> We're not done yet. Ready? >> Microphone. a short comment. >> I'm a speaker. >> I'll be brief. I know we got time. Uh,
good morning. If nothing else, good morning to Americans. Um, I stuck something in my pocket in case I had said something. And it's just a little picture that I keep with me. And what it is is it's a little picture of a nine-year-old
Cub Scout. me as a cub scout when I was I was mentioning to um friends and I said when I was nine years old we had a community service project as little cub scouts we had to clean up at the memorial plaza in Daytona Beach after cleaning up at the plaza we were
awarded a sort of award here in the land in 1970 I don't know if it was in this building but I remember as a young Cubs scout and Miss Lilly Murphy who told us at that time I I didn't know what a veteran was. I didn't know what the word service was or the Marine Corps was at
that time. But I do know that she always says, "Do something bigger than yourself. Do something in the capacity of wherever you're at. You know, the scouts honor my honor to God in my country. I'll do my best to God my duty." I never forgot that day and that
was happening. I'm I'm 25 years plus, put it that way. And but I remember that conversation when we were in Dan and then to figure to look at it now so many years later at the memorial plaza and what we do today. I will leave you with
just one comment is that if you ever think about what a veteran is or what we do, take a moment that I do sometimes and I'll go to the VA hospital, have no appointment, but just sit out there in the hallway sometimes and you'll see veterans that will walk in.
Some of them can't walk in. Some of them have these challenges, put it that way. But just sit down and see when they walk back and forth through those doors. And when you take a look, there's a look in their eye of service.
You can't really write it down, but you can feel it and you know it's evident. So when you think about like we say this 250 years of being an American walk down to that VA hospital sometime I see guys that are like 90 years old.
Last week I saw a gentleman he's like 90 years old and he was talking to me. He was slumped over. He had osteoporosis and he could barely hear. He had a tra and he was talking to me about what happened during Korea. Barely in a raspy
sort of voice. But as he begin to talk about that, there is a look in his eye, that look in his eye that we talk about being here in this great place that we call America, that's the look that he had on his face.
And you can't really measure that. That's just something that you feel. So when you think about veterans, you think about those things that are not written down in the books, messages that are not said, but you can feel it. You can see it. That's why I do
what I do and how I do. And I would be remissed if I didn't say that the one thing that keeps me going that drives me is being around fellow veterans that I know that are pushing towards that effort. I see family and friends are that. But I can't be remiss if I didn't
say the fellow MOA members that are here that took the time out of their schedule to be here today to show up because that's what veterans do. They show up And I'll clo and I'll just close with saying I'm a better man, a better
American, and a better veteran because of being around the council of the Military Officers Association members that are there and the family and all of you that do what's needed to be done for Americans. Thank you. >> Wow. Okay, we have uh we have one more. Um I
love it when members of our faith community, we have invocations every every uh meeting and from people from all different kinds of faith. the faith community uh approached me and said, "Would you recognize the work that that
we do, the different faith groups in Valuchia County to uh support and strengthen uh faith, families, and fatherhood. June is June 21st is Father's Day. So, this is really for um
for for every father in the in the room. And every father, if you have a father, uh you are a child of that father. So it's it's for all of us. I want to call uh I think there's three members here.
Um just to come out front and meet me, Pastor Seth uh Tweedale of Grace Community Church in Orman Beach. Um my friend and fellow Men Buccaneer, Pastor Henry Buren, Jr.
And um is Reverend Edgar Serrano, did he make it? Reverend Serrano uh doesn't look like he made it. He's with uh he's the associate pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church and also invited uh
Rabbi Paul Faulk and Rabbi Silverman, local rabbis. Both of them uh are tent making ministers so they're working uh but they support this. They just couldn't be here.
So I will come down and read this to you. representatives of their congregation. You're in Holly Hill, correct? >> Actually, Daytona. >> In Daytona. Okay. >> Henry and I graduated together.
>> Yes. >> Pride never dies. That's what I need. Thank you. Welcome. Good to see you. Okay. It says, "Whereas faith and family are cornerstones of a healthy, thriving
community, and strong families contribute immeasurably to the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. And whereas fathers and father figures play a vital role in the lives of their children, providing guidance,
stability, encouragement, faith, and love that shape the next generation. And whereas research consistently demonstrates that children who grow up with involved, nurturing fathers are more likely to succeed academically,
develop healthy relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. And whereas Valuchia County is home to countless dedicated fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, and members who give generously
of their mentors who give generously of their time, wisdom, and devotion to the children in their care. And whereas the month of June, which includes the national observance of Father's Day on the third Sunday of the month, provides
an opportunity to celebrate fatherhood and affirm our collective commitment to strong families. And whereas Valuchia County recognizes the importance of supporting faith and families and honoring those who embrace the responsibilities of parenthood with
dedication and love. Now therefore, we the County Council of Valuchia County, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026 as Faith, Family, and Fatherhood Month. Thank you very much.
>> Is there another? actually got two here. >> Pictures. Okay. When he comes up, >> we love it, man. >> We noticed it. >> This This is great. Thank you.
Got you. Thank you. And that takes us to item four, the second public hearing and presentation on amendments to the Valuchia County Home Rule Charter proposed by the charter review committee. >> Morning, Mr. Chair, members of council. Russ Brown, deputy county attorney. Uh
the agenda item before you is the second public hearing and presentation on the amendments to the Valuchia County Home Rule Charter proposed by the Charter Review Commission. As you recall, the CRC has proposed five charter amendments. I'm glad to go over them again if needed. Otherwise, council doesn't need to take any action on this
amendment on these amendments. And unless there are any questions, I'll sit down for public hearing at this time. I know that uh the chair and the vice chair and some other representatives from your CRC are here today. But again, I'll sit down unless you have any questions. >> Open up for public comment for the hearing.
>> We have a lot of public comment. Uh council for questions. Chairman, no question. Russ, you were you weren't at the last meeting. Were you Were you absent at the last meeting? >> I'm always here, sir. >> I thought we missed you. >> You I I did not present this sometimes
with a cast. >> Okay. I didn't see you over there and I just thought Rush, you want to sit down awfully quickly, man. You weren't here at the last meeting and now you want to sit down awfully quickly. Like, come on now, Mike. He's got to earn his keep. So, I'm joking. Thanks, Russ. >> Okay.
No questions for staff. Let me let's call on the public first and then was somebody from the committee going to speak. >> Unless No, sir. Unless >> they're shaking their head. Yes. >> No. >> Unless I unless they have public comments.
>> Okay. Uh Shannon uh G. Is it G or Geese? I had it right the first time. And you'll be followed by Cat Pante. Good morning, chairman and council members. My name is Shannon Gis. I reside in New Smyrna Beach and I've been
a Valuchia County resident for over 40 years. I'm here today to urge this council to protect our voter approved Valuchia Foreverlands by putting a competing gold standard conservation amendment on the ballot. The current charter review proposal contains a dangerous loophole. Allowing a simple
majority vote of politicians to remove lands or repurpose them for a public purpose does not protect our environment in perpetuity. It creates a backdoor for development. We need a true voter lockbox modeled after Elatchua County. If taxpayer funds are used to buy
conservation land, only a countywide vote of the people should ever be allowed to sell, lease, or repurpose that land. Please use your authority to give voters a real choice on the ballot. Let us lock the door on development and truly protect Valuchia forever. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your comments. Katherine Pante, >> you'll be followed by Dwight Lewis. >> I have to I got to get it all in. I'm crushed for time here on all these. >> Take a deep breath.
>> Stand by. It's going to be fast. Good morning, council. I'm here today to share compelling evidence that voter referendum requirements for the sale or lease of public parks, preserves, and conservation lands are both practical and implemented across Florida. Specifically, two counties and five municipalities have adopted such
protections. These jurisdictions include Elatcha County, Miami Dade County, City of Fernandanda Beach, City of Miami, City of Largo, City of Lakew Worth, and City of Boca Raton. You have already been provided with copies of the Elatcha and Miami date amendments. Let me briefly highlight a few of the municipal
models. The city of Fernandina Beach adopted its charter amendment on August 4th, 2020. It is among the strongest protections in the state. Before the referendum proceeds, a unanimous vote of the city commission must approve it. Even then, a 70% voter approval threshold is required to authorize the
sale of city-owned recreational facilities or conservation lands. The protections extend to easements, municipal bo golf courses, and swimming pools. Fernandina Beach also requires voter approval for leases exceeding 40 years. Most recently on May 12th, 2026, the city of Boca Raton Commission
unanimously adopted ordinance 5784 creating a new section titled 2-4, protection of city-owned lands. The ordinance establishes a voter referendum requirement for sale or lease of city-owned property exceeding 1/2 acre. This charter amendment will be presented to voters in November of 2026. I've
heard concerns that these policies are primarily associated with liberal communities. The facts do not support that claim. Elatcha County and Lakew Worth are characterized as liberalleaning jurisdictions. However, Boca Raton, Ferdendina Beach, Miami Dade, Sea of Miami, and Largo have historically leaned more conservative.
Of the seven examples, five are conservativeleaning and two are liberalleaning. This demonstrates clearly that safeguarding public lands through voter consent is not a partisan issue. It is a bipartisan priority rooted in good governance and respect for taxpayers. These examples provide strong proof that Valuchia County can
and should implement a voter referendum requirement to protect Valuchia forever conservation lands. Our residents voted to tax themselves to place these lands in conservation in perpetuity, meaning forever for future generations. The amendment currently proposed by the Charter Review Commission falls far short of honoring that promise and
residents and represents a disservice to Valuchia taxpayers. I want to thank the county attorneys for referencing Sarasota County. That comparison only strengthened our resolve to identify even more effective protections. We should also seriously consider including meaningful lease requirements. In
closing, I urge the council to demonstrate strong leadership by placing a robust Elatchua style amendment on the ballot. If a registry of protected lands is created, it should automatically include properties meeting the established conservation purchase criteria without requiring additional council approval. We can allow narrow,
tightly defined exceptions for land trades, but only with the replacement property clearly provides greater conservation value. Thank you for your time and consideration. I respectfully ask you to prioritize long-term protection of Valuchia's public lands. Thank you. >> You have 9 seconds left.
>> Doy Lewis and Dy, you will be followed by uh James Clayton. Hope this thing will go down some. Maybe these will. You know, after hearing your discussion about the budgets and uh our
rain that was up here today, this seems not not to mean that much anymore. But what I wanted to talk to you about is some comments that have been made on our council review uh council review charter review commission. And one of them was about our chairman. And let me tell you something, we couldn't have had a better
chairman than Mark Watts. He did a wonderful job. When he was nominated, he got up there and said, "I want you all to know something. I work for developers and I am a land use attorney. Before you vote, you need to know that." And he got elected 100%.
He is a fine chairman and did a wonderful job. Now, when we talk about amendment one, I want to ask you a couple things. It talks about being elected by the body. the chairman elected by the body. How many of you voted for the uh speaker of the house in
the legislature here in Florida or the president of the Senate or in Congress, the speaker of the house or the president of the Senate, they're elected by the body because when they're elected by the body and they've served in the body, they know how it works and they
get more respect and you get more done rather than fighting. The other thing is uh wanted you to know on amendment five, Pat Nory and I worked to get the Valuchia Forever on the ballot and to pass that amendment in year 2000. So we
know about the Valuchia Forever, we put it on the ballot, we got it passed. The others that worked hard for its passage was his cultural arts people because it had echo on there at the same time. So they went out there to work to get that on there and they worked for Valuchia forever and it was passed.
The program won many national and state awards for being one of the finest in the state and the nation. There's been no problem in 26 years. We've had on there for 26 years and not been one problem. But now all of a sudden we
think we have this big problem and now you want to change it. Let me tell you, we had people that came and spoke at our uh council council charter review commission. First time two people showed up. Second time is we went around the
county. Next time three people showed up. Two of the same people and one of another. So there's not any public outcry for change. We had public meetings in all districts. biggest outcry was from the cultural
arts people asking for charter amendment to force funding. Maybe you want to add that. I doubt that we submitted these charter amendments on a 13-2 vote. So it was unanimous with us and uh I think you
support what we you should support what we submitted. Thank you. James Clayton >> F. your name. >> Okay. Uh, Donna, how'd you know you were next?
>> And you'll be followed by Suzanne Shyber. All right, let's see if this is going to get tall enough. Okay, so um, in 2020 we voted on the Echo and Forever. I just want to do a little history
lesson here. Back then, the Republican slate the Republicans put out a slate card and the Democrats put out a slate card. Many of you wrote in on the Republican slate
card because you were a Republican. You automatically got in. Don Demp Dempsey is one of them. Barb Gman worked her butt off, but she didn't get in. Along with that on the slate card, the Republican slate card said vote against
Valuchia forever and it also was against raising the uh tax the um minimum wage. But Republicans ignored that and they voted anyways for
Democrats and Republicans voted for the forever. So that should be a reminder to you of how important it is. They went against their parties recommendations to vote for forever. So
okay and then I want to address Republicans uh claim as probably most of you claim to be Christians and maybe some of you even want a Christian nation.
Well, let's talk about God's view on land. The Bible establishes human responsibility for the earth through the concept of stewardship. The idea that the earth belongs to God and humans are
appointed as caretakers. So, you may think you own your land, but you don't really own your land. And you are you are because you're elected are responsible even more than I am to God for
taking care of our land. Revelations 8 11:18 says mentions that God will eventually bring judgment on those who destroy the earth indicating divine accountability for environmental neglect or abuse.
So, I just want to remind you because I'm sure you all claim to be Christians and the Republican party is big on saying Christianity but not always acting on it. And I want to remind you that your
fellow Republicans wanted this forever as it is. They didn't follow the Republican slate card. They voted with Democrats because the most important thing to them is saving
this land for their grandchildren and for the animals. Thank you, Suzanne Shyber. I'm Suzanne Shyber with Dream Green Valuchia. Are Valuchia County assets protected? And if so, how are they protected? We
would all expect them to be insured, have a solid policy if that pertained, be cared for if needed, have financial stability, have a maintenance plan, and be good stewards of our money. Has anyone ever asked if the county assets are protected? In 25 years of taking
taxpayer money for Valuchia Forever Land Conservation, why wasn't our investment protected? Do you realize we wouldn't be having this discussion if our taxpayer funds and conservation lands had a solid policy when we voted in 2020 and earlier in 2000? Some think we did not need an
amendment at all, while others brought this proposed bad amendment, calling it protection. The stated reason for needing an amendment was that for over 25 years, no one had ever raised the idea of selling our conservation land. And now the program has been under challenge for months. Please look at
item three right now on the charter review amendment in front of you. It states, "This section shall not apply when the property is being used for a public purpose by the county." So there is no protection in this amendment because the government can still use our taxpayer funds to change the land. Why
would the county take 60 million plus from taxpayers and additional funds from partners for land conservation without a solid protection plan in place? Are the county's other assets managed in this same manner? We just voted for this 5 years ago. I do not support the
amendment brought forward from the charter review commission, nor any amendment that does not require a public choice before land is sold or changed. These amendments are not what the public voted for. The idea that this is the best that we can do is not accurate. There are several referendum
requirements across Florida for a public vote before conservation land or public park land is sold or changed. If other counties can do this, so can we. This council has the power to protect his constituents vote, conservation land, and taxpayer money. The council
expressing they have no plans to sell our conservation land is appreciated. There were comments about changing them. This must be translated into proper legal action respecting the public vote. I know council did not bring us this proposed amendment, but you can bring
one forward that properly protects. Two quotes keep ringing in my ears. These are rented seats, and if the government can screw it up, they will. Today, you are the government sitting in the rented seats. The council has the power to act to ensure public confidence
in the Valuchia County government, which is managing millions of dollars that taxpayers gave it in good faith. Valuchia forever has done good things. So, please use your power to direct staff to pursue a voter referendum amendment for November. The council
inherited what 75.6% voted for. Thank you all for your consideration. >> Thank you. Uh, John Nicholson. I have a problem with all of them, but particularly uh, pollution forever.
