[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078215,"mediaKeyId","2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430","parentId",2960400,"title","ECHO staff outlines Direct County Expenditure projects; public and alliance raise concerns about motocross site in wildlife corridor","audioSeconds",2630,"startMs",2599000,"endMs",5229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430&start=2599&end=5229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430/thumbnail_2599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078215/Volusia-County/Florida/ECHO-staff-outlines-Direct-County-Expenditure-projects-public-and-alliance-raise-concerns-about-motocross-site-in-wildlife-corridor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078215-cfbbe2e148f0ea73f68e1c6dc770fa9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170665&Signature=eyUeXqnctziVWphL3abNs7prPm0zrD4xxzkLKkBLgyw1Os3YjBLAB5yostKT8MgoqigaUahyP7zrgF74xzTuqNTYjbEY1x3ezPzcuWm0mZYFSN9kkYkX2GkpoaQWaBonYlJ-rEe9x04Pj91ZGjxNufPEIYTLS0vfDpgjwQOLbRC10dw1U2zLDJ36whTv8gIOilobE7V611INPHjChYjNFbSa5zxSAbPH0yXKZ3Flq7I~iw1cJmbUkgZ58V33oO7u6WBJO3NPiAvdrXqIz4Kn-MBX-5A3FiV~jMjhycNWf6pUuqStiv46kpPT69~jqeuTyBHMa6hDpEt011kq~jzhnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Volusia County, FL","date","2025-04-11T02:58:56Z","article","ECHO staff presented the advisory board with a Direct County Expenditure (DCE) plan that stages site-specific spending and management plans across 2026–2029 and listed projects staff intends to fund or design, including land management, accessibility improvements and new amenities.

Daniel Marsh and other staff described the top items: construction and implementation work at the Carter Quail Ranch (an approximately 1,300‑acre property contiguous with Deep Creek Preserve), design and engineering at Wiregrass Prairie Preserve, a Plantation Oaks acquisition to improve connectivity toward James Tomb, design work for a BMX park at Robert Strickland Park, construction funding for the Deltona amphitheater and additional phases of fairgrounds improvements. Staff also said the Sunsplash Park ADA playground and shade structure are tentatively programmed for 2029 with split funding from ECHO and beach management funds.

During public participation, Connie Colby of Ormond Beach asked whether a previously reported $3.5 million in ECHO funds was tied to a proposed motocross facility and requested documentation that ranks proposed ECHO acquisitions. \"I'd like to get some information straight from the horse's mouth,\" Colby said, and asked whether the ECHO definition of \"outdoor recreation\" includes high‑impact uses such as motocross tracks.

Later in the meeting, a representative of the Echo Forever Alliance placed on the record the group's opposition to a motocross facility in what the speaker characterized as a wildlife corridor. \"On behalf of the Echo Forever Alliance, we are opposed to the agenda item for building a motocross facility in the middle of the wildlife corridor. It is too intense a use,\" the representative said.

Staff clarified that the DCE plan is a rolling five‑year budgeting tool and that the $3.5 million item referenced by the public has previously been approved in the multi‑year plan as acquisitions or improvements; staff said the DCE items receive the same reporting requirements as grant‑funded projects and that quarterly updates will be provided as projects move forward. Board members discussed resource stewardship and potential site design approaches — for example, supporting accessible driving trails and permeable surfaces at preserves.

Board members and staff also discussed smaller site improvements and amenities, including bat houses at preserves, improvements to a future boat launch and the use of permeable pavers and LED lighting at fairgrounds improvements. Staff said many DCE items are contingent on property acquisitions through Volusia Forever and on subsequent management plans.

