Deltona asks Volusia County to lead Rhode Island Avenue extension, keeps city oversight and restricted funding

Deltona — The City Commission voted to pursue a county‑led delivery approach for the proposed Rhode Island Avenue extension while preserving Deltona’s role in project oversight and reserving any city money for improvements inside city limits.

Staff described the project as a multi‑jurisdictional effort that would improve connectivity between Veterans Memorial Parkway, Normandy Boulevard, Pine View Estates and Wolfpack Run. Under a county‑led approach the county would design, build and maintain the roadway, while an interlocal agreement would preserve Deltona’s representation and specify how the city's $15 million contribution (as discussed in the meeting) would be restricted to Deltona‑area work.

Commissioner Novick argued the county is best equipped to manage the complex engineering and inter‑jurisdictional aspects, but said Deltona must retain a seat at the table and protection of local design standards. "I strongly would urge the commission to let us do an interlocal agreement with the county as long as we maintain in that agreement that we have a seat at the table," Novick said.

Residents at public comment raised traffic‑safety concerns if the alignment ties into Wolfpack Run near Deltona High School; one speaker warned increased traffic near school drop‑off points could create hazards. Planning staff said no final alignments are set and that any interlocal agreement would still require Volusia County Council approval and subsequent Deltona approval.

The motion to seek a county‑led interlocal agreement with conditions passed 6–0.

Next steps: Staff will work with legal to draft an interlocal agreement that secures Deltona's input, clearly restricts any city funding to Deltona improvements, and returns the draft to the commission and to Volusia County for approval.