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

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.