No formal board vote was recorded on the DCE package at this meeting; staff said individual projects and contracts will return to the board or council for required authorizations or procurement actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECHO Advisory Committee Meeting - Thursday April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","ECHO staff presented a multi‑year Direct County Expenditure plan describing design and construction projects at preserves, parks and the fairgrounds and said quarterly updates will follow as projects advance.","taxTitle","Volusia County, Florida","taxId",2878,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078220,"ECHO staff reports 1,585 responses to strategic-plan survey; proposes grant‑cycle shift and new application portal",124,1572000,1696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430&start=1572&end=1696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430/thumbnail_1572000.jpg","/articles/6078220/Volusia-County/Florida/ECHO-staff-reports-1585-responses-to-strategic-plan-survey-proposes-grantcycle-shift-and-new-application-portal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078220-8ffc2078387d70cfd9f53ca639af694d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170666&Signature=FchIye2Z6gEuPm7dIF77PdtlYpAiuy~gJj7Eb5DeEWqr8Zqccj3~VIq~MQD8VgVx-09ABrSmLNFNyvA0VRl65wzHN1HsSXmXHuPjyaPOHPlRC-ruRfIzHP4LJ-~Tns69QdJkHWcTlNtgbX1rc9PKyao93hUGKw1zuljZora8qNvflY1DcJ~iOGV6qlp3ThCXhCjsM~E8AyVrY4eJkpE5fksKkk~G~Sdj6P4CQYBUBMKvhOmnDHYiMrKI~q3HFkI2wV5V~bPo~6laT6dqkLywdcd0DNjkP-i7Kw5KydLDspnWGmvKstgggqZYZHJcCH5JBjN~NgfhETfxglNrIuNreg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daniel Marsh, ECHO manager for Volusia County, told advisory board members that the consultant‑administered strategic‑plan survey closed with 1,585 respondents and that staff intends to use that data alongside interviews and a design sprint to produce a final strategic plan by August.

\"The survey is complete. It was finished as of March 28. We got 1,585 respondents to the survey,\" Marsh said, and he described a three‑tier engagement approach that uses the broad survey (tier 3), targeted interviews and surveys (tier 2) and a design sprint (tier 1) to gather both quantitative and qualitative input. Marsh said about 96% of respondents are Volusia County residents and that responses skewed toward older age groups and longer‑term residents.

Staff said the consultant will deliver a draft report to the county for review and that the final report and implementation guide are expected by August. Marsh also said staff agreed to expand stakeholder outreach, which extended the timeline and required an agreed contract extension with the consultant.

To address past grantee concerns and modernize intake, staff proposed changing the grant cycle timeline and launching a new online application portal built in Salesforce. The proposal moves mandatory workshops to December, sets a technical application deadline in January, and places final applications and the grant‑review tour in March with council action in April or May. Marsh said the change maintains the program’s roughly six‑month cycle while avoiding the December holiday period.

Marsh and staff said they will pilot test the new portal with experienced local grant writers before public launch to identify usability issues. Board members asked whether the 1,585 responses provided statistically valid county‑wide sampling; staff said the consultant recommended a response level in the range of 1,500 for validity and that the team sought broader stakeholder input to strengthen findings.

Staff asked the board to approve continued development of the strategic plan, the portal test plan and the proposed 2026 grant‑cycle calendar so the changes can be in place for the next funding round.","ECHO staff said the county received 1,585 responses to a strategic‑plan survey and described a three‑tier stakeholder process. Staff proposed moving the grant application window earlier and launching a Salesforce portal to modernize the program.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078225,"Assistant county attorney reviews Florida Sunshine and public-records rules with ECHO advisory board",1884,1162000,3046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430&start=1162&end=3046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430/thumbnail_1162000.jpg","/articles/6078225/Volusia-County/Florida/Assistant-county-attorney-reviews-Florida-Sunshine-and-public-records-rules-with-ECHO-advisory-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078225-bbaa9ac165956496f2dae5f350cd1e85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170666&Signature=V~FYvDy2u8XKfuMC2GYzUbU4czd1iNYAWUhZzgCeD71SD3o6W~kCcczP9KOuwBFQUCwstS~jKUDhP0eBA7y2olhDLqrJK-4G2zJqS6ARls1ey5sNy7bKfhMB~lqEghVF48RUOhyMzZLrC7DbVLzILn5~k3UPE5MTiHswJ6mFONQeJfh93rqx1UUw2dBQ6zSwpF2cEpSaCnQk13rCOIi1xgUTfZlErtx7mHPoopSpRixNF4~QK7WNRIwzG1ef~tMWJ6farFKYn5jwHlRKmDO112Gw~kX6CMkGGLGGQwZM-19VAR6Az54WdqavaOkZ8SbdQXeuPHuBnsyxr1VTpyLmUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sabrina Slack, assistant county attorney for Volusia County, told the ECHO Advisory Board during its regular meeting that the Florida Sunshine Law and state public-records rules govern how board members must conduct business and retain documents.

Slack said the Sunshine Law \"is derived from the Florida Constitution\" and outlined three core requirements for public bodies: meetings must be open, notice must be reasonable and minutes must be taken. She warned members that informal back-and-forths, social‑media exchanges among two or more members and side conversations during meetings can trigger violations.

