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County update: multi-phase beach renourishment, dredging grants and workforce re-entry programs outlined for Daytona Beach
Summary
Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhardt told the Daytona Beach City Commission the county has placed more than 1.6 miles of sand during a north-sand placement project, expects further dredging phases funded partly by a $70 million grant and is pursuing infrastructure, stormwater and workforce initiatives.
Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhardt provided a multi-topic county update to the Daytona Beach City Commission on Aug. 20, summarizing coastal restoration work, infrastructure grants and workforce initiatives that affect Daytona Beach residents and businesses. Reinhardt described the countys ongoing beach renourishment efforts, planned dredging, federal and state grant funding, and several local economic and recovery projects.
On beach renourishment, Reinhardt said the county began a coastline north sand placement project in June at Sunglow Pier and has already placed more than 1.6 miles of sand. He told commissioners the initial dredging project produced far more compatible sand than first estimated — between 1.7 million and 2.2 million cubic yards — and that a second and third dredging effort (including testing shoal areas) are planned. Reinhardt noted the county received a $70 million grant to help fund the work and said roughly half of that allocation remains for future placements. He described the dunes as “the first line of defense” against storms and stressed public engagement in forthcoming coastal feasibility studies overseen with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Reinhardt also summarized Transform 386-funded infrastructure efforts, describing a citywide stormwater model and watershed management planning and naming specific wastewater lift stations planned for replacement in Daytona Beach (Lift Stations 15, 17, 18 and 22). He said some lift stations date to the 1950s and that federal funding for these projects will modernize utilities and reduce flood risk. The commissioner noted county-level decisions that added funds to the Transform 386 pot after a storm event and said the Ocean Center is undergoing a $40 million upgrade to modernize systems for larger performers and events.
On workforce and criminal-justice issues Reinhardt discussed the countys “Second Chance Initiative,” highlighting partnerships with Daytona State College to provide virtual welding, barbering and cosmetology programs inside the county jail and other training tied to local employers. He said programs such as forklift certification are aimed at connecting residents leaving incarceration with large local employers (Amazon was cited) and CareerSource involvement in job fairs. Reinhardt framed those programs as recidivism-reduction strategies that could also reduce incarceration costs; he cited an average daily cost to house an inmate of about $111.95 per day.
The councilman also mentioned other county-led efforts including a dog-friendly beach pilot, beach-access work coordinated with FDOT, seagrass plantings funded by grants, and ongoing work to attract larger events and concerts to the Ocean Center once infrastructure upgrades are complete. Reinhardt asked Daytona Beach residents to participate in upcoming public meetings tied to long-term coastal planning.
The presentation was informational; no formal commission action was taken on the county update. Commissioners thanked Reinhardt and asked staff to stay coordinated on lift station projects and coastal work.