You guys may say one thing, but as Troy said and as Don said, you guys are not going to be here forever. There could be a commission who doesn't think that revolution forever or anything should be saved.
We don't know what's going to happen in the future. We need to protect. There's a vulgar expression when I was a kid ca cover your butt. We need to do that. We need to protect this. Uh
what is a public purpose? At one point, public purpose was to condemn the land on the beach side because we wanted a developer to come in and build a big development. So, they took the land for a developer.
Our current commission is pushing affordable housing. I talked to you about Clyde Morris Landing. Well, what happens if there's a commission up here who is pushing for affordable housing? We need the land for housing. So, they come in
bulldoze a couple of acres for affordable housing right in the middle of where we don't want it to be. So, I'm asking you to listen to CAT. Uh, use Elatcha, use Miami Dade, use whatever you need to do to cover your butt for
the future generations. We need to protect the land. I understand that there could be something done that pops up that we need, but there's got to be some way of having the public vote on it if it's that important. if you needed that badly, either a 100% vote from the
county council or it goes to a referendum. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Robbins. Chairman, if if public comments are done, are are we allowed to speak on this this item? Can I can I call Mr. Watts up up if he's um able to.
Mark, thank you uh for for your service and and everything you did and the overwhelming support that you had by your your peers that we uh all put on that commission. Um Mr. Watts, can you tell me a little bit uh to best your knowledge the conversations and the
subjects when it came to this um uh dialogue about the Valuchia Forever program? How did that how did that go? Uh just in simple terms, um what was vetted? And however you want to do it is fine.
>> Um now, first of all, Mark Watts uh with the Charter Review Commission served as chair for the 2026 Charter Review Commission. We've got another handful of our other members here as well, so I want to recognize them. Um this was one of the items that was brought forward um by the public. Um, we heard early on in
the process the concern relating to some of the ongoing discussions about the conservation lands owned by uh the county um and wanted to to include some some manner of protection. Um as we looked at that particular issue um we recognize the fact that as we sit today
um and again if you if you recall my comments at at the last hearing on um you know the charter amendment proposals um you we started with the the concept that the charter is not there to legislate. The charter is there to talk about power structure and the way in
which government power can be exercised um but can't be inconsistent with general law. And so those are the the kind of limitations that we we had to approach everything through. So as it relates to the sale of conservation land or the sale of any land that is owned by the county as it sits today, the county
has the ability to sell it based on a simple majority vote. There doesn't have to be any findings. There don't have to be any um you know particular um determinations made whether that land was acquired through the Valuchia Forever program or by some other means. And so after hearing the public uh
discussion at our listening sessions and at some of our meetings um we asked staff to come back and and bring us some proposals. We asked them to look at both the elatcha model and also to look at you know going to the supermajority or we even actually discussed the unanimous um vote approach. Um in the course of
our discussions um the elatcha model I think there was a a good bit of interest in that. Um we followed the legal advice that we were provided and that I agreed with that um under chapter 125 um the county commission board of county commissioners or the county council in
in Valuchia Countyy's case is the the body that is empowered with authority by general law to dispose of um publicly owned property. And so going back to that whole what is home rule power? What is home rule authority? you can exercise any governmental authority that is not
inconsistent with general law. And since 125 speaks to who has the authority to sell land that is owned by the county, um it is we determined as a collective uh through our deliberations that the advice being given by our legal staff
was correct and that um making a determination that was contrary to that and you know choosing to um put it to a public vote would be inconsistent with general law. and therefore subject to a challenge. Um the popular uh you know I
think um choice is well let's put it to a vote. I think we operated from the viewpoint of we really need to follow the law first and foremost and so that's why we arrived at the um uh proposal that's before you. We did talk about a unanimous um vote as part of that
deliberation. Um there was a motion made at one point in time to modify the um you know the the proposed language uh to require a unanimous vote. Um that motion failed. Um I voted against that just to to be you know perfectly transparent on it. And the reason I voted against that
was not because I didn't want to increase protection. I I feel it's improper to give one person on the commission a veto. And so I felt like with the other restrictions that were being added, with the supermajority uh requirement being added, with the registry uh creation and with the
supplemental amendments we added to it, with um the findings and the notice provisions, I think we're providing more protection than currently exists under the law that we own that property under today. The last point, and this is a really long answer to your question, Danny, I'm sorry. what happens when you
give an attorney a a microphone. >> The last point um I wanted to talk to is is this perception that there's a public purpose exception that we created in this amendment um that is somehow some kind of a backdoor loophole. That's the
current law. We haven't created anything. We just recognized what the current law is and that the county has the authority to exercise, you know, um to to use property that it owns for a public purpose. um speaking to you know
Valuchia Forever and and Valuchia Echo you know I've I'll talk tell anybody that that comes and talks to me about you know polit politics and campaign contributions and everything else as a rule I don't contribute to anything as a firm the biggest contribution I think we have made in recent years was to the the
pack that was supporting the renewal of Forever and Valuchia Echo because we believe it's good um and I think we gave that to to Pat Nory and and the folks that were running that that hack back when the reauthorization came up for a vote. So, we fully support the programs. We fully support that the that the
property should be owned in perpetuity. The issue is as a group, we feel it's irresponsible to adopt something we felt we felt was not permissible by law. >> Thank you. Uh Mark, I have a question. It's it's probably you've been around this a little bit and
know the history of this program probably better than than myself and and some others. And I I I'm I'm having trouble processing something here because it takes me back in time. This program was adopted twice. My question is we we heard from some
original makers or the crafters of this this this great program, but why would the the makers of this program call it forever, but yet leave that hole that now people
are complaining about? Granted, it's 99% politics, right? Hysteria, politics, but why would they they leave that hole in there uh to to sell it or use it for public per purpose and still call it forever? I'm saying that because they're
beating up on Don Dempsey for asking some questions that he had legitimate, you know, concerns about. But meanwhile, if you go back in time down memory lane, you'd see that the original makers of this
uh called it forever but purposely left holes in it not once not twice and the public voted for that as presented 75 76% uh percent you know uh percent of
the population. So what's the actual deal here? Why did they do why do you think but I don't want to put you in a position but why do you think that they did that? Is there some legal um legal issue there?
>> Not that not that I can speak to. I mean I I am not you know I wasn't involved in the development of the ballot language when when the forever program was originally established or when it was reauthorized. Um so I can't speak to how that was structured and how it was put in front of the vote the the voters. Um
what I can speak to is um how I think it has been administered. One of the things that that came up in our the course of our discussions was that in the history of the program, there haven't been any parcels that the county has sold. I think there was one parcel that had been used for uh there there was a need for some rideway. Um and I think that's the
limited um instance when any portion of of some properties that were, you know, purchased with Valuchia forever dollars um were used for a public purpose. Um I think that's the only example, Mike, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that was the only one that that was raised during our discussions. What I can say is from the the county's
standpoint, we we did have staff come out and present about how the policy and the program is administered. And you all know this because you've been involved on both the acquisition of of those lands and also what happens after they're acquired. Sometimes you have
funding partners that have certain restrictions that come into place that that you know create additional uh restrictions and protections. But as a county, the thing that that you do once you acquire Valuchia Forever Properties is you come in and amend the comprehensive plan to put it into a
conservation uh land use classification. You you kind of strip out any of the remaining development rights so that you not only own title, but you've taken it and expressed the voters's intent through the the comp plan in how that
land is then treated from a legislative standpoint in your ownership. um that would require you know again an amendment if you were to ever do anything that was contrary to that you or propose it for sale or anything of that nature there would be another legislative determination. I think adding protection is a good thing. Um
again I don't think that that um you know we're addressing a problem that hasn't come up >> um at this point in time. But I think it it is something that the the public did support this. It's one of the the strongest things that has been supported at at the the ballot in Valuchia County
history. And I come at it from the perspective of, you know, I started out my career in Penllis County in the county attorney's office and we had the penny for penellis, which was the local option sales tax. And when you look at the history of that um ballot
initiative, um the initial vote, I think it passed by like 60%. And it has increased by 5 to 10% of support in the in Penllis County each year that it's been each time it's been reauthorized because the county does what it says it's going to do with regard to the
funding that's created by that by that policy. And I think the comment was made a few minutes ago. You're in rented seats. Um we're adding, you know, we were asked to add protection in the charter for conservation land. We did it in the manner that we believe was lawful and that was reasonable to to do that to
increase what the current protections are. We also recognize that any council or future council that doesn't respect that priority from the from the standpoint of the electorate, you're in a vended seat. Um there are additional
policy protections that are put in place with each and every parcel that's acquired. And so it's easy to look at it from, I think, a very simplified soundbite standpoint, but I think when you look at the way the the law is structured, the way the charter operates, the way that the the general
law operates, um, we have to respect those limitations. The other interesting thing is, and I've heard the comparison over the past several weeks about, you know, the county doing this, you taking this approach versus cities that that are adding things to the ballot. Um, cities aren't governed by 125. that same
limitation on who can authorize sale doesn't apply to municipal corporations. So there's a distinction on what the general law that applies is between the county and between cities. So when you talk about Fernandina Beach and some of the other cities, Edgewater, I was in Edgewater last night, that was one of
the other things that they were talking about was those ballot initiatives and those things that would require a vote. Um those types of of issues in a city are governed by different general law than the county is. And so we had to respect that. >> Thank you, Mark. Thank you for all your
service. >> Um I just I just uh county attorney, I just want to make sure um have have we have we had any proposals throughout the years to uh um separate
ourselves or use conservation land? I I know we've lightly talked about it. Has there been any disillusion of of these properties whatsoever? >> Any type of transfer or conveyance, sir? Is that what you mean? >> Yeah. >> Only as Mark alluded to, eminent domain
once, maybe twice. >> Uh no policy direction, not you know, to to change anything throughout the years, prior councils in terms of changing the language or the intent of Valuchia forever.
>> Uh not that I'm aware of, sir. But you you know annually you come up and there's policy uh things that come to you from the forever committee to make the program better, more robust, and those things come to you, but you've so you the body has passed those. >> Okay.
Thank you. U Thank you, Russ. Council, I'll just say I'll just wrap this up and say a couple things and there's a lot of irony in this whole uh discussion and it's going to make some people upset, especially some that are on their other side, but they have to understand where I'm coming from. If you break this whole
thing down, uh this issue hasn't existed. No proposals ever been made. No policy direction. Um ultimately the problem didn't exist. Uh it's been politically hijacked uh
during a a uh uh election election year. But if you look at some of the makers of this Baluchia Forever program, uh we heard Brad say it. Uh Brad Brad's been doing a good job trying to navigate this. He's uh
sometimes stuck in the middle of of uh of multiple multiple groups, but we'll hear it called Valuchia Forever, not Valuchia maybe. But the people are saying that are repeating Valuchia maybe are now the people or are the people that created the program stirring the
political pot. And that's what this is. The people voted not once but twice over the course of 20 some odd years for the language and the procedure proposed on the ballot. Not a super
majority, not a unanimous a goofy unanimous vote, none of that stuff. That's politics. I want to make sure district three in this body does what the voters voted for.
Just so you guys know, anything else above that is buddy in the water and bad politics, in my opinion, not good for this body or this county. Thank you, >> Councilman Troy Kent. >> Appreciate it. Thanks, Chairman. So, I like it when people use some of my
terminology, and we heard it a couple times here tonight, rented seats, because I talk about that from time to time. So, uh, Mr. Watts, thanks for thanks for using it. And Miss Shiper, thanks for using it. Um, and Danny, I'm going to use your one of yours. You just did right now, man. Politically hijacked.
I uh I like that one. Don't know that I've heard it before, but I like it. And you know, I I think we're having this this discussion uh mostly because of Don. And you know, Don, I uh I'm I'm a fan of
yours. This is what I love about this is that even though I'm a fan of yours, doesn't mean I have to agree with everything you say, nor do you agree with everything I say. But Danny, I think you're right in that we've really, you know, you did a a masterful job of presenting that there's really never been an issue. There's probably never
going to be an issue. Um, but Don said some things that got some people a little concerned. And you know, uh, our charter review commission, thank you for the hard work you did for almost a year of of of, uh,
your time. Thank you for that. But, you know, that being said, um, you know, I heard some of our lawyers and lawyers in the community and people in our charter review commission say they don't think that the Elatchua County will be permissible.
Okay, good for you. People in Lash County think it's permissible and other people in our community think it's permissible. So, here's where I am with it. the charter amendments that our charter review committee came up with, you know, we don't we don't get to mess with
those, nor should we. Um, those are coming. But I honestly I don't have a problem with the community saying instead of allowing the currently seven gentlemen in the rented seats to make that decision. We want the community to
make that decision since we're the ones that made that 75 76% decision anyway. So, I I for one am here to tell you if if there's any traction with it, I I am I am totally fine with us as a council adding another amendment out there to
the people to vote on, and that would be to follow the Elatchua County lead. Thanks, Councilman Jake Johansson. >> Dan, >> oh, I'm sorry. I was I thought that was
just a hold over from where he started before uh Councilman Danny Robbins. >> Mr. Kent, if I may, I I've heard two or three people talk about this Elatchua County, right? Obviously, there's an agenda here. It's
called no nothing. That's what I That's what I hear. I'm just being frank. Tie up everyone's property. Property rights don't rights don't mean anything. publicly don't mean anything. It's a common mood in this last couple years, but
that's two or three people every meeting. 76 whatever people of the entire county voted for this as it is without all this. So, how can we get on board with respect
to you and your desires with that kind of lopsided numbers because the more we put these challenging amendments on, right? Um, they have a 0% success rate for all
of them, right? People folks get confused and that's not what they voted for. They already voted. You know what I mean? So, how do we overcome that? I think that's a fair question with respect and and um let's shark tank it. Sell me
>> if Thank you. you if I can if I can. Sherman Danny, I I appreciate, you know, the the opportunity there. And I'll just say in the last 10 years, this county and specifically
Daytona Beach has seen wild out of control explosive growth, especially with apartment complexes. They're screaming at us about the traffic on LPGA Boulevard, Williamson, Clyde Morris, Nova Road, Hand Avenue. I mean, we're hearing about all of this. And I know in your district, District 3,
you're hearing it as well out there. I bring that up because there's a reason why people are rightfully concerned about forever land not really meaning forever. So, I don't my intent is not to
confuse people. That is not what I want. But I also believe that the voters in Valuchia County are the smartest voters in the state of Florida. I don't think they get it wrong. >> Mr. Chairman, now let me >> look at the seven of us up here. >> I want to make a point of order.
