[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",5977727,"mediaKeyId","5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86","parentId",5809920,"title","Deltona commissioners restart ordinance review committee; staff to seek applicants and consultant focus","audioSeconds",1020,"startMs",5447000,"endMs",6467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86&start=5447&end=6467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86/thumbnail_5447000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5977727/Deltona/Volusia-County/Florida/Deltona-commissioners-restart-ordinance-review-committee-staff-to-seek-applicants-and-consultant-focus","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977727-32f636d35b8837db2aad96ec2212dd92/orig.mp4?Expires=1776220527&Signature=YoteT4zI79XkLx9fX-8HHVwd0y2qdlurpSfbNhwyP2YWnFDWstGOML4iNQDKEgQNjWa7R9Uh4QOs0G-DCtznj6tpi6KrCrOnXbmvglVFm4JjpHb2TZ56fadT3EvCdMGcKzZByMGALcRiVdgKX-M0uuA8Jgcia5ZKLsQrkA9Uj8yqaD4sKwK9aU1rk3iBCyuLt3XnhBSYgi7SolOi77U6Ayqvxs6JvQxuHmEML1UXk60QWy7ffBUzp5JCDItFzHmG8QHM0~wtFXLW-0yiXTboSrsWw5~gWL0O7xb4miwVTtiH7d8dAQsHNPNT5TVyWXV-eQrsCJcedmMRWTXibyUsUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Deltona","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","The City Commission of Deltona instructed staff on Tuesday to reestablish the ordinance review committee and to solicit applicants and consultant support to help review municipal code.

Planning and Development Director Smith briefed the commission on the committee's origin: the commission had reached consensus on March 18, 2025 to establish an ordinance review committee and later adopted Resolution 2025-51 to activate it under the city code. Smith told commissioners staff seeks guidance on the committee's scope and timing, particularly whether members should focus on the land-development code or on general code-of-ordinances updates.

\"...we're seeking commission direct guidance on the timing and scope of the committee's work,\" Smith said, noting a comprehensive plan update is under way and the land-development-code rewrite is scheduled after the comp-plan work is adopted.

Members expressed interest in a focused, staff-guided process rather than leaving technical drafting entirely to volunteers. Commissioner Novick and others recommended the committee be provided specific topics and alternatives to consider rather than an open-ended charge. Commissioner Novick suggested starting with the land-development code because of its urgency tied to an existing moratorium and recommended staff and a facilitator present alternatives and comparables from nearby jurisdictions.

Vice Mayor Harriot said the commission had budgeted $75,000 for a consultant to support the committee and asked staff to use that allocation to provide professional guidance. Several commissioners emphasized the need for staff to compile an initial set of priority ordinance topics, and to open the application period so the clerk can present candidates for appointment.

Planning staff reported the clerk already had between eight and 10 applications on file and that the application form collects applicants' professional background and affiliations so commissioners can consider composition when making appointments.

The commission's direction: appoint members, have at least one initial meeting to solicit the committee's input on focus areas, then return to the commission with the committee's recommended priorities so staff can secure the appropriately scoped consultant and proceed. Commissioners discussed staggering priorities (land-development code following the comprehensive plan update) and using staff and a paid consultant to steer technical review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Commission Meeting - September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners agreed to reestablish an ordinance review committee and asked staff to solicit applicants, identify whether land-development code or general ordinances should be prioritized, and use a $75,000 consultant allocation in the budget to support the committee.","taxTitle","Deltona, Volusia County, Florida","taxId",4876,"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},5977733,"Deltona adopts $245.5 million budget, sets final millage at 6.7 mills",2674,1213000,3887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86&start=1213&end=3887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86/thumbnail_1213000.jpg","/articles/5977733/Deltona/Volusia-County/Florida/Deltona-adopts-2455-million-budget-sets-final-millage-at-67-mills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977733-58c6d7a753dbe42363913d81bc586d11/orig.mp4?Expires=1776220527&Signature=YW-39yNRJbVPQVGt0j3APPl7CnbYrLkhHbcZI1eUtjf4UvutAHi3x4HmPAdnUmGC7jD2Z9UH39fffIr-rdDsJO~4HDGI2uX3p3Lc-hBPNfW8EbZ6Dczxlpv7nxnZy3GQKwZymE1VRKX7gUxBB6rfhMm0WqT4sQBcVxr9nUVpPyypwneQtu8KLF20CbEVvzQvqNbxuth1LrkjkIXSiuYwKekhvIA5A21h-DvBMdpcqcgSY5O4n5IFb4F8VZi0zo4~dQKk5ZaYDis-tdrWPxUt7-W~P9bDYK5YEzsmq7RHPG2SdT4So8TQg1q094VIQjfahYOU~em4W1I5NTYsRg6dXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of Deltona adopted the citywide fiscal year 2025-26 budget and set a final operating millage rate of 6.7 mills per $1,000 of assessed value at a public meeting Tuesday.

