Public comment at the Volusia County Council’s Dec. 2 meeting focused heavily on restoring cultural grants, water quality projects and other community‑level services.

Arts advocates said the council’s pause on cultural grants has hurt local nonprofits and asked the council to honor prior review processes that recommended awards. “Does it make any sense to withhold funding from over 30 nonprofit organizations that serve your constituents?” artist Angelo Parra asked the council during public comment.

Environmental and water concerns also featured prominently. Dr. Wendy Anderson of Stetson University described a Florida Department of Environmental Protection‑funded study to test a retrofit septic treatment (BioMaze) that could reduce nitrogen by at least 65% in monitored systems; she invited residents of targeted Lake Beresford neighborhoods to apply for the no‑cost study. “We are seeking 40 households…to participate in this study at no cost to the homeowner,” Anderson said.

Other residents raised neighborhood problems including flooding and drainage in Mission City, missing evidence in law‑enforcement records, and requests for code‑enforcement follow‑up. Council members acknowledged the volume of concerns and asked staff to continue follow‑ups on the items raised during the public‑comment period.

Why this matters: Public comment gives residents the chance to put community priorities on the public record and can spur staff follow‑up; arts funding and water‑quality projects often shape grant decisions and program priorities during budget cycles.

What’s next: Councilmembers asked staff to follow up on specific complaints raised during the public comment period and to include the Stetson recruitment and DEP study details in closing remarks and communications.