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

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.