Finance Director McKinney presented the final budget, saying the total citywide operating budget is $245,510,105 and the general fund portion is $76,928,237, balanced at the 6.7-mill rate. He said capital-improvement and capital-outlay funding totals about $78.2 million and $8.54 million respectively, and noted the budget incorporates roughly $99.15 million in previously approved rollover funds.

\"The fiscal year 25, 26 budget summary, which is new funding, the total citywide operating budget is $245,510,105. The general fund is $76,928,237. It is balanced, sir, at 6.7 mills,\" McKinney told the commission.

McKinney walked commissioners through major additions he said accounted for the budget increase over last year: a Fisher water plant upgrade (presented as $44 million total, with $22 million identified as grant funding), road-elevation projects including Elkam and Catalina boulevards, land acquisition for a new fire station, additional legal and litigation funding, replacement of fleet items and generators, the implementation of internal service funds for fleet and IT, and several targeted capital and park projects. He said some large projects were grant-supported and that certain water projects are expected to finish under budget.

Public commenters opposed to the budget and millage rate urged a full rollback. Several residents said higher taxes would burden families and seniors; Dave Markle said raising the millage \"would be an unnecessary burden to the people of Deltona.\" Another speaker, David Sosa, asked whether the vote represented a hidden tax increase, noting stormwater fees and assessed values impact total bills.

Commissioner discussion included an alternative proposal from Commissioner Ellington to reallocate $1.25 million planned for the Manny Rodriguez Park project toward a full rollback and targeted stormwater and parks investments; Commissioners debated whether moving that capital money would be appropriate and whether promised park projects would be delayed.

After required statutory readings by the city attorney, the commission held a roll-call vote on Resolution 2025-133 (final millage) and Resolution 2025-134 (final budget and CIP). The commission adopted the millage at 6.7 mills and approved the budget. Roll-call results for the millage vote recorded Yes votes from Commissioner Veil Vasquez, Commissioner Novick, Commissioner Santiago, Vice Mayor Harriot and Mayor Vila; No votes from Commissioner Caldwell and Commissioner Howington.

McKinney emphasized that although the city is reducing the millage from prior years, taxable-value increases and non-ad valorem charges affect individual taxpayers differently. He provided several illustrative examples of how the change would affect different property owners and said the average Deltona property would see an $11.79 reduction in city taxes under the new rate compared with last year at 7 mills.

McKinney also reviewed outstanding litigation and legal-service expenses and said auditors will request documentation for pending litigation during the annual comprehensive financial reporting process. He told the commission the budget includes operational savings through reduced open positions and detailed how capital projects and rollovers will be handled.

The commission directed staff to proceed with the adopted budget and millage, and to continue regular reporting on budget status and capital project progress.

","The City Commission adopted a $245.5 million citywide operating budget and set a 6.7-mill ad valorem rate, a move the finance director said reduces the millage from recent years but drew public criticism and calls for a full rollback.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977737,"Deltona commission raises city manager's unbudgeted spending limit to $75,000 after heated debate",0,75000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86&start=75&end=75","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809920-55438e91f98150c4fa793e14329c1c86/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/5977737/Deltona/Volusia-County/Florida/Deltona-commission-raises-city-managers-unbudgeted-spending-limit-to-75000-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977737-889dc825439fdde38b0dc214fb12a497/orig.mp4?Expires=1776220527&Signature=naxfz1fa6aPJ2P3t2PPIB4SyKvvtaXiNAH0WJz2PTe5TLqYwxAvfGPcFDQBngDLwLHajHhHv4E~QKdcIO3yGXtukqcKXNOiH5OjW8dhRtAvibJZDr-XnwPo1A8vwdqRlsEbH1qA2YdlIfezN-1CTS7xRv37rMw-rpBLnVX50nfQU2L~dRbaeMAEutlEtc8cfyB4dap9Oe8NIpKD4xZQ0VzApmjLdgSf-7R7q~Bvsj3H6l6kdDWycCbVNjey2hL-Gx9x68lhvhKbIMTCVUR-o2~Xerk7q2XxGR0QUA5varyLUK0R18veOnfgBjKEKWWBiqxHQ14MDf6~Gmc3n9NFuqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Deltona City Commission on Tuesday restored the March 2025 purchasing policy for budgeted line items and voted to give the city manager authority to approve unbudgeted purchases up to $75,000 without returning to the commission.