>> Mr. >> What is your point? >> My point is we are off topic. This agenda item is specific to just hearing the update. Well, not the update, the the proposed charter review commission proposal and say okay, moves to the next
step. That's all we're charged with to do on this agenda item and I propose that we get back on track. Any other topics or proposals should be dealt with at a later date. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> I'm open for moving the next step. >> Th
this is on it's part of the proposal. So, and the public deserves a hearing, but so we'll vote on it. Um, everybody who wants to end this conversation of Lucia forever. Um, and the only thing left to be done is announce the date of
the next meeting. I think this is valuable for the public to hear this, but if you want to end debate at this point, uh, uh, please say I. >> Mr. Chairman, I think you're framing it wrong. That's probably why you're not getting an I because I, um, if I may,
>> you wanted to move on. >> If I may, um, you're saying debate as is like we have a decision to make on this topic. There's no decision to make on this topic. >> Comment. Who wants to end comment right now on this topic? >> I I I believe that this is a very
important topic and it should be handled under council comments when you can comment and talk about it. Right now, all we're doing is is item four, which is the stuff that that Chairman Watts has uh brought to us for uh for
decision. Um uh and not really decision, just let let's move forward. Um, it's a great conversation and and we frequently talk about things that happen in public comment at the end and bring motions forward. This is just happens to be an
agenda item that breeds some other philosophical comments, but I think they ought to be handled just later. Not not not to silence anybody but just put it in the right spot in the uh in the organization of our day because
many of us are are about to take our third five minute period to to talk about it and and uh uh we need to wrap up move on and we can talk forever during council comments. Okay. Uh, I haven't taken any five minutes yet, but Carissa, would you call
the role uh see if what the intent of the council is if we should uh stop comment? >> Mr. Kent, >> I'm sorry, Chairman. I'm just confused. We're not voting on the item we're voting on. Should we stop comment?
>> Yeah, we're not voting on the item yet. >> Okay. Yeah. No. >> Yeah. No. Which one? >> It's a no. It's a no. Sorry. Mr. Reinhardt, >> yes. >> Mr. Robbins, >> yes. >> Mr. Santiago, >> yes.
>> Mr. Dempsey, >> Mr. Johansson, >> yes. >> Mr. Brower, >> no. But we can bring it up as Jake said in closing comment. So, okay. Then the only thing left on this item, I believe, Russ, is to announce the date of the next public hearing.
>> Yes, sir. The the third and final public hearing will be at the next county council meeting, the evening meeting at uh June 16th, sometime after the 4:00 >> after 4 p.m. >> 4 p.m. Yes, sir. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. That
concludes item four. Uh let's see. I think we can probably get item we can get item five done. Item five done, which is a quasi judicial hearing. Does uh any council member have
any exparte to declare? >> No. >> No one move to approve. >> Second. >> This is a proposed vacation of a portion of a Bthun Valuchia Beach unit three of
seven units. And the motion to approve was by Councilman Santiago and the second I believe was by Councilman Robbins. Okay. Any questions for uh the the staff's comments?
>> Yes, chairman. >> Go ahead, Mr. Kent. So, um is this 7,500 square feet? >> Yes, sir. >> Huge piece of property. Is this adjacent to the water? >> Not really. No, sir.
>> There. I mean, looking at the map here, it's like what is it? 20 feet 30t away from the water. >> Yes, sir. >> What waterway is that? Uh it would be the uh inter coastal the Indian uh river lagoon. Okay. >> Um
does this almost double the property owners property if we give this to them? >> Uh no they own property on both the north and south side. Do you have the uh aerial? There you go. So they own the property in the green as shown.
>> Right. So, uh, it probably matches the size of the parcel on the south side. >> Yeah. If we give this to them, what can they do with it? >> Uh, well, they can enlarge and create a single lot and, uh, if it meets the
zoning requirements, they could potentially resub resubdivide along those lines. But, uh, really anything that the zoning allows is what they can do. >> Yeah. Some of council and staff might not like this next part, but I um I
asked staff if we could get paid for this land and they said no. Wh why not? >> The uh property was not acquired by purchased. >> Okay, this property the right of way was created by platt. >> So when the right ofway is created by
platt property itself, the underlying property still is owned by the original entity. It just gives us the right to use it for public access. >> Yeah. uh if we uh uh only the only thing that's conveyed to us is that right not
the ownership of the property and by vacating the plat returns it back to the property owner >> and the argument is is that it's off the tax roles right now. This would get it on the tax roles. >> Is that correct? >> That's part of it. Yes, sir. >> That's that's part of it. So, >> we have no use for for it at this point
in time. We are not we have no plans to build the road in >> in my opinion. This is a Well, I'm done with questions. I'll be quiet, chairman, unless you let me have a few comments. I don't see any other names. >> Go ahead and make your comments.
>> I'm This is a a huge piece of property, you know, 7,500 square ft. It is in a um very soughtafter area, Turtle Mound. I mean, just, you know, beautiful, beautiful place there. I understand what
staff is saying that we can't get paid for it, but I don't like it. I want the taxpayers to receive something for this. I don't know what we would have to do in order to make that happen. Maybe the answer is there's nothing that can be done, but I just look at this as an absolute huge gift and
I'm not playing Santa Claus in June. So although my beard is grown a little longer and it's a little grayer, but on a more serious note, I I would feel way more comfortable if we could sell this property. And if there's a way to make that happen, I'd be a yes vote and the
names are lighting up and they're all going to say no, we can't do it. But and I don't blame the property owner. If I was property owner, I'd probably ask too because what's the worst they can say is no. But goodness gracious. Thanks, Councilman Santiago. Yeah. I just wanted
to correct Troy that your beard is a lot grayer than just a little. Yes. >> Um >> still got a ways to go. >> And you know, Troy, I mean, get you perked up my ears and um to I'm always
open for getting something for the taxpayers, right? If if but if we can um you know, I want to reask the question to make sure I am clear. There is no legal way that we can get any form of
funds from this property being conveyed to anyone. Is that correct? >> Correct. But I will turn the since it's a legal question. This is state rule. So, >> right. I I'll turn it to Paulo. But essentially, because we don't own the actual deed of title, have a deed and
ownership, we don't have anything to convey. We basically hold it in trust for the public for the purposes by which it was dedicated. get a deed. >> To that point, one of the things we do now with our plat is we do have them
deed that ride ofway to us, but that's not a practice that's been in place uh prior to about 5 years ago. >> Gentlemen, if this was 5 foot, if it was 10 foot, I'd be I'd be like, I get it. But I'm looking at this and I'm like, it's just too much. >> Got you. So, the answer is no to my
question. There's no way we can do it legally. >> Correct. >> Right. Okay. Um and we have no use for it whatsoever. We don't foresee >> we have no intent to build that road at this point in time. Sir >> and there would be no other public use for it that we foresee. >> Utilities all agreed that they have no use for it as well.
>> Park boat ramp. >> What other uses can we utilize a >> can we create parking? >> The right that's been deed to us and legal can correct me if I'm wrong is for the use of public access. That's the only thing that we can do with that property whatsoever. Could Could public
access be right >> 10 parking spaces? I'm just making things up. >> You could open it up as ride ofway. So, you would open it up and anything associated with rideway including, you know, uh public access and public parking useful on the property.
>> So, the answer is yes. Yes. But you you would open it up as right of way. >> What do you mean? What does open it up mean? Uh you would basically take that unopened piece of platted rideway, accept it as maintenance as part of your
county roadway system. And you know, as part of that, you uh county has the obligation, the liability to uh maintain that piece of property in the way that is uh appropriate for the plat which is as right of way and um
public parking in the right of way. >> What is the actual dimensions of the property? Uh it's a 50 foot rideway by uh 150 ft length. Um I see he's by the beach so he's perked
up my ears a little bit. Um >> could Sorry, Mr. Chair. I'm just kind of grasping. You made me think a little more about this from that perspective. Um, Troy, >> where's our closest uh public beach parking to this?
>> Uh, you have me at a disadvantage. I do not know. >> I know. I know. You know your department. Okay. >> The boat ramp is about 10 miles south in the refuge. >> Far. Okay. >> I don't know. Try speak up. I want to hear more now that I opened the door for
you, brother. Okay. >> Make the sale. >> Okay. Uh, Councilman Dempsey. Yeah, I I've said it before on those lots down in Orange City in the in the numbered streets, and I'll say it again here. Why don't we make this a pocket park just for the neighborhood kids? I mean, this
looks like a congested neighborhood. And the neighborhood where I grew up, there was always a vacant lot where we'd go play tackle football or whiffle ball or whatever. Why don't we just clear it and just leave it for the neighborhood kids to congregate and do outdoor activities? We just heard uh Crystal earlier from
Little League saying they have no place for these kids to go and do outdoor their little league. I just like I've always said, I want these kids to get out of the house and congregate somewhere and play, you know, healthy activities. And this would be it looks like it'd be great. Looking at this,
there's a lot of houses. I would suppose a lot of kids residing in there and it doesn't look like there's any place they can go and even throw Frisbee or play football or anything. I think this would be a great uh move by the county to just
clear it and let the kids utilize it. >> Yes, sir. I don't disagree, but unfortunately the right that's been conveyed to us is for access. Clearing it certainly would fall under the ability to uh for access, but to call it
officially a park and uh line it as such would be in violation of the right that's been granted to us under the plan. Can we just clear it and just leave it alone and do nothing with it? >> Yes, sir. That is a possibility. >> Probably be a de facto whatever you want to call it where kids periodically go on
there. >> Cleared right away, sir. That's all we do. >> Thank you, Councilman Johansson. >> Thank you, Chairman Ted. How how do how did we get the easement to begin with? >> Yeah,
>> it was granted by platt. So when this plat was originally put in place and approved by the county, it was set aside for right away for access to the lots as shown. >> But somebody o owned it. Somebody owned
the property. >> Correct. and and those people have subsequently sold it to these people or or so so they own the property, but we basically took the easement as part of the plant.
>> We require as a part of our code to have access to your house, you have to have a public access uh to front on any lot that's created. And that was what occurred in this case. And so they gave up a portion of their property.
>> They the property owners >> correct >> gave up or gifted >> correct >> this property to us to meet the code. >> The right to put right away on it. Yes, sir. >> But it's their property. >> Yes, sir.
So, so I like the easement idea of using it, but if we can't use it, then then we're not trying to get something back. We're trying to give back the rights of this person's
property to use it in the way they want. In other words, to execute their property rights again that we kind of by code took from them. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Uh, Councilman Robbins. Uh, Tad, when was it platted? any >> it it's on uh excuse me it's on number five of of uh in your agenda item and it looks like it was 1946 >> 46 and does this the way the red line is
drawn here in the map does it actually touch the water or it doesn't look like it does >> no it comes up short with what they're requesting the vacation >> so it couldn't be a kayak launching that's public access >> not that portion of it the uh rightway continues to the southeast you can see
it's basically continuation of uh Ingram. Ingram stops on the south side of the green line there and uh that rightway continues north where it would intersect this section that's being vacated. So if there was an interest in doing a boat
launch or something along those lines or accessing the water, that is still an option via Ingram to that space between the green lot on the right hand side, north, right, northeast side, and the uh parcels on the southwest side.
>> Yeah, I like that. This is a popular area for kayaking and canoeing. And I I don't think there's a launch here. There might we might have one close by, but >> it's farther down south. >> Um I I agree this is this is a lot of
land just to hand over Councilman Kent. >> Thank you, Chairman. So staff's going to have to explain to me how a public rideway is not a passive park. my thoughts. I love that you all
are are um talk we're talking about this and Don I'm a huge advocate for um pocket parks, but this to me would be an ideal location for a passive park with a couple of benches to be able to watch the sunset. And chairman, if we could get a kayak or canoe launch right there,
um that makes it even more spectacular. If this were 10 feet wide, I would not be bringing this up. But this is 7,500 square feet of land. So, um staff, how is
putting a passive place to sit down and put out a blanket and have a picnic and sit on a park bench and watch the sunset? How is that not public right away? Help me. >> Well, I don't think that your description is wrong. We can do
something in a passive aspect. What I understood, maybe that was my fault. I misunderstood Don to indicate an active which is if you go out and line it for soccer field no fields or something along those lines. That's a different type of park. >> Putting in a sidewalk is something we can do in a public access and throwing
some benches down is is clearly within the definition. So something along those lines on a cleared rideway can be accomplished. >> Oh, okay. Now that's changed things. So perfect. That gentlemen, that's where I am. That's what I would like to see
happen. Okay, >> just clarification. It does not lose its characteristic as a rideway. Meaning anyone in this plat can open up Oh, it does not lose its characteristic as a rideway. It's not formally designated as a park. So, anyone in this plat can file
a use permit application, open up that ride ofway, put in a road or some kind of travel device. Cannot treat it as a normal public park. You can clear it, put some benches, allow some parking, but its primary use as given to the
county is for public access. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah. >> How in the world would a road be put in there, Paulo? like >> it anyone can come in and follow you's permit to build and construct a road
from um Turtle Mound all the way in because it does not lose >> standard. It does not lose its characteristic as a right of way. >> You're saying like to get to their properties, >> correct? >> To build to build >> anyone in the plat can can >> Would that come before council? >> No.
>> No. Uh, Michael Dyer, you need to weigh in on this >> just uh just briefly because of the of this type of um u uh vacation, there's a statute that governs the decision you make. So, you're here on
the request, you got to act on the request. If you want the direct staff to do something else with the property, that's something you can also talk about, but it's above and beyond this item. Um, so if you look on page 5-2, there's just three criteria.
