Commission tables Fernanda Drive transfer from county to city after questions about maintenance and annexation

The commission considered resolution 2025-14, a proposed roadway transfer from Volusia County to the City of Deltona for Fernanda Drive (from Howland Boulevard east to the subdivision entrance at Landing Lane), but voted to table the item pending further information and discussion.

Commissioner Lully moved to approve the transfer and Commissioner Santiago seconded, which opened discussion. City staff (project manager Phyllis, identified during the discussion) described a long history of the transfer and said it had been planned to be dedicated to the city when the road was originally constructed; staff also said the roadway is in good condition and that the city’s utilities run on either side of the right‑of‑way.

Several commissioners raised concerns. Commissioner Avila Vasquez and others questioned whether taking over the road would increase city maintenance costs and whether annexing two parcels fronting Howland Boulevard should be considered before accepting maintenance responsibility. Commissioner Colwell asked whether the city would share costs for future signal installations and staff said signal burden typically falls to the primary roadowner.

A resident speaker, Lori Wernicke, opposed the transfer and said portions of Collins Road that are partly county and partly city responsibility are not maintained uniformly; she urged the commission to leave the road under county ownership.

After discussion, the mover and seconder revised their motion to table the transfer for further review. The motion to table passed 7 to 0.