The change came after a lengthy debate about how frequently staff must bring purchases to the dais. Finance Director McKinney told commissioners that the March 3 resolution (Resolution 2025-25-29) had allowed the city manager to purchase items fully line-itemed in the adopted budget in any amount, set the manager's unbudgeted authority at $50,000 and required any formal solicitation over $100,000 and all capital improvement program (CIP) items to come back to the commission for approval. He said a June 23 consensus vote (not adopted as a resolution) had effectively lowered the practical threshold to $25,000 and that, since July 21, staff had been returning dozens of purchase items to the commission as a result.

\"What was passed in March 3, resolution 20 25 dash 29 was for all goods and services budgeted and capital that it's line itemed in the budget. The city manager had authority to purchase. His line item approval that was not budgeted was $50,000,\" McKinney said, adding that anything over $100,000 that required formal solicitation still had to come back to the commission.

Commissioner Emma Santiago moved to revert the purchasing policy to the March version. Vice Mayor Harriot seconded that motion, but a later roll call produced a tie and the motion failed. After public commenters urged limits that still allow emergency repairs and routine operations, Commissioner Novick moved, and Commissioner Santiago seconded, an amendment to adopt the March purchasing policy approach while increasing the city manager's unbudgeted threshold to $75,000. The commission approved that motion on a roll call vote (Yes: Commissioner Novick; Commissioner Santiago; Vice Mayor Harriot; Mayor Vila; No: Commissioner Veil Vasquez; Commissioner Caldwell).

During discussion, commissioners debated where emergencies should draw on city funds and how contingency dollars are accessed. McKinney said the city does not maintain a separately labeled \"emergency fund\" but has contingency amounts that can be transferred when authorized; he cited roughly $250,000 in general-fund contingency and about $500,000 in water/sewer contingency. Commissioners also cited a statutory disclosure rule discussed during the meeting: elected officials and staff with signing authority above certain thresholds must file a Form 1 financial disclosure (the transcript referenced a $35,000 threshold in that context).

Public commenters pressed for accountability and clarity. Resident Kathy Bridal told the commission to give the manager authority for true emergencies while retaining commission oversight for non-emergency, higher-value spending. Allison Rue, another commenter, said she supported raising the limit to at least $50,000 for operational flexibility but opposed removing oversight for substantial unbudgeted expenditures.

The new arrangement keeps the March 2025 rule that budgeted, line-itemed purchases may be completed by the city manager without returning to the commission, preserves the requirement that formal solicitations/competitive procurements above the statutory solicitation threshold be presented to the commission, and sets the city manager's authority for unbudgeted purchases at $75,000. Commission direction left CIP purchases and items in CIP-designated funds to continue coming to the commission regardless of amount, consistent with the March guidance McKinney summarized.

The commission recorded that the June consensus had created significant extra agenda items and staff work and said the revised threshold should reduce repeated returns to the dais while preserving elected oversight for larger or capital procurements.

Commissioners also asked staff to place a purchasing-policy workshop on a future calendar to finalize details and a clearer written resolution reflecting the changes.

Less-critical details: the commission first voted to add the purchasing-policy item to the agenda earlier in the meeting (passed 4-3), and the discussion included questions about Form 1 compliance and contingency balances; McKinney offered to provide comparative thresholds from nearby municipalities.

","After months of ad-hoc limits, the Deltona City Commission voted to restore the March purchasing rule for budgeted items and set the city manager's unbudgeted spending authority at $75,000; a prior attempt to fully revert to the March policy failed in a tie.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Deltona commissioners restart ordinance review committee; staff to seek applicants and consultant focus

Deltona adopts $245.5 million budget, sets final millage at 6.7 mills

Deltona commission raises city manager's unbudgeted spending limit to $75,000 after heated debate