So if there's a motion to deny the request, um, you would just need to fit on one of these three and they're pretty broad. Um, first must the applicant must demonstrate the their fee simple rights to the underlying land. I think they've accomplish that. The vacation does not
negatively affect the rights of the other owners in the plat. You may disagree with that. and that the vacation does not negatively affect the access of other owners of the plot. You may disagree with that as well. So, if you do move to deny, just fit in one of
those three. >> Okay. >> Well, I can't make I I won't make a motion to deny unless the maker of the motion and the seconder withdraws their motions. >> I'll withdraw my second. >> That's why I'm up. I'll just withdraw my motion and Yeah.
>> Okay. So motion and a second is withdrawn >> and I'll make a motion to deny based on the vacation does not negatively affect others owners at the time. I disagree with that. >> Second and I'd like to comment. >> Motion to deny by uh Troy Kent and the
second was by Councilman Robbins and you're up next. So go ahead Councilman Robbins. >> How about this? Let's take care of this one. >> Yes. >> Then we'll give direction. I'll I'm good. >> Yeah. because it's going to require follow-up action anyway if we want
something done with it. So, we can approve or deny and that's it. Uh, we have one member of the public who would like to speak on this. John Nicholson. >> That's the longest vacation discussion we've had. Huh. >> We've never done this.
>> Broke your record. >> Uh, John Nicholson Bside. Uh if you look at your map, all right, there's a road going from like the very bottom right directly up to this location. And if you notice, it appears that there
could be an L to A1A. He owns part of a roadway. And then there's a space between his the left hand section of that red to the roadway.
looks like two property owners or so. So, in other words, you're going to vacate a row, a po a portion of a road that could allow those people the next block over an access or an exit onto A1A. Does
that make sense? Do you understand what I'm talking about? If you follow the the road that's off of A1A in the bottom right hand corner, >> Turtle Road >> diagonally road, >> you're talking about Turtle Mountain Road. If you take that all the way to the vacant property, it appears there's
enough space between that green line and where the roadway is for the roadway to extend. Who owns that? Is that part of the uh easement that the county owns? In other
words, does the county own actual an Lshape? We see the red mark, but we're not seeing the other section. Do we also have an easement there? If we do, which it appears to be, then we're taking out
the exit for those people that have those homes on that road. Thank you. >> Does anybody have an answer to that? >> Do we just own what's in red now? Not own, but have >> we own
Yeah, >> Clay knows how to do this. >> Shows up on my screen. Why isn't it showing up on the Ingram which is There you go. kind of >> now. I want the exhibit, but it's just not showing. I marked it on my screen.
It's supposed to show up on there. >> Okay. All right. Well, I apologize. So, Ingram, which you see uh parallels Turtle Mound on the western side. >> Mhm. You can see Ingram currently stops right now in terms of the pavement
>> at the southern line of the green lot >> and that's within right ofway for Ingram. The pavement stops but Ingram itself continues to the northwest. >> Here we go. >> Circle portion. There you go.
>> Okay, that is part of Ingram. That is part public rightway. I love that. >> Correct. So that's the vote. >> Okay. >> I call the question. >> Yeah. >> All right. The question is to deny. Uh
all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed seven to zero? >> I'll make a motion. >> Chair. Before we leave this, does somebody want to make a motion for what we're >> discussing
>> discussing? I I'm fine with it. If we're ready to if we're ready to go there till closing comments. >> Oh, okay. Well, either way, but I was ready now. Jake's name's up, but I'll put mine up right behind him. >> Just we're just talking. Why don't we just let >> I would like to
>> Oh, go ahead. >> Let us bring something back because >> Yeah, I'm I'm >> This costs money, too. We're $92.8 million in in the hole possibly. Let's uh let let's let staff bring it back and come up with some opportunities for us
to capitalize on the on the property and do some things. >> Okay. All right. We will uh break for lunch 1210 at till uh 12:45. Hey, hey, hey.
Heat. Heat. Here we go. Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 10 minutes. Hey, hey, hey. Hey,
hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey,
hey. Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 5 minutes. Hey, hey, hey. Yummy. I drink. Baby,
let's be honest. Baby, hey. Wonder. Welcome to the Valuchia County Council meeting. The meeting will begin in 2 minutes. Come on. and
heat. Hey her. Question eight. I don't still here. Few other items. Okay, we will resume the meeting at 12:51. We're on item six, which is resolution 2026,
XXX reszoning of plus or minus 2.59 acres from the urban multifamily residential zoning classification to a planned unit development. Uh Mr. Tiner, >> good afternoon. Council Ray Tiner, growth and resource management director.
This is for a reasonzoning for 2.59 acres from urban multifamily R8 zoning class classification to planned unit development. It is uh quasi judicial um in nature. >> While you're pausing, I'll just ask the
council has uh does anybody have any exparte to declare? >> No. >> No. >> Okay. This property is located at 5499 South Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. You could see it here uh on the aerial. It's a 12 uh story condominium building
um in the vicinity of other uh condos and motel hotel type uses resort style. Um I do want to uh just kind of illustrate the the red color here in front of you. The red is a um B8 zoning
which is for tourism. And you can see that uh the proposed project is kind of surrounded by that area uh for tourism. Right now it would not permit uh hotel motel type uses. Um back in 2019, the
property uh just to the north of uh the proposed resoning property was reszoned by council uh to allow for uh motel and hotel. Again, it was constructed 19 uh80. The um PUD amendment um does not
have any uh provisions in there for any additional construction or any more units that would be permitted. It's just to allow that that uh hotel motel type uses on the property. It also sets the setbacks that were uh originally in 1980
when it's built. It's legal non-conforming. get some hole for for that as well. Uh the PLDRC at the April 16th meeting uh voted unanimously 6 to forward this item to county council with
a recommendation of approval. Uh staff, we have not had any opposition at PLDRC nor any phone calls from from the joining residents or or the uh residents within the building itself. And I believe the applicant is uh here um if
you have any questions for the applicant as well. >> Thank you. Uh Councilman Troy Kent. >> Thank you. How many units units are in this building? >> Uh do you know how many 54 units? >> 54 units. >> Yes. 55. >> 55. How how many of the 55 owners are
100% in in favor of having hotels operating all around them at all times? >> Um I do not have that answer. All I know is we have not received any opposition. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions?
>> Okay. Is there a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to approve by Vice Chair Reinhardt and the second was by Councilman Robbins. Uh >> for discussion.
>> Okay. and no experte from Councilman Robbins. Uh, Councilman Kent. >> Again, thank you, Chairman. I was uh I was going to make a motion to deny, but uh that's okay. Um I am adamantly against short-term rentals. Um this has
never been a a short-term rental just because everywhere around it uh allows it. To me, this is a beacon of light. This is an an island surrounded by hotels operating in an area where it was residential condominiums.
Um, I could never I could never live uh like this. Um, to me it's it's wildly inappropriate for the long-term residents that don't want to have this, which is why I asked the question of the 55 homeowners, how many are against
this? I don't see anybody here with cards or maybe we do have them. and they're going to talk about it. But, um, that's why I'm going to be a no on this. >> Okay. I don't see any other comment or questions and I have no public
comments on it. So, I'll call for the vote. All in the motion is in favor of the uh of the resolution. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I. >> And the vote is six to two. any 62
>> four to two >> I meant five to two >> five to two with Robins and Kent opposing item seven ordinance 2026-08 smallcale comprehensive plan amendment
from urban medium intensity future land use designation to commercial designation >> council we have uh two companion um a small scale comprehensive plan amendment and a resoning. We're going to do um one
presentation but of course you'll have to vote on it separately. The zoning portion of of this is also uh quasi judicial. Does anyone have any exparte on the on item eight? I spoke on the phone with
the attorney briefly. Um that was it. So this this property is about 2.3 acres. It's located north of US92 specifically on south side uh old dand road. The first portion is an ordinance for a smallcale comprehensive plan
amendment from urban medium intensity uh to a designation of commercial uh designation. The zoning portion is a reszoning of of the property uh from urban single family residential R2 uh to a zoning classification of planned unit
development. Uh because it's uh being reszoned to plan unit development, it it it falls within the Highidge neighborhood plan and that requires uh any reszoning of property in this area to be via PUD instead of this instead of
the straight zoning. Again, the size of the property is 2.3 acres. Uh you can see uh here on the aerial just north of 92. Um uh and and um the uh zoning here
again um of being accommodate accommodating for some commercial uses. You can see on the right hand side uh a lot of the property is already industrial and already commercial in this in this corridor.
The um the the real purpose of the commercial zoning which would allow to accommodate for a full range of sales and service activities with a floor floor area maximum ratio of 55%. What they are proposing on the property
is a uh recreational vehicle, RV and boat storage. There are no proposed structures uh for the property. Um, of course, when they come in with a site plan, we'll make sure that they have the required land landscape buffers that are called out in the PUD development
agreement. The main access point will be on US92 just for a right in and a right out with some um emergency accommodations or access point off of Old Dean Road. This property also was at the uh uh
PLLDRC public hearing on April 16th. There there was no public participation or um against or for for this project. The PLDRC voted 5 to one to for this item to council uh as for a
recommendation of approval. And I also believe the applicant represent representative is here if y'all have any questions for for them. >> Thank you, Councilman Robbins. >> I was uh do you have public comments, sir? I was going to make a a public
motion. >> We have one from Steve. >> I'll wait. >> Okay. Question. Motion to approve. I >> have a motion to approve by Councilman Robbins. The second is by Vice Chair Reinhardt
and you said you were just and only if there was questions. Okay. All right. Uh Councilman Johansson, >> quick question, Ray, it's for uh staff. Um
April 16th that was approved by PLRDC. Can you explain to me the why it took a month to get here? Is it just agenda or >> advertisement? >> Advertisement. >> Yes, sir. You have to advertise for complaining. >> I I I knew it was a reason, but I I
forgot. Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions? Any comments? All in favor of the ordinance, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And it passes seven to zero which takes
us to the other half >> item eight. Um exparte we've taken care of uh Councilman Johansson. No, >> no. >> We have a motion to approve by Matt
Reinhardt and a second by >> a second. >> A second by Councilman Santiago. Um, this is for the reasonzoning. Any questions for staff comments? All in
favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? And it is approved. 7 to zero. Uh item nine, ordinance 2026-09, smallcale comp plan amendment from low intensity
uh to mixed use zone. >> Thank you. Again, uh item number nine and 10, we have one presentation. Uh the first one is for um a small scale comprehensive um amendment and the next is for resoning from urbal sing urban single
family residential to plan unit development and again the second portion of it is quasi judicial in nature. >> Any exparte to declare on item 10? >> None.
>> Yes. I I did too when I I not on eight but it was actually on 10 smoke spoke to Mr. Watts. >> I did too. >> Okay. >> Okay. Motion to approve. >> So um the small scale comprehensive plan
amendment is from urban low intensity uh to a designated mixeduse zone. Um the reasonzoning is the property is about 6.10 10 acres and the uh resoning portion is from urban single family residential
uh to uh plan unit development. The property again is 6.10 acres. Um you can see here on on the aerial map where it is uh right right uh to the east of North Road on Enterprise um area and
just north of Deberry Road and again going to uh plan unit development. One thing I do want to highlight is the uh the purple you see is a mixeduse zone. So that's kind of through planning is kind of expended through north. And I know the applicant has a presentation
that will get into a little bit more details than I do about this u uh f future land use map amendment for mixed use. the uh uh again the um it's going from uh the future lanes now allows for four
dwelling units and then uh a little bit of uh of of non-commercial but the real mixed use of zoning um allows for um a mixture of uses and actually the comprehensive plan really spells out
percentages of residential and non-residential to make sure you have that ought to split of both non-residential and and residential component of that mixeduse property. Uh what they're proposing here uh is a site plan that's within the PUD uh
development agreement. They're proposing 22,500 square ft of commercial 56 apartment units, 24 multif family town units. Um you can see right along Deberry Road the three-story buildings will house the uh
commercial component on the first floor. Uh and then the second and a third floor that's where you would have your residential units. Uh the property has um uh trails in front of it uh that so you have really good uh pedestrian
access. uh toward towards the rear of the property, of course, you have some of your uh your mo uh your apartment units. Uh one thing I do want to note, um the Enterprise uh preservation society, um I
know the applicant and staff has been working on this project for I think over two years of the concept and even the architectural renderings and really work for them. So in your package um you do have a support letter uh from the
enterprise society uh supporting this project. Again uh the PLDRC at its public hearing um voted 6 to this item uh to county council with a recommendation of approval. Uh there was no public
participation and we have not received any opposition to this project. know the applicant representative Cobin Cole was here and they would like to do a uh presentation as well. >> Councilman Robbins, you have a question first.
>> No, I just wanted to make a statement. I was going to make a motion to approve. >> We have a motion to approve item nine by Councilman Robbins and a second by Vice Chair Reinhardt. Mark Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the
council. Um Mark Watts with the law firm of Cobb Cole 231 North Woodland Boulevard Dand. Normally at this point in time, you know, um I think you know we we've gotten here without any opposition, you know, u and public speakers at PLDRC. We got a great endorsement from PLDRC. But if you'll
indulge me for just a couple minutes, I wanted to walk through something because I think it it rep it it helps illustrate how some of these plans that we adopt are intended to be dynamic and we need to kind of remember that because sometimes we get into discussions about whether a comp plan amendment really needs to be made or not. Um, so I'm
going to go through this probably quicker than I did at PLDRC, but I just wanted to to kind of illustrate something that that occurred here. Um, and and I'll give you the background. When we first had a meeting on this about four about three or four years ago with the folks in the enterprise area, I had about 50 people come out very
opposed to anything happening with regard to the property and um county staff called us and suggested we hire some off offduty deputies to go with us um for the meeting. They they felt like it was going to be a tense one and it was and we learned a lot of ways that the community didn't want to see this uh
change occur. Um, but we really kind of worked and I'll tip my hat to Bert Pascal who's the the civil engineer and one of the owners. Um, really did a good job of listening and going back and and kind of refining this plan as it went forward. But, you know, you see in on the the screen here that the star is the
location of this property. Um, but I put a couple of of these together and Ray went through and by the way, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Steve Shams and Kristen Ray and the rest of your staff for doing a great job on this. Um, this is the, you know, the current land use and zoning. Um, and, you know, the
overall location. I thought it was important, you know, if you looked at your staff report, you looked at the fact that we put this local plan in place in 2001. It started, I think it was finally adopted in 2008. And sometimes when we put these plans in place, we we we believe that they they they don't have to be tweaked or
adjusted. One of the things we did here is that right after we did that, right after we created this recognition of the downtown core that historic enterprise traditionally had, we then rerouted the road. And so right after you did all this this um you know planning the
traffic which used to come through Well, it's not working for me. Okay, >> there we go. When the plan was put together, I picked the worst color um to show up on this aerial, but when the plan was put together, that was where the traffic
came through downtown Enterprise. And so we built this plan around that center portion. And then we came back about the same time we were adopting the plan and we rerouted all the traffic.
