Port Orange council sets 5‑mill maximum as $4.4M state stormwater awards advance planned projects

Port Orange city leaders said the city received $4,400,000 in state appropriations and outlined how that money, combined with other grants and local contributions, will fund several large stormwater projects while the City Council set a maximum property tax rate of 5.0 mills per $1,000 of assessed value.

The appropriation breakdown presented at the council’s meeting said $3,000,000 is earmarked "in support of construction of the Sugar Forest Pepper Hill area stormwater project" and $1,400,000 for a master lift station near Ponce Inlet, according to City Manager Wayne. The city manager told the council that the Sugar Forest project is in design and that "the anticipated construction start would be in the first quarter of 2027." He added Port Orange already has matching funds and other grant efforts under way to extend the work across a multi‑year capital plan.

Why it matters: Port Orange officials said the state appropriations and matching sources reduce how much of the cost falls to local taxpayers, but the scale of recommended stormwater projects means the city will continue pursuing federal and county programs such as CDBG/Transform 386 and Resilient Florida. Council members and residents repeatedly tied the city’s budget choices to ongoing flood concerns in older neighborhoods.

Council discussion and supporting details

Mayor Scott Stiltner, speaking during the meeting, said the city "received $4,400,000 in appropriation funds," and Wayne explained the split between the Sugar Forest/Pepper Hill project and the Ponce Inlet lift station. Wayne told the council the Sugar Forest design is under way, that the area’s drainage basin is complicated, and that the city owns land intended for pump/storage components. The city manager said the projects were packaged to improve the city’s competitiveness for state and county money; staff described the first construction start as likely in early 2027.

Council members described additional grant programs under consideration. Staff and council cited work with Volusia County’s Transform 386 allocations and Resilient Florida, noting Resilient Florida typically requires 50 percent local matching. Council members discussed that the stormwater master plan priced out nine major projects at about $76,000,000 and noted the city held roughly $12,000,000 in one‑time funds toward stormwater efforts; one council member summarized the math by saying that if the city financed the remaining gap for all nine projects on a 20‑year bond, it would amount to roughly $50 per household per year (a conceptual example offered by the council member during debate).

Public comments and local context

Several residents spoke during public comment, asking the council to prioritize buyouts and targeted work in neighborhoods that flood frequently. Resident Laurie Becker urged acquisition of a roughly 4‑acre parcel on Bears Trail that she said floods repeatedly and "borders the ditch in question that's always back and forth between county and city regarding who maintains it," and said buying that parcel would help the city control and maintain drainage at that location.

Budget and millage action

Councilors discussed fund balance, debt capacity, and whether to set a maximum millage above the current rate. Staff presented a draft fiscal plan that showed the general fund and larger enterprise funds, described several capital projects that are largely covered by outside funds, and recommended a draft operating millage of 5.0325 mills to balance the proposed budget. After deliberation the council voted 3–2 to set the maximum operating millage at 5.0 mills per $1,000 of assessed value; the motion passed on a roll call vote. Council members emphasized that the "max millage" is a ceiling for property tax notices and that the final adopted millage can be lower at the final budget hearing.

What the council directed or decided

- Decision: Council set the maximum operating millage at 5.0 mills per $1,000 (vote: 3–2). This is the rate that will appear on preliminary tax notices; the final rate will be adopted later this year. - Direction/ongoing work: Staff was directed to continue pursuing Transform 386 and Resilient Florida grant rounds, complete designs for Sugar Forest and related projects, and keep council informed about how outside funding affects local contributions and timing.

Next steps and outlook

Design work is under way for Sugar Forest/Pepper Hill and for the Ponce Inlet master lift station; staff estimated construction start for the Sugar Forest project in the first quarter of 2027. Council members said they expect staff to return with updated grant outcomes and refined cost‑sharing scenarios before final budget adoption.

Ending note: Councilors and residents framed flood mitigation as the council’s top long‑term capital priority; the council’s vote established budget flexibility for staff to pursue a mix of city dollars and outside grants while the city moves ahead on design, permitting and grant applications.