Volusia County Council approves task assignment to pursue motocross public–private partnership amid protests

Volusia County Council voted 5–1 on Jan. 8 to approve a task assignment (item H) authorizing county staff to contract with consultants to develop a public–private partnership model for a proposed motocross/ATV/UTV trail-riding facility on county-owned land. Councilman David Santiago moved approval; Councilman Danny Robbins seconded the motion. Chair Pat Brower voted no.

The proposal — described by Assistant County Manager Gus Zambrano as a phased, ground-lease public–private partnership intended to limit county financial exposure — would use one-time ECHO funding (staff said $3.5 million is available from prior ECHO appropriations) for initial steps including due diligence, wetlands delineation and procurement planning. Zambrano said most project costs to date were for land acquisition and that staff’s recommended model shifts construction and operations risk to a private operator under a long-term ground lease.

Opponents argued the item was improperly placed on the consent agenda, bypassing fuller public review. Connie Colby and others urged the council to move the item to a full agenda placement and requested greater transparency about ECHO and Volusia Forever oversight. Several speakers, including CJ Harris (owner/operator of a nearby PAX Tracks facility), warned a county-run or county-subsidized facility could take customers from existing private operators and damage the local market for motocross businesses. Harris said, “If I thought there was enough business to be successful I would buy the land myself,” and cautioned a county entry could force local operators out of business.

Supporters including Councilman Don Dempsey said existing private tracks are geographically distant for many southern Volusia residents, and that a local, accessible site would serve youth and recreational riders. Dempsey and others emphasized private-sector operation under a ground-lease model and noted examples of P3 motocross venues in other Florida counties.

County legal staff (Deputy County Attorney Russ Brown) said agreements would require operators to carry insurance, indemnify the county and add the county as an additional insured. Staff acknowledged liability and maintenance concerns and said procurement would be competitive; the next steps identified by staff include preparation of a solicitation and contract-execution phase if the task assignment proceeds.

The vote authorizes staff to proceed with the consultant task assignment and to prepare procurement documents and contract terms; it does not approve construction, select an operator, or obligate general-fund dollars for operations. Chair Brower said he remained opposed because he feared ongoing costs and a potential “money pit.” The council directed staff to proceed with the limited consultant scope presented and to return with additional materials at later steps.

What’s next: staff will prepare the solicitation documents for the competitive phase and return to council with proposed contract terms and further budget implications before any construction or operator selection.