And so a plan that was that was based on encouraging Enterprise to continue to be this village, this uh commercial corps that used to be the county seat. Um we immediately then changed the infrastructure and we didn't change the plan to go along with it. And so one of the things that we heard from the folks
at EPS and some of the others we talked to as we went through the process was ultimately everything has been very locked down by the plan because we haven't been able to go through and adjust it. And so I just wanted to, you know, this is kind of what that mixeduse area in the core of enterprise looks
like now. And there really hasn't been a lot of investment or even upkeep of some of the existing commercial structures there um since that plan went into into effect in when the millennia was still in the single digits. Um so I I just want to, you know, point that out. Um I
think it's relevant in other communities. we've got like Dillian Springs that now has sewer and water and we're hearing all kinds of various pressures up there about how do we adjust plans you know to occur for things like that. Um this is one where you know we tried to engage with the community. We tried to kind of listen to
what they had as their ultimate vision. And when you get back to looking at the pattern books, looking at the things that the enterprise overlay also provides, once we aligned and and worked with staff to come up with a plan to align, you know, sort of those existing
entitlements under the uh overlay and move them to where the traffic has been rerouted to, um it it made sense and it kind of clicked for everybody. And so this is ultimately a project that's focused on the fact that you've got your spring to spring the you know the the Spring to Spring Trail goes through just
south of this um on the south side of of Deubberry Avenue. Um it's connected at a at a intersection with um pedestrian access um to the north side. We've been able to to come in and put uses in that support that overall vision. And this is the letter we got from the Enterprise
Preservation Society that ultimately said as a board we don't have issues. This is the type of development we've been waiting uh wanting to see along Deerry Avenue corridor. So I appreciate your indulgence to just let me kind of talk about that for a little bit because you know before 2011 we used to have to
go through and look at plans on a regular basis and and under the more current um planning you know laws in the state. We don't have to go back and relook at things as often as we we sometimes you know need to. But this was one where recognizing the changes in infrastructure really kind of makes
sense to to support the change in the plan. So here for any questions you might have, but I appreciate your time and indulgence. >> Councilman Robbins, thank you, Chair. Uh, no, this is another example, Mark. Um, I've seen you do this time and time again and and I think it goes a long way. Enterprise Ostein, some of these
little uh areas, they're very sensitive to what goes in there. But uh, thank you for spending the time on that. I didn't hear any opposition and uh and thanks for taking the time out in Ostein as well and and meeting with everybody and getting on the same page. So, thank you.
>> Any other questions? We do have one member of the public who would like to speak. Alfred Davis. Good afternoon, councelors, ladies and gentlemen. I live on North Road. I've been there
for 17 going on 18 years. And when I bought the land, the land was for a single dwelling home zone. Okay. And during that time, I've seen other build
their homes. Most of the people out there, they have an acre or more land. We have the wildlife out there. Um, it is beautiful out there. Now, this is the first time. Well, this is what they're talking about. They did not come to us,
the people on that road. My neighbor who owns the land. I talked with him and he told me that he was giving the land to his daughter and they had one hearing already. This is the second one. So, I want to be here.
We put rules and you guys know this. We got rules and regulations and and how we do things. We do zoning based on what is going on in different areas. I was a person that did bridges for many
years in the Valuchia throughout state of Florida. When we go in, we have rules and we have things, guidelines set up on different types of bridges that we can put in. Okay? We can't put whatever we want to
put there. This here will impact that community, especially North Road, because North Road is a dead end road. We're going to have a lot of more traffic coming in through that area. You're going to have uh based on their
um um commercial portion, you going to have things where they going to have dumpsters. We have black bears out there. Black bears knock over trash cans and they go out to food. Okay? You're going to have a lot more of that going on in that area. We have coyotes out
there. all this they're proposing, they're going to end up causing all that wildlife to try to find another place to live or infringe on that little community that they're proposing to
build. It's going to look out of, as I would say, out of order. Three-story building going into that community. Deltona Enterprise was built for residential. You go outside to go to your jobs where
these skyscraper buildings in Orlando in in Daytona and the surrounding areas to the big cities. But when you come to that community, you have a place of refuge. You don't have to worry about crime. You don't have to worry about a whole lot of traffic. You can come in,
you can go to your home, and it's beautiful. It's peaceful. Now, if we continue to start building, because they're building all around us now, and not just small buildings, but big buildings. I just want you guys to take that in consideration. Thank you. >> Thank you for coming in, and thank you
for your comments. >> Mark, anything else? Yeah, I just wanted to add, we did work with some of the folks on North Road. I believe one of the EPS board members, um, Mark Metseer, if I remember, lives on North Road as well. So, we had a community meeting. We had a number of follow-up meetings with the board and
everything out there. And I I certainly understand the point. When that ULI went in there, this, you know, was before Dev Avenue was constructed. Um, Dear Avenue now has an ADT count. I think the last numbers that I saw on your website was 30,000 trips a day that go by that, um,
land that currently is zoned, I think, are four, right? um for single family residential and so what you've seen is none of the single family residential along that stretch has developed and you know this is part of that evolutionary step and I I certainly agree it has to be done in a way that um you know is
sensitive to the areas around it that's why we concentrated it right at the intersection the way we did and just brought that mixeduse area north so thank you >> okay any uh other comments from council we have a motion on the table to approve
uh by Councilman Robbins and second by Matt Reinhardt. Um, if that's all there is, Cararissa, would you call the role? >> Mr. Kent, >> no. >> Mr. Reinhardt? >> Yes. >> Mr. Robbins? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Santiago? >> No. >> Mr. Dempsey? >> Yes. >> Mr. Johansson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brower? >> No. But the uh the motion passes 4 to three.
And that takes us to the second half of it. Item 10, reszoning of this property. Um do I have a motion for the resoning? Motion to approve. Motion to approve by
Danny Robbins, second by Matt Reinhardt. comments, questions. Uh, Chissa, would you call the role? >> Mr. Kent, >> no. >> Mr. Reinhardt, >> Mr. Robbins? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sant Thiago?
>> No. >> Mr. Dempsey? >> Oops. Mr. Johansson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brower? >> Uh, no. And let's get Don Dempsey's vote.
Mr. Dempsey, >> this is for the uh reszoning of that same property. >> Oh, so they Yes, the motion to approve the reszoning. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> The motion passes 4 to three. >> Right. So, the motion carries.
>> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Item 11, impact fee update for accessory dwelling units. Mr. Tiner, this is your day. Oh, thank you. Uh council, um at the uh
couple councils ago, we we provided a presentation um of an idea of um reducing the impact fees for accessory dwelling units. Um, per your direction, uh, we drafted a
ordinance. Uh, we tweaked some language, not a not a whole lot of changes in the ordinance, mainly definitions, um, to it. So, we we think we, uh, heard you loud and clear. Uh, so you have an ordinance in front of you to consider.
um basically uh changing a few sections of the code and really what it's doing it is revising the definition for treatment of ADUs as an expansion of the primary dwelling units is basically what it's doing. So, just like last time, I I
don't need to go through every one of these, but but you, as we talked about at the last meeting, we have our impact fee uh resolution ordinance where we set uh single family home uh square footage and tiers and and based on those tiers,
there's a certain impact fee that is assigned to that tier. So, for example, here, tier one is 1,200 square f feet or less. So, if you were going to put a 900, let's say, you know, I constructed a 950 foot square foot home and then
later on, uh, during that time where I construct that 950 ft home, I'm going to pay $9,847 for an impact fee because that's what that tier one requires. So, let's say a couple years later, I come back and I
want to do an accessory dwelling unit and maybe it's a small one, 250 square ft. You're still within that same tier, that 1,200 square ft. So, guess what? You're not going to pay nothing. You're going to pay zero.
Today's code, you would pay again 9,847 square feet. So, let's look at one more example. Um, that's still within the range of the 1,200 square ft. I b I build a 12,200 ft home. I'm going to pay uh the uh 9
9,847 square ft on my initial payment of my impact fee for my home. And then couple years later, I I build a 500 square foot ADU on my property. Well, now you're
exceeding that. uh it's going to take you to a tier two. You're going to exceed that. So, the only thing that you're going to do is you're going to pay what that dollar rate is of that tier. So, instead of paying $9,847,
you're going to pay $440. So, what this ordinance does, it it really uh reduces the cost of accessory dwelling units. And if within if you're in within your tier, you're going to pay nothing. >> Move to approve. Second. We have a motion to approve by David
Santiago and the second I believe was by Councilman Robbins. Any questions for staff? Any comments? I would just make a quick comment that um this to me looks like real tax
reform. I mean, it's reducing the tax burden on our people. We're also reducing the income that we're getting that we know we're going to need. But I this is consistent with the council that it's the right thing to do in my opinion. Um all in favor say I.
>> I. >> You have a public comment form. >> We do. John Nicholson. How could I possibly overlook it? You're good. >> Okay. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? And that motion carries
7 to zero. Item 12, fiscal year 2526 midyear budget refund. Budget fund reconciliation appropriation. Ryan Osowski. >> Good afternoon, council. Ryan Osowski, chief financial officer.
>> Before you is our first and you >> hold up one second. It was an accident. Okay, go ahead. for you is our first and probably only midyear. We'll be back at the end of the year for our for our uh end ofear reconciliation. We identified several
adjustments and transfers that uh need to be done in order to get money in the right fund. None of it is new expenditures. It's just all reallocations between the funds. Uh the agenda item itself had pretty long descriptions about what things are
doing. to try to make it to where you are prepared ahead of time and you don't have to see a presentation on this item. So, that being said, I'll take any questions. >> Move to approve. >> Motion to excuse me. Motion to approve by Jake Johansson and the second was by
Vice Chair Reinhardt. Any questions, comments? All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? And the motion carries six to zero until David comes back in. Item 13, five-year
capital projects plan. All right. With item 13, this is, I think, the third or fourth year that we've brought this plan forward. It was a recommendation of the internal auditor to bring the capital projects plan as one of the first budget items so that council could review it
and make any changes, remove any projects that that you might not want to move forward with or potentially add projects if you want us to look at that. We divide the projects into three different categories. Replacement projects for replacing and renewing our
existing assets, small capital projects, and then capital improvement projects. Those categories were were worked on with the internal auditor as well. Uh you see the amounts listed on this slide here. Uh these projects were identified through our departments and divisions
through submission into our central budget system and the budget division puts together the list of projects and it is attached for your for your review. We review and update this plan annually.
Um, year one of this plan, if it were approved, is what you'd see us formulate in our recommended budget book that's coming forward in July. Years two through five are for financial planning purposes and would be included in the 5-year forecasts, but they're not appropriated until we actually get to
those years. Just some reminders on some of the road maintenance statistics and facility statistics on the next slide. We have a lot of assets to maintain. Uh this describes what splits up small capital projects or improvement projects. I already mentioned that
replacement is just that replacement or rehabilitation. Here is a summary of the projects that are in the attach uh spreadsheet. And I'll remind you that we do have a column on there for funding not identified. This again was a recommendation from the internal
auditor. Basically, the road projects that were identified during the sales tax initiative many years ago at this point, they are still potential projects that could be done to improve our road network and they are still listed in this
presentation as funding not identified. We do have some highlighted large projects, although uh I will say that this presentation was published before the property tax reform discussion. So there's definitely some some warranted discussion here that
probably needs to take place. Highlighted at number one is Daytona Beach Courthouse project. What we've done is set aside $10 million. It doesn't mean that we're going to move forward. Obviously with a project of this size, even the design contract would be a
significant uh cost and that would be a future presentation from council on how we should proceed with such a project. So, for now, while we've earmarked $10 million, it's not from recurring funds. It's from reserves. It's from one-time money. So, if it was not spent, that's
exactly where it would go back to. >> And it's for design. >> This would be for part of the design. We'd also be uh the initial allocation two years ago, council set aside $5 million for like initial preliminary work. Uh 4 million of that's available
for roll over into the design. So, we'd have a total of $14 million earmarked. However, given the future constraints we may have, um, I would not recommend moving forward with a design without an actual plan to construct the building when design costs
this much money. >> Can Can you hold up one second? Did you have a question now that >> just a real quick question, Ryan? when it um on animal services, is that for the parking lot of the existing building on out by the jail or is that for the
facility that we lease? >> I don't know all the projects off the top of my head. >> I was just curious. It just because I know we lease that. I didn't know if that if that was it. We're still responsible for that parking lot. >> It may be for the facility out off Indian Lake.
I didn't mean to stump you. Oh, here comes the We're looking. >> Oh, sorry. No worries. >> Under public protection. >> You know what page number? Uh 1315 parking lot resurfacing >> 150,000
>> Jim C management director with minimal information I'm seeing here my gut tells me that is the existing building we have been doing a number of improvements out there Um 90% sure that's what it is. I typically would not recommend spending that much. >> No. Exact. From a lease property.
Exactly. Okay. That's my only concern is that we be spending. >> Well, we wouldn't do that. So, >> okay. 104. >> Thank you for clarifying. >> C can we go back to the courthouse? >> Sure. >> You you talked about the 10 million and then in 2829
175 million. That's an estimate for a rebuild. That is a placeholder that we moved forward. It's kind of in an in the middle number. There's a lot of different options that are out there that would be very much in the middle >> to council. Yeah.
>> It may be even on the low end >> depending on which option were chosen and the scope of the construction. It could be >> u just a couple other things real quick. one on that same page. 200 million and
3031 for fire stations. Are we anticipating building future needing to build future fire stations? >> I don't recall 200 million for fire stations, but >> I'm sorry, I'm wrong. It's 200,000. It's a big difference.
Yeah, the 47, the one that's listed there is the only new station and that's moving really a station uh that's uh in the U area near Orman and moving it out uh to the west to better serve that particular area. All
other fire stations are going to be replacements. So we have we have a lot of metal buildings. We have a lot of them that aren't uh uh would not be uh hurricane ready. So those are upgrades. So basically our our plan is to with the
exception of this one will be to upgrade the ones we have. >> The FY I think the number you were looking at 200,000 was fire station 44. It's listed as a relocation. I don't know if that helps jog any memories. >> Okay. Okay.