Slack described how the law treats communications: one-way communications to constituents are generally permitted, but two-way exchanges between board members about matters likely to come before the board create a prohibited meeting. She also explained the county’s practice that staff will post notices and maintain minutes and records for advisory boards.

On public records, Slack told the board that most documents, emails and written materials created in connection with official business are public records subject to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, unless a specific exemption applies. She warned that a verbal request for a public record is technically a valid request and that staff should be notified so the county can respond promptly.

Slack summarized penalties and practical rules: unintentional Sunshine violations carry fines; more serious or knowing violations can be criminally prosecuted; public‑records penalties range up to a first‑degree misdemeanor for willful violations; and copying fees are statutorily set at 15 cents a page. She urged members to give public records to staff so the county becomes the custodian and can archive them under the retention schedule.

Board members asked how the rules apply to community presentations, social media and county‑affiliated pages. Slack said a single board member may speak to a community group as a one‑way communication but cautioned that two or more members participating together on such a panel could constitute a noticed meeting. On social media, she cautioned against multiple members engaging in the same thread about board business, which could trigger a Sunshine violation.

Slack closed with practical guidance: avoid side conversations during meetings about board business, refer public‑records requests to staff, and call the legal department for advice when in doubt. The board resumed its agenda after the training.","Sabrina Slack, Volusia County assistant county attorney, delivered a detailed briefing on the Florida Sunshine Law and Public Records Law, explaining meeting, notice and records obligations for advisory-board members and penalties for violations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078210,"Museum of Art — DeLand seeks to rescind four ECHO grants; county staff to present repayment formula to council",168,3216000,3384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430&start=3216&end=3384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2960400-73fae61e1c7a61a2d1277230fb3d8430/thumbnail_3216000.jpg","/articles/6078210/Volusia-County/Florida/Museum-of-Art-DeLand-seeks-to-rescind-four-ECHO-grants-county-staff-to-present-repayment-formula-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078210-9f500ee4c09f0d4073a96a429ab8e134/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170666&Signature=YlcuUwClakZvGAn58~6l90hKrDigGW0ACGlBrWudP~vzCBM87xQhC4blIsMg5wx9RpsPq3u09UTp9PbEVqFxf8s~jRpV4c0jYCbNWu~8UH2u0lwhLeNMkty0h0kgCEhOgZGYSO9buGV1vk6GvkbH2X8qSg0m-GqxkhwDWsyzKyNOS3MrjaCWefnK5iP6egsovevjruibrkbYWq6zJ~FXHjl6jJKK0WMgEZSfnYzCLHYlSIg84qdS6FeG8fjMbmmZjsXQ7EWeuvj06KwpSORK3GKuui5-z0FPoq2ZFFXf46cpQ3o66uZxpBlI7P1BMQjkUgVYp3NUnB65GVKO8wOSTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volusia County staff told the ECHO Advisory Board that the Museum of Art — DeLand has asked to rescind four previously awarded ECHO grants and to repay a portion of the awards under the restrictive‑covenant payback provisions.

Staff said the museum’s four grants totaled roughly $711,000 and that, under the covenant formula for the second half of the covenant period, the institution would repay about $603,000. The staff presentation noted the item will go to County Council for approval on the council’s Tuesday agenda.

Staff told the advisory board that the ECHO guidebook does not currently set out a standardized process for rescissions and repayments to come before the advisory committee, and that staff will draft guidance items for the guidebook so future rescissions follow a defined path and the advisory committee can provide a recommendation to council.

Staff also urged the board to consider that cultural partners often provide operational services that have benefited the public during the life of an agreement and said staff will attempt to present the full context for council members considering the museum’s request.","Staff told the advisory board that the Museum of Art — DeLand asked to rescind four ECHO grants and will reimburse the county according to the restrictive covenant payoff formula; staff estimated a payback of about $603,000 and said the request will go to County Council for approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ECHO staff outlines Direct County Expenditure projects; public and alliance raise concerns about motocross site in wildlife corridor

ECHO staff reports 1,585 responses to strategic-plan survey; proposes grant‑cycle shift and new application portal

Assistant county attorney reviews Florida Sunshine and public-records rules with ECHO advisory board

Museum of Art — DeLand seeks to rescind four ECHO grants; county staff to present repayment formula to council