Deltona commissioners vote to place mayor travel dispute on Feb. 17 agenda; suspend city vehicle pending hearing

The Deltona City Commission voted to place a formal review of the mayor’s out‑of‑state travel on the Feb. 17 agenda and voted to suspend the mayor’s use of a city vehicle pending the outcome of that hearing. The commission’s vote to put a censure/violation hearing on the calendar was recorded as five‑zero; a later motion to suspend the mayor’s use of a city vehicle and any city funds tied to travel was approved four‑to‑one.

The matter began during commissioner comments when a request was raised to discuss the mayor’s recent travel to Washington, D.C., and to determine whether the trip had complied with the city’s travel policies. A motion to discuss the matter during the meeting initially failed for lack of a second. Commissioners later returned to the issue and moved to place a charge on the next agenda under the commission’s code governing alleged violations; the vote to place the item on the upcoming agenda passed 5‑0.

The City Attorney summarized the process the commission must follow for alleged charter or policy violations, citing the city code provision governing sanctions and quasi‑judicial hearings. “A violation may be brought forward by a city commissioner or charter officer,” the City Attorney said while reading the relevant section; if a majority votes to have the charge heard, a formal hearing is scheduled and the parties have an opportunity to present evidence.

Public speakers urged transparency and documentation before any final action. Elizabeth Chavez said the discussion indicated growing local oversight: “This could be the better future of Deltona,” she told the commission. Other speakers asked for a paper trail showing the purpose of the trip and who approved expenses.

Commissioner Caldwell moved to place the matter on the Feb. 17 agenda as a formal quasi‑judicial hearing; the motion was seconded and passed. At a subsequent vote the commission approved, 4‑1, a suspension of the mayor’s use of the city vehicle and any city funds for travel pending the outcome of the hearing. Commissioners clarified that the suspension would take effect after the mayor returns from current out‑of‑town activity and would remain in place until the Feb. 17 hearing concluded.

City staff and the commission repeatedly emphasized the distinction between a symbolic vote and the formal disciplinary process under the city code: the commission may take a symbolic or “no confidence” vote at the meeting, but any formal sanction or hearing must follow the notice and hearing procedures in the code. The City Attorney told commissioners the sanction process is modeled on quasi‑judicial hearings and includes opportunities for evidence and response by the charged official.

The commission did not take any immediate financial penalty. Several commissioners called for documentary evidence to be placed on the record ahead of the hearing, including receipts, authorization records, and any staff approvals. The City Manager and city staff were asked to assemble documentation for the Feb. 17 meeting. Public comment, including multiple residents, urged the commission to make the documentation available publicly before any final action.

What’s next: The alleged violation will be placed on the Feb. 17 agenda for a formal hearing under the city code. Staff was directed to compile related travel authorization records and expense documentation for commission review and public disclosure ahead of the hearing.