And then on page 16, funding to be determined. Oh, >> and also on 17, well, let's do 16. Most of that's road projects. >> All of the funding to be Sorry, I didn't
know you were going to keep going. All the funding to be determined were the road projects that were on the previous sales tax initiative. >> They've been rolled forward with an inflation factor. So, does this mean they're lower ranking? >> This means that they would not move forward unless
>> unless we got >> Yes. >> And that's really why I'm bringing it up in light of our conversation this morning. And then you look on water quality on 1317. Quite a few million dollars there with
no funding identified for it yet. >> Yeah, we we we have some serious decisions to make ahead. depending on what happens today and even if even if nothing changes today, we still have serious decisions make. Go
ahead. Uh Jake Johansson. >> Thank you, sir. Um as as you had mentioned, Ryan, I just want to make sure for the fiscal 2627. I I know there's a a big question
looming out there, but all the things that you have budgeted in this in this five-year CIP could be executed if if we our status quo. >> Yes. Everything that was put into that
FY27 column was before we even knew >> this is what you would execute if if if the question was in special session. >> That's what will be programmed in the budget. I put a significant asterisk next to the courthouse project. Whether that gets executed or not is up council.
All the projects are really, but that one special >> and and I don't have to take my point sharpen my pencil and start getting rid of stuff on the CIP because it's reserves and we just don't execute and it it stays where it is.
Right. >> Right. um or or if the scope changes or if the ballot measuring is approved. All right. Thank you. I'll highlight a couple more um large projects. The
passenger boarding bridge project. Uh those bridges are the original to the building and they've been uh maintained as much as they can up to this point. They are in in pretty desperate need of replacement. we were able to secure FAA
sorry FDOT grant funding for half of the cost. The other half of that cost would we are trying to program it to be um passenger facility charges which are the federally regulated charges that that uh airline passengers pay for capital
needs. Fire station 44 47 sorry that's what George was talking about. And the other largest project in the list is in FY30. We're already projecting the second landfill cell. We're starting the first one right now. Uh due to how fast
that space gets used and the way the geometry works, you can't build a very big mountain because of the slopes. That's not the right word that the engineers would call it, but I call it a mountain because you got to have the certain slopes and as you start building cells next to it, you can fill in the valleys as well. So you get more
capacity out of each future cell than you do the first ones. Council, hold on. Council, >> just question. Um, we we don't have to take any action on this. This is just a presentation. Is that correct? >> This is just a presentation. Unless you told us you want to pull a project, you don't want to see it in the budget or
you want to add a >> I'm okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> All right. With that, we'll move on to five-year forecast part one of two. And these are each forecast is an individual fund. Um I believe you're all
familiar with the the format. So I'll skip past this slide. Um these revenue projections are actually they did not get updated but the taxable value uh projection is 5 1.5%
uh for this year or roughly 5 and a half% for the countywide funds and 5% uh 5 and a half% or 5% in the out years depending on which fund you're in. Investment income uh those numbers are reflective of our expectations of
investment performance for the future. uh the as the Fed lowers interest rates, it lowers our return on our investment portfolio. I don't know if you read my investment report that I sent out last week, but we are seeing the result of
reduced interest rates in our portfolio. These expenditure assumptions, uh this slide, I know for sure did get updated. What we've currently got listed as expenditure assumptions in all the funds is a 3% wage increase. For health insurance, we have 8.4% plus a catchup.
Traditionally, we've for the last few years, we've been bringing forward a makeup contribution as part of our year-end budget um amendment. We need to bake that into the actual rates for health insurance. We've been behind on how much we've been contributing to the health fund for a few years now. I don't
know if you remember the supplemental contributions we've been bringing as part of the year-end um the year-end budget adjustment, but this year we're going to make up for those, so we don't expect to have any of those in future years. 8.4% is our average increase in health
insurance. It is in line with industry average. Uh workers comp is each fund can claim will vary on its percentage. It's based on claim history and then we assume a 3% growth after that. I won't read all the rest of these. You can see
them on the slide. Those are probably the biggest ones. We'll start with the mosquito control fund. >> Can you hold one second? Councilman Kent, >> the health insurance, Ryan, 8.4%. Can you talk to us? Maybe George, you can
jump in on it. Uh how much longer are we locked in with this contract with who we have health insurance with now? our our health insurance arrangement is a self-insured arrangement. So the contract that we have is with a administrative service provider and
Sigma is our administrative service provider. So what that means is they provide the network the set of contracts where the discounts how the discounts are all pre-negotiated and they administer the claims. However, the actual claims cost is on a reimbursement basis based off of whatever the medical
providers are paid. >> How much longer are we tied with them? How much longer do we have to continue to do business with them? >> We are currently, it actually was put out on the street >> in the last year months. Uh the current contract would actually be brought before this council sometime in the next
few months, I believe. >> Okay. So, now's not the time to dive into this, but council, I just want you to know this is something that I will be all over when it's time for that. The school district went with curative. George and
I had a brief conversation about this. All I hear are negative things about our health insurance in the county. It's costing our employees more. Um things get denied. I it's it's not anything I feel good about. And I can just I won't
go into it now, but I'll just tell you I've had nothing but positives and I was very skeptical of curative nothing but positives with the school board's insurance. I'll leave it at that. All right. Uh, starting with the the
forecast, as a reminder, these forecasts were published before any of the property tax reform stuff was put in there. We don't have any estimates and the outy years of what could or could not happen. It's all based off of what happens in November anyway. But this is B these forecasts that we're
showing you and the next ones that we will show you are based off of current operating conditions because we'll be bringing forecasts in two weeks as well. Do I forecast that we're going to lose our property tax role? I think it was Councilman Robbins that said we don't know what's going to happen in November
and we don't want to start planning ahead. So, uh, that's probably not the right language, but we don't want to get too far ahead. Let's leave it at that. So, that's how we're forecasting these things right now. What we have forecast for FY27
is currently a flat mill rate in the mosquito control fund. If you look across the blue line listed as prior year fund balance onetime capital, we are using onetime money to pay for the capital in that fund. In fact, every
year of this forecast, we've intentionally used a little bit of money to to balance the forecast because it does have a reserve for future capital and we're drawing it down in a sustainable rate by this forecast which shows a flat rate
this year, a roll back rate next year, a flat rate the year after that, and a roll back rate the year after that. This fund builds in the new debt service payment, which is the last line uh right above operating expenditures. However, all these outy years of roll back, flat, roll back, everything could
change in November. I could just tell you at the current moment based off of the recurring expenditures and the recurring revenues, we are currently recommending a flat mill rate in the mosquito control district, Ponellion Inlet and Port District. This
fund is shown as a roll back rate in all years. However, property tax reform could change that. We're able to continue setting aside money for uh large-scale dredging projects and create material that is a beneficial reuse for Valuchia's beaches.
The library fund. The library fund you may remember from Dr. Burbal's presentation. The library fund has been at roll back for five out of the last six years. It has had a reduction in its millage rate of 33%
for five cumulative across that period of time which is my lead into what we're saying here. What we're showing here is a flat rate. We're showing a flat rate for all years because we are still um in potentially dangerous territory
with the reserves. If you look at the reserve lines at the end of this forecast in FY28 and 29, we're showing seven and 8% emergency reserves because we actually have to dip into the emergency reserves just to make the fund balance.
That being said, this fund would be hit because it is a silo. If property tax reform were to pass, you could be looking at 18% the first year, 29% the second year, cumulative, and absent a millage rate
change to make it up. You see the revenue sources in this fund, property taxes make up 96% of its revenues roughly. So you will be closing library branches if you don't raise the millage rate. If property tax reform passes
the fire services fund we've got presented at a partial roll back rate. This is based off of a couple things. One, the fact that we already did a roll back rate in the prior year. Um, you may remember that there was a lot of
interest in the fire fund last year and we we got through that that budget with the roll back rate. We're presenting a partial roll back rate here to partially offset some of the value increase. This fund did only have a 5.1%
increase in values. We've actually seen values taper off quite a bit. The other thing that we've done in this fund is we have an other reimbursements line. That new negative expenditure is actually a good news story for the fire
uh for the general fund. We've looked at how we're allocating the cost of hazmat and we believe that we can move some of those costs into the fire fund as opposed to the general fund. So we've moved about $1.8 8 million worth of expenditures between personnel and
operating into the fire fund. However, any hazmat calls or countywide activity that that fund does, it is then appropriate to charge a countywide fund for countywide activity. Otherwise, that wouldn't be
fair to your uh unincorporated incorporated split. So we've been able to absorb that's why you see the expenditure increase in personnel and a little bit so in operating because we've moved a lot of that from the general fund into this
fund and we will be charging back. Right now we've estimated 50% that we could split it 50/50 but it could be better could be worse. We we really um it's preliminary. We haven't looked at exactly how that call breakdown would work, but this is
what we have in here preliminarily. So, by absorbing those extra expenses, uh it's going to help the general fund uh a little bit and it will properly allocate the the cost of those non-countywide responses that are done by station 15.
Oh, and it does include funding. If you look at that last line, inner fund transfer to fire capital fund, it does include funding of $9.5 million for fire station 47. In FY27 and in FY29, you see a $9.8 million transfer. That is for
fire station 23, which is Turnbull/ New Simra Beach. The next steps is we bring a second set of forecasts. That'll be when we bring forward Valuchia Echo, Valuchia Forever general fund, MSD, law enforcement, uh, as well as we plan on bringing the
storm water fund. The storm water fund is not a taxing fund. We usually bring the taxing funds plus any funds where we have something we need to call attention to. the storm water fund. If you may recall, council had heard a presentation from director Bartlett about uh our current fees and the cost to actually do
some of the storm water work that is done and that fund is now showing a negative uh or a deficit reserve position in the outy years. So, we'll be bringing that fund forward to talk about it. This is based off of preliminary values. We will get final values on July 1st. We
don't expect things to change significantly and the recommended budget will be brought forward at our single meeting in July which is July 21st. Any questions on the 5-year forecast that I presented so far? >> Councilman Johansson. >> Thank you, sir.
Ryan is I know you well enough to know that you have or will uh look at innovative innovative or or creative ways to pay for items not not out of the
general fund similar to hazmat. Um h how often do you scrub that look? I know we can adjust every year but but I mean are are you looking at every nook and cranny for stuff like that?
>> Seems like every year we find something else to try to relieve the general fund. >> Yeah. uh it started with uh the all the administrative service charges. We've we finished our series of looking at the administrative service charges. So the cost of finance, HR, right,
>> purchasing, IT, all those central services. We have gone back and we've charged more of those to those separate enterprise type funds over the last years by relooking at making sure that those funds are paying their true
weight. Part of how we did that is by going to more um usebased metrics. So for example in uh human resources instead we used to allocate everything on percent of budget. We now allocate human resources
on percentage of uh employees because wherever the employees are that's where the work of HR is. The accounting division is allocated based off of the documents that are created in accounting. How many journal vouchers? How many accounts payable payments? how many accounts receivable documents. The
payroll section of accounting is allocated based off of percentage of FTEES. Purchasing has a similar method where they keep track of the number of procurements that are done for. >> So it's it's just short of billable hours really, >> right? >> Just short of that. >> By trueing that up, we were able to move some of those costs out of the general
fund. This um sometimes I've referred to them like rabbits, like how am I going to make the general fund balance this year? Got rabbits. This is like the last rabbit I can think of. >> All right. >> Really? >> All right. Well, find two more and we'll be good. But I appreciate
>> Keep looking. >> I appreciate the work you've done so far. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. >> Can you speak at all about how you anticipate property tax reform affecting uh Valuchia Forever and Echo? >> Valuchia, Echo, and Forever. Uh
originally, there was language in the bills that limited the the list of what you could use it on. that was amended yesterday to basically go back to any purpose. So we're back to now just the numbers piece. So Valuchia Forever and Echo are capped at 0.2 mills as you know
that 0.2 mills is now on a reduced tax base. So the funding available for Echo and Forever will be reduced each year based off of that reduced tax base. So the first year is approximately 19%, second year 29% cumulative.
So it'll it'll impact the money that those programs have to execute. >> Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to share with everyone that the legis recently passed this both the House and the Senate. It's heading to the governor with a few minor changes
>> today. >> Yeah. A few minutes ago. >> Yep. Passed >> the original package. >> Um they added some they added some stuff for tax collectors and constitution officers. Um and the school thing that
was it from what I gathered did >> they said thank you Valuchia we like% >> they did not make the school change that I'm aware of. Yes. Not from what I read. >> But you just said it passed both houses by the 60%.
>> Yeah. It's heading to the governor. So 30 to9 in the Senate um and 75 to 28 in the House. >> So it's on the ballot. Well, it's going to the governor. I think the governor was have to sign it still. >> No, he doesn't have to sign it. >> There's a question about that. So,
>> is the governor here? >> Oh, I didn't know that. Okay. Very good. So, now it's going >> Okay. All right. Puts a whole new twist on these conversations. >> All right. Thank you, sir. And no more questions?
>> Okay. >> No, no, just for direction only. And so, >> oh, the same applied to the other. I mean, we're looking for direction. So if there was something that he said that you didn't you want to go in a different direction. So you can expect and of
course the next meeting we'll have the general fund MSD and some of the others. So it'll be a little bit bigger. Uh but then off of that we'll go finalize the budget so won't be any surprises.
>> Chairman. Uh Councilman Kent. >> Thank you. George, would would now be the appropriate time to talk about healthcare or would that be at my closing comments? >> Uh, probably best in the closing comments so we can close this part off.
Um, I'll have something to report on that too. Okay. Then we'll move to uh item 15 one appointment by the chair at large member district 3 district 4 to contractor lic seeing and construction
appeals. >> I just wanted to point out that it's or so one of the four of you have to can make the nomination. there are three individuals um who meet that qualification of being some sort of
contractor, someone in the field. The other three um vacancies that we have are consumer representatives. Um so only there's three applicants that are some form of a contractor and we only have
one spot available for that. And the incumbent is Mr. Jones. >> Thank you. Uh Councilman Johansson. Yeah, I'm I was I guess my question is can I can I do a contractor or does it have to be a
>> um any one of the four of you can do a contract? >> Yeah. So, I would like to nominate and give Jim Jones another chance. >> Second in life. >> Okay, we've got a nomination of James Jones. Uh
>> I'm just hoping he doesn't drink the Kool-Aid. What kind of cool egg? >> Jim Jones, right? >> Oh god, there you go. Back >> 30. Okay, so that really takes care of it
for all of us if we approve him. Uh, James Jones has been nominated and seconded by Troy Kent. Um, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? And that's the only contractor slot to
be filled. >> Correct. >> Do we have any applications that we're working on for >> I do not have any consumer representative applications. So >> um Mr. Kent um Mr. Chair and
uh Mr. Robbins, you will have to nominate someone who's not within a field that the CLCA um oversees. But they need to apply. So you can do the clean hands. >> Yes. If you have anybody, you can send them my way.
>> Kissa, can you send me everything I need to Okay. Um, seven to zero. Seven to zero. I don't see one. Oh, six to zero. Uh David was you think it was David was
out of the room for item 12. We didn't get your vote on the fiscal year 2526 midyear budget fund reconciliation. >> It was it's now approved 7 to zero on item 12.
