Volusia Forever committee adopts 2026 work plan, adds outreach language, reiterates mission and backs bonding

The Volusia Forever advisory committee on Jan. 30 voted to adopt a revised 2026 work plan that adds a staff-led public outreach recommendation, reiterates the program mission and support for perpetuity and partnerships, clarifies small-lot acquisition language, and records formal committee support for bonding as a financing tool.

During discussion, committee members debated how strongly to word outreach and mission statements. Member Suzanne Scheiber asked whether staff could provide an annual public update in each district; staff and other members proposed alternatives such as improving the public dashboard by district or using council members' town halls. The committee moved to "support public outreach efforts by county staff regarding program achievements and goals with the recommendation for public meetings and information sessions to be held annually or as the county council deems appropriate," and the motion carried (recorded with two dissenting votes).

Members also debated explicitly restating the program mission and adding language that the committee supports "perpetuity and partnerships." After discussion—some members cautioned about redundancy and the risk of prompting Council to reopen mission language—the committee voted to place the mission statement before the work plan and to add partnership language drawn from the Council-adopted resolution; that motion passed with two dissenting votes.

Goal 3 was clarified to read something like: "support the acquisition of conservation lands, including purchase of properties through implementation of the small lot acquisition program," after staff described that small-lot work continues but larger transactions take precedence during busy seasons. That amendment to the goals passed with one dissenting vote.

On funding, several members urged the committee to state support for bonding, noting the original ballot language included bonding and that major purchases (for example, Riverbend Ranch discussed later in the meeting) would deplete reserves without bond authority. The committee adopted a motion to support bonding for the Volusia Forever program by voice vote; staff confirmed Council will hear an overview of Volusia Forever criteria (including bonding as an option) at a February meeting.

Why this matters: the committee's recommendations will be forwarded in the agenda backup to County Council. The outreach and mission additions are recommendations (not binding changes to the resolution); the committee also recorded a formal recommendation that Council preserve bonding authority as a financing tool for acquisitions.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the committee's edits into the final work plan to be included in the County Council agenda packet (target March). The committee requested a finalized copy be circulated once edits are completed.