Deltona commission raises firefighter DROP eligibility age to 65 in unanimous vote

The Deltona City Commission unanimously approved Ordinance No. 082025 on second reading to increase the age limit for participation in the Firefighters’ Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) from 60 to 65 years of age.

The motion to approve the ordinance was made and seconded during the meeting; the clerk recorded the vote as 5‑0. The ordinance, read in title, amends Chapter 46, Article 2 of the City Code to revise Section 46‑654 (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) to extend the age limit for DROP participation to 65, and includes standard provisions for codification, severability, repeal of conflicting ordinances, and an effective date.

During public comment Terri Ellis asked whether financial impacts and the pros and cons of the change had been analyzed and presented. Staff responded that the topic had been discussed at the first reading at a previous meeting. No further public testimony was offered and the commission moved to a vote.

What this means: Eligible firefighters will be able to enter DROP at an older age under the revised code text; the ordinance modifies plan eligibility but the meeting record does not include additional actuarial figures in the public record for the second reading. A resident’s question about financial effects was noted and staff referenced discussion at first reading.

What’s next: The ordinance includes an effective date and is codified into the city code; staff and the pension plan administrator would follow up on any implementation steps required by the pension plan and state reporting requirements.