>> Okay. Thank you, vice chair. And for closing comments by the public, we have several. First up, and I think all of you know the drill. Three
minutes. Tell us where you're from in the county. Uh, Katherine Pante. Good afternoon, council. Under Florida statute 775.215, 215. Registered sex offenders and predators are prohibited from residing within 1,000 ft of a school, park, or playground, while state
law establishes a baseline restriction of a,000 ft. Nothing prevents a county or municipality from adopting more stricten requirements. Luca County exercise that authority in April 2024 through ordinance number 202409. Similarly, in June 2023, the county
adopted Ordinance 2023-30, a version of Arizona's stupid motorist law, imposing penalties on motorists who drive around barricades during a declared state of emergency. These are examples of a county exercising its home rule authority to enact standards that are more restrictive than those
established under Florida law. Florida statute 12535 establishes the general framework for counties to sell or lease county-owned property. However, nothing in a statute prohibits a county from adopting additional procedural requirements governing the disposition of certain public lands. A voter
referendum requirement is a procedural safeguard, not a substantive prohibition. Regarding the Constantino v Sarasota court ruling, it does not prevent Valuchia County from adopting a voter referendum requirement for the sale of conservation lands. In that case, the court struck down the only the
first sentence of the charter amendment which stated, "The county shall not sell and shall retain ownership of county-owned parks and preserves." The judge ruled this language created an absolute prohibition that improperly stripped the county commission of its fundamental authority over county property. That provision was severed.
Importantly, the court did not invalidate the broader concept of voter involvement on procedural safeguards. This distinction is critical. Elatchua County Charter Section 1.7, which has been in effect since 2008, without a legal challenge, does not impose an outright ban on the sale of protected
lands. Instead, it establishes a registry of protected public places and requires approval by a majority of voters before designated conservation or recreational lands may be sold or converted to a use that diminishes their protected values. This is a procedural requirement, not a substantive
prohibition. Article 8, section 1G of the Florida Constitution grants charter counties broad home rule authority to govern local affairs, including stewardship and protection of public lands. Courts have consistently recognized that reasonable voter approval requirements on significant local matters are a valid exercise of
that authority. A well-crafted referendum requirement for Valuchia County would follow Elatcho County's model rather than Sarasota's invalidated absolute ban. It would promote transparency, accountability, and public trust while preserving the county council's authority to act when voters approve a proposed disposition of
protected lands. The Sarasota ruling does not prohibit what we are proposing today. It simply underscores the importance of careful drafting, framing a measure as a procedural safeguard. I respectfully urge the council to move forward with confidence in adopting strong protections for Valuchia Countyy's irreplaceable public lands.
Remember, Valuchia Foreverland is owned by the public and held in perpetual trust by Valuchia County. Thank you. >> Thank you, Suzanne Shber. Suzanne Shyber, uh, Orman Beach, Strengrain Valuchia. Um, I just want to start by saying I have nothing against
Mr. Watts. I only get three minutes to speak and those were quotes and not sound bites from earlier. In 2000, I was at a different point in my life with a toddler and I'm glad that Valuchia Forever program that it passed in 2020. I fully supported the renewal
of it. The county wrote the language, not me, not the people that advocated for it. The county wrote the language. If it is implied that I didn't know what I voted for, I voted for land conservation in perpetuity. I'm not sorry I voted for the program and by now
that should be well known. Please don't make us wait 10 years for charter review to address this again. We hear all the time that our charter government is being stripped of local control by the state. This time that can't be said. It is local control taking away the people's voice in your own power. The
council has it within its power to pass its own amendments and request the charter commission withdraw theirs. If you think council amendments won't pass, you have to give the public a chance and all you can do is try. And I understand that many like me want to elect a county
chair. At least some of you prefer that. Unless something changed, I don't think most of you support the charter review forever amendment. Please give us a vote on real protection. This is a limited time frame opportunity to show the value of representing constituents. Please
don't wait until after the fact and think should have, could have, would have. The time is now. Sometimes committees get it right and sometimes they don't. I've never seen the council shy away from disagreeing with a committee to take your own action and
there's times you agree with me and you don't. All I'm asking is please choose representing the people. Thank you. John Nicholson, John Nicholson, Daytona, uh, Beachside. Uh, one, uh, with regard to Cat's
comments, I will just say ditto. Uh, number two, with regard to the ocean center, uh, Lynn sent me straight on that. Um, I didn't see the word net or profit on that $950,000. that is a net and a profit. Um secondly,
that 1.5 million was to renovate and remodel the uh food services because of the improved uh ocean center with what Ken is is producing or pushing. Uh there'll be more profit to be made from
food. So therefore, that's why it's needed. Uh secondly, uh with regard to Don and the property on uh that we're giving to St. John's he did have uh a reason for voting yes and that was because there was a way of the county getting back the land if we ever needed
it. So I want to make that on the record. Uh third half penny sales tax. I know uh several of you said absolutely not. We'll never do a half penny sales tax. So I understand why you don't want to take a gift of half a billion dollars
from our tourists to help with this uh uh funding issue. But a half a billion dollars really is a lot more money than I have or anybody else. So when you're looking for money, look to the half billion dollars that a tourist would give because we're going to have to come
up with money anyway. So a sales tax is part of a tax. I understand that. But getting a gift for a half a billion dollars is a lot of money. Uh third, we have a lot of land. I've asked the city many times to look
into the sale, lease or rent of land because we have empty buildings that are sitting there empty for 10, 20 years when it can be uh uh leased out or rented. Do does the county have any land? Does the county have any buildings? Are we leasing land like we
did with the um uh voting when we bought that new land for her and her building? we no longer have to lease and then we rent out part of it and we get a profit. Uh third, everybody knows that most of people, 45%
of or I can't say most, a large portion of the US does not pay any federal tax. 45%. So there's 45% not paying any federal tax. And now with this new idea, I know you guys are pushing it. Up to
90% of the state uh residents will not play any taxes. They'll be living off everybody else. At some point, you got to put on your big boy pants and pay for what you want. The idea of getting everything for free doesn't work in a
socialist society and it's definitely not going to work in Florida. Thank you, >> Rosemary Laam. Hi, Rosemary Laam. I live in Southwest Dand. There's nothing like writing a message in lifetime, but um I did want
to speak a little bit more um about the diverse population that we have as a state. We have our rural counties up in the panhandle. Then we have more affluent dis district districts in South Florida. The property tax amendment will apply to all citizens of the state
regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status. Last evening at the Dance City Commission meeting, the city manager projected a $5.2 million revenue shortfall in the first year and $ 8.3 million in the second year. The
median income of Valuchia County residents is about $69,600. Average home value $324,000. Geographic areas with higher home values will not be affected as drastically as
areas with lower median home values. In Valuchia County, rampant development has added thousands of homes with median home value. This has resulted in an increased burden to infrastructure, roads, and services. If this amendment passes, there will be
less funding to support the increased population demands. And how do we make up for the decreased revenue? Well, Councilman Dempsey suggested raising sales tax. This will uh disproportionately affect and provide burden to lower income houses, I'm
sorry, households. Councilman Kent suggested decreasing educational funding. >> Well, you talked about modification of educational funding. We Well, I don't lie. It's what I understood you to say. Please clarify then when you have the opportunity.
Valuchia County teacher pay currently ranks 50 of 51 because we include the District of Columbia. This is an embarrassment to say the least. Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. They are the workforce of the future. They are the tax base of the future. And
if we are to thrive as a community, we must invest in our future. That being said, the last defense against this ballot initiative is an educated electorate. Everyone needs to understand if they
vote for the immediate gratification of lower property tax. Eventually, the ramifications of that choice will become quite apparent. There will be loss of services or an increase in the cost of services currently taken for granted due
to cost shifting. There is no free lunch. We must vote smart. Thank you. Please correct my misinterpretation of what you said. Please don't call it a lie.
>> Okay. Let's have u order in the court. Okay, that uh ends the public participation. Uh closing remarks from the county manager. >> I don't have anything.
Closing remarks from the county attorney. >> No, sir. >> Okay. Closing remarks from uh council members. Uh Mr. Kent, you are first today. Thank you, chairman. I want to start out this afternoon just letting
the family know of Tammy Joe Baker, the toll worker that was tragically killed, that your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers and just a senseless, senseless tragedy.
Um, to John Nicholson, I give you a lot of credit for setting the record straight because you came up and you said something that was um, inaccurate. And then Lynn Flanders, I give you a ton of credit, which is why I think it's important, of course, why
department directors are here, so that if they hear something that is inaccurate, they can address it. And then John, you got up and at your second time and and you set the record straight. So, so thank you for doing that. Um,
to the woman that just came up here and lied, >> to the woman that just came up here and lied, let me just go ahead and say this. When you don't tell the truth, it's called a lie.
That's what I teach my children anyway. I'm sorry you weren't taught that because what? Excuse me. We don't yell out. We have the quorum in here. And I'm sorry that the chair is not calling you down for it, but what you're doing right now is wildly inappropriate. You don't like to follow the rules because you're
up here over your first three minutes. You didn't stop when he asked you to stop. So, chair, I would appreciate it if when she yells out again, if you would please ask her to follow the rules of the chambers that we're in. She had her two, three minutes and she still wants to yell out from the audience.
It's wildly inappropriate. as was you lying about something I did not say. In fact, if you go back and listen to the tape, I believe what I said was, "I don't want the schools to be negatively affected at all. I want the state
legislature to do their job and end up paying for it out of their pocket. If you want to do tax reform, do it equally across the board. Don't do it just so that the counties and cities have to have to deal with the shortfall. Do it
across the board. Go back and listen to the tape and then I would appreciate you maybe in the future apologizing for lying about me. Now, council health insurance got to tell you I want to mention this
now because I have heard nothing positive from our employees about our current health insurance plan that we have. We're looking at another 8.4% increase. And I don't hear anything positive about it. I hear they get denied for things that
they need, that their prices continue to go up for things that they need. And I just want to spend a couple of brief moments to tell you I was not excited about Valuchia County Schools changing their health insurance plan this year. I had the same doctor at Florida
Healthcare for 17 years. I love the guy. were the same age, same element, same time. I love the guy. I considered going with the county health insurance and the horror stories were in the back of my head. So, I went with the Valuchia
County School Board health insurance. It's called curative. And if you I would hope that you all will take some time to research it because I'm here to tell you this. My wife and I both work for the school district. So, we have the the split family plan under Florida healthcare
with our son. If it was just each of us individually, it would have cost us zero. Zero. Think about that. Monthly um uh employees of the county, zero. But because we have our son, we have the
split family plan. We pay half every month with curative of what we paid with Florida healthcare. Half. Go to the doctor, zero copay. Go to a walk-in clinic, zero copay. Do a
tellaalth, zero co-pay. Go to the emergency room. With my former plan, it was, I think, $750. Go to the emergency room, zero co-pay. Most of your medicines, zero co-pay. Get admitted to
the hospital. Under my old plan with Florida Healthcare, it was 500 bucks a day, I believe, for the first three days. go get admitted to the hospital, zero co-pay. It has been phenomenal and I highly recommend George and his team to look
into curative um because I'm a fan if you can't tell. to end on something very positive. This past Sunday was the hang dog surfing contest in Daytona Beach in
front of the Hard Rock Hotel and our vice chairman Matt Reinhardt was there with me sweating it out all day long and I just want to put a few shout outs there. First of all, as a surfer,
Valuchia County gets maybe 10 days a year where the water looks like the Bahamas, crystal clear. Sunday was a perfect crystal clear water day. For a surf contest, it would not have been ideal for humans, but for dogs, I don't think it could have been more perfect.
It was 1 to two feet, um, calm conditions, and these pups did not disappoint. There was a dog surfing contest that I happened to be one of the judges with. Uh, Councilman Reinhardt was a judge in the costume contest. They
had dog kiss dog kissing um booths going on. There were at least I counted up up on the stage when I was judging. There were at least 700 humans on the beach. At
least 200 dogs. at least 700 humans up on the plaza of the Hard Rock Hotel. They sold out with vendors. Suzanne Conchin was there all day. Um
Dr. Randa Matusk, you and your team, I mean, let me tell you about commitment. Okay, Randa lives on the I hope I hate to say this, but I'm going to say it. Lives on the west side of the county. got up at 400 a.m. to be there by 500 am just to
make sure the county's piece was right. This was a huge undertaking, a heavy lift. When I say wildly successful, I mean blow the doors off the thing. Anybody that was even thinking that dog
uh friendly sections of the beach were not going to work, I hate to tell you you were wrong, but you were wrong. It was spectacular. I mean, spectacular. Oh, we had a county's media team was there doing interviews, flying drones. Um, they had
water rescue teams there for the dogs. It It was It's something that I'm telling you, go. If you didn't go this year, go next year because it was the hang dog surfing contest was nothing
short of spectacular. and and that was with the Hang Group. Daytona Dog Beach, by the way, Nette McKil Petrella. She took the lead on this. I just hope she wants to do it again because I think it wore her out and I'm sure she's
exhausted. But I I I see this as a yearly huge event that by the way benefited those three groups, Hangate Dog Surfing, the County of Valuchia, and Daytona Dog Beach to where this is
actually going to make money for the county to be able to utilize in different areas. George, you put the right people in the right position again. that Randa over there leaving her house at 400 am. Come on,
man. Dedication. Good stuff. Thank you all. Have a nice afternoon. >> Vice Chair Matt Reinhardt. >> Thank you, Chair Troy. Was awesome event. Um, and I've already heard that. Now, this is an event that usually took place in Flaggler County for years and we have stole it from Flaggler County.
Sorry those that are listening from Flaggler County. It's ours. >> It's ours. And kudos to the Hard Rock. Mike did a phenomenal job. He was so excited about this. The GM of Hard Rock, um, they want to do this every year. Um,
they had the ballroom had plastic all over the whole floor just in case, you know, for the pups. Um, but, uh, yes, wildly, wildly effect. There were some people there at 3:00 a.m. setting up. So, um, you know what was missing? And it did not need to be there. They were
there, but it really wasn't. There was really not a big law enforcement presence. because it didn't have to be. It was absolutely perfect. And yes, this is revenue. This is revenue for the county. Um, >> absolutely none. Absolutely none. Uh, people stayed hydrated. They kept
reminding them of that. The band that played, they were great. So, >> three dog night. >> No, it wasn't. That's good. The rainbow. >> I missed that. I missed that. I missed that. So, but yes, I uh those of you that did not make it, I would I would
recommend this. Absolutely. Um, we even said that we would stay there, Troy, didn't we? That we would stay there if need be next year just because it was perfect. Everything was done perfect. So, big thanks to everybody. Uh, Randa, rock stars that you have in animal
control. Really are. Uh, I went looking for a parking space when I first got there and I I didn't want to do the valet, I admit. So, I parked in our parking lot next door and it was, you know, I got there early and it was already packed and I'm like, I knew this was going to happen. And as I'm looking
for a parking space, somebody pulled out, one of the animal control officers recognizes my truck and he's waving me down from the end of the parking lot. There's one here. Literally stood there and saved the parking lot parking space for me. So, big thanks and yes, do it again next year. Thank you,
>> Councilman Robbins. Thank you, Chairman. Uh, council, I just wanted to talk about the um upcoming uh vote. I believe it's on the next uh council agenda. Uh, chairman had brought up um possibly having uh a unanimous
vote uh on that. I I touched on some of that stuff today. Um, number one, we know the issues with competing amendments uh that they uh just from history uh shows that there's that uh they kind of cancel themselves
out and uh you know if folks really wanted to uh make it a little bit more difficult even though there hasn't been a problem uh in this area uh they can go with the one that was uh recommended by the charter review committee. Number
two, it undermines the charter review committee. You know, each of us, how many people we put on? 15, I believe. Uh they thoroughly vetted uh this subject. Um and also to um having a unanimous vote. Uh I I actually agree with Mr.
Watts. Giving one person that power, that veto power, um that's that's not going to be a good precedence uh in my opinion. uh we went over that um this problem has never existed. There's been no proposals. There's no uh been any policy
direction. Uh it's just been bad politics. Some of us won't say it up here, but I I will. Uh and we all know that that's what this is. Um in my opinion, so you know, at the end of the day, I'm curious to hear what my colleagues um have to say. I don't want
to waste staff's time. I don't want to waste council's time. I don't want to waste the public's time uh if we don't have to uh and create more chaos and turmoil that's not needed when we know it's politics. So, um I'd like to hear
some insight on it uh if we if if there is any, but uh just from the district 3 uh perspective uh to to put on the agenda and keep going through this um it's a non-issue to me to be quite honest with you and uh
to to my people as well. So, that's it. If there's discussion, please let me know and I can either make a motion or not. Thanks, >> Councilman Santiago. >> Yeah, I just want to know if somebody can give me an update on how the dog surfing event went this past weekend. I
haven't heard anything about it. Yeah, >> it was okay. >> I almost called the question, but I wasn't sure what the question was because it was going so long. Sorry, guys. Good job. Um Danny, I I think that that topic is worth discussion, but I think the uh the
if if you so choose um or if someone chooses just the way the discussion is had at this point is really just to make a motion and and you force the discussion, right? Um if that's the case or you could deal with it, you know, when it comes before us. So I think um
that's a worthy conversation to have. Um and I've been getting more feedback from the public on that one topic than I ever thought. Um, so, um, I'm I'm in for the discussion. When that occurs, I guess we could decide that. Um, but, uh, that's
all I had other than thanks for the dog update, the surfing. >> Councilman Dempsey, Councilman Johansson, >> couple things, sir. Always right. Um, couple comments from uh, uh, public
comment today. Uh I I think some citizen asked if we're going to sit idly by while Tallahassee takes control uh based on the the
property tax issue. Um and then we had a bunch of people say let the citizens vote. I don't think we're sitting idling by I we sent a letter. Whether it got read or not, I don't
know. Um but but this is a voter issue and and um I think we've all seen the letter that Mike Dyer sent us about what we can do and can't do to promote or not promote uh the issue and and share facts
with it. Um uh the the legal opinion. So, we we know what we can do, we know what we can't do, we know what the public can do, and the best thing they can do is get educated and decide what they what they want to do with the referendum. So, we're we're not really
sitting idly by um and I just want to make sure the public knows that. Uh secondly, I think um Mr. Nicholson talked a little bit about the uh LPGA bridge and I believe that's a TPO project that's in design right now
uh with no construction money. So uh I I don't want the public to think that Mr. Nicholson comes up and talks about the the four corners of Tamoka Farms Road and LPGA and we look at him and go, "Yeah, talk to the hand. We're not doing anything about it." those things are
working through the uh um planning process wi with that bureaucracy where were required. It's unfortunate that's happening slow, but it is happening. Um,
next uh next week, I believe a contingent of uh county folks, including J Jessica, right? You're going, Jessica, John Booker, and and I will be heading up to DC
to talk about uh um getting a new beach. Um, so we'll spend some time up there and hopefully talk to the right people to keep us uh on the on the line item that's already there to get us what we
need. Um, it it's probably a shot in the dark, but but we'll keep shooting in the dark. Um, I'm hearing from staff that the folks that go up there and and make their presence known and share how
important this project is or these projects are to us to the point where we're actually spending money and going up there and and uh uh rattling some doors, the better off our chances are. So, we're going to go up there for a a quick up
and back and see if we can't get the right people to uh agree that this is an important project. And uh last but not least, uh I've told staff, but June 16th, I will not be at that meeting. So,
uh u make sure you vote 60 on everything and not 33. So, that's all I have. Okay. Thank you. just uh a couple things and then uh some things that'll take some time that I think I'll ask the
county manager to uh to bring back because it's that would only be fair. First is uh the charter review committee. Um it's been said a couple times today that that whole idea of forever has been
politicized. I think that's unfair and and not true because the public didn't start that conversation. It it was us up here. And I think um uh the way the the way that
it started, the reason it started was at a meeting when Don expressed concern with properties that we buy that have partners in it. And you were concerned that it's if if we needed that for some emergency, we've got 10,000 years to look at and
you suggested at one point maybe a 30 or 50year cap. You didn't propose it. You suggested that we should talk about it. And I think that's what started it in the community. The community heard that and they thought, "Oh my god, this count this council is against Felia forever."
So I can't blame it on the public that that's coming out and speaking to us. You're not blaming it on the public. You're responding to it and as the rest of us um are. So, u yes, there the county attorney will bring uh a proposal
back next meeting about Valuchia forever that I I don't think will make the speakers that spoke today about it happy. Um, I'm trying to find something that has meat in it. And that the the one that the charter review committee
brings up, I just don't think I don't think it has any teeth. The public now um since we have brought it up is concerned about is forever really going to be forever and they want some guarantees and I agree with them. I
think they deserve to have the guarantees that the millions of dollars of their money that we have invested in lands uh is protected for what they thought it was of ofever program. So I think the one that charter review
committee I I can respect the people there and still disagree with them that that's I I don't think that's uh that has any teeth. Um I I do like the uh uh which is why I propose it having unanimous vote where one person can can
stop it. That would give them protection if u and county attorney I'll say to you we we've talked about it. We've talked about it time and time again. The Elatchoa County um if there is and you
and I can talk about this later. if there is any similar language that you see uh that you could write that would um uh not violate Florida law where it
could go to the public. And I I think that's the holdup is that the right now the Florida law says that only the county council can dispose of property. That's >> that's correct. That's how you read the law. And every attorney that I've talked to, not just in our staff, but charter
review committee, they all say the same thing. So, I want something that will pass this council. And hearing comments today, I don't know if the one that I asked for will pass or or not, but I'm
willing to try it. So, Mike, we can continue to to discuss that. Um, and then George, uh, I don't want to I don't want to put all this on you now. I'm just going to tell you my concerns and I I bet you're already thinking
about it now and and it's going to come back pretty quick. But just with the news that uh, David gave us today that it's passed the legislature, it's going to go if it's on the ballot, I believe it'll be passed because everybody hates property tax. 60% it's a pretty high
standard. Um but I think the likelihood of of it passing is is probably pretty pretty good. So I think we have to be prepared. Um you know we talk a lot about core responsibilities. Um
let's just reflect for a second. Core responsibilities um slashquality of life issues. they really go together because if we have to cut something for all the core responsibilities that we do agree on. Um
um first responders, you know, all all five of of those um roads, um things that everybody agrees on. Um, we're going to have to end up cutting stuff that somebody else will say and because they are quality of life in
issues. Summer camp for kids, summer lunches for kids, trails, um, expanded library services, art funding. We've got to we've got hard decisions to make. And I what I would like to hear back from
you um at a future date, we've already discussed it in in this meeting and and you and I in private meetings is do we prepare for this um coming in November? Um, still not absolutely sure that it
will by because when I look at the presentation that Ryan made today, um, there we're hold it flat, roll back, flat, roll back. I look at that and say everything's got to go to roll back because they're forcing us, um, we're going to have to make cuts. I heard the
governor yesterday say, "Let the counties and the cities just do their job." Um, he's not offering a whole lot of funds. Now, maybe we'll see something different except for the schools. Um, so we need to uh do we do we do we start
cutting this year? You've made the argument, George, that we we will I think I shouldn't put words in your mouth that it might be better to wait till after uh this comes out and then see what we're required to cut and
where. But we've got to this is going to be a critical budget season to figure out um what we cut, what we don't cut, if we go to roll back, if we don't. And I think the time is now to uh start that
conversation. So u two other that's all I had. Um Councilman Santiago. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, my the following comments that I'm going to make is not to be argumentative, but um
it's we own the words we say up here. We own the words that we put out in the public domain as figureheads or elected officials. And Mr. Chairman, I only want to share this because I think you rebuted Danny's comments by saying that
he said that this is being politicized and I think you said this is not being politicized and but I want to read a a post that you put out in the public domain and maybe you can clarify it and I don't know who you were replying to but I'll just let you fill in the context but you wrote in the public
domain it's not the count this is regarding Valuchia forever folks on whether or not that's being politicized or not. I think the chairman said it wasn't just now, but I'll let you come to your own conclusions. Um, Mr. Chairman, you wrote, "It's not the county, it's the charter review committee that proposes to jeopardize
forever with a vote plus one. I appointed you to that committee where is the speech you made to oppose the Pat Nory developer majority wing on the committee to undermine all conservation
lands." It's interesting. I have countered with a competing amendment to require unanimous vote before selling any conservation land which I supported. Why? You wrote and then you go on to say because the undermining of forever is
coming from developerbacked council. I'd like to know who you're referencing in this message of which developerbacked council is politicizing or undermining forever. Then you go on to say candidates and charter review committee members who think they can
pull a fast one over the public. Nobody misunderstood forever. They just want to change it now. Here's the important part. A new council can make it even harder if they want to change state law. If that's not politicizing this, I don't know what is politicizing anything. Your
last statement is support my unanimous vote requirement at the next two council meetings. Mr. Mr. Chairman, I plan not to say anything about this. I've read it out there. I was disappointed, but maybe you can clarify. So, is is someone politicizing it? And which are the
developerbacked councils that are trying to destroy Valia Fever? >> Your words, not mine. >> Are are you up for reelection? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Several members are up for reelection. So, it's out on the political landscape and everybody's
talking about that's in response to many many uh comments and and uh letters that I've gotten from people. I do believe that there is an agenda behind that uh behind this the charter review
committee's vote to protect it with a majority vote plus one to allow us to sell public land. The public doesn't want that. And so I'm going to come out um strong uh against that and um against
if if there's I'm sorry if there's council members that think that's good that we should be able to do that. Um >> I don't think anybody here said that, Mr. Chair. I I just want you to clarify or you can certainly remove your words in the public domain saying you made a
mistake. I I don't know. I don't care to remove my >> So, you think that some of your colleagues here are developerbacked council members that want to destroy Valuchia forever? Those were your words, not mine. >> I I believe that there are uh commission
members all over county that >> All right, you're tap dancing. I get it. You're tap dancing. You shouldn't do that, Mr. Chair. >> Rise rise higher, man. Rise higher. Okay, Don Dempsey. >> Yeah, just to kind of follow up with
Jeff and David, um I've never once said I was against Felucia forever either. I mean, I'm the one being I guess pointed to, which I I'll own it. I'm the one that brought it up. I guess I'm the one that initiated the discussion about conservation easements in Valuchia
Forever and uh but I've never said I'm against Valuchia Forever. I love Valuchia forever and I've not taken any money ever in my previous campaign or this campaign for re-election. I've never taken money from anybody, let alone developers. I'm in no no
environmentalist. Believe me, you can rest assured that the environmentalists in the room have not given me any money or support. Quite the opposite. Um, but I'm not taking any money from develop nobody. I'm just here looking out for the people and future generations.
That's why I brought it up. But like I've said before and I'll say it again, it's like reading your homeowners policy. I none of you guys, nobody nobody's read it. No, that's what kills me. Everybody who's yelled at me about uh wanting to talk about it has even read these contracts. Just like nobody
ever reads their homeowners insurance policy until after disaster strikes. None. Nobody has. You can sit here and tell me you have. You haven't. And so I just wanted to bring to the people's attention the potential downfall of some of these
conservation easement contracts. I believe the way it's written currently, you can't use it to anything for affecting hydrarology. So that means we can't use these conservation easement lands for storm water runoff. we can't you when we run out of fossil
fuels in future generations we may have to use some of it for solar whenever uh we need it to access water when the current aquifer dries up are we going to drink toilet the tap or we going to access conservation easements this is what I wanted to talk about I don't want
to change anything I don't want to destroy conservation easement I mean I don't want to destroy felia forever but I think we should talk about it before we put something in stone forever ever should we should we not at least talk
about it? And yet I'm being labeled as a developerbacked councilman who's only doing this to prop up development. And that is the furthest thing from the truth. That's a lie.
Okay? And I actually kind of resent it because I'll stand by my position. No, I have inherited all this property is what I've been said. I haven't inherited a piece of property and I'd love to have the proof that I've somehow inherited all this land that I own. I worked hard
for it. Not one bit of it was inherited. So, that's a lie. Anyway, but it's just, you know, we should have the conversation. I got snuffed out. You know, I'm willing to talk about your 7 to0 vote. I I'm against right now. I
don't see myself supporting you, but I'll talk about it. I'll hear what you have to say. If it's important to you, it's important to me. I didn't get that same courtesy when I wanted to just talk about it. What's going to happen in a thousand years? The tornado hasn't
struck Felia County yet. It hasn't ripped our roof off. We haven't been faced with the emergency that I wanted to talk about with conservation easements in Valuchia forever. I just want to discuss it and that's it. I don't want to change it. I don't want to dismantle it, but I think we owe it to
future generations to at least have some discussion about what may play out in the future. And I wasn't even given that courtesy. So, I'm not backed by the developers. I'll just leave it at that. Thanks,
Councilman Robbins. And and and just to close it out, David, and and and council, that's what I was kind of hinting on. I I read that about six or seven days ago. Five, six, seven days, something like that. Um, but to hear and
to um put out there that this that this council, this body is trying to pull a fast one when we've all been very publicly um vocal about it and then undermining the the program. When we do
good, we should be propping this body and each other up when we've all come out and done this and all had to take a stance on a non-issue because of politics. But it is what it is. I I think we should be propping each
other up and not cutting each other down when uh it's not justified. And uh I think that's what's going to make a strong council chair and how you're going to get support in the future. Thanks. Okay. Okay. And at 2:41 this meeting